Panzram
03-15-2006, 10:41 PM
Rickie Weeks, Brewers
The highly-touted rookie didn't disappoint in a midseason call-up a year ago, displaying the power (13 homers) and speed (15 steals) that made him the second overall draft pick in 2003 out of Southern University. He also, however, displayed his propensity for striking out, fanning 96 times in 96 games with the Brew Crew. Once Weeks figures out how to be more patient and make contact more consistently, he'll be a superstar, but even if that doesn't happen this season, he's worth the risk after the top middle infielders are off the board. I have little doubt that Weeks will battle bouts of inconsistency as he learns on the job, but his potential far outweighs the risk, especially considering you can probably get him outside of the top five players at his position.
Jose Castillo, Pirates
Already a wizard with the glove, Castillo has untapped potential at the plate. He started to display his talent a year ago when he batted .268 with 11 homers and 53 RBI in 101 games before a knee injury ended his second major league season prematurely. But that could be just the tip of the iceberg. The Pirates front office believes Castillo has as much raw power as anyone on the club, including stud outfielder Jason Bay, and astute fantasy owners will also note that he stole 116 bases in six minor league seasons. Castillo has yet to display that speed at the major league level, but his patience at the plate is improving (92 strikeouts in 2004, 59 in 2005 in about the same number of at-bats) and he seems primed for a breakout. I'm not suggesting he's the next coming of Chase Utley, but Castillo has the potential to hit 15 or more homers and drive in his fair share of runs in the middle of an improving Pirates lineup, which should make him very valuable as a late-round addition in mixed leagues, and certainly as a starter in NL-only formats.
Josh Barfield SD 2B He will have to earn the starting second base job over Mark Bellhorn, so watch his progress this spring. He's only 23, but is a polished hitter. He has better power than most second baseman and will get 10 to 15 stolen bases a year. More useful in keeper leagues, but could be a good late round pick this year if he wins the starting job.
Ian Kinsler TEX 2B With Soriano being traded to Washington, Kinsler appears to be the favorite to get the second base job. He has some pop and decent speed. 15 homers and 15 stolen bases is obtainable. Another plus is that he plays in a hitter friendly part and is surrounded by a good hitting lineup.
The highly-touted rookie didn't disappoint in a midseason call-up a year ago, displaying the power (13 homers) and speed (15 steals) that made him the second overall draft pick in 2003 out of Southern University. He also, however, displayed his propensity for striking out, fanning 96 times in 96 games with the Brew Crew. Once Weeks figures out how to be more patient and make contact more consistently, he'll be a superstar, but even if that doesn't happen this season, he's worth the risk after the top middle infielders are off the board. I have little doubt that Weeks will battle bouts of inconsistency as he learns on the job, but his potential far outweighs the risk, especially considering you can probably get him outside of the top five players at his position.
Jose Castillo, Pirates
Already a wizard with the glove, Castillo has untapped potential at the plate. He started to display his talent a year ago when he batted .268 with 11 homers and 53 RBI in 101 games before a knee injury ended his second major league season prematurely. But that could be just the tip of the iceberg. The Pirates front office believes Castillo has as much raw power as anyone on the club, including stud outfielder Jason Bay, and astute fantasy owners will also note that he stole 116 bases in six minor league seasons. Castillo has yet to display that speed at the major league level, but his patience at the plate is improving (92 strikeouts in 2004, 59 in 2005 in about the same number of at-bats) and he seems primed for a breakout. I'm not suggesting he's the next coming of Chase Utley, but Castillo has the potential to hit 15 or more homers and drive in his fair share of runs in the middle of an improving Pirates lineup, which should make him very valuable as a late-round addition in mixed leagues, and certainly as a starter in NL-only formats.
Josh Barfield SD 2B He will have to earn the starting second base job over Mark Bellhorn, so watch his progress this spring. He's only 23, but is a polished hitter. He has better power than most second baseman and will get 10 to 15 stolen bases a year. More useful in keeper leagues, but could be a good late round pick this year if he wins the starting job.
Ian Kinsler TEX 2B With Soriano being traded to Washington, Kinsler appears to be the favorite to get the second base job. He has some pop and decent speed. 15 homers and 15 stolen bases is obtainable. Another plus is that he plays in a hitter friendly part and is surrounded by a good hitting lineup.