There are more fantasy sleepers out there for the 2006 season. Here are some of them. I will update this post as soon as I find more..
1. Jeremy Hermida OF Florida Marlins $16
It may be hard to top a pinch-hit grand slam in his first Major League at-bat, but Hermida is just getting started. He held his own during a September audition, hitting .275 with a .920 OPS. His power was the last thing to come, but it did, with 49 extra-base hits in 386 Double-A at-bats in 2005. He's a tremendous baserunner (23-for-25 in steals in the Minors last year) and has incredible plate discipline. He's the Marlins' starting right fielder and a top candidate for NL Rookie of the Year in 2006. He belongs on any fantasy roster.
2. Mike MacDougal | RP | $16 (added)
Once expected to be a potential 30-plus save guy for the Royals, MacDougal has battled back from illness, arm problems and ineffectiveness to be ... a potential 30-plus save guy for the Royals. So what's different this time around? The fireballer has sharpened his control somewhat, and a strong second half in 2005 (2.73 ERA) suggests improved focus and effort. Still, it's hard to trust a guy who completely fell off the planet in 2004, so you're better off avoiding him until the more reliable closers have been drafted.
3. Jonny Gomes OF Tampa Bay Devil Rays $15
Despite whacking the ball all over the field, Gomes was left in the shadows of Triple-A for a couple of seasons. But once he received his opportunity, Gomes responded by becoming a leading candidate for American League Rookie of the Year. In doing so, he showed the potential to be a premier RBI man and the speed to steal 10-20 bases. The 25-year-old has a propensity for striking out often, so his .282 batting average may be deceptively high -- at least for the immediate future. An extreme fly-ball hitter, Gomes can be expected to bash between 30-35 homers in 2006. Overall, Gomes should be a good buy for the buck.
4. Chad Orvella RP Tampa Bay Devil Rays $14
With Danys Baez off to the Dodgers, it appears that Orvella will get the chance to close in Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old has the right stuff for the job, owning a mid-90s fastball, a sharp slider and pretty good control. Of course, a reliever need more than tools to successfully close, and it seems inevitable that the inexperienced Orvella will run into his share of rough patches this year. A full season could yield 30 saves and 70 to 80 strikeouts, but it's unlikely that his ERA will be much better than the mark he finished with last year.
5. Kevin Millwood SP Texas Rangers $14
There was little run support for Millwood for much of last year, resulting in less than double-digit wins despite leading the American League in ERA. However, he is now in an unfriendly pitching environment in Texas and has not pitched a full season in two of the last five years, so there is still some injury concern. If he continues to stay off the disabled list, he should put up 200 innings of decent numbers with an ERA in the high-threes. His ERA may cause the bidding to go out of whack in your league, or his home ballpark may cause him to be undervalued. Your assessment may vary.
6. Kenji Johjima C Seattle Mariners $12
Johjima is the latest Japanese sensation to hit the big leagues, and he brings an impressive resume with him. If the "rookie" performances of Ichiro and Hideki Matsui are any indication, Johjima will hit at a clip close to his Japanese stats with a decent dropoff in power numbers for the first season. He also had the disadvantage of playing at Safeco Field and playing a longer season than he is accustomed to, which could hurt him given his position. Johjima could break in with a .300 average and at least 15 homers and 75 RBIs.
7. Prince Fielder 1B Milwaukee Brewers $12
The trade of Lyle Overbay officially marked the beginning of the Fielder era. An early favorite for 2006 National League Rookie of the Year, Fielder's power is undeniable (.524 slugging percentage in the Minors; 78 homers last three years). But he's a more complete hitter than that. He's hit .297 with a .398 on-base percentage along the way, keeping his strikeouts to a minimum, especially considering his power potential. He's a must-have in any kind of league you play in, joining Weeks as one of the most exciting right sides of an infield in baseball.
8. Chris R. Young SP $12
Young's lack of ability to throw his breaking pitches for consistent strikes and overall fatigue eventually caught up to him in the second half (3.23 ERA in the first half, 5.52 in the second). He lost a couple of miles off his fastball as the season wore on, and that little difference wound up being huge. He was still able to get strikeouts, but had less margin for error on mistake pitches. On the plus side, he does have the makings of a good breaking ball, but the former basketball star has the usual struggles taller pitchers have with mechanics. Regardless, there's a lot to like here.
9. Matt Murton OF Chicago Cubs $12
The Cubs' left field job is Murton's to lose heading into Spring Training. At 24, Murton has quietly produced two excellent Minor League seasons without generating much fanfare. He has the plate discipline to hit for average, power, and the baserunning know-how to steal 10-20 bases. Even manager Dusty Baker -- who favors playing veterans over youngsters -- was impressed by his .986 OPS in September. Although he hits lefties much better than righties, he has proven himself fit to handle Major League pitchers. In an everyday spot, Murton is a name you'll want to remember in 2006.
10. Chris Ray RP Baltimore Orioles $11
With a mid-90s fastball and a Minor League closing pedigree, Ray would seem to be a logical choice to take over closing duties for B.J. Ryan in Baltimore. That probably won't happen yet, though; Ray has just a half-season's worth of Major League experience, and the Orioles seem a little concerned about throwing him into a high-pressure spot too soon. The future is very bright for the 24-year-old, though, and he will be closing games before long. It could even happen this season, if he progresses faster than expected or Hawkins struggles, so be sure to keep Ray on your radar on draft day.
11. J.J. Hardy SS Milwaukee Brewers $10
Hardy is a top breakout candidate in 2006 and should come cheaply on draft day. His overall numbers in 2005 were undermined by a brutal first half in which he hit only .187 in 187 at-bats while battling Bill Hall for playing time, in addition to the after-effects of a separated shoulder the season before. Hardy was an entirely different player after the break, hitting .308 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs in just 185 at-bats. The power was no fluke, as evidenced by his size (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), plate coverage (44 walks against 48 strikeouts) and fly-ball swing (0.97 groundouts/fly outs in 2005). In fact, his overall slugging percentage improved each season of his Minor League career. Prime sleeper.
12. Mike Jacobs 1B Florida Marlins $9
Jacobs probably won't make Marlins fans forget about Carlos Delgado, but he was a mini-sensation after slugging 11 home runs in 100 at-bats for the Mets last season. The question now is whether the power is legitimate, or whether this guy will wind up being the second coming of Kevin Maas. At the least, Jacobs will play against right-handers, and could wind up being the Marlins' main source of pop. Even without much lineup protection, he should be good for a decent average, along with 20 homers and 75 RBIs in around 450 at-bats.
13. Scott Kazmir SP Tampa Bay $9
To their credit, the Rays were very careful with Kazmir last year, giving him extra rest regularly and limiting his pitches, regardless of the game situation. The southpaw used his 95-mph fastball to rank fourth in the American League in strikeouts, eighth in opponents' batting average and fifth in home run rate. That all offset Kazmir's American League-leading 100 walks. Even better is that he got nastier as the season went on, striking out 100 batters and posting a 3.16 ERA in his last 94 innings. A little more control, and you're looking at a true ace starter. Don't be afraid of a sophomore slump here.
14. Travis Bowyer RP Florida Marlins $9
With a fastball that approaches 100 mph, Bowyer has "closer" written all over him. The only question is when his big moment will come. Bowyer's minimal Major League experience produced mixed results -- he allowed six runs in 9 2/3 innings with the Twins last year, but struck out 12 and walked only three. The 24-year-old almost certainly will start the season in Florida, and Borowski may be the only thing standing between him and the closing job. Think that will last? Neither do we. Go for Bowyer as a late-round sleeper, but be prepared to ride out a few rough patches before he starts delivering the saves.
15. Rafael Soriano RP Seattle Mariners $8
Slightly over a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Soriano returned to Seattle last September and allowed just two runs over seven innings. But even more significant was how the youngster's fastball easily blazed past the 90 mph barrier, giving hope that he can return to the form that made him such a frightening talent in 2003. With a full season of setup duty, Soriano should deliver numbers that rival those of his top peers. He won't close as long as Guardado is around, but you'd be wise to hold on to him in keeper leagues for when the opportunity comes.
16. Ryan Zimmerman 3B Washinton Nationals $8
It's always a shame to see a draftee have so much trouble transitioning to the pro game. In 250 Minor League at-bats, the No. 4 pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft hit .336 and posted a .941 OPS. Then he squeaked out a .397 average and a .569 slugging percentage in 58 big league at-bats in September. Needless to say, his days as a Minor Leaguer are over, and he is entrenched as the Nats' third baseman. He should hit for power and average and is a must-have in all leagues.
17. Curtis Granderson OF Detroit Tigers $7
Granderson has produced in each level of the Tigers farm system and rose to the occasion in his brief rookie season. After whacking 15 homers and swiping 22 bases in Triple-A, Granderson was able to continue his momentum into the Majors, slugging .494 with eight homers in 162 at-bats. With exciting athleticism, the left-handed hitter has the promise to collect 20 dingers, and possesses the baserunning savvy to steal over 20 bases. Granderson, who turns 25 in March, has the inside track on the everyday center field job in Detroit, though Nook Logan could steal some at-bats. With good power and stolen base tools, Granderson is a good late-round sleeper in mixed leagues.
18. Kenny Lofton OF LA Dodgers $7
Though Lofton is one of the better rotisserie leadoff hitters of this generation, he overachieved a bit last year. The speedster saw his batting average jump 60 points, but his underlying skills didn't join the ride. His strikeout rate remained the same as it's been the last three years, and his walk rate and K/BB ratio declined. Turning 39 in May, Lofton's legs are also in a stage of decline, so 22 stolen bases should be the ceiling. Nevertheless, with around 400 at-bats at the top of the Dodgers order, Lofton should remain a viable option for steals and batting average. Be careful not to pay for the '05 stats.
19. Joey Gathright OF Tampa Bay Devil Rays $6
Gathright is among the five fastest players in the Majors, and he's without an everyday job. In 429 at-bats between the Minors and Majors last season, Gathright blazed by pitchers for 50 steals in 63 opportunities. He was the subject of numerous trade rumors in the offseason, but he's still a pinch-hitter for the Rays at this point. Gathright will be 24 in April, and while he's a good slap hitter, he needs to work on reaching base more often by way of the walk. In a full-time role, Gathright could swipe 50 bags in the mold of a Scott Podsednik. Gathright's legs warrant a roster spot, so keep your eye on his job status.
20. Jeremy Reed OF Seattle Mariners $6
After a brief but impressive showing in '04, Reed disappointed many of the experts that deemed him a sleeper last year. After being given just eight stolen base opportunities in the first half, Reed was given the green light more after the break and racked up eight swipes. His excellent fielding should keep him in the starting lineup enough to build on his rookie season. The left-handed hitter was an extremely patient batter in the Minors, so look for him to draw more walks and add to his run total. Reed is 24 years old and has excelled at every stage of his baseball career, so expect a firm rebound across the board.
21. Todd Coffey | RP | Cincinnati Reds | $6 (added)
This offseason, the Reds announced that they will use a closer-by-committee approach in 2006. Since that never seems to work for long, we're guessing the bulk of the opportunities will initially go to Weathers, but they may well end up in Coffey's hands by the end of the season. The big right-hander has closer's stuff with a hard fastball and splitter, and he also demonstrated pretty good control in an otherwise rocky 2005 season. With the potential payoff of something like 15 saves, Coffey is a tough guy to ignore in the late rounds of mixed leagues.
22. Ambiorix Burgos | RP | Kansas City | $6 (added)
With a fastball that reaches the high-90s and a power splitter, Burgos has all the makings of a big-league closer. Ideally, a 21-year-old fireballer should be given time to work out his control issues before he's asked to close, but that may not happen here; Mike MacDougal is running out of chances to prove he can handle the job, and Burgos is next in line to give it a shot. Given MacDougal's erratic history, there is a very realistic chance Burgos will be closing before the end of the season. With that potential, he is certainly worth a late pick in mixed leagues.
23. Ian Kinsler 2B Texas Rangers $5
No one was happier about the Alfonso Soriano trade than Kinsler, who now will be given every opportunity to win the vacated second-base job in Texas. He comes off a year, his first as a second baseman, where he hit 23 homers, drove in 94 runs and stole 19 bases for Triple-A Oklahoma while turning 23 in June. As long as he holds off challenges from some of the vets, Kinsler should provide some nice (and cheap) numbers from the bottom of the Rangers' lineup. Double-digits in homers and steals from a late-round 2B is nothing to sneeze at.
24. Anthony Reyes SP St. Louis Cardinals $5
The Cards' top prospect has breezed through the system in just two years and is now ready for a spot in the rotation. Reyes has tremendous command of three pitches, avoids walks (1.09 WHIP in the Minors), but also makes a fair amount of hitters swing and miss (276 K's in 239 2/3 innings). Being the No. 5 guy could be beneficial, since Reyes has had some minor injury issues and may take advantage of some extra days off here and there. With that team behind him, Reyes could be the best fantasy No. 5 starter in baseball this season.
25. Conor Jackson 1B Arizona Diamondbacks $5
This big-time prospect didn't make the most of his tryout at first base last season, as he batted .200 with two homers in 85 at-bats. He did show signs of promise with 12 walks against 11 strikeouts, though, and D-Backs manager Bob Melvin feels he's "up to the task" for proving himself on a regular basis. Whether Jackson really is ready is open to interpretation, but if he has a strong spring, you may want to give the kid a shot in the later rounds. You also may want to draft Tony Clark as insurance, since he'll get most of Arizona's at-bats at first if Jackson sinks rather than swims.
1. Jeremy Hermida OF Florida Marlins $16
It may be hard to top a pinch-hit grand slam in his first Major League at-bat, but Hermida is just getting started. He held his own during a September audition, hitting .275 with a .920 OPS. His power was the last thing to come, but it did, with 49 extra-base hits in 386 Double-A at-bats in 2005. He's a tremendous baserunner (23-for-25 in steals in the Minors last year) and has incredible plate discipline. He's the Marlins' starting right fielder and a top candidate for NL Rookie of the Year in 2006. He belongs on any fantasy roster.
2. Mike MacDougal | RP | $16 (added)
Once expected to be a potential 30-plus save guy for the Royals, MacDougal has battled back from illness, arm problems and ineffectiveness to be ... a potential 30-plus save guy for the Royals. So what's different this time around? The fireballer has sharpened his control somewhat, and a strong second half in 2005 (2.73 ERA) suggests improved focus and effort. Still, it's hard to trust a guy who completely fell off the planet in 2004, so you're better off avoiding him until the more reliable closers have been drafted.
3. Jonny Gomes OF Tampa Bay Devil Rays $15
Despite whacking the ball all over the field, Gomes was left in the shadows of Triple-A for a couple of seasons. But once he received his opportunity, Gomes responded by becoming a leading candidate for American League Rookie of the Year. In doing so, he showed the potential to be a premier RBI man and the speed to steal 10-20 bases. The 25-year-old has a propensity for striking out often, so his .282 batting average may be deceptively high -- at least for the immediate future. An extreme fly-ball hitter, Gomes can be expected to bash between 30-35 homers in 2006. Overall, Gomes should be a good buy for the buck.
4. Chad Orvella RP Tampa Bay Devil Rays $14
With Danys Baez off to the Dodgers, it appears that Orvella will get the chance to close in Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old has the right stuff for the job, owning a mid-90s fastball, a sharp slider and pretty good control. Of course, a reliever need more than tools to successfully close, and it seems inevitable that the inexperienced Orvella will run into his share of rough patches this year. A full season could yield 30 saves and 70 to 80 strikeouts, but it's unlikely that his ERA will be much better than the mark he finished with last year.
5. Kevin Millwood SP Texas Rangers $14
There was little run support for Millwood for much of last year, resulting in less than double-digit wins despite leading the American League in ERA. However, he is now in an unfriendly pitching environment in Texas and has not pitched a full season in two of the last five years, so there is still some injury concern. If he continues to stay off the disabled list, he should put up 200 innings of decent numbers with an ERA in the high-threes. His ERA may cause the bidding to go out of whack in your league, or his home ballpark may cause him to be undervalued. Your assessment may vary.
6. Kenji Johjima C Seattle Mariners $12
Johjima is the latest Japanese sensation to hit the big leagues, and he brings an impressive resume with him. If the "rookie" performances of Ichiro and Hideki Matsui are any indication, Johjima will hit at a clip close to his Japanese stats with a decent dropoff in power numbers for the first season. He also had the disadvantage of playing at Safeco Field and playing a longer season than he is accustomed to, which could hurt him given his position. Johjima could break in with a .300 average and at least 15 homers and 75 RBIs.
7. Prince Fielder 1B Milwaukee Brewers $12
The trade of Lyle Overbay officially marked the beginning of the Fielder era. An early favorite for 2006 National League Rookie of the Year, Fielder's power is undeniable (.524 slugging percentage in the Minors; 78 homers last three years). But he's a more complete hitter than that. He's hit .297 with a .398 on-base percentage along the way, keeping his strikeouts to a minimum, especially considering his power potential. He's a must-have in any kind of league you play in, joining Weeks as one of the most exciting right sides of an infield in baseball.
8. Chris R. Young SP $12
Young's lack of ability to throw his breaking pitches for consistent strikes and overall fatigue eventually caught up to him in the second half (3.23 ERA in the first half, 5.52 in the second). He lost a couple of miles off his fastball as the season wore on, and that little difference wound up being huge. He was still able to get strikeouts, but had less margin for error on mistake pitches. On the plus side, he does have the makings of a good breaking ball, but the former basketball star has the usual struggles taller pitchers have with mechanics. Regardless, there's a lot to like here.
9. Matt Murton OF Chicago Cubs $12
The Cubs' left field job is Murton's to lose heading into Spring Training. At 24, Murton has quietly produced two excellent Minor League seasons without generating much fanfare. He has the plate discipline to hit for average, power, and the baserunning know-how to steal 10-20 bases. Even manager Dusty Baker -- who favors playing veterans over youngsters -- was impressed by his .986 OPS in September. Although he hits lefties much better than righties, he has proven himself fit to handle Major League pitchers. In an everyday spot, Murton is a name you'll want to remember in 2006.
10. Chris Ray RP Baltimore Orioles $11
With a mid-90s fastball and a Minor League closing pedigree, Ray would seem to be a logical choice to take over closing duties for B.J. Ryan in Baltimore. That probably won't happen yet, though; Ray has just a half-season's worth of Major League experience, and the Orioles seem a little concerned about throwing him into a high-pressure spot too soon. The future is very bright for the 24-year-old, though, and he will be closing games before long. It could even happen this season, if he progresses faster than expected or Hawkins struggles, so be sure to keep Ray on your radar on draft day.
11. J.J. Hardy SS Milwaukee Brewers $10
Hardy is a top breakout candidate in 2006 and should come cheaply on draft day. His overall numbers in 2005 were undermined by a brutal first half in which he hit only .187 in 187 at-bats while battling Bill Hall for playing time, in addition to the after-effects of a separated shoulder the season before. Hardy was an entirely different player after the break, hitting .308 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs in just 185 at-bats. The power was no fluke, as evidenced by his size (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), plate coverage (44 walks against 48 strikeouts) and fly-ball swing (0.97 groundouts/fly outs in 2005). In fact, his overall slugging percentage improved each season of his Minor League career. Prime sleeper.
12. Mike Jacobs 1B Florida Marlins $9
Jacobs probably won't make Marlins fans forget about Carlos Delgado, but he was a mini-sensation after slugging 11 home runs in 100 at-bats for the Mets last season. The question now is whether the power is legitimate, or whether this guy will wind up being the second coming of Kevin Maas. At the least, Jacobs will play against right-handers, and could wind up being the Marlins' main source of pop. Even without much lineup protection, he should be good for a decent average, along with 20 homers and 75 RBIs in around 450 at-bats.
13. Scott Kazmir SP Tampa Bay $9
To their credit, the Rays were very careful with Kazmir last year, giving him extra rest regularly and limiting his pitches, regardless of the game situation. The southpaw used his 95-mph fastball to rank fourth in the American League in strikeouts, eighth in opponents' batting average and fifth in home run rate. That all offset Kazmir's American League-leading 100 walks. Even better is that he got nastier as the season went on, striking out 100 batters and posting a 3.16 ERA in his last 94 innings. A little more control, and you're looking at a true ace starter. Don't be afraid of a sophomore slump here.
14. Travis Bowyer RP Florida Marlins $9
With a fastball that approaches 100 mph, Bowyer has "closer" written all over him. The only question is when his big moment will come. Bowyer's minimal Major League experience produced mixed results -- he allowed six runs in 9 2/3 innings with the Twins last year, but struck out 12 and walked only three. The 24-year-old almost certainly will start the season in Florida, and Borowski may be the only thing standing between him and the closing job. Think that will last? Neither do we. Go for Bowyer as a late-round sleeper, but be prepared to ride out a few rough patches before he starts delivering the saves.
15. Rafael Soriano RP Seattle Mariners $8
Slightly over a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Soriano returned to Seattle last September and allowed just two runs over seven innings. But even more significant was how the youngster's fastball easily blazed past the 90 mph barrier, giving hope that he can return to the form that made him such a frightening talent in 2003. With a full season of setup duty, Soriano should deliver numbers that rival those of his top peers. He won't close as long as Guardado is around, but you'd be wise to hold on to him in keeper leagues for when the opportunity comes.
16. Ryan Zimmerman 3B Washinton Nationals $8
It's always a shame to see a draftee have so much trouble transitioning to the pro game. In 250 Minor League at-bats, the No. 4 pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft hit .336 and posted a .941 OPS. Then he squeaked out a .397 average and a .569 slugging percentage in 58 big league at-bats in September. Needless to say, his days as a Minor Leaguer are over, and he is entrenched as the Nats' third baseman. He should hit for power and average and is a must-have in all leagues.
17. Curtis Granderson OF Detroit Tigers $7
Granderson has produced in each level of the Tigers farm system and rose to the occasion in his brief rookie season. After whacking 15 homers and swiping 22 bases in Triple-A, Granderson was able to continue his momentum into the Majors, slugging .494 with eight homers in 162 at-bats. With exciting athleticism, the left-handed hitter has the promise to collect 20 dingers, and possesses the baserunning savvy to steal over 20 bases. Granderson, who turns 25 in March, has the inside track on the everyday center field job in Detroit, though Nook Logan could steal some at-bats. With good power and stolen base tools, Granderson is a good late-round sleeper in mixed leagues.
18. Kenny Lofton OF LA Dodgers $7
Though Lofton is one of the better rotisserie leadoff hitters of this generation, he overachieved a bit last year. The speedster saw his batting average jump 60 points, but his underlying skills didn't join the ride. His strikeout rate remained the same as it's been the last three years, and his walk rate and K/BB ratio declined. Turning 39 in May, Lofton's legs are also in a stage of decline, so 22 stolen bases should be the ceiling. Nevertheless, with around 400 at-bats at the top of the Dodgers order, Lofton should remain a viable option for steals and batting average. Be careful not to pay for the '05 stats.
19. Joey Gathright OF Tampa Bay Devil Rays $6
Gathright is among the five fastest players in the Majors, and he's without an everyday job. In 429 at-bats between the Minors and Majors last season, Gathright blazed by pitchers for 50 steals in 63 opportunities. He was the subject of numerous trade rumors in the offseason, but he's still a pinch-hitter for the Rays at this point. Gathright will be 24 in April, and while he's a good slap hitter, he needs to work on reaching base more often by way of the walk. In a full-time role, Gathright could swipe 50 bags in the mold of a Scott Podsednik. Gathright's legs warrant a roster spot, so keep your eye on his job status.
20. Jeremy Reed OF Seattle Mariners $6
After a brief but impressive showing in '04, Reed disappointed many of the experts that deemed him a sleeper last year. After being given just eight stolen base opportunities in the first half, Reed was given the green light more after the break and racked up eight swipes. His excellent fielding should keep him in the starting lineup enough to build on his rookie season. The left-handed hitter was an extremely patient batter in the Minors, so look for him to draw more walks and add to his run total. Reed is 24 years old and has excelled at every stage of his baseball career, so expect a firm rebound across the board.
21. Todd Coffey | RP | Cincinnati Reds | $6 (added)
This offseason, the Reds announced that they will use a closer-by-committee approach in 2006. Since that never seems to work for long, we're guessing the bulk of the opportunities will initially go to Weathers, but they may well end up in Coffey's hands by the end of the season. The big right-hander has closer's stuff with a hard fastball and splitter, and he also demonstrated pretty good control in an otherwise rocky 2005 season. With the potential payoff of something like 15 saves, Coffey is a tough guy to ignore in the late rounds of mixed leagues.
22. Ambiorix Burgos | RP | Kansas City | $6 (added)
With a fastball that reaches the high-90s and a power splitter, Burgos has all the makings of a big-league closer. Ideally, a 21-year-old fireballer should be given time to work out his control issues before he's asked to close, but that may not happen here; Mike MacDougal is running out of chances to prove he can handle the job, and Burgos is next in line to give it a shot. Given MacDougal's erratic history, there is a very realistic chance Burgos will be closing before the end of the season. With that potential, he is certainly worth a late pick in mixed leagues.
23. Ian Kinsler 2B Texas Rangers $5
No one was happier about the Alfonso Soriano trade than Kinsler, who now will be given every opportunity to win the vacated second-base job in Texas. He comes off a year, his first as a second baseman, where he hit 23 homers, drove in 94 runs and stole 19 bases for Triple-A Oklahoma while turning 23 in June. As long as he holds off challenges from some of the vets, Kinsler should provide some nice (and cheap) numbers from the bottom of the Rangers' lineup. Double-digits in homers and steals from a late-round 2B is nothing to sneeze at.
24. Anthony Reyes SP St. Louis Cardinals $5
The Cards' top prospect has breezed through the system in just two years and is now ready for a spot in the rotation. Reyes has tremendous command of three pitches, avoids walks (1.09 WHIP in the Minors), but also makes a fair amount of hitters swing and miss (276 K's in 239 2/3 innings). Being the No. 5 guy could be beneficial, since Reyes has had some minor injury issues and may take advantage of some extra days off here and there. With that team behind him, Reyes could be the best fantasy No. 5 starter in baseball this season.
25. Conor Jackson 1B Arizona Diamondbacks $5
This big-time prospect didn't make the most of his tryout at first base last season, as he batted .200 with two homers in 85 at-bats. He did show signs of promise with 12 walks against 11 strikeouts, though, and D-Backs manager Bob Melvin feels he's "up to the task" for proving himself on a regular basis. Whether Jackson really is ready is open to interpretation, but if he has a strong spring, you may want to give the kid a shot in the later rounds. You also may want to draft Tony Clark as insurance, since he'll get most of Arizona's at-bats at first if Jackson sinks rather than swims.
This post first appeared on Fantasy Baseball - MLB Trades And Rumors, please read the originial post: here
