Mike Stanton was widely regarded as the No. 3 prospect in baseball at this time last season, behind Stephen Strasburg and Jason Heyward. Baseball America has noted Stanton’s five-tool package and “light-tower power.”
Stanton has done nothing to suggest otherwise, as he’s produced prolific power numbers over the last three seasons:
◦2008 (A): 39 HRs, 97 RBI, .293 BA
◦2009 (A, AA): 28 HRs, 92 RBI, .255 BA
◦2010: (AA, MLB): 43 HRs, 111 RBI, .278
Curtis Granderson cemented his fantasy stud status with dynamic 2007 and 2008 seasons for the Detroit Tigers:
◦2007: 122 runs, 23 HRs, 74 RBI, 26 steals, .302 average
◦2008: 112 runs, 22 HRs, 66 RBI, 12 steals, .280 average
Granderson’s game changed in 2009, however. The center fielder starting hitting more fly balls, resulting in more power, but a much less appealing average…
Colby Rasmus soared through the St. Louis Cardinals’ system after being selected in the first round of the 2005 draft, touted as a toolsy prospect with major upside. He’s displayed his impressive skill set at the major league level, even showing improvements from his rookie to sophomore season:
◦2009: 520 at-bats, 16 HRs, three steals, 6.9 walk rate, .251/.307/.407
◦2010: 534 at-bats, 23 HRs, 12 steals, 11.8 walk rate, .276/.361/.498
Yet despite these progressions, a few red flags leave me concerned…
Nick Markakis was perhaps the most disappointing fantasy player last year, totalling just 12 HRs and 60 RBI in a whopping 709 plate appearances. Though oddly enough, he still hit .297.
The former first-round pick has failed to fulfill expectations since his eye-popping sophomore season in 2007 that yielded: 97 runs, 23 HRs, 112 RBI, 18 steals and a .300 average…
After exploding onto the fantasy scene in 2009 with 91 runs, 27 HRs, 91 RBI, 17 steals and a .297 batting average, I declared Ben Zobrist to be a legitimate, multi-position stud.
My claim didn’t come without warrant. Zobrist has always displayed excellent plate discipline and on-base ability, posting a 15.7 percent walk rate and .429 on-base percentage in five minor league seasons. His 2009 breakout campaign (15.2 BB/9, .405 OBP) was foreshadowed with his 2008 second-half splits: nine home runs, .264/.361/.521 in 144 at-bats…
Saturday, March 19, 2011
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