Written by TG Fantasy Baseball Staff
February 27, 2008

Arizona Diamondbacks Augie Ojeda (Projected Value: $0) Augie Ojeda heads to spring training with Arizona looking to make the club as a backup infielder. Ojeda played 2B, SS and 3B but only qualifies at 2B. Ojeda has a decent glove but needs work at the plate to have any fantasy value. Chris Burke (Projected Value: $0) Chris Burke heads to spring training with a new team. Burke was acquired from Houston and looks to find a spot either as a backup outfielder or middle infielder as he qualifies at both. Burke can give the occasional start and supplies some speed but little else. Atlanta Braves Kelly Johnson (Projected Value: $15) Kelly Johnson heads to camp as the starting 2B for the Atlanta Braves. Johnson won the job last year out of spring traing and does not have any competition this year. Johnson should bat leadoff or second in the Braves lineup and, if healthy, should post solid stats across the board. Yunel Escobar (Projected Value: $6) Yunel Escobar heads to spring training as the starting SS after the Braves traded veteran Edgar Renteria in the offseason. Escobar showed great range at SS and handled the bat well hitting .326 in 94 games. Escobar qualifies at 2B, SS and 3B and will most likely hit leadoff or second in the order. Omar Infante (Projected Value: $0) Omar Infante, acquired in trade this offseason, now becomes the teams utility infielder with the trade of Willy Aybar. Infante doesn't do anything great but can handle 2B, SS, 3B and OF and even posted a .271 batting average last year. Baltimore Orioles Brian Roberts (Projected Value: $28) Roberts stole a career high 50 bases last year - a dozen or so more than you should have expected - to go along with 12 home runs, 57 RBI, and a .290 average. You can expect the same from the 30-year-old second baseman again in ’08 – except for the prodigious number of steals. Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia (Projected Value: $18) Pedroia won AL Rookie of the Year last year with a line of eight home runs, 50 RBI, and a .317 average. He might hit more home runs in 2008 – if he does not fall prey to the sophomore jinx. That seems unlikely, however, because he started off slowly last year, then turned on the jets just when the media wanted him out of the lineup. Josh Wilson (Projected Value: $0) Josh Wilson heads to spring training hoping to secure a utility slot. Wilson does not do anything great but offers versatility by playing 2B, SS & 3B. Wilson should be passed over in NL drafts. Chicago Cubs Mark DeRosa (Projected Value: $8) Mark DeRosa heads to spring training as the Cubs 2B and number 5 hitter. DeRosa had a nice 1st season with the Cubs posting a .293/10/72 line in 149 games. DeRosa also showed his versatility playing 1B, 2B, SS, 3B and the OF but should be used primarily at 2B this season. Ryan Theriot (Projected Value: $7) Ryan Theriot heads to spring training listed as the Cubs SS and number 7 hitter. Theriot emerged as the starter last year beating out Ronny Cedeno and a host of others. Theriot has plenty of speed but little power and needs to improve his average to hold onto the starting job. Chicago White Sox Jayson Nix (Projected Value: $1) Jayson Nix heads to spring training in a big competition for the starting 2B job. Nix has posted solid offensive numbers in AAA but has the weaker bat of all the competitors. What Nix does have is a solid glove and the Rockies might go that route and wait for the bat. Monitor this situation closely in the spring before drafting. Cincinnati Reds Brandon Phillips (Projected Value: $27) Brandon Phillips heads to spring training as the starting 2B and #2 hitter. Phillips looks to have finally realized his potential and became a 30/30 guy last year. Phillips is a top 5 NL 2B and, at age 26, still has room to improve. Phillips is worth owning in all leagues. Danny Richar (Projected Value: $2) Richar became the White Sox's second baseman after Tadahito Iguchi was traded last July. The 24-year-old infielder hit six home runs in 187 at-bats and batted .230. Draft him if you need a middle infielder with some upside. Cleveland Indians Josh Barfield (Projected Value: $7) Barfield will likely begin 2008 at Triple-A Buffalo. He batted just .243 with three home runs and 50 RBI last season for the Indians. The 25-year-old second baseman walked 14 times but struck out 90 times, and compiled a noticeably poor .270 on-base percentage. By August, prospect Asdrubal Cabrera had received the call and usurped Barfield's duties at second base. Expect a demotion, if not a trade for Barfield. Asdrubal Cabrera (Projected Value: $5) Cabrera took over the Indians’ second base job when Josh Barfield faltered. Cabrera hit a respectable .283 and became a sparkplug to the Indians’ offense and defense. He will probably become a one-dimensional fantasy player - posting a decent batting average without adding much to your power or speed statistics. Jamey Carroll (Projected Value: $1) Carroll hit .300 in 2006 as the Rockies' primary second baseman, but his average fell to .225 in 2007, so he resumed his role as a semi-regular. He plays aggressively, but does not do much in terms of power, average, or speed. He will play a reserve role with the Indians in 2008. Detroit Tigers Placido Polanco (Projected Value: $20) Polanco batted a sensational .341 in 2007, which placed him 3rd in the AL. The 32-year-old second baseman has a lifetime average of .305, so he will help your team’s average – but he helps in no other category, except maybe RBI. He drove in 67 last year. Draft him for average. Florida Marlins Dan Uggla (Projected Value: $16) Dan Uggla heads to spring training as the Marlins 2B and number 2 hitter. Uggla is becoming the poster boy for Rule 5 picks and has increased his production the last 2 years. Uggla is a top 5 2B in NL only leagues but needs to work on his batting average. Houston Astros Ty Wigginton (Projected Value: $10) Ty Wigginton, acquired last year near the trade deadline, goes to spring training as the clubs 3B and #7 hitter. Wigginton does not have much competition as the Astros traded Morgan Ensberg last year and let Mike Lamb go this offseason. Wigginton played 1B, 2B, 3B, OF and DH but only qualifies at 3B and 2B this year. Wigginton will have plenty of chances to drive in runs and with a full season in Houston should approach 20/70/.280 type numbers. Kazuo Matsui (Projected Value: $10) Kaz Matsui, coming off a World Series appearance with the Rockies, signed with and is now the starting 2B for the Astros. Matsui will most likely bat second and provide Runs, SB's and a decent average, but little else offensively. Jose Castillo (Projected Value: $1) Jose Castillo heads to camp with the Marlins in hopes of being their starting 3B. Castillo will battle Jorge Cantu and recently signed Dallas McPherson for the job. Castillo has played 2B, SS, 3B and the OF so he offers the Marlins some flexibility too. Look for Castillo to earn a spot as the top utility player for the Marlins. Geoff Blum (Projected Value: $0) Geoff Blum, like Mark Loretta, was brought back for another year and will be used in a utility role. Blum played 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OF and DH last year. Blum will be used as a defensive replacement or in a double switch and will get the occasional start. Do not build your team around Geoff Blum. Mark Loretta (Projected Value: $0) Mark Loretta is coming back to the club for another season and will be used as a super sub. Loretta played at 1B, 2B, SS, 3B and even DH last year. Loretta will come in for defensive purposes and get the occasional start to rest players. Loretta has a nice bat and will not embarrass himself at the plate. Kansas City Royals Esteban German (Projected Value: $6) German hit .264: a dramatic fall-off from his .326 average in 2006. He has little power, but can steal a base here and there. Consider the 30-year-old utility player as a reserve on Draft Day. He does qualify at second and third base in most leagues. Los Angeles Angels Howie Kendrick (Projected Value: $14) Kendrick batted .357 after the All-Star break in 2007, a fantastic feat - though he has yet to show that he has a power stroke. The 25-years-old second baseman projects to hit 12-20 home runs, and to steal approximately 10-15 bases in 2008. Consider him a batting champ in the making. Maicer Izturis (Projected Value: $3) Izturis will compete with Erick Aybar for the starting shortstop position in Anaheim. Primarily a utility player, he will have to overachieve to get the job. He also qualifies at second and third base in most leagues. If you want, you can draft him as a reserve. Erick Aybar (Projected Value: $3) The Angels are committed to giving Aybar a chance to become their regular shortstop this season. If he struggles, Brandon Wood might step in by the All Star Game. Consider Aybar a sleeper for steals. Los Angeles Dodgers Tony Abreu (Projected Value: $0) Tony Abreu heads to spring training hoping to win the utility slot previously held by Ramon Martinez. Abreu is recovering from abdominal surgery but should be ready to go in the spring. Abreu qualifies at 2B and 3B and is someone to track as a replacement for Jeff Kent, when and if he retires. Milwaukee Brewers Rickie Weeks (Projected Value: $15) Rickie Weeks heads to spring training as the teams 2B and leadoff hitter. This is the first offseason Weeks did not have to rehab an injury. Weeks battled injuries last year but still posted a decent line, except for average. Weeks has little competition at 2B and should improve upon all of his numbers from last year. Ray Durham (Projected Value: $4) Ray Durham heads to spring training as the Giants 2B and number 6 hitter. Durham is in the last year of his contract and, at age 36, will probably not be back next year. Durham has had problems with nagging injuries lately and may even give way to Kevin Frandsden or young prospect Eugenio Velez. Minnesota Twins Brendan Harris (Projected Value: $9) Harris brings an offensive presence to second base that the Twins have not had the last two seasons. In 137 games for the Rays last season, Harris hit 12 home runs with a .434 slugging percentage and a .286 batting average. While Harris appears to be the front-runner for the second base job, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, "We've got Nick Punto as an option, too. I enjoy watching him play and he plays the game the right way." Whoever does not earn the starting job will see plenty of at-bats in a utility role. Alexi Casilla (Projected Value: $0) Casilla hit for a high average in the minors, and he stole 11 bases when he played for the Twins. However, the 24-year-old second baseman had several mental lapses on the field, and batted only .222 (189 at-bats) for the season. He will probably open the season in the minors, but you can draft him if you think that he can displace newly acquired Brendan Harris and Nick Punto. He does have upside, and many consider him the second baseman of the future in Minnesota. New York Mets Luis Castillo (Projected Value: $11) Luis Castillo heads to spring training as the starting 2B and #2 hitter. Castillo arrived via trade from Minnesota at the deadline and looks to help solidify the middle infield of the Mets. Castillo does not provide big power numbers but is a consistent .300 hitter with speed that will score close to 100 runs. New York Yankees Robinson Cano (Projected Value: $28) Cano hits better after the All Star Game, and although he did not hit .342 for the season like he did in 2006, he did hit .306 and drove in almost 100 runs. Not many second basemen do that, to go along with 19 home runs. He is going to get better still. None Jeff Kent (Projected Value: $14) Jeff Kents heads to spring training, for maybe the last time, as the starting 2B and number 3 hitter. Kent, now 40 years old, has hinted at retirement but will pull a Brett Favre and go year to year. Kent actually had solid power numbers last year and still ranks as a top 5 2B in NL only leagues. Orlando Hudson (Projected Value: $12) Orlando Hudson heads to spring training as the starting 2B and number 2 hitter. Hudson has proved to be adequate with the glove and bat. Moving to the #2 hole will increase his runs scored but decrease his rbi chances. Look for double-digit HR's and 50+ rbi's with a .285 or better batting average. Felipe Lopez (Projected Value: $7) Felipe Lopez heads to spring training as the leadoff hitter and starting 2B. Lopez qualifies at 2B and SS and can provide a fantasy team with speed. Lopez also has enough pop to hit 10+ and drive in 50+ but his average has declined the last three years. Worth drafting in NL only leagues because of his speed. Mark Grudzielanek (Projected Value: $4) Grudzielanek can hit for a .300 average, but he will help your team in no other category. Last year he hit six home runs and drove in 51. Draft the 37-year-old second baseman for his average only. Craig Counsell (Projected Value: $0) Craig Counsell heads to spring training as the clubs super utility infielder. Counsell played and qualifies at 2B, SS and 3B this year and is valuable for defensive purposes and double switches. Counsell used to be able to contribute speed but even that has diminished so for fantasy purposes...don't build around Craig Counsell. Willie Bloomquist (Projected Value: $0) Bloomquist qualifies at four positions: second and third base, shortstop, and the outfield. He can hit .275 and, until last year, stole a dozen or more bases annually. If you need versatility, draft him. He probably can steal 10 bases again. Marcus Giles (Projected Value: $0) Marcus Giles heads to spring training with his third team in three years. Giles is hoping to win the 2B job but has plenty of competition. Additionally, Giles has seen a decline in all his numbers across the board. Watch how this plays out in the spring but Giles is really not someone to draft. Alex Cora (Projected Value: $0) Cora will get the occasional start at shortstop and second base with the Red Sox this year. Consider him a reserve player. Damion Easley (Projected Value: $0) Damion Easley heads to spring training looking to claim a bench/utility role with the Mets. Easley plays multiple positions but only qualifies at 2B and provides decent power numbers for a backup. Look to Easley immediately if Luis Castillo or Jose Reyes goes down. Nick Punto (Projected Value: $0) Punto had a terrible year at the plate, batting .210 – after batting .290 in 2006. He can steal bases (16 in ’07), and you can draft him for that purpose – but he will only hurt your other offensive categories if he plays semi- or full-time. He does qualify at third, shortstop, and second in most fantasy leagues. Oakland Athletics Mark Ellis (Projected Value: $13) Ellis had a solid 2007: 19 home runs, almost 80 RBI, and 9 stolen bases. As long as the A's second baseman stays off the DL (extended stints in 2004 and 2006), you can expect him to hit 15 home runs and bat close to .280. Philadelphia Phillies Chase Utley (Projected Value: $29) Chase Utley heads to spring training as the starting 2B and #3 hitter for the Phillies. Utley is the best offensive second baseman in the game today. Utley missed 5 weeks and still ended with very solid power numbers. Utley is getting better and may be on the verge of an NL MVP Award. Utley should be drafted in all leagues. Tadahito Iguchi (Projected Value: $7) Tadahito Iguchi signed with the Padres and will be their 2B and #2 hitter. Iguchi offers a nice mix of speed and power for a middle infielder. The move to SD will probably take away some of his power numbers and with a 1-year contract, draft accordingly. Pittsburgh Pirates Freddy Sanchez (Projected Value: $13) Freddy Sanchez heads to spring training as the starting 2B and #2 hitter. Sanchez increased his HR's and had the second highest batting average among NL 2B. Sanchez was recently rewarded with a new contract and hopes to reward the Pirates with another solid season. Sanchez offers some value in mixed leagues and is definitely worth drafting in NL only leagues. San Diego Padres Matt Antonelli (Projected Value: $1) Matt Antonelli heads to spring training looking to make the team, but it won't be at 2B. Antonelli will have to wait another year for 2B with Tadahito Iguchi on board but may look to the OF this year. Track Antonelli this spring and keep him in mind for next year in NL only leagues. San Francisco Giants Kevin Frandsen (Projected Value: $0) Kevin Frandsen heads to spring training with a shot at winning the starting 2B or 3B job. Frandsen will battle Ray Durham and Rich Aurilia but has youth on his side. Frandsen posted modest numbers in limited playing time last year and is one to watch in NL only leagues. Seattle Mariners Jose Lopez (Projected Value: $7) Lopez had the second base job in Seattle to himself, until the second half of the year, when he slumped and made mental mistakes on the field. The 24-year-old infielder also hit much better in the first half (.284) than in the second (.213). Since he still has youth on his side, and can make adjustments, you can take a chance on him – if all the top tier second basemen are no longer available at your draft. St. Louis Cardinals Adam Kennedy (Projected Value: $0) Adam Kennedy heads to spring training as the Cardinals 2B and number 8 hitter. Kennedy, signed last year as a FA from the Angels, did not produce much at the plate. Kennedy still has a solid glove but that will not help your fantasy team. Look elsewhere for a 2B. Aaron Miles (Projected Value: $0) Aaron Miles heads to spring training as another backup infielder for the Cardinals. Miles qualifies at 2B and SS but also played 3B and the OF. Miles had a solid batting average but provided little else for a fantasy team. Look for other options for your MI spot. Tampa Bay Rays B.J. Upton (Projected Value: $24) Upton played great last year. He displayed power, a nice batting stroke, and speed. He missed nearly a month of playing time because of injury, but he bounced back to hit 15 home runs after the All-Star break. The 23-year-old breakout player qualifies at both second base and the outfield. Draft him as a second baseman, but you will not make a mistake if you draft him as an outfielder either. Texas Rangers Ian Kinsler (Projected Value: $22) Kinsler smacked 20 home runs and stole 23 bases in fewer than 500 at-bats for the Rangers last year. If he had not suffered a stress fracture in his left foot, he certainly had a shot at 30-30. At 25-years old, he can improve on his .262 batting average, especially since he hit close to .290 after the All Star Game. Get him if you can. Toronto Blue Jays Aaron Hill (Projected Value: $18) Hill has hit .291 two years in a row. He added power to his stroke in 2007 by hitting 17 home runs and driving in 78. The second baseman is entering his prime years, so expecting a .300 season with 20 or more home runs makes sense. Washington Nationals Ronnie Belliard (Projected Value: $1) Ron Belliard heads to spring training hoping for a chance at the starting SS job. Belliard filled in nicely after the injury to Christian Guzman and offers more offensive upside, but will be relegated to a utility role if everyone is healthy. Belliard is worth owning in NL only leagues.

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