If you're into keeper leagues or dynasty leagues then you must keep your eyes on this guys.
1. Jeremy Hermida, Outfileder Florida Marlins
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. Prince Fielder, First Base Milwaukee Brewers
The trade of Lyle Overbay officially marked the beginning of the Prince era. An early favorite for 2006 NL 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 Rickie Weeks as one of the most exciting right sides of an infield in baseball.
3. Ryan Zimmerman, Third Base Washington Nationals
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 last June 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.
4. Matt Cain, Pitcher San Francisco Giants
Cain's Major League splash may have been as surprising as any other's in 2005. It's not that Cain doesn't have upside; he's the most exciting pitching prospect this side of King Felix. But the 21-year-old struggled with his command mightily in Triple-A, walking 73 in 145 2/3 innings (he did also whiff 176 and held hitters to a .218 average). He'll be the Giants' No. 4 starter and should continue to rack up the K's. Beware of the walks, though his low hits total should keep his WHIP from escalating. He's a keeper worth holding onto long-term.
5. Justin Verlander, Pitcher Detroit Tigers
It's hard to believe Verlander has just one year under his belt, not when you consider he made it all the way to Detroit before what amounted to a tired arm shut him down late in 2005. Before then, he posted silly numbers: 1.29 ERA, 136 K's, 26 walks and a .197 batting average against in 118 2/3 innings at two levels. The command was the most surprising, and is the biggest reason why he may be the front-runner for the No. 5 spot in the Tigers' rotation. Pitching in Comerica behind a couple of soft-tossers only increases his value.
6. Delmon Young, Outfielder Tampa Bay Devil Rays
If you're not aware of Young's five-category potential (.315 average, 26 homers, 99 RBIs, 92 runs, 32 steals in 2005), it may be time to find another hobby. The only question is when the Rays bring him up in 2006. The top overall prospect in baseball might get some more seasoning in Durham to start the year, especially since the Rays' outfield is a touch crowded. Young is just 20, so some more seasoning wouldn't kill him. Chances are, he won't be in Triple-A long, and he'll force the issue by the end of May, when he'll begin his career as a fantasy stud.
7. Ian Kinsler, Second Base Texas Rangers
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.
8. Anthony Reyes, Pitcher St. Louis Cardinals
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.
9. Francisco Liriano, Pitcher Minnesota Twins
It should be quite a competition in Twins camp this spring, with Liriano and Scott Baker the front-runners for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. If Baker is the safer choice, the 22-year-old Liriano has much more upside despite the rocky debut last year. A lefty in the Johan Santana mold, Liriano has struck out 551 and walked just 174 in 484 1/3 Minor League innings, including 204 K's (to go along with a 2.63 ERA) in 167 2/3 combined innings a year ago. Even if he initially doesn't get the No. 5 job, he's the horse to back long-term.
10. Josh Barfield, Second Base San Diego Padres
When Mark Loretta was dealt to Boston this offseason, it was clear that the Padres were ready to see what Barfield could do at the big league level. After a slow start in Triple-A, Barfield finished with a .310 average, bringing his Minor League career mark to .300. He also hit double-digits in homers for the third straight year, while showing that his wheels were fine by swiping 20 bags for the first time since 2002. Don't expect the same power numbers in PETCO, but a handful of homers and 15 steals would be a nice find for an end-of-the-draft kind of pick.
Others in line:
11. Jonathan Papelbon, BOS Pitcher
12. Andy Marte, CLE 3rd base
13. Yusmeiro Petit, FLA Pitcher
14. Stephen Drew, ARI Short Stop
15. Corey Hart, MIL Outfield
16. Mark Markakis, BAL Outfield
17. Jeff Mathis, LAA Catcher
18. Joel Zumaya, DET Pitcher
19. Chad Billingsley, LAD Pitcher
20. Eric Reed, FLA Outfield
1. Jeremy Hermida, Outfileder Florida Marlins
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. Prince Fielder, First Base Milwaukee Brewers
The trade of Lyle Overbay officially marked the beginning of the Prince era. An early favorite for 2006 NL 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 Rickie Weeks as one of the most exciting right sides of an infield in baseball.
3. Ryan Zimmerman, Third Base Washington Nationals
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 last June 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.
4. Matt Cain, Pitcher San Francisco Giants
Cain's Major League splash may have been as surprising as any other's in 2005. It's not that Cain doesn't have upside; he's the most exciting pitching prospect this side of King Felix. But the 21-year-old struggled with his command mightily in Triple-A, walking 73 in 145 2/3 innings (he did also whiff 176 and held hitters to a .218 average). He'll be the Giants' No. 4 starter and should continue to rack up the K's. Beware of the walks, though his low hits total should keep his WHIP from escalating. He's a keeper worth holding onto long-term.
5. Justin Verlander, Pitcher Detroit Tigers
It's hard to believe Verlander has just one year under his belt, not when you consider he made it all the way to Detroit before what amounted to a tired arm shut him down late in 2005. Before then, he posted silly numbers: 1.29 ERA, 136 K's, 26 walks and a .197 batting average against in 118 2/3 innings at two levels. The command was the most surprising, and is the biggest reason why he may be the front-runner for the No. 5 spot in the Tigers' rotation. Pitching in Comerica behind a couple of soft-tossers only increases his value.
6. Delmon Young, Outfielder Tampa Bay Devil Rays
If you're not aware of Young's five-category potential (.315 average, 26 homers, 99 RBIs, 92 runs, 32 steals in 2005), it may be time to find another hobby. The only question is when the Rays bring him up in 2006. The top overall prospect in baseball might get some more seasoning in Durham to start the year, especially since the Rays' outfield is a touch crowded. Young is just 20, so some more seasoning wouldn't kill him. Chances are, he won't be in Triple-A long, and he'll force the issue by the end of May, when he'll begin his career as a fantasy stud.
7. Ian Kinsler, Second Base Texas Rangers
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.
8. Anthony Reyes, Pitcher St. Louis Cardinals
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.
9. Francisco Liriano, Pitcher Minnesota Twins
It should be quite a competition in Twins camp this spring, with Liriano and Scott Baker the front-runners for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. If Baker is the safer choice, the 22-year-old Liriano has much more upside despite the rocky debut last year. A lefty in the Johan Santana mold, Liriano has struck out 551 and walked just 174 in 484 1/3 Minor League innings, including 204 K's (to go along with a 2.63 ERA) in 167 2/3 combined innings a year ago. Even if he initially doesn't get the No. 5 job, he's the horse to back long-term.
10. Josh Barfield, Second Base San Diego Padres
When Mark Loretta was dealt to Boston this offseason, it was clear that the Padres were ready to see what Barfield could do at the big league level. After a slow start in Triple-A, Barfield finished with a .310 average, bringing his Minor League career mark to .300. He also hit double-digits in homers for the third straight year, while showing that his wheels were fine by swiping 20 bags for the first time since 2002. Don't expect the same power numbers in PETCO, but a handful of homers and 15 steals would be a nice find for an end-of-the-draft kind of pick.
Others in line:
11. Jonathan Papelbon, BOS Pitcher
12. Andy Marte, CLE 3rd base
13. Yusmeiro Petit, FLA Pitcher
14. Stephen Drew, ARI Short Stop
15. Corey Hart, MIL Outfield
16. Mark Markakis, BAL Outfield
17. Jeff Mathis, LAA Catcher
18. Joel Zumaya, DET Pitcher
19. Chad Billingsley, LAD Pitcher
20. Eric Reed, FLA Outfield
This post first appeared on Fantasy Baseball - MLB Trades And Rumors, please read the originial post: here
