With the 2008 fantasy season dwindling away, WaiverSharks.com continues to look to some up-and-comers you should make yourself aware of.

Brett Anderson – Oakland Athletics

Acquired in the Danny Haran deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Brett Anderson is still a ways from making any serious fantasy baseball impact – but the left hander, along with fellow Olympian and teammate, Trevor Cahill, could gobble up a major portion of the A’s innings in coming years.

Now the cat we’re trying to contain ourselves about – but having a bit of a hard time…

The Texas Rangers main return volley when they traded Mark Teixeira a year ago was catcher Jarrod Saltalamachia who may find himself in a Red Sox uni before next season even begins due to their plethora of talented back stops.

Another player included in that trade was a 100mph throwing starter by the name of…

Neftali Feliz – Texas Rangers

Neftali Feliz still can’t even get served an ice cold Budweiser after a big win. (He turns 21 years old in May of 2009.)

But his talent is blatantly obvious – judging by his phenomenal statistics.

He struck out 153 batters while splitting time in AA and A ball – and amazingly, only yielded 3 long balls while walking 51 batters.

Keep in mind – While WaiverSharks editor Scott Woodall was “cutting the rug” at his high school dance to this #1 Terrence Trent D’arby single – Neftali was just being born! (May 2, 1988)

As mentioned - the athletic righty’s fastball occasionally hits 100mph – but usually hovers more in the middle nineties. His curve, and his changeup are said to be improving and further developing – as is his overall command.

It remains to be seen if he will one day make the impact that former Texas Ranger Edinson Volquez has had this year for the Cincinnati Reds – but his stock is most definitely on the rise!

Pointing out the obvious:

Rangers fans can’t lament the loss of Volquez too much – Afterall – that Josh Hamilton guy they got in return for him has had a pretty decent start to his career in Arlington – wouldn’t you say?

Don’t get caught daydreaming WaiverSharks!

With fantasy football in full swing – and perhaps a kibosh to your playoff hopes thanks to Hurricane Ike’s decimation of (among other things) the Major League Baseball schedule you may be losing focus on some baseball developments that are worth making at least a mental note about.

One welcome addition was ‘the king of late season waiver priority adds’ David Price. The 6’ 6” south paw was finally called up by the Tampa Bay Rays on the weekend – and pitched well against the New York Yankees in his major league debut – going 5.2 innings allowing two runs and three hits while fanning four without issuing a walk.

Next season Price will presumably be at the top of many fantasy baseball wish lists when it comes time to draft a rookie arm – due to his undeniable potential.

But here are a few more pitchers who should come much cheaper then Mr. Price – while still having some good fantasy upside.

Trevor Cahill – Oakland A’s

Hard throwing righty, Trevor Cahill could factor into the Oakland Athletics rotation very soon – after all General Manager Billy Beane has traded away every starter the A’s rostered a year ago!

Plus - Gio Gonzales’ call up has garnered mixed results – so opportunity may come knocking on Cahill’s door if he can provide a strong showing next spring.

Jon Niese – New York Mets

Jon Niese possesses a lethal curve ball and although he’ll likely spend a portion of the 2009 season in the minors he may have a chance at cracking the Mets rotation if they run into some injury woes.

James Parr – Atlanta Braves

James Parr has pitched well for the Atlanta Braves since being called up to replace Charlie Morton – but many fantasy enthusiasts have long since forgot the Braves exist ever since they traded Mark Teixeira and appear content to just let the clock run out on the 2008 season.

Madison Bumgarner – San Francisco Giants

Finally, we may be getting a bit ahead of ourselves as Madison Bumgarner projects to join the San Francisco Giants more likely closer to the 2010 season.

However, the Giants are going to be looking to add another young gun to the duo of Cain and Lincecum in the not too distant future – and we think Bumgarner could be their answer!

Coming up later this week – We think we’ve discovered the Texas Rangers’ answer to their loss of Edinson Volquez

David Price has still not pitched in 2008 – so much for holding onto that waiver priority eh?

But all is not lost folks – after all – one man doth not make up a fantasy TEAM!

So, let’s take a quick glance at a few arms that have been called up recently for a September cup of coffee – and who could provide some fantasy relevance as early as 2009.

Indeed -while many managers in the fantasy baseball world are still grasping tightly to a dying hope to catch a glimpse of the Tampa Bay Rays future star these other pitchers have already been called to the show.

ALL could be had for a deep sleeper discount come draft day – and will ALL come at a much smaller price than David Price.

Wade Leblanc – San Diego Padres

A crowd favorite while pitching this year for the Portland Beavers, Leblanc had an auspicious debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers – but than proved he may be a fast learner by turning in a quality start against the “men in blue” in his follow up start.

It’s impossible to predict what Leblanc will do the rest of the way in 2008 – but he’ll bring his nasty change up and a little experience to spring training next year – and should have a leg up on many young Padres guns for a spot in San Diego’s rotation.

Michael Bowden – Boston Red Sox

Photo courtesy of: sittingstill.net Are you a Red Sox fan? Then check out sittingstill.net – lots of great rare pics of Sox rooks!)

Bowden is still a bit of a long shot to crack the Red Sox coveted fearless five going into 2009 – but he didn’t hurt his case with his Major League debut – and if he continues to show, as Terry Francona put it – “poise on the mound” – he could have a very bright future ahead of him.

James McDonald – Los Angeles Dodgers

If the Red Sox Michael Bowden is considered a deep sleeper, than James McDonald might be thought of as our “Bottom of the Sea Sleeper” – yep, that’s pretty deep!

At 6’5’ he carries the tools to become an imposing right hander - capable of hitting the mid-nineties with his fastball.

James put together an impressive year in the minors this year going 7-4 with an era of 3.26 – but will most likely just see some mop up duty as a long reliever in 2008.

The Dodgers will certainly take a good look at him next spring – but Clayton Kershaw and Co. may beat him to the bigs – meaning that a portion of 2009 could be spent in Las Vegas next year. But, keeper leaguers take note, this guy has some real upside!

Coming Soon…

More deep sleeper pitchers and -

Our prediction who could be

the next Edinson Volquez!