Since that one fine day when Sal Bando was fired, the target year for rebuilding the Milwaukee Brewers has been 2005. Dean Taylor began the daunting task of revitalizing a moribund franchise and two years ago the Brewers brought in Doug Melvin to take the club to another level.

The time has finally come where there are tangible results from five years of rebuilding. It’s rewarding that you no longer need to be a pundit to know the franchise is heading in the right direction.

For the first time in more than a decade the Brewers have a legitimate chance to break the dreadful 12-year streak of being under .500. The additions of Carlos Lee and Jose Capellan could turn the Brewers into players in the NL Central. They possess the talent and depth to play meaningful games in the month of September, for the first time in ages.

Below are five players to pay particular attention to.

Melvin acquired this young fire-baller from the Braves in return for closer Danny Kolb. Capellan was the Braves No. 1 pitching prospect and is currently ranked the 25th top prospect by Baseball America. Capellan’s fastball is consistently in the mid- to upper-90s, and he also possesses a hammer 12 to six curveball. Many experts believe he will eventually be a dominant closer, but the Brewers are going to give him every opportunity to grab a spot in the rotation.

Capellan is only 23, but is two years removed from Tommy John surgery. He has a very fluid delivery; the ball explodes from his hand. He will be battling the likes of Chris Capuano, Ben Hendrickson, Rick Helling, Jorge De La Rosa and Wes Obermueller for the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation. Most likely if he doesn’t win a job he will begin the season in AAA Nashville so he can make consistent starts.

Most Brewers fans know all about Jeff Cirillo. He is back from his death march in Seattle and is looking to resurrect his career with the team that originally drafted him. Cirillo decided to take his craft to the Mexican Winter League in order to regain his stroke. He made repeated calls to Melvin to garner an invite to camp. What finally convinced Melvin was Cirillo’s .312 batting average in the Mexican league and desire to continue playing the game.

Cirillo is embattled with Wes Helms and Russell Branyan in the camp’s only true position competition. He’s a fantastic defensive third baseman, which may give him an advantage in making the team. He could also be very valuable in the six hole protecting Geoff Jenkins from getting walked in order to strike out Branyan or Helms. Cirillo could also provide veteran leadership to the many young players The Crew will have on its roster.

It is hard not to get excited when talking about Fielder. He is simply a professional hitter with great power to all fields. Even at age 20 he has the plated discipline of a 10-year vet. Many are talking about how Fielder could be ready to play now. If not for Lyle Overbay, Fielder would be the starting first baseman on April 4 in Pittsburgh. The Brewers’ brass will be hard pressed to keep Fielder in AAA all season.

Jorge De La Rosa was one of the players to watch last spring. That may have been one year premature. De La Rosa seems to be maturing on the hill and still has fantastic stuff.

He was the key acquisition in the Richie Sexson trade and is also in contention for the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation. What complicates matters is that De Le Rosa is out of options so the Brewers cannot send him to Nashville without clearing waivers. Thus De La Rosa could be the prime candidate to win the eighth inning job and provide the Crew with a nasty lefty in the bullpen -- something Ned Yost had to manage without all last season. Going max out for three outs may be De La Rosa’s calling.

It is time for the real Dave Krynzel, the very first draft pick by scouting director Jack Zduriencek in 1999, to stand up. His selection began the rebuilding project and now he is slightly behind the curve. As of right now, centerfield is Brady Clark’s job to lose. Krynzel needs to live up to his potential otherwise he will be starting the year either on the bench or in Nashville.

Krynzel needs to improve his plate discipline and on-base percentage. He strikes out way too much for a hitter with minimal power and, despite fabulous speed, his stolen base percentage is quite low. Where he excels is his defense. He has gold glove potential in center and could cover quite a bit more ground in between two corner outfielders with limited range. Krynzel has all the skills, he just needs to finally put things together and steal the job from the very capable Clark.

Watch for updates from Phoenix during the week of March 21.