First there was Bennifer. Then Brangelina. And now? Jobaphilian. Don’t worry, we didn’t come up with the nickname (we wouldn’t do that to you), we’re just reporting it. Jobaphilian, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, is the young Yankees pitching triumvirate of Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy. While every baseball fan in America is no doubt hoping that the nickname won’t be successful, chances are the trio will. All are expected to play major roles this year, and their ability to carry the Yankees through the post-season will most likely be the deciding factor on whether the team brings home another championship. No one is more aware of this fact then GM Brian Cashman:

“Obviously, each of these individuals are symbols of what our hope is for the future,” [said Cashman.] “We’re certainly counting on a lot and asking a lot from Joba, Phil and Ian. I also think they know that.”

“This isn’t sneaking up on them. They’re on their journey, and their careers are under way.”

If you’re looking to own part or all of the three-headed Bronx monster come fantasy draft day, expect 140 or so innings from Joba (who will start in a setup role) with a low ERA and high K/IP, and some top 100 numbers from Hughes and Kennedy.

• The Braves first pick in last year’s draft, Jason Heyward, has turned into quite an impressive force.  At 6′ 4″ and 220 pounds, he is drawings early comparisons to Cliff Floyd.  How this Atlanta native lasted until the 14th pick for the local Braves will forever remain a mystery.
• In the same article there is mention of Michael Broadway, the flamethrower picked up by the Braves in the 2005 Draft.  This kid has always had the fastball (clocked at 97 mph), but its the control he’s lacked.  Apparently he tinkered with his delivery last year to great results.
• Jair Jurrjens, who is fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation, had a pretty rough outing against the Dodgers today.  He gave up two hits, a walk and one run in two innings of work, a performance he was not pleased with.  According to this article he just needs to work on his confidence, although Bobby Cox isn’t worried.

• Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports that pitching prospect Jeff Niemann, who is coming off an All-Star campaign with Triple-A Durham where he went 12-6 with a 3.98 ERA, is competing for one of the final two spots in the Rays rotation. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on this guy. Assuming he doesn’t get benched by the groin injuries that have plagued him in the past, or surpassed by a competitor like Andy Sonnanstine he could be a solid fantasy sleeper if he starts.
• Rays top prospect Evan Longoria hit a game tying double off of fellow top prospect Edinson Volquez of the Reds. Longoria then scored on an single by Shawn Riggans. Longoria finished 1 for 2 with a walk, and is making a strong case to start.

Here is the latest on a few prospects from around the league:

• As of Thursday Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals’ top prospect, was 3-for-3 with 3 walks and four runs scored in his 6 plate appearances so far this spring. For anyone who can’t do math, that gives him an on base percentage of 1.000.
• With Scott Spiezio about to be hauled off to jail and Albert Pujols’ elbow always a concern, Cards’ Manager Tony LaRussa is looking for a backup at first base, and may have found one in 25 year old prospect Joe Mather. Mather had was trying to make it as an outfielder after playing first and third in the minors where he hit 31 HRs in 2007.
• In the batting cages Thursday morning, Reds’ Manager Dusty Baker challenged top prospects Jay Bruce and Joey Votto to “see how many hits” they could get. Bruce went 3-5 with a HR and Votto was 2-5.
• Jay’s LHP prospect David Purcey could be one of the “first players considered for promotion” if the starting rotation has injury problems. The 6-foot-5, 16th overall First-Year Player Draft pick in 2004 could also help out in the bullpen.
• Jay’s top OF prospect Travis Snider made his Grapefruit League debut Thursday and received praise from Manager John Gibbons for his great approach at the plate and hitting ability. Serving as DH and batting 9th, the 20 year old Snider walked in his first at bat against Detroit’s Matt Mantei, and grounded out in his second at bat.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to put Geovany Soto on your list of fantasy sleepers. Soto will be available late in most drafts and has significant upside in the fairly shallow catcher position. Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports that Soto will start opening day and although he is still learning the “ins” and “outs” from veteran Henry Blanco, Lou Piniella is fully on board. By all accounts, Soto is ready to crush the ball this year. The 6-foot-1, 230 lb prospect had a great year offensively in 2007, hitting .353 with 26 HRs and 109 RBIs which earned him Pacific Coast League MVP honors. He’s turned up to camp slimmer and in better shape this year and chances are his Minor League production will translate into solid numbers for a catcher, with HRs in the 15-20 range batting average near .300. Even if you’ve already drafted a catcher by the later rounds he would be worth picking up as a backup or to use as trade-bait later.

• With Kevin Kouzmanoff firmly entrenched at 3B for the Padres, top prospect Chase Headley saw some action in left field in San Diego’s 10-3 loss to the Mariners. Headley looked solid making the transition from the infield, going 1-2 with a run scored and making several running and diving catches in left field.
• Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports that because of the injury to SS Omar Vizquel, Giants INF Eugenio Velez could make the team as a super-utility player. With Kevin Frandsen possibly sliding over to Vizquel’s spot at SS, the 25-year old Velez has been taking ground balls at 3B rather than his regular 2B because his strong arm could make him extremely valuable to the Giants at the hot corner. Velez played 2B and went 1-3 with a run scored and an RBI in yesterday’s 12-6 loss to the Cubs in Arizona.
• On a similar note, Henry Schulman of the SF Chronicle writes that all the injuries to the Giants aging infield are already opening doors for their youngsters.  It looks like Velez and Emmanuel Burriss, arguably the Giants two top IF prospects, will get starts in the upcoming Cactus League games.

If he can continue to produce on the farm, New York Yankees OF Austin Jackson feels he can be ready for major league action by 2009.  Ranked the #41 prospect by Baseball America, the speedy Texas-native could definitely create waves in the veteran Yankee outfield.  After hitting .345 with 15 2B and 10 HR in low-A ball in the Florida State League, he was promoted to AA-Trenton, where he will most likely start the 2008 season.  As of right now, there is no need to worry about him for fantasy purposes.

Brandon Funston of Yahoo Sports put together his list of the top 10 rookies to make a fantasy impact this year. We’ve summarized the basic information for you. He says he didn’t include Kosuke Fukudome even though he’s technically a rookie, and if he had Fukudome would be in his top 3.

• 1. Jacoby Ellsbury, Bos, OF
  If CoCo Crisp is out of the picture and Ellsbury bats lead off, could have 40 SBs and 100+ runs
• 2. Clay Buchholz, Bos, SP
  Will get babied by BoSox for 125-150 IP, 10 wins, and a k/ip
• 3. Joba Chamberlain, NYY, RP
  Will be starting in the bullpen, limited to 140 IP or less, probably will make the rotation at some point
• 4. Evan Longoria, TB, 3rd Base
  Funston predicts .280/20/75/75/0, if he starts
• 5. Geovany Soto, ChC, Catcher
  Probably won’t be a top 100 fantasy player, but could have good value if drafted late
• 6. Joey Votto, Cin, 1st Base
  Stuck behind 38 year old Scott Hatteberg but could get 20 HR and 10-15 steals with 450 ABs
• 7. Andy LaRoche, LAD, 3B
  It’s between him and Nomar Garciaparra for the starting 3B role, has 20-25 hr power if he gets the job
• 8. Jay Bruce, Cin, OF
  Norris Hopper/Ryan Freel will limit his chances of starting in the majors, but with the talent he has he should be up before the All-Star break
• 9. Colby Rasmus, StL, OF
  Could be a 20/20 guy if he surpasses one of the current outfielders: Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel, or Ryan Ludwick
• 10. Ian Kennedy, NYY, SP
  Has held hitters to under .190 in 168 minor league innings. With the Yankees bat support he could reach double digit wins.

• Cubs’ OF Kosuke Fukudome reached base three times today against the Giants; a walk, a HBP, and an RBI single.
• The Phillies top pick in 2007, Joe Savery, had a very rough first outing.  But his pitching coach was pleased with his performance because of how he responded to a tough situation.
• Former Orioles’ top pick Scott Moore is learning 2B in anticipation of a potential Brian Roberts trade.  The Baltimore outfield is already pretty well occupied by Luke Scott, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, so this is probably a good move by Moore.
• Mets’ top prospect Fernando Martinez got one of the team’s only four hits today.  It seems former prospect Anthony Reyes is continuing his great spring.
• In his first game of American baseball, White Sox IF Alexei Ramirez went 4-5 with an RBI and 3 runs scored.  Sleeper alert here if he wins the 2B job.
• Top IF prospect for the Red Sox, Jed Lowrie, would love to man the middle infield with 2007 ROY Dustin Pedroia.  In the same article is word that RHP Michael Bowden would get his first look of the spring against Northeastern.

• Sean Deveney of SportingNews is worried Dusty Baker might adversely rush the development of the Reds’ three young pitching studs, Homer Bailey, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto.
• In this Cincinnati Enquirer article, Dusty Baker explains that he would rather see the Reds’ pitching prospects in long relief than sent down to the minors.
• Jay Bruce is keeping a cool head, despite the lofty expectations that come with being the top prospect.  Still no updates on whether or not Bruce will start in Cincinnati or Triple-A Louisville.