With the all-star break quickly approaching, the major call ups are just around the corner. As teams continue to fall in the standings and out of contention, we could see an influx of young talent brought up to compete at the Major League level. The trade deadline will see veterans lost to teams in the hunt. For some special prospects, they could become the answer a team is looking for in the last half of the 2009 season. Here are some players to watch out for fantasy wise, that could make a difference in the upcoming months. 

Jordan Danks, OF Chicago White Sox- In Double A currently and so far this year, Danks (yes his brother is John) has hit .317 with six home runs, 44 runs scored, and 30 RBIs. Danks, who fell all the way to the seventh round in the 2008 draft, has a an inside track at an outfield position at the major league level sometime in the near future. Kenny Williams has rumored that he will try and move bats like Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko. Danks isn’t as far progressed as the White Sox would hope, but Dwayne Wise isn’t a long term option. Danks lacks natural out of the park power, but he can hit it gap to gap, and could be a good filler until Kenny Williams brings in either his own free agent or Dayan Viciedo is ready for the maj0rs.

Justin Smoak, 1B Texas Rangers- The best college bat in the 2008, at least to some scouts, has been tearing the cover off the ball in Double-A Frisco. The Rangers number three prospect has six homers and 28 RBIs this season, while he continues to show disciplined  hitting at the plate. Smoak holds the records for career home runs and RBIs as a South Carolina Gamecock. Many scouts think that Smoak is the middle of the order hitter and could be in the Majors by 2010. It could be possible though, with the Rangers in the hunt, that Smoak could be pushed to the Major Leagues. Chris Davis has struggled, only hitting .208 so far on the year. In 58 games, he has 92 strikeouts. Smoak could bring just a bit more ability to hit for average at this point. I think it will be interesting to see if the Rangers are willing to sell out on him if a big time pitcher becomes available at the deadline, and they are still in the hunt.  

Stephen Strasburg, SP Washington Nationals- Obviously. I am still part of the minority when I say that I believe if the contract is worked out sooner rather than later, he will be in the Major Leagues before the end of the season. Strasburg is an instant sales boost and number one starter on that staff right now. We will see if he will have pitch limits, or will work in the minors. Either way, you have to keep your eyes open. 

Neftali Feliz, SP Texas Rangers- The pride and joy of Nolan Ryan could be the answer to the Rangers needs on the mound. At 3-4 with a 3.83 ERA with AAA Oklahoma City, it seems that the Rangers best arm could be ready to help get some wins down the stretch. Feliz features a fastball between 94-96 miles per hour. Combine that with a power curve and nasty changeup both sitting in the mid ’80s. Feliz is just 24 years old and at the AAA level has a nasty 8.21 SO/9 ratio. One issue has been his control, and in spring training Nolan Ryan worked on his command, and their was some success so far this season. Feliz is throwing 62% of his pitches as strikes. Feliz could be called up anytime after the first half of the season. 

Jaff Decker, OF San Diego Padres- If the Friars deal Jake Peavy or Brian Giles by the deadline and don’t get outfield talent back, Jaff Decker would be the go to hitter. Current prospect Wil Venable is struggling at the major league level, while Decker continues to hit well in lo a ball. It seems that Decker would be a stretch, but a call to AA in July could lead to a peak in August or September if he responds well to older pitching. Let’s face it. The Pads need to put together all the talent they can and evaluate it at the Major League Level. Decker is hitting .283 in the midwest league, with 8 HRs and 30 RBIs this season. Last year, he hit .352 in rookie ball with 5 homers and 34 RBIs. 

Brett Wallace , 3B St. Louis Cardinals- Wallace got a quick call up to AA Springfield last year, hitting .367 with 11 RBIs and a .456 OBP. This year he has slowed down just a bit.  Currently he is hitting .238 at the AAA level. and it seems that Troy Glaus will be back sooner rather than later. He is on a schedule to start a throwing and hitting program really soon. Wallace is a basher, but only time will tell if he is a factor in 2009. It does seem eminent though, considering Glaus is a free agent next season, and the Cards would like to get Wallace’s feet wet. 

Brad Lincoln, SP Pittsburgh Pirates- Lincoln is one of the better arms in the system, and knowing the history of this starting staff, Brad Lincoln could get his chance in the second half. His fastball hits 95 and his changeup is a decent pitch. Not true fantasy value, but an arm to watch if he catches on in the majors soon enough. 

Chris Carter, DH Oakland Athletics- The A’s haven’t been shy to bring up hitters this year, and that is what Carter is. He is a natural DH, but with Eric Chavez going down, it could be possible we see Carter come up to fill in from AA. Carter is a masher, with power to all fields. His stroke is clean, which also helps him hit for a decent average. His OBP is better than most of the infielders on the squad. Other infielders, such as Adrian Cardenas and Jemile Weeks are just not quite ready yet. Carter has the type of bat that could keep the fans in the stands, despite being out of the playoff hunt. 

Jason Castro, C Houston Astros- Ivan Rodriguez is great, but he could be dealt again if a team in contention needs a veteran catcher. Jason Castro was recently brought up to AA, and by July he might be ready to take over behind the plate. This is the Astros’ coveted  prospect so they don’t want to rush him. Castro will probably get some AAA seasoning much like Matt Wieters. 

Wilkin Ramirez OF Detroit Tigers- If Detroit has to place Miguel Cabrera on the disabled list, they will have a tough decision to make. In the Playoff hunt, it doesn’t seem that Magglio Ordonez will be traded, but if the combination of Josh Anderson and Clete Thomas fails to produce, and Carlos Guillen doesn’t get healthy, Ramirez could field some games in the outfield. His numbers at AAA aren’t impressive, but they are serviceable. Dave Dombrowski wasn’t afraid to insert Cameron Maybin in the lineup down the stretch in 2007, and now he could be callin on Wilkin to lift the offense in D-Town.