This is the time of year when star minor leagues get called up to the major leagues. If you hit the waiver wire and pick the right call-up, you may be able to strike gold. Here’s our list of the call-ups most likely to help you fantasy baseball:

David Price, Tampa Bay Rays
We all saw what he could do last year. He started this year in the minor leagues for monetary reasons. Now that he’s in the bigs, expect him to shine. If he’s available on the waiver wire, don’t hesitate.

Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles
Most baseball experts call Matt Wieters the best prospect in baseball. If you’ve seen him play, you can easily see the potential oozing out of this catcher phenom. With a hard hitting catcher always valuable in fantasy baseball, try to get this guy on your fantasy baseball team.

Jake Fox, Chicago Cubs
Jake Fox isn’t your average prospect. He’s already 26 and his defense is shaky. That said, check out these minor league stats from this year: 17 homers, 50 RBIs and 40 runs to go along with a batting average of .423 and an on-base percentage of .503. Get him off the waiver wire with the hope that Fox is a late bloomer would can continue bashing the ball.

Fernando Martinez, New York Mets
The Mets are dealing with a number of injuries right now. That has opened the door for Fernando Martinez, a 20-year-old prospect who has been fantastic in the minors this season. Pick him up if you want to roll the dice.

In Golden State, there is an interesting development. His name is Anthony Morrow. If you have an open spot on your fantasy basketball team, take the opportunity now to pick him up.

Morrow is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who is a rookie out of Georgia Tech. Although he wasn’t highly thought of coming out of college and not surprisingly went undrafted, he has scored 62 points for the Warriors in his last two games. This undrafted rookie free agent has gone from summer league player to starting shooting guard in record time.

The aspect that sets Morrow apart is his shooting ability. He’s a deadly three-point shooter who has a quick release. Playing in Don Nelson’s offense, he is getting as many shots as he can eat right now. In the Warriors’ latest game, Morrow was in the starting lineup — which increases his fantasy basketball value even more.

In addition to shooting, Morrow is actually rebounding quite well right now. With Stephen Jackson taking over more of the point guard duties, it’s highly conceivable that Morrow could keep his starting job. Either way, pick him up right now. In Nelson’s offense, there’s a fairly good chance he can average 15+ points while helping you in three-pointers made and a little bit in rebounding.

5) Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trail Blazers
Although it’s definitely a long shot, Rudy Fernandez has a chance to win the 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year award. He’s the most hyped player coming from the NBA from Europe and showed in the Olympics that he has an immense amount of talent.

4) Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
The number one pick of the 2008 NBA Draft doesn’t have the best chance of winning the award for the NBA’s best rookie. He’s playing on a team that has a lot of good players and he may not be forced into a large amount of minutes in his first season.

3) OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
If there is one thing OJ Mayo can do it is score the basketball. And since Rookie of the Year voting a lot of times comes down to scoring average, Mayo has a decent shot to take home the award.

2) Michael Beasley, Miami Heat
Michael Beasley can score and rebound at a very high level. If he gets enough touches in the Miami Heat offense, he could run away with this award. However, with Dwyane Wade needing a lot of shots, Beasley might have to defer in his rookie season.

1) Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
After missing his entire first season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee, Greg Oden is back and is eligible for the Rookie of the Year award. He’s one of the best center prospects to come out in a while and he’ll be in the spotlight all season long.

Can Derrick Rose surprise many and take home the ROY award?

Photo: Newscom

Chris Paul didn’t have the easiest road to the NBA. He grew up extremely close to his grandfather and tragically, Paul’s grandfather was murdered. In this video, Paul discusses the murder of his grandfather and how family helped him make it to where he is today.

Paul also discusses how he scored 61 points to honor his grandfather right after his grandfather’s death. He went into the game trying to score 61 points because his grandfather died at age 61.

Today, Paul is arguably the best player in fantasy basketball. For 2008-09 fantasy basketball drafts, CP3 will likely end up being draft pick number one.

You can watch the Chris Paul “Who Made You?” video here:

While the 2008 NBA Draft had a lot of good prospects, the leading candidate for the 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year has to be Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers. Oden, who was the first pick of the 2007 NBA Draft, missed all of last year after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee.

Although Oden is still working his way back into shape, he’s not messing around. Oden is attacking his rehab with full force. By the time the 2008-09 NBA season starts, expect Oden to quickly assert himself as one of the better centers in the NBA.

Here is the video of Greg Oden working out:

Jerryd Bayless, the soon to be rookie guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, was named the MVP of the NBA Summer League held in Las Vegas. Bayless and his great ability to score the ball wowed onlookers all week long.

In four games, Bayless averaged 29.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals on 48.5% shooting from the field. Bayless was far and away the leading scorer during summer league and did so shooting a respectable mark from the field.

During the 2008-09 NBA season, Bayless will likely begin the season on the bench behind Steve Blake and Brandon Roy at guard. However, Bayless can earn a significant role quickly and very well could become a fantasy basketball viable player.

Here are some highlights that resulted in Jerryd Bayless winning the MVP award:

While Kevin Durant will be named the NBA Rookie of the Year, there were a handful of rookies who had a positive impact in the fantasy basketball world. Let’s take a look at the top five.

1. Kevin Durant, Seattle Supersonics
While Kevin Durant sometimes struggled, he also showed his immense talent for large stretches. He’s a great scorer who is an improving rebounder and passer. Going forward, Durant looks like he could be a superstar in the NBA.

2. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Rookies don’t come much more solid than Al Horford. He walked into the NBA and was a very good player from day 1. If he can become even better offensively, he could become a franchise player. The Hawks have to be very excited with their pick.

3. Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers didn’t have many things to be excited about this year, but Al Thornton was one of the few bright spots. He’s a multi-positional forward who can score, rebound and is as tough as they come. Going forward, he has a chance to be a very good fantasy player.

4. Jamario Moon, Toronto Raptors
Jamario Moon started most of the season and was helpful in fantasy basketball in a number of areas. He can score a bit, shoot a bit, rebound, block shots and get steals. If he remains in the starting lineup, he could have a huge amount of fantasy potential next season.

5. Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Once Yao Ming went down injured, Luis Scola stepped up and became the best bigman on the Rockets. The overseas veteran was an NBA rookie who made a very successful transition. Scola should be an even better player next season.

Photo: Newscom

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Coming into the season, many draft experts said that Al Horford was the prospect most ready to step in and play right away. Horford has proven that to be true and is now a fixture in the Hawks starting lineup. He’s a very solid player who has superstar potential down the line.

Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets
Although Sean Williams had off court issues clouding his draft stock, he has shown to be a very good basketball player on the court. He’s extremely athletic and has very good timing. If he can stay on the straight and narrow, he looks to be a great find for New Jersey.

Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
If the Bulls continue to slip down the Eastern Conference standings, expect Joakim Noah to become a big part of their rotation in the second half of the season. He has shown good potential and there’s no reason to believe that he won’t become a solid starter in the league.

Spencer Hawes, Sacramento Kings
Although he hasn’t shown much to date, Spencer Hawes has had a few flashes of brilliance. While those flashes have been few and far between, he’s a legitimate center prospect. If something were to happen to Brad Miller, Hawes is the next in line for big minutes.

Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Now that he’s in the starting lineup, there’s no reason why Luis Scola can’t be the best rookie power forward in the NBA. He’s experienced, smart and plays in a system conducive to his strengths. He should eventually become a player who can average around 12 and 8 on the NBA level.

Yi Jianlian, Miwaukee Bucks
There is a lot of hype surrounding Yi Jianlian but most of that hype is warranted. He has a pure jumper that extends all the way out to the three-point line. He can rebound and mix in some blocked shots. Everything about him points to him being a star at some point.

Glenn Davis, Boston Celtics
With Kevin Garnett currently injured, Glenn Davis has been a big part of the Celtics ability to stay competitive. Although he’s still a raw talent, he has impressive basketball IQ and knows where to be on the court. He appears to be quite the find for Boston.

Carl Landry, Houston Rockets
As of late Carl Landry has really come on strong for the Rockets. He seems to have replaced Chucky Hayes as the backup to Scola. Landry is very athletic, very aggressive and backs down from nobody. Although he doesn’t have great height, he does have very good potential.

Jamario Moon, Toronto Raptors
With the Raptors, Jamario Moon has become a sort of cult hero. An athletic freak, Moon took an unconventional route to the NBA and is now playing a big role on one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. He looks to be a fixture in the Raptors starting lineup.

Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers
The habitually banged up Clippers will lean heavily on Al Thornton as the season wears on. A pure scorer, Thornton can put the ball in the basket from a number of spots on the court. There’s no reason why he eventually can’t average 15+ points per game.

Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers
Although Young is, well, young, he’s already playing important minutes for the Sixers. As the season wears on, those minutes should increase more and more. Although he doesn’t have huge potential this season, his potential down the line is impressive.

Jeff Green, Seattle Supersonics
Known as the other rookie in Seattle, Jeff Green has had an up and down season – as is to be expected. However, when he’s playing well he can be a valuable piece on a fantasy basketball team. He can do a bit of everything and will continue to improve.