In the last three weeks, I have been fortunate to attend some minor league baseball games. The Mrs. and I traveled to Indianapolis for an anniversary trip in late June with plans to see the Indianapolis Indians and Charlotte Knights. For those not as familiar with minor league affiliation, that would be Pittsburgh versus the Chicago White Sox.

The Knights had one player I cared to see: Josh Phegley. The Sox farm system is a barren cupboard, except for Phegley and pitcher Erik Johnson. Much to my chagrin, Phegley was held out of the lineup at the game we attended, and Johnson made his AAA debut the next day against the Indy Indians.

Good thing the Pirates have depth in their system, because their AAA team fielded Josh Harrison, Alex, Presley, Jose Tabata, Chase d’Arnaud, Felix Pie (giggle), and the never-aging Jose Contreras all in the same game. The game was less than thrilling, as both starters made each team’s hitters look like rookie ball players. Indy won after Knights lefty Donnie Veal walked the bases loaded and gave up a bases clearing double.

July 7, I got to see local A-ball Kane County (Illinois) Cougars play the Quad City Bandits. Carlos Correa, the No. 1 overall pick by Houston in 2012, was out of the lineup for a second straight game, so the prospect spotlight was shining solely on Cougars/Chicago Cubs prospect Albert Almora. He DH’ed, but did not disappoint at the plate. He was 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. He was hitting a robust .325 at game time, a much higher number than the majority of his teammates.

I highly encourage spending time seeing the future of baseball. Seeing the game at any level is a treat, especially when budding starts like Correa, Almora, and others like Byron Buxton role in to a Cracker Jack box near you.

Peaking

Jeremy Hefner, Starting Pitcher, New York Mets: From a win-loss mark of 0-5 to 4-6, Hefner continues to be a model of consistency after a tough start to 2013. He is on a 7-game streak in which he has given up fewer than 3 runs, and has done so in 8 of his last 10. His next start is Thursday against Pittsburgh, a tough go. Still, I’d be okay with starting him.

Wade Miley, Starting Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks: Miley has found his way back to fantasy relevancy with a nice June and start to July. His lack of wins hurt his value in H2H leagues, but is a good addition to Roto rotations looking to find a consistent starter. It is safe to believe his ERA will finish closer to 3.50 after a very rough go early in 2013.

Logan Morrison, Outfield, First Base, Miami Marlins: A healthy LoMo makes me a happy fantasy manager. I always liked his power potential attached to a .270-.285 average, and his late start to 2013 has been impressive. Morrison is slashing .318/.400/.621 in 19 games. If his stats can finish around .270/.340/.560, he could be a great midseason addition with the push for the playoffs coming sooner than later.

Alfonso Soriano is on his summer hot streak. Get it before it fizzles. James Loney is still available in roughly 25% of leagues. Be ashamed if he is available and not on your roster.

In the Valley

Mitch Moreland, First Base, Texas Rangers: A June 21 return from a hamstring injury has been going as smoothly as a turbulent plane ride for Moreland. He is hitting .194 with 0 home runs in 62 at-bats. It is never fun to see an injury derail a breakout season like the one MM was in the middle of, but he is more of a “watch list” player with 1B being such a deep position.

Neil Walker, Second Base, Pittsburgh Pirates: Injuries and inconsistency at the plate is making it increasingly tough to roster Walker, even at a shallow position like second. His recent side injury could land him on the disabled list for a second time in 2013.

Gerrit Cole, Starting Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates: His 4-1 is slightly deceiving. The youngster is performing well, but may be just below the bar when it comes to starting every five days in fantasy. Cole has yet to make it out of the 7^th in any start, and his ability to miss bats is becoming an issue. Hits are piling up for him, but it is not necessarily time to cut bait if you do own him. Start with caution.

Follow me on Twitter @jeffrotull44, and check out my work with The Sports Bank, where I cover the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Blackhawks, and entertainment.