Derek Norris, C, Washington Nationals

The fall from grace of Derek Norris over the past two seasons has been painful to monitor. Following the 2009 season he was widely rated amongst the top prospects in the sport, but 2010 provided nothing but setbacks. Norris broke the Hamate bone in his left hand (by all accounts an injury that saps power for a full year) and was struck in the head by a 96 MPH fastball. 

While his numbers took a massive nosedive, his futility levels have reached an all-time low through 64 games this year. His first taste of AA ball has resulted in a .196 average with seven doubles, 12 HR (.407 SLG) and only 29 RBI. The lack of square contact has been frightening: .218 BABIP, .143 versus left-handed pitching and .169 with RISP. 

The Nationals believed they had corrected a weight shift flaw in his stride, but no consistent progress has been evident. Despite his struggles, the 22-year old remains a potential superstar in the eyes of many because of his sublime patience and hand-eye coordination. He's drawn 46 walks in 204 at bats (18%) and his OBP of .352 is tremendous given his struggles collecting base hits. It's quite possible that he's become patient to a fault, however, allowing too many fat pitches go by and putting himself behind the eight ball with regularity. A more aggressive approach from the struggling backstop would be a breath of fresh air. An ETA is difficult to project until his mental/mechanical issues are straightened out. 

Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Perhaps the Red Sox farm system isn't bereft of top-level talent after all. Middlebrooks, who was a recent participant in the All-Star Futures Game, is quickly emerging as a legitimate high ceiling prospect. 

In his first season in the AA Eastern League he's batting .314 with 18 doubles, 11 homers and 52 RBI. He's been particularly menacing in RISP situations where he's hitting .403 with a 1.067 OPS and driven in 40. The knock on the soon to be 23-year old has been pitch recognition and plate discipline. In 261 plate appearances this season he's drawn just 17 walks (6%) against 64 strikeouts (23%). This is not a new development for Middlebrooks who posted a 35:121 BB:K ratio in 2010. When he makes contact the result is screaming line drives (.378 BABIP), but there are simply too many swings and misses. 

Since arriving in the organization he's added 40 pounds to his frame (from 180 to 220), and the power development is clearly evident. Balls he was driving for doubles are now leaving the yard. While still a raw product in his fourth MiLB season, his bat speed and plate coverage are impossible to ignore. It's difficult to project when Boston will begin to infuse young talent onto their established roster, but he's opening eyes. Over his last ten games Middlebrooks is batting .381 with three HR and 15 RBI. 

The 23-year old middle infield product out of the Dominican Republic is a classic case late bloomer. Originally signed by New York to fill out a Dominican Summer League roster in 2007, Valdespin is now thriving in his fifth minor league campaign. 

He's obliterating previous statistical highs in the AA Eastern League, batting .294 with 11 HR (14 total in previous four seasons), 40 RBI (previous high of 41 in 2010) and 29 stolen bases (previous high of 17 in '10). His body has matured significantly and his raw energy on the diamond is slowly being channeled in the proper avenues. 

However, Valdespin remains a free swinger (17 BB:55 K) and needs to slow the game down on the bases and in the field. He's been caught stealing 11 times and has committed an unacceptable 24 errors at shortstop for Binghamton. Criticisms aside, it's hard to argue with his .330 batting clip in June and .333 in July. He's flat raking right now. 

Valdespin is a likely September call up for the Mets, and will undoubtedly get a long look next spring at SS or 2B (depending on team’s decision on Jose Reyes). *He’s broken team rules in the past, making a number of enemies in the prior regime. Those attitude issues appear to be behind him.

Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com

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Tags: The Fantasy Fix,  2011 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Advice, 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MiLB, The Farm Report, AA, AAA, Adam Ganeles, Jordany Valdesin, Will Middlebrooks, Derek Norris

(February 24, 2011 – Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images North America)