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Arizona Diamondbacks Mark Reynolds (Projected Value: $20) Reynolds batted .260 with 44 home runs, 102 RBI, and 24 stolen bases for Arizona last year. You can expect a lot of home runs from him again this year, but since he strikes out so much (223 Ks in '09), expect to see his average and power stats slide a bit in 2010. Adam LaRoche (Projected Value: $13) LaRoche (30) proved that he should be starting at 1B somewhere by hitting .325-12-40 in only 212 at-bats with the Braves after being traded to them by the Red Sox. He ended up with 25 HR and 83 RBI for the year - his expectations, along with a .275 AVG, for 2010. Brandon Allen (Projected Value: $0) The Diamondbacks expect Allen (23) to man first base (sometime) this year. He hit four home runs in 32 games for them last year, but you have to consider him a work-in-progress. Will he even make the team out of Spring Training? Atlanta Braves Martin Prado (Projected Value: $27) Prado (26) batted .307 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI over 128 games for the Braves in the '09 regular season. His .307 average seems legitimate, and he qualifies at multiple positions. Consider him a solid back-end mixed-league option at 2B/3B/1B. Baltimore Orioles Ty Wigginton (Projected Value: $9) Wigginton (32) ended his three-year run of hitting 20-plus home runs by hitting only 11 in 2009. Expect a return of power in 2010 - if he gets 400+ at-bats in Baltimore. Michael Aubrey (Projected Value: $0) Aubrey (28) hit .289 with four homers, 14 RBI, and a .500 slugging percentage over 90 at-bats with Baltimore in 2009. Despite that, the Orioles look to find someone else for the job at first base - Aubrey might back up whoever gets the job. Boston Red Sox Kevin Youkilis (Projected Value: $25) Youkilis (31) batted .305 with 27 home runs, 94 RBI, and a .413 on-base percentage in 2009. If he did not suffer an oblique strain that necessitated a trip to the DL, he might have outdone his stellar stats from 2008. You have to expect him to put up solid numbers across the board again in 2010. He remains a top drawer. Victor Martinez (Projected Value: $14) Martinez (30) batted .303 with 23 home runs, 108 RBI, 88 runs, and a .381 on-base percentage during his season with both Cleveland and Boston. He moved into the middle of an already potent Red Sox lineup to hit .336 with 20 extra-base hits, 41 RBI, and 32 runs in 56 games. He qualifies as both a catcher and first basemen in many leagues. Who wouldn’t want him for either spot? Chicago Cubs Derrek Lee (Projected Value: $9) Lee (34) enjoyed a resurgence in 2009 - batting .306 with 35 homers and 111 RBI. You cannot expect him to reproduce those stats in 2010, but .300/25/90 does not seem unreasonable. Micah Hoffpauir (Projected Value: $0) Hoffpauir has some pop – 10 home runs in 234 at-bats – but he needs more at-bats in a lineup that is not likely to need him frequently. Chicago White Sox Paul Konerko (Projected Value: $23) Konerko (34) rebounded from a poor 2008 to hit .277 with 28 homers, and 88 RBI in 2009. A streaky hitter, he batted only .243, but with 12 HR after the ASG. Expect him to overachieve one more time as he enters a contract year. Mark Kotsay (Projected Value: $0) Kotsay (33) hit a combined .278 with four HR and 23 RBI in 67 games with the Red Sox and White Sox in 2009. He will get playing time as a backup first baseman and outfielder in 2010. Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto (Projected Value: $34) Votto (26) battled a bout of dizziness and personal issues before the ASG, but still ended 2009 with a .322 average, 25 home runs, 84 RBI, and four steals. He seems to have overcome his mental health issues – we’ll know more later. You can bid for him as he enters his peak years with reasonable confidence. Ramon Hernandez (Projected Value: $6) Hernandez (34) batted .258 with five homers and 37 RBI in 2009 when he missed significant time because he had knee surgery. If healthy, he can rebound to hit 10-Plus home runs and bat near .260 for his fantasy owners. Cleveland Indians Andy Marte (Projected Value: $0) Marte, a reclamation project at 26-years-old, had his best AAA season last year batting .327 with 18 HR – but he could not maintain the same production level when he reached Cleveland - again. He batted .232 with six HR in 155 AB for the Tribe. Andy - fish or cut bait. Colorado Rockies Todd Helton (Projected Value: $0) Helton (36) remains a reliable second-level first baseman, albeit one with a health and age risk. He rebounded after back surgery by batting .325 with 15 home runs and 86 RBI in 2009. Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera (Projected Value: $35) Cabrera (26) has produced great fantasy stats for six years. He ended 2009 by hitting .324 with 34 home runs, 103 RBI, six steals, and 96 runs scored – and finally by getting into a domestic dispute. As he enters his prime athletic achievement years, expect even more – on the diamond. He will go off the draft board in the first round. Florida Marlins Gaby Sanchez (Projected Value: $16) Sanchez (26) has not developed enough power to make him a first-base option for the Marlins – yet. They might give him another chance to succeed, but time is running out. Jorge Cantu (Projected Value: $9) Cantu (28) hit .289 with 16 home runs and 100 RBI for the Marlins in 2009. He had hit 29 HR in 2008. His contact rate is improving - but his home run production is falling. Logan Morrison (Projected Value: $0) Morrison (22) has a quick inside-out swing with plus power. He did not demonstrate much of that last year (in part because of injuries), going .277-8-49-48-9 (.408-.439) in 289 at-bats between high Class A and Double-A. He should develop more power as he gains experience at recognizing pitches at higher minor league levels. Consider him a flier with potential. Houston Astros Lance Berkman (Projected Value: $10) Berkman (34) still gives strong fantasy numbers, as shown by his .274 batting average with 25 home runs and 80 RBI in 2009. However, the 80 RBI represented his lowest tally since his rookie year (2000). Expect a lot, but not as much as you used to. Injuries (wrist, calf) and age became a factor last year. Kansas City Royals Billy Butler (Projected Value: $16) Butler produced great stats for a 23-year-old first baseman: a .301 average with 21 home runs and 93 RBI. He solidified his position as Kansas City's No. 3 hitter after the ASG with a .314 average, 13 homers, 55 RBI, and a .540 slugging percentage. And there’s more where that came from. Los Angeles Angels Kendry Morales (Projected Value: $9) Morales (27) enjoyed an unexpected breakthrough season in 2009, hitting .306 with 34 home runs and 108 RBI. He provided Mark Teixeira-like stats at the fraction of the cost that New York had to pay Tex. Morales even got better as the season progressed (he hit 21 HR after the ASG). What more can you ask for? Los Angeles Dodgers James Loney (Projected Value: $18) Loney (25) batted .281 average 13 home runs and 90 RBI - nice numbers - for a fourth outfielder. He needs to hit more home runs to have fantasy value. He still has youth on his side, so, we'll see. Milwaukee Brewers Prince Fielder (Projected Value: $18) Fielder (25) enjoyed a monster 2009 season. He set the Brewers' club record for RBI (141), swatted 46 HR, and batted .299. He has yet to enter his prime production years. We are talking superstar. Minnesota Twins Justin Morneau (Projected Value: $24) Morneau (28) hit .274 with 30 homers and 100 RBI, and then missed the last three weeks of last season with a stress fracture in his lower back. (It should not affect his health next spring.) He typically starts the season strong, but fades after the ASG. Last year, he posted a .201 average with a .402 slugging percentage in the second half. All-in-all, however, he hits like an elite power hitter who can give you a .300 average, 30 homers, and 120 RBI. He might even hit 40 HR this year. Michael Cuddyer (Projected Value: $15) Cuddyer (31) had a career year in '09 with 32 HR (10 HR after August) and 94 RBI. He probably cannot exceed last year's output, but if he stay's healthy he can hit 25 HR - and he qualifies at first base and in the outfield. New York Mets Daniel Murphy (Projected Value: $5) Murphy (25) qualifies as both first baseman and outfielder. He hit .266 with 12 home runs and 63 RBI in fulltime duty last year. Players at either of his positions have to hit for power or steal lots of bases. He has yet to do either. He can hit .300 – the power stroke may come yet. Mike Jacobs (Projected Value: $0) Jacobs is coming off a down year in the AL with the Royals, and looks to bounce back - most likely to happen with a return to the NL. He hit a career-best 32 home runs with the Marlins in 2008. New York Yankees Mark Teixeira (Projected Value: $19) Teixeira (29) had his best season in 2009 with the Yankees. The MVP candidate hit .292, with 39 HR and 122 RBI. He probably will not hit 50 home runs, but you can reasonably expect a .300-30-100-100 line from him. Nick Johnson (Projected Value: $0) Johnson (31) finished 2009 with eight home runs, 62 RBI, and a solid .291/.426/.405 batting line. Pencil him in as the Yankees’ DH. He has limited power, but he can drive the ball, so he will get RBI opportunities in the Bronx – if he stays healthy. None Carlos Delgado (Projected Value: $0) Delgado batted .298 with four home runs and 23 RBI before going on the disabled list with a hip injury on May 16. He had surgery on his right hip a week later. During his last full season in '08, he hit .271 with 38 homers and 115 RBI. Don't expect him to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear - but he could hit 25 dingers if he stays healthy. Oakland Athletics Daric Barton (Projected Value: $8) Barton (24) has yet to develop as a power hitting first baseman. He should be able to hit for a decent average, but, is he, can he hit for power? You can take a flier on him and hope that his September line, .306-2-18, will carry over to 2010. Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard (Projected Value: $28) Howard came through with top-tier power again in 2009, batting .279 with 105 runs, 45 homers, 141 RBI, and eight stolen bases. With his long swing, Howard can go through lots of swing-and-miss episodes, but you can reasonably expect another 40+ HR from this slugger. Ross Gload (Projected Value: $0) Gload (34) hit .261 with six home runs and 30 RBI in part-time duty for the Marlins in 2009; he will now provide the Phils with some flexibility around the diamond in 2010. Pittsburgh Pirates Garrett Jones (Projected Value: $17) Surprise! Surprise!! Jones (28) finally got regular MLB ABs and enjoyed a great season in 2009, batting .293 with 21 home runs, 44 RBI, and 10 stolen bases over 314 at-bats. He has solidified himself as starter, whether at first base or in the outfield. Shazam! Jeff Clement (Projected Value: $0) Clement (26) hit .274 with 21 home runs in Triple-A action last year before injuries derailed him. When he did play for Seattle, he did not live up to the Mariners’ expectations from a highly touted prospect, so now he has a chance to show what he can do in Pittsburgh. We’ll see. San Diego Padres Adrian Gonzalez (Projected Value: $23) Imagine being able to hit 40 HR and calling Petco your home field? Adrian Gonzalez can. Gonzalez (27) batted .277 with 40 home runs and 99 RBI last year. He has averaged 35 homers and 106 RBI over the last three seasons. If he gets traded to a city where the dimensions allow humans to hit HR, he could hit 50 easily. San Francisco Giants Aubrey Huff (Projected Value: $26) Huff (33) joins the Giants to play first base, although he has played third base (2008 with the Orioles) and the outfield (2006 with the Astros). He split last year in the AL between the Orioles and Tigers and batted .241 with 15 home runs. The Giants want him to revisit his stats from 2008 when he hit .304 with 32 homers and 108 RBI. Pablo Sandoval (Projected Value: $4) Sandoval (23) emerged as one of the game's top breakthrough players of 2009. He batted .330 with 25 homers, 90 RBI, and five steals. He can play first or third base, and can even catch. He is probably going to get better. Seattle Mariners Russell Branyan (Projected Value: $8) Branyan (34) finished 2009 with a .251 average, 31 home runs, and 76 RBI. He hit .193 after the ASG, mostly because of a herniated disc problem that prematurely ended his season. He had not played in a 100-plus games since 2002. He expects to be ready for Spring Training. His power makes him worth a flier late on Draft Day. Justin Smoak (Projected Value: $0) Smoak (23) struggled at Triple-A when he got promoted, but he did suffer an oblique injury that hampered his playing progress. He played up to his potential later with the U.S. national team. He has plus power, and the ability to hit to all fields. He might draw less interest than he should because of his unlucky season at Triple-A. Mike Carp (Projected Value: $0) Carp has power and average potential, and he won't take a bad pitch, which makes him a sleeper worth watching in 2010. Casey Kotchman (Projected Value: $0) Kotchman hit .268/.339/.382 between Atlanta and Boston in 2009. If he moves to a small- or mid-market team, like Seattle, he will get regular at-bats. If he has to stay in Boston, he will blend with the pine bench. He has potential fantasy value in one category only: batting average. St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols (Projected Value: $29) MVP Albert Pujols (30) batted .327 with an ML-leading 47 home runs, 135 RBI, 124 runs, and an NL-best .443 on-base percentage. He also tied a personal best with 16 stolen bases. BTW, he plays great defense. You cannot ask for more. Tampa Bay Rays Carlos Pena (Projected Value: $13) Pena (32) lost almost a month’s worth of home runs after he broke two fingers at the beginning of September. For the year, he batted .227 with 39 homers and 100 RBI. That low average kept Pena from being categorized as an elite first basemen. He expects to return to 100% health in 2010, which means that you can look forward to seeing him hit 30-40 homers and drive in 100-plus runs. Willy Aybar (Projected Value: $1) Aybar (27) can play just about anywhere in the infield and has hit double-digit home runs (10, 12) in a part-time role over the past two years. Consider him a late-round AL-only pick. Hank Blalock (Projected Value: $0) Blalock batted .234 with 25 home runs and 66 RBI in 462 at-bats (123 games) in 2009. He had not played in 100 games since 2006 because of injuries. He can hit with power or he can hit for average, but he has not done both in the same year in the recent past. If he leaves Texas, his chances for power results will diminish. Texas Rangers Chris Davis (Projected Value: $0) Davis started 2009 with so much promise, which he still has, but the road has been rocky. He hit 15 home runs by July 6th, but he was batting only .202 and had struck out 114 times in 258 at-bats. After a stint in the minors, he returned to hit .308 with six home runs to raise his season totals to .238-21-59. He represents a great power threat, and he stays in the lineup because he plays exceptional defense. However, he must put the ball in play more often - at least at a .240 clip. Toronto Blue Jays Lyle Overbay (Projected Value: $8) Overbay (33) ended last year with a .265 average, 16 home runs, and 64 RBI. He does not face every opposing southpaw, though he did bat .282 against righties. You can draft him for his average potential. Washington Nationals Adam Dunn (Projected Value: $22) Dunn hit "only" 38 HR last year, ending his streak of five consecutive seasons with 40-plus home runs. Expect him to retain his skill set, which includes the 40 HR, driving in 100+ runs, and he might bat .260. He has solid fantasy value. |