Short Hops

With Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis reeling lately (the lefthander allowed 17 runs and 26 hits in his last 18 innings through Sunday), Mets shortstop Jose Reyes suddenly became a leading contender for NL Rookie of the Year. Though the 20-year-old Reyes wasn't called up until mid-June, he was hitting .306 with 46 runs, 32 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 68 games. On Sunday, Reyes sprained his left ankle while trying to break up a double play in a 4-1 loss to the Phillies and at week's end was listed as day to day....

Prince Fielder , the Brewers' 2002 first-round draft pick and son of former Tigers first baseman Cecil, was named MVP of the Class A Midwest League. Playing for the Beloit ( Wis. ) Snappers, Fielder hit .313 with 27 homers and 109 RBIs....

Shortstop Kazuo Matsui of the Japanese League Seibu Lions (no relation to Hideki Matsui of the Yankees ) will be hotly pursued by major league clubs this fall. With a month remaining in the season, the 27-year-old Matsui was hitting .304 with 27 homers in 115 games....

Milwaukee , which had won 12 of its last 13, could play a pivotal role as a spoiler. The Brewers' final 23 games are all against teams in the NL playoff hunt, including eight with the Astros and six with the Cardinals.