Panzram
03-15-2006, 03:08 PM
2B Ian Kinsler, Rangers
Height/Weight: 6-0, 175
DOB: June 22, 1982
Fantasy owners won't mistake Kinsler for Alfonso Soriano, but he is a big reason why the Rangers felt safe dealing the second baseman to the Nationals. After torching minor league pitching in 2004, Kinsler posted merely above-average stats at Triple-A last season, hitting .274 with 23 homers, 94 RBI, 102 runs, and 19 steals. Mark DeRosa and D'Angelo Jimenez will compete for the starting job, but there's no doubt Kinsler is the future fixture at second. We don't expect huge numbers, but Kinsler could post double-digit homers and steals, which is always welcome from a late-round middle infielder.
2B Josh Barfield, Padres
Height/Weight: 6-0, 185
DOB: December 17, 1982
The Padres made one of the league's most head-scratching trades of the winter when they dealt Mark Loretta for Doug Mirabelli, but they did so knowing Barfield was ready. Jesse's kid batted .310 with 15 homers, 72 RBI, 74 runs, and 20 steals at Triple-A last season, and the 23-year-old should produce a decent all-around stat line at the major league level. He'll need to compete with veterans Mark Bellhorn, Eric Young, Bobby Hill, and Geoff Blum, but we're laying our money Josh.
2B Dan Uggla, Marlins
Height/Weight: 5-11, 200
DOB: March 11, 1980
Uggla's fortunes have changed dramatically from a year ago at this time. He started the process by torching Double-A pitching to the tune of a .297 average with 21 homers, 87 RBI, 88 runs, and 15 steals. Uggla then had a solid showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .304 with seven homers, 22 RBI, and 21 runs in 29 games. The Marlins then took him away from the Diamondbacks in the Rule Five draft, and the franchise's fire sale opened up an opportunity in the majors. Uggla needs to beat out Pokey Reese for the second base job, and while the veteran may open as the starter, the Marlins have ample reason to keep the rookie on the roster and hand him at-bats as the season progresses.
Height/Weight: 6-0, 175
DOB: June 22, 1982
Fantasy owners won't mistake Kinsler for Alfonso Soriano, but he is a big reason why the Rangers felt safe dealing the second baseman to the Nationals. After torching minor league pitching in 2004, Kinsler posted merely above-average stats at Triple-A last season, hitting .274 with 23 homers, 94 RBI, 102 runs, and 19 steals. Mark DeRosa and D'Angelo Jimenez will compete for the starting job, but there's no doubt Kinsler is the future fixture at second. We don't expect huge numbers, but Kinsler could post double-digit homers and steals, which is always welcome from a late-round middle infielder.
2B Josh Barfield, Padres
Height/Weight: 6-0, 185
DOB: December 17, 1982
The Padres made one of the league's most head-scratching trades of the winter when they dealt Mark Loretta for Doug Mirabelli, but they did so knowing Barfield was ready. Jesse's kid batted .310 with 15 homers, 72 RBI, 74 runs, and 20 steals at Triple-A last season, and the 23-year-old should produce a decent all-around stat line at the major league level. He'll need to compete with veterans Mark Bellhorn, Eric Young, Bobby Hill, and Geoff Blum, but we're laying our money Josh.
2B Dan Uggla, Marlins
Height/Weight: 5-11, 200
DOB: March 11, 1980
Uggla's fortunes have changed dramatically from a year ago at this time. He started the process by torching Double-A pitching to the tune of a .297 average with 21 homers, 87 RBI, 88 runs, and 15 steals. Uggla then had a solid showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .304 with seven homers, 22 RBI, and 21 runs in 29 games. The Marlins then took him away from the Diamondbacks in the Rule Five draft, and the franchise's fire sale opened up an opportunity in the majors. Uggla needs to beat out Pokey Reese for the second base job, and while the veteran may open as the starter, the Marlins have ample reason to keep the rookie on the roster and hand him at-bats as the season progresses.