It happens every year. Owners in redraft (one-year) leagues stash away top prospects hoping for a big impact early in the season and it never comes. This year, there are plenty of benches occupied by the likes of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, while owners await word that their respective major league organizations will give them a big league role.

Few will debate the magnitude of the long-term impact that Harper and Trout will make, but often times short-term investments in players of their ilk return little or no value. In many instances, it's the byproduct of factors that the player simply cannot control. Trout has opened the season hitting .400/.463/.600 at Triple-A Salt Lake City with eight extra-base hits, 11 RBI and six stolen bases. Unfortunately for those rostering him, Trout is no closer to a roster spot in Anaheim as the team's full complement of outfielders (and DH options) are healthy.

While Harper has a clearer path to Washington, he's been moved to center field and continues to struggle against left-handed pitching at Triple-A Syracuse. As a result, he may remain in the minors for at least another month barring a big surge at the plate, or a serious injury for current center fielder Rick Ankiel.

In short, the elite prospects aren't always the first to get an opportunity. Sometimes minor league callups aren't even prospects at all, but they still can return significant value.

When consideration is given to spending a valuable roster spot on a minor leaguer, the path to playing time should be closely examined. Here's a look at several minor leaguers capable of making an impact sooner rather than later due to the struggling player(s) ahead of them on the organizational depth chart.

Jarrod Parker, SP, OAK - It was somewhat surprising that Graham Godfrey cruised to a rotation spot over Parker in spring training, but the A's have already made the decision to change course after Godfrey's mediocre three-start run to begin the season. Parker will make his A's debut Wednesday at home against the White Sox and should be considered in many formats given his ceiling as a potential ace. Control became Parker's biggest obstacle this spring (13 walks in 11 innings), but he cruised through four starts at Triple-A Sacramento (21:6 K:BB, 20.2 innings) and may be turning the corner.

Brad Peacock SP, OAK - Peacock was also a candidate for a rotation spot with the A's this spring, but he joined Parker in Sacramento and remains there waiting for an opportunity. As a flyball pitcher, Peacock projects well with an eventual opportunity to pitch half of his game in a cavernous home park. In his first three starts with the River Cats, Peacock has a 17:6 K:BB and 1.42 ERA in 19 innings. He's almost certainly the next starter to get a look for the A's should Tom Milone or Tyson Ross struggle.

Trevor Bauer, SP, ARI - Dan Hudson's placement on the disabled list Saturday came as a surprise as there was no indication of an injury during his most recent start. Nevertheless, Josh Collmenter has struggled and long reliever Wade Miley is getting the first chance to replace Hudson in the rotation, but neither projects well outside of bullpen roles in the big leagues. Control is Bauer's only obstacle right now, and it's been revealed that he's made his last two or three starts at Double-A Mobile while dealing with a groin injury. He's been dominant thus far, giving up just one run on 12 hits over 22.2 innings and carrying a 28:14 K:BB this season.

Brett Jackson, OF, CHC - Tony Campana is getting the first crack at center field for the Cubs after the trade of Marlon Byrd to Boston, but Jackson may not be far behind. Through 17 games at Iowa, Jackson is hitting .239/.329/.465 with a pair of homers and eight RBI with two steals. With Jackson, the Cubs may simply wait until late May or early June to delay his arbitration clock and prevent him from achieving Super Two status down the road. For those in need of short-term speed in deeper league, Campana is worth a temporary look at least until Jackson arrives.

Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, CLE - The 23-year-old Chisenhall is off to a nice start at Triple-A Columbus, hitting .319/.342/.583 with four homers and 12 RBI over 17 games after losing a lengthy spring job battle to Jack Hannahan at third base. He has not drawn walks since getting promoted by Cleveland last season and that trend may need to change before Chisenhall can unseat Hannahan permanently for the Tribe. To his credit, Hannahan has started the season strong with a .917 OPS over 12 games, but he's a plus-glove with a subpar bat as indicated by a career .235/.321/.362 line.

Josh Vitters, 3B, CHC - The Cubs made Vitters the third overall pick in the 2007 first-year player draft and while it looks like he'll never live up to the lofty expectations linked to his pedigree, he could still emerge as an everyday player in Chicago. Ian Stewart is hitting just .196/.262/.304 over 16 games as the starting third baseman, leaving the door open for Vitters if he's able to heat up at Triple-A Iowa following a quiet start in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League (.255/.311/.291).

Everth Cabrera, SS, SD - Even though he debuted with the Padres as a 22-year-old Rule 5 pick in 2009, Cabrera could another look in the big leagues this season if Jason Bartlett continues to struggle. Even Cabrera's numbers at Triple-A Tucson scream ?limited upside,? but he's 5-for-5 on stolen-base attempts and is hitting .304 over 13 games. For owners in deeper leagues, he could provide cheap speed at a scarce position if the Padres part ways with Bartlett before season's end.