Thursday, April 1, 2010

Minor Blip: Fantasy Forecast

This is the time of year when dreams get shattered. Not just for the up and coming superstars who are called into the managers office to find out their torrid springs aren't worthy of a spot on the big league roster, but instead a little more seasoning in the minors, but for the many fantasy owners who get the harsh news that they've wasted a spot on their rosters for a player who seemingly will be of no help to their teams this year.

Will these players be able to help your team this year? Who's worth waiting on and who should you cut bait and run on, now, before that handful of helpful players are snapped up from the waiver wire while you try to decide what move to make next.

It goes without saying you're an injury away from being wrong no matter what you decide to do next. Injuries not withstanding here's 5 players you need to be patient with and 5 players you should leave for someone else to fret about.

Be patient with:

Pedro Alvarez (Pit.) - think Ryan Braun, a masher whose callup a couple months into the season wins you your league

Eric Young jr. (Col.) - speed demon who is currently blocked by the extremely inconsistent Clint Barmes, a chance to tear up the bases at the top of a very powerful lineup WHEN Barmes falters

Michael Taylor (Oak.) -it might be hard to believe but Billy Beane has to be feeling the pressure to field a competetive team again and soon, Taylor's just the guy to help do that, 20 steals and 20 homer projection still looks fine when pro-rated over a half season

Stephen Strasburg (Was.) - it dosnt really matter what he does, the whole world will be watching and he'll be yours, and if you don't like what you see there will be someone else in your league really wishing he was theirs

Aroldis Chapman (Cin.) - see Strasburg

Pass on:

Brett Wallace (Tor.) - being virtually assured of a long and prosperous career dosn't garauntee you'll be able to avoid another year in the minors, too many options in Toronto, and too many losses projected make leaving Wallace in AAA too real a possibility for non keeper league managers to waste a spot on

Kyle Drabek (Tor.) - big time prospect still needs to play above AA ball before a move to the majors, and as is the case with most young pitchers, is unlikely to help your team right out of the gate either way

Desmond Jennings (T.B.) - even if the Rays decide to move Carl Crawford at the deadline, 5 tool players like Jennings usually take longer to put it all together on the big league stage

Domenic Brown (Phi.) - one of the few players the Phillies were unwilling to move in an effort to win now, there simply isn't any room for him on the big league roster, seems likely to replace Jayson Werth if the Phils are unable to resign him this offseason

Buster Posey (S.F.) - it dosn't really matter how great Buster is going to be, and it looks like he'll be pretty great, his power dosn't project too high, and it won't be helped by AT&T Park, and his manager, Bruce Bochey, is an ex catcher who seems to be a big fan of Bengie Molina, as evidenced by Poseys lack of playing time in S.F. last september - wait 'til next year

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