With Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns safely ensconced in the Cincinnati outfield, let's take a look at some of the other "Dynamic Duos" of baseball talent currently in the minor leagues. To be considered for the list, each pair of players must play the same position. I'm also focusing primarily (though not exclusively) on players with experience in Double-A or higher. They are listed in alphabetical order by team.

Cleveland Indians: Billy Traber, LHP, and Brian Tallet, LHP
This pair of finesse lefties at Double-A Akron could see action later this year for the Indians. Tallet is slightly more advanced and is pitching better overall right now (3-0, 1.74 in seven starts), but Traber (acquired in the Roberto Alomar trade) has gotten attention with his 6-0 start. Both pitchers work with fair fastballs, though Tallet has a little more juice. Both know how to change speeds and throw strikes. Both have college experience (Tallet went to LSU, Traber to Loyola Marymount). Both project as solid No. 3 starters on the major-league level.

Minnesota Twins: Mike Cuddyer, OF, and Mike Restovich, OF
The injury-racked Twins could use some middle infielders right now. But the main focus on the farm system in recent years has been on developing power bats, and the two Mikes at Triple-A Edmonton are the first fruits. They've been paired together since the 1997 draft, when they went 1-2 on the Twins' list. Cuddyer missed a couple of weeks with a strained oblique, but is back in action and hitting well (.320/.394/.588). Restovich has as much power as Cuddyer, but isn't quite as refined a hitter, in terms of pitch recognition and strike zone judgment. His numbers so far are credible (.282/.339/.503) but not outstanding given the league. Cuddyer should get first call, with Restovich getting a shot next year. Both project as 20-30 homer players down the road.

San Diego Padres: Dennis Tankersley, RHP, and Jake Peavy, RHP
Tankersley (0-0, 2.19 ERA in his first two starts) is in the majors now, with Peavy pitching brilliantly in Double-A (4-2, 1.98, 61 strikeouts in 50 innings). Both throw hard, both throw strikes, both know what they're doing on the mound. They are confident, self-assured competitors. Tankersley probably has slightly better raw stuff, while Peavy has slightly better command. This is actually a Terrific Trio, if you include Mobile right-hander Ben Howard in the group. Howard has the best stuff of the bunch but also the least command.

San Diego Padres: Eric Cyr, LHP, and Oliver Perez, LHP
Cyr was unhittable in the California League last year, and is in the rotation at Mobile along with Peavy and Howard right now. His fastball is solid, and he features a seriously vicious breaking ball. Perez is a level lower in the California League, but will probably move up to Double-A soon if his 1.85 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 49 innings are any indication. Like Cyr, he has a decent fastball and some nasty breaking stuff. His command may be a notch better, though we need to see higher level performance to be certain.

The Padres have quietly developed a top-notch minor league pitching factory. Tankersley, Peavy, Howard, Cyr, and Perez would all rank as the top prospect in some farm systems. Put them all together and you have a Quality Quintet. Bad pun, I know.

San Francisco Giants: Jerome Williams, RHP, and Kurt Ainsworth, RHP
I had the pleasure of watching Williams and Ainsworth pitch for Triple-A Fresno this weekend. Williams is a loosey-goosey 20-year old, with a 90-93 mph fastball and a savage curveball. He needs some polish and experience, but he already throws strikes and has the touch for pitching. His delivery is remarkably smooth. He needs a full year of Triple-A and will probably get it. Ainsworth pitched well for the Giants earlier this year, but got sent down due to roster crunch. He does not have Williams' natural grace on the mound, but his delivery is consistent, he throws hard, and he knows what he is doing. He's pitching well for Fresno (2.97, 34/5 K/BB in 30 innings) and should be back up with the Giants at some point.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Carl Crawford, OF, and Josh Hamilton, OF
Tampa Bay fans (and some fantasy owners) are clamoring for Crawford's recall, based on his .360 average, eight triples, and 14 steals for Triple-A Durham. The D-Rays have been resisting, since Crawford still needs polish at the plate, particularly with his plate discipline, but his raw talent is exceptional. He also has a strong work ethic, and doesn't turn 21 until August. I think the more minor-league experience he gets, the better. There's no need to burn up service time for him yet, especially with a labor war looming. Hamilton, considered the top hitting prospect in baseball by some experts, is hitting .364 in the California League, though he's been limited to 14 games by recurrent back problems. He remains a hot property, though the back issue clouds his future. If that resolves itself, and if he tightens up some strike zone weakness, he'll make quick progress. Those are relatively large ifs, though he doesn't turn 21 until next week and still has lots of time to work through his troubles.

Toronto Blue Jays: Josh Phelps, C, and Kevin Cash, C
We wrote about Phelps and Cash last week in the American League catcher article, but it's worth pointing out again. Phelps has smashed 12 homers in 37 games in Triple-A, and probably doesn't have much left to learn at that level, at least with the bat. Cash is stronger defensively and a solid hitter in his own right, though without Phelps' enormous power ceiling. The presence of this pair has moved Jayson Werth to the outfield more or less full-time, and gives the Blue Jays plenty of depth for trades or to cover for injuries.

John Sickels is the author of the 2002 STATS Minor League Scouting Notebook. He is currently writing a biography of Bob Feller. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com, or you can visit his homepage at hometown.aol.com/jasickels/page1.html.