Alfonso Soriano (CHC) – I have to eat crow thinking Soriano's stats were going to go down in the dumps in DC, or that he and manager Frank Robinson were going to get into into. If you needed a bomb or a steal, more often than not Soriano did that in 2006, finishing with 46 home runs, 41 steals. Soriano does lose outfield eligibility this time around, but is the best of a somewhat depleted NL outfield crop. One would think that moving from RFK to Wrigley could improve some of his numbers even more, but that could be neglated by the fact that he is no longer in a contract year. If there is one remaining negative, it is that Sorian is not the greatest average hitter in the world.
Carlos Beltran (NYM) - – It's always maddening to use a high draft pick on Beltran because his performance fluctuates drastically from year-to-year. Beltran can go on a tear where he can be hotter than anyone in baseball, or go through an entire year (see his measley .414 slg pct. in '05) where he is absolutely average. A couple of more negatives is that Beltran does not hit for a high average and does not steal nearly as much as earlier in his career.
Carlos Lee (HOU) – Another of the prime free agents of the 2006 clasee, Lee is very similar to Soriano that he lands in a nice offensive park (especially for a right hander) but no longer has the carrot of going for the handsome contract he now has. You also would have expected him to have done better in his two months in Texas, especially considering he should had been familar with the AL from his White Sox days. Another plus is Lee gets more stolen bases than you might think at first glance. Myself I think El Caballo is in a comfort zone in the NL Central and should crack the 40 home run barrier this year.
Matt Holliday (COL) – Rockies have always traditionally been near the top of the NL outfield rankings, and Holliday definitely keeps that tradition alive. Say what you want about the perception of offense being down at Coors Field, but Holliday nukes opposition there (.373/70/22/78) as opposed to on the road (.280/49/12/36) - with that in mind Holliday is a good platoon candidate in the CDM game for those weeks where the Rockies are at home.
Jason Bay (PIT) – He may not be a Rockie, but Bay has taken the torch from Larry Walker in regards to a Canadian being near the top of the rankings. Bay's 2006 season seemed liked a dissapointment until you look at the final numbers, other than a drop in stolen bases his numbers were very much in line from '05. You might get frustrated in the fact that he gets pitched around a lot being by being by far the top hitter on a bad team. What you will enjoy about Bay is that it takes a lot injury-wise to get him out of the lineup.
Andruw Jones (ATL) – You might get frustrated at his .260 average, but that gets easily offset by the 45 HR/130 RBI averaged over the last two years. Add in the words contract year, and that fact that Andruw is not looking to re-sign, and you should be looking at motivation for Andruw's best season yet.
Juan Pierre (LA) – In my opinion it's a dropoff from the top six to the rest of the National Leauge field. What you can count on from Pierre is for his name to be in the lineup (162 games last three years) and for him to hit lead-off and steal 60 bases. Except for a decent average, don't expect much else, but draft Pierre and you will be guaranteed to do well in the stolen base department.
Adam Dunn (CIN) – Like Pierre, you can pencil Dunn's name in the lineup every day - the similarities between the two players end abruptly right there. If you are looking for someone to get a home run for you in the Beat the Streak home run edition game, Dunn is as good a bet as any on any given day. Dunn also helps in leagues that utilize slugging and especially on-base percentage, as he gets walked as much as anyone. You are going to take a hit in batting average and the stolen bases promised earlier in his career never came to pass. But at least you know exactly what you are going to get here.
Jeff Francoeur (ATL) – The good news is that Francoeur played in all 162 games last year while racking up an impressive 651 AB's. The down side was that as expected, his penchant for not taking walks caught up to him as his average plummeted to .260. That said, Francoeur is still only 23 and very much still a work in progress, and 29 HR/103 RBI last year was not exactly bad.
Pat Burrell (PHI) – A bit of a maligned player as he tends to find a lengthy slump or two over the course of a season, not to mention his infamous 2003 campaign (.209 average). That said, Burrell can also get as hot as anyone and when it's all said and done you can pencil him in for at least 30 HR/100 RBI.
Bill Hall (MIL) – Although only eligible at shortstop to start the season, Hall is slated to be the Brewers everyday center fielder. Coming off a 35 home run season that puts him fairly high on these rankings.
Mike Cameron (SD) – Has never been a top player, but actually had one of his better years with the Padres last season. You worry about him possibly killing you in batting average, but if you're looking for a nice combo of 20 HR/20 steals Cameron should be a good bet.
Ryan Freel (CIN) – He seems to fly under the radar every single year, but despite anually missing a chunk of time Freel always seems to finish with a .270 batting average and 35+ steals. If he ever did play 150 games you could be looking at a 50-steal season but that might be wishful thinking this year. Traditionally a utility player who's usually eligible in at least one infield poistion, Freel is only outfield-eligible for now.
Barry Bonds (SF) – Not much more to say than what is said and debated about him on a daily basis. You probably won't see Bonds on any of my teams because typically there will be 'that guy' who will take Bonds in drafts much earlier than he should. Bonds should still do well in leagues that include on-base percentage, as well as leagues that allow daily transactions so you can replace him on those day game after night game situations that he typically sits out.
Willy Taveras (COL) – You should be able to find some nice stolen base guys in the middle portions of your draft. Willy may be a one-trick pony, but is still just a pup at 25 and both his run and stolen base production could get a bump up moving to Coors Field.
Dave Roberts (SF) – At 34, he quickly becomes one of the younger members of the Giants lineup. Is likely to be over-valued in most drafts on the basis of his 49 stolen bases in 129 games last year. I would feel better about Dave if not for the hammy problems than tend to crop up at least once per season.
Jacque Jones (CHC) – Picked up his batting average considerably to go along with hitting 27 home runs. With an improved lineup around him there could be room for even more improvement
Chris Young (AZ) – Will be one of the top rookie prospects heading into the season, and has a chance to contribute in all five categories. He's been mentioned as a possibility in the leadoff spot, which would hurt his RBI opportunities but could help runs/steals.
Carlos Quentin (AZ) – Like teammate Chris Young, Quentin has a ton of potential, and his two month totals from last year would translate to 27 HR/96 RBI over an entire season, and also slugged .530. Quentin should definitely be on your prospect list.
Brian Giles (SD) – The good news is that you can still pencil Giles name in the lineup every day. The bad news is his runs have been down, batting average down, and home runs have been way down for several years. 80+ runs and 80 RBI are what you are shooting for here.
Josh Willingham (FL) – Was a steal as a $1 catcher in most formats last year, as a $15 outfielder Josh will be far less attractive. The 26 home runs last year was nice, but Josh is already 28 so it's not like there is a whole lot of upside.
Aaron Rowand (PHI) – If there's ever a player you flag with the ol' ambulance, crutch, or red cross icon this is it. If healthy Rowand is a candidate for 20+ home runs and 20+ steals. Only problem is Rowand is far more likely to land in the ER after smashing himself into a fence or another player in the field. Purists love Rowand's all-out intensity, but fantasy owners wouldn't actually midn if he toned it down just a bit.
Ken Griffey Jr. (CIN) – If he's ever able to stay upright for even 140 games, Griffey would still be good for 35 home runs, and despite all the injuries would reach 600 HR if he 37 this year. Unfortunately Griffey didn't even get through the off-season unscathed as he broke his hand in a freak accident at home, so he will be behind the program during the spring
Jim Edmonds (STL) – A 42 HR/111 RBI man as recently as 2004, Edmonds has tailed off drastically the last two years, as perhaps his reckless defensive style has perhaps got up, as he missed time late in the season with the dreaded post-concussion syndrome that ended Mike Matheny's career as well as possibly Corey Koskie. Edmonds is also behind in spring training due to other various injuries.
Chris Duncan (STL) – Was one of the godsends when injuries struck the Cardinals last year, and wound up with 22 home runs in just 280 AB's. However Duncan only had 43 RBI from those 22 homers. Duncan also was not a highly touted prospect in the minors, so his production could tail off as pitchers will now have more knowledge of him. Still, Duncan comes into the season with a starting job.
Brad Hawpe (COL) – For most of the season, the former LSU product was a nice 400 salary plug-in in the CDM game. Strangely, Hawpe fared much better on the road (.303/16/48) than at Coors Field (.282/6/34). Hawpe also struggles against lefties so he could fall into a platoon situation. Still Hawpe has a decent chance to develop into a 30/100 man this year.
Jeremy Hermida (FL) – A classic 'post-hype' candidate. Hermida was on everyone's Rookie of the Year radar at this time last year but a bad start followed by some nagging injuries would go on to derail his season. Hermida is still 23 and penciled in for a starting job, it would be no surprise if everything came together a year late. Hermida has a chance to contribute in all five categories.
Chris Duffy (PIT) – If you needed steals late last season, Duffy was a waiver wire wonder stealing 23 bases just in August and September alone. Duffy underachieved much before that, getting sent to the minors at one point and also missing time due to personal reasons. Duffy remains a candidate for cheap steals but there is some risk here.
Luke Scott (HOU) – You have to take a look at anyone coming off a year in which he slugged .621, even though it was only in 214 AB's. There is 30 home run potential, but also competition in right field in Houston. Put this under the category of speculative pick.
Austin Kearns (WSH) – How many years have we've been waiting for this guy to break out. Kearns finally started showing some signs early last year, but then came a shocking trade to Washington which helped to kill his stats. On the bright side, Kearns is expected to bat cleanup for the Nats this season.
Chris Burke (HOU) – Is expected to start in center field but is also eligible at second. Should see enough playing time to get some home runs, steals, and a lot of runs - more or less inheriting Craig Biggio's old role.
Moises Alou (NYM) – Recently revealed his secret to staying young as drinking light beer. Actually, Alou's production was very good last year, hitting 22 home runs and slugging .571 in just 345 AB's. If Alou should see enough playing time hitting behind Carlos Beltran there is a potential of good numbers.
Randy Winn (SF) – Had exhibited some nice 20/20 production in recent years, but fell considerably in homers, steals, and especially batting average in 2006. His defense is good enough to keep him in the lineup and would make a decent reserve on your roster.
Corey Hart (MIL) – A strong prospect in the Brewers system seemingly forever, Hart is finally promised a starting role for this season. Hart performed decently the final two months of last season and has 25 home run potential.
Juan Encarnacion (STL) – Well into the journeyman phase of his career, Ency has been good for about .280/20/80 the last couple of seasons. Just don't expect much more and don't be surprised if Ency winds up with yet another team.
Geoff Jenkins (MIL) – Here's a fun fact, Jenkins supposedly has a higher OPS than Vernon Wells over the past three years, that may be all you need to know about that stat. Jenkins goes into camp battling Kevin Mench for a starting job, and neither player is too happy about the platoon prospect. There's still a 25 HR/90 RBI upside to Jenkins.
Andre Ethier (LA) – Did well enough along with Matt Kemp last season to stay with the big club through the rest of 2006, and is penciled in for a starting job in 2007, although he hit the rookie wall in September.
Xavier Nady (PIT) – Pirates have found quickly the same thing the Mets and Padres already knew, Nady is a good outfield/first base fill-in who will contribute some power. Just don't expect him to be a go-to guy, Nady has also been having some health problems early in the spring.
Cliff Floyd (CHC) – A 35 home run/100 RBI man as recently as two years ago, Floyd finally moves away from the West coast for the first time in his career. Floyd dropped off considerably last year and will be used in more of a fill-in role on the North Side.
Preston Wilson (STL) – Mets, Marlins, Rockies, Nats, Astros, and now Cardinals - can Preston play for every National League team in his career??? Look for Wilson in fill-in as a fourth outfield before he probably gets dealt again on July 31.
Mark DeRosa (CHC) – Eligibility at second and third as well as in the outfield this season, and is currently slated as the Cubs second baseman. DeRosa hit double-figures in home runs for the first time last season, and has an outside chance to bump that up to 20 in Wrigley.
Scott Thorman (ATL) – A new addition to the Canadian All-Star team, Thorman played 21 games in the outfield this year, so he's eligible there even though he is expected to see most of his time at first base.
Luis Gonzalez (LA) – Don't expect the power of 5-6 years ago. Is expected to start in right field in LA but anything over 20 home runs would be considered a bonus.
Shawn Green (NYM) – He has only acted like a 40-year old player the last few years. Now with the Mets, Green is expected to hit from the 7 hole, lower your expectations accordingly.
Luke Scott (HOU) – Seemed to be on his way to a nice career until he pulled a Pat Burrell with his average plummeting all the way down to .201 last year. Still hit ten home runs in 214 AB's last year, so if he gets enough playing time he could have some nice power numbers.
Kevin Mench (MIL) – Yes, this is the same guy who hit home runs in seven games in a row early last year in Texas. But Mench fell off the face of the earth soon after that and didn't do any better after a mid-season trade to Milwaukee. Now unhappy about the prospect of platooning in camp, it sounds like Mench will be dealt again before too long.
Ryan Church (WSH) – Missed much of last year with injury, but is penciled in for a starting job in camp and has 19 HR/77 RBI in 464 AB's over the past two seasons. Church has been mentioned in trade talks with the Cubs and Pirates among other teams.
Shane Victorino (PHI) – Had an 18 RBI month when handed the center field job after Bobby Abreu was dealt. At age 26 Victorino could develop more especially in a great hitters park, but in reality all Vic is right now is a National League version of David DeJesus, not a lot of power and not a whole lot of speed.
Ryan Langerhans (ATL) – Left field for the Braves this year is there for the grabbing with Langerhans and Matt Diaz among the possibilities. Could get 15-20 home runs with increased playing time.
Felix Pie (CHC) – I close out with a top prospect, although latest word out of Cubs camp is that Felix will open this season in the minors. Pie is still a work in progress, and did not necessarily dominate in AAA last year, although he did better in the Winter League. Pie should contribute in the power and speed departments in the future and should be in center field in Wrigley at some point this season. Pie Oh My.
