645
06-28-2004, 09:15 PM
Latching onto the next big fantasy prospect can happen in several different ways. Two years ago, fantasy owners were salivating over the prospect of picking up Mark Prior. Everyone knew he was the next big thing and the lines were backed up like the entrance to a P Diddy concert to be number one in the waiver wire to claim his services. Although he finished the season with just six wins (albeit with a solid 3.32 ERA and 147 Ks in 117 IP), he gave fantasy owners in keeper leagues plenty of reasons to smile.
Last year, Dontrelle Willis shocked the fantasy world by going 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA. Marlins fans remember the deal at the end of the 2002 spring training that sent closer Antonio Alfonseca and starter Matt Clement to the Chicago Cubs for starter Julián Tavárez and three minor-leaguers. Willis was the prize catch in this haul. The Marlins were nonetheless bashed for the cost-cutting deal. Willis was called up out of desperation, as three starters -- Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Mark Redman -- were on the disabled list and promptly went 9-1 (2.08) in the first half, earning a selection in the All-Star Game.
And who can forget Scott Podsednik who, in the mold of the NFL's Kurt Warner, came into their own eight years later than the age at which most top prospects start making an impact? Sometimes, prospects take time and need a year or even a World Series run (see: Miguel Cabrera) to feel out their fantasy status. The Class of 2003 “prospect” pick up studs are as follows:
1) Dontrelle Willis
2) Scott Podsednik
3) Angel Berroa
4) Brandon Webb
5) Rocco Baldelli
6) Jody Gerut
7) Mark Teixera
8) Marlon Byrd
And if you don’t have the following studs, you should go get them now because they have either broken out already or are on their way to a breakout:
1) Lyle Overbay
2) Bobby Crosby
3) Zack Greinke
4) Jason Bay
5) Kaz Matsui
6) Jerome Williams
7) Jose Reyes
8) Khalil Greene
9) Aaron Miles
10) Clint Nageotte
So what about the rest of this year? As evidenced by the above list, most of the known studs are already picked up. Where can you find the next Dontrelle Willis or Scott Podsednik in the minors? Here’s a quick list of players coming soon to a park near you!
1) Jeremy Reed, OF, White Sox
He's already proven he can handle the high minors, and his bat is a thing of beauty.
2) Rickie Weeks, 2B, Brewers
He's on the fast track and could be starting in Milwaukee around the All-Star Break.
3) B.J. Upton, SS, Devil Rays
Think Edgar Renteria with better speed.
4) Dallas McPherson, 3B, Angels
Probably the most underrated prospect out of this group, his bat's for real.
5) Chin-Hui Tsao, RHP, Rockies
Injury aside, he is still one of the best pitching prospects in the game. The only downside is the team he'll be called up to play for.
6) Casey Kotchman, 1B, Angels
I love this guy. Excellent plate discipline, but watch out for his wrist injuries.
7) David Dejesus, OF, Royals
With Beltran likely to be shipped out of Kansas City soon, Dejesus could be the next big thing for a troubled KC team.
8)Alexis Rios, OF, Blue Jays
He's already with the big team and isn't performing tremendously well, but he could get hot after the All-Star break.
9) Adam Wainwright, RHP, Cardinals
The Cards nabbed him in the J.D. Drew deal, and signs suggest that he'll be a force to be reckoned with after the All-Star break if called up.
10)Sean Burnett, LHP, Pirates
He's still only 21. Think Kirk Rueter, but with better overall stuff.
And by the way, don’t forget about Edwin Jackson, who smart fantasy owners already know about. He could be the stud of this group. The only problem is that L.A. doesn’t know when to bring him up. Hint: the time is now!
Last year, Dontrelle Willis shocked the fantasy world by going 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA. Marlins fans remember the deal at the end of the 2002 spring training that sent closer Antonio Alfonseca and starter Matt Clement to the Chicago Cubs for starter Julián Tavárez and three minor-leaguers. Willis was the prize catch in this haul. The Marlins were nonetheless bashed for the cost-cutting deal. Willis was called up out of desperation, as three starters -- Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Mark Redman -- were on the disabled list and promptly went 9-1 (2.08) in the first half, earning a selection in the All-Star Game.
And who can forget Scott Podsednik who, in the mold of the NFL's Kurt Warner, came into their own eight years later than the age at which most top prospects start making an impact? Sometimes, prospects take time and need a year or even a World Series run (see: Miguel Cabrera) to feel out their fantasy status. The Class of 2003 “prospect” pick up studs are as follows:
1) Dontrelle Willis
2) Scott Podsednik
3) Angel Berroa
4) Brandon Webb
5) Rocco Baldelli
6) Jody Gerut
7) Mark Teixera
8) Marlon Byrd
And if you don’t have the following studs, you should go get them now because they have either broken out already or are on their way to a breakout:
1) Lyle Overbay
2) Bobby Crosby
3) Zack Greinke
4) Jason Bay
5) Kaz Matsui
6) Jerome Williams
7) Jose Reyes
8) Khalil Greene
9) Aaron Miles
10) Clint Nageotte
So what about the rest of this year? As evidenced by the above list, most of the known studs are already picked up. Where can you find the next Dontrelle Willis or Scott Podsednik in the minors? Here’s a quick list of players coming soon to a park near you!
1) Jeremy Reed, OF, White Sox
He's already proven he can handle the high minors, and his bat is a thing of beauty.
2) Rickie Weeks, 2B, Brewers
He's on the fast track and could be starting in Milwaukee around the All-Star Break.
3) B.J. Upton, SS, Devil Rays
Think Edgar Renteria with better speed.
4) Dallas McPherson, 3B, Angels
Probably the most underrated prospect out of this group, his bat's for real.
5) Chin-Hui Tsao, RHP, Rockies
Injury aside, he is still one of the best pitching prospects in the game. The only downside is the team he'll be called up to play for.
6) Casey Kotchman, 1B, Angels
I love this guy. Excellent plate discipline, but watch out for his wrist injuries.
7) David Dejesus, OF, Royals
With Beltran likely to be shipped out of Kansas City soon, Dejesus could be the next big thing for a troubled KC team.
8)Alexis Rios, OF, Blue Jays
He's already with the big team and isn't performing tremendously well, but he could get hot after the All-Star break.
9) Adam Wainwright, RHP, Cardinals
The Cards nabbed him in the J.D. Drew deal, and signs suggest that he'll be a force to be reckoned with after the All-Star break if called up.
10)Sean Burnett, LHP, Pirates
He's still only 21. Think Kirk Rueter, but with better overall stuff.
And by the way, don’t forget about Edwin Jackson, who smart fantasy owners already know about. He could be the stud of this group. The only problem is that L.A. doesn’t know when to bring him up. Hint: the time is now!