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The World outfielders mostly hail from the American League, Carlos Gonzales of Arizona being the lone exception. Yet, it is Gonzalez who would appear to be the greatest talent among the five and the closest to having an impact in the Major Leagues.

Here's a closer look at Gonzalez and his short-term teammates, and what they have to offer the World.

Wladimir Balentien, San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Mariners)

The Curacao native turns 22 this week, and is continuing his feast or famine ride throughout Seattle's system. He swings and swings, and when he's not missing he's clubbing many home runs. He had 25 last year at Class A Advanced Inland Empire of the California League and has followed that up by slugging 14 homers through 65 games with San Antonio of the Double-A Texas League.

That was good enough for fourth on the circuit, but he's also fanned 85 times in 260 at-bats, keeping pace with his career average of striking out once every three at-bats. While he's on a pace to walk more this season -- he already has 26 after collecting 33 all of last year -- Balentien is still lacking in plate discipline. He's played the majority of his games in right field, after spending time in center the past few years, and should continue to provide a fun ride for fans who enjoy watching and waiting for the longball.

Anderson Gomes, Kannapolis Intimidators (Class A, White Sox)

The Brazilian native began the season in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, but struggled through 34 games with Winston-Salem. He hit .205 with 30 strikeouts in 112 at-bats, and as a result was sent to Kannapolis of the Class A South Atlantic League.

Gomes seems to have found his stroke since rejoining the Intimidators, hitting .285 with four homers and 17 RBIs through 130 at-bats. He's also cut down on his strikeouts, accumulating only 28 over that stretch. He's hit .301 through 21 games in June, and seems to have regained the confidence that the tougher Carolina League pitching sapped. He's young (21), but has shown flashes of promise. He's played exclusively in right field with Kannapolis and has committed just one error in 32 games since the demotion.

Carlos Gonzalez, Lancaster JetHawks (Class A Advanced, Diamondbacks)

The Venezuelan native was a dominant force last season in the Midwest League, and doesn't seem to have had any problems this year with Lancaster of the Class A Advanced California League, where he was hitting .324 with 12 homers and 70 RBIs through 74 games. He hit .307 with 18 homers and 92 RBIs last season with South Bend.

He's not all about the bat, though. He was considered by scouts and league managers to be one of the best outfielders, if not the best, in the Midwest League last season. This year, though, he has struggled, committing 12 errors, which was tops among league outfielders. He does have seven assists, though, which also puts him near the league leaders. While he's been impressive at the plate, the Diamondbacks don't feel there's a real need to rush him up to Double-A. The club already has a crowded outfield situation above him, and he won't turn 21 until October.

Trent Oeltjen, New Britain Rock Cats (Double-A, Twins)

Oeltjen, a native of Australia, spent each of the last two seasons at Class A Advanced Fort Myers of the Florida State League before making the jump to the Double-A Eastern League this year. He seems to have adapted well to the much more difficult pitching, and was hitting .298 through 60 games, a point above his career average.

He has some speed, and with 16 steals he's on a pace to set a new career high, which would eclipse the 29 bases he stole in 2003 for Quad Cities. He had a homer and five RBIs for the Australian National Team last summer during the World Cup in Holland. He's played on the his country's national team for several seasons, including in the World Baseball Classic and on the 2004 Olympic silver-medal winning squad, and all that experience should help him reach Triple-A sometime late this season or next.

Jose Tabata, Charleston RiverDogs (Class A, Yankees)

The Yankees aren't exactly rife with top-flight position prospects, with the Eric and Shelley Duncans (not related) turning out to be more hype than substance. Such is not the case with Tabata, who hails from Venezuela. He won't turn 18 until August, but after watching him hit .314 last season in 44 Gulf Coast League games, the Bombers were eager to see what Tabata could do on a larger stage, and he has responded.

He's hitting .320 through 72 games with Class A Charleston of the South Atlantic League, with five homers, 46 RBIs and 14 steals. He's made such strides that he's passed the Duncans, Eduardo Nunez and Austin Jackson on the short list of players to watch in the organization. He's committed only one error while playing exclusively in right field this season. If he continues to develop at this rate, and considering his age, he could wind up in center sometime around the end of Johnny Damon's contract.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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