Fantasy Dr X: Strike Zone

Hitters: 10 Sleepers - 10 Busts

Just like pitchers, we can group hitters into two major categories before the season even begins.  There are many new sleepers and busts this year with the wild off-season that the MLB is having.  Here are my top 10 sleepers/busts for the 2008 season: By Lawrence Barreca.

SLEEPERS

 American League:

Rocco Baldelli (TB) - Baldelli has had injury problems for the past few seasons; however, he still has the potential to be a superstar in the majors.  He is still young (he's only 26 years old) and has plenty of upside coming into the year.  He has the ability to hit for a .300 average, 20 homers, and 100 RBI's if he can stay healthy.  He is logged as the starting right fielder for the Rays in '08, and he is expected to be ready for spring training.  Where you want to draft him in your fantasy league is your decision, but choose wisely.  He is an injury-risk sleeper who, if healthy, can score loads of points for your team on a weekly basis.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (TEX) - Saltalamacchia, the prized piece in a trade that sent All-Star first baseman Mark Teixeira to the Braves, came into Texas and performed well in his rookie year.  Jarrod hit .266 with 11 homeruns and 33 RBI's in 308 at-bats.  He is expected to beat out Gerald Laird for the starting catcher's role in Texas, and he may even log some innings at first base.  He is a flexible option that is already a top-15 catcher on Draft Day.

Luke Scott (BAL) - Scott was not an everyday outfielder with Houston, but now in Baltimore he has that opportunity.  Scott is excited about getting the opportunity to play everyday, and this should help his numbers.  Last season, Luke hit .255 with 18 homers and 64 RBI's in 369 at-bats.  He hit the same amount of homeruns as former Oriole Miguel Tejada even though he had nearly 155 less at-bats than he did (and Tejada was also out with an injury for a while).  Scott has the ability to hit at least 25 homeruns if he plays everyday, so look for him to be a late-round sleeper pick in your fantasy draft.

Erick Aybar (LAA) - Aybar is now replacing Orlando Cabrera at shortstop for the Angels, a big role to fill.  With the chance to start everyday, Aybar has the potential to hit for around a .300 average and rack up 25-30 steals.  He could be a late steal come Draft Day, and he could also be eligible at multiple positions.  If you want a good backup shortstop with the potential to start, draft him in the much later rounds for a nice pick.

Josh Hamilton (TEX) - Last season, Hamilton hit for a .292 average with 19 homers and 47 RBI's in 298 at-bats.  He is currently the starting center fielder in Texas, and is projected to be hitting lead-off.  Josh has the potential to hit 30+ homeruns in a season, and if he breaks out in '08, it is likely that he may.  He should still be available in the later rounds as a steal for a final outfield spot on your fantasy team.

National League:

J.R. Towles (HOU) - Towles impressed many in his pro debut, hitting for a .375 average, 1 homer, and 12 RBI's in just 40 at-bats.  Towles is expected to be the starting catcher for the Astros in 2008, so look for him to get plenty of at-bats.  As of now, he makes a good number 2 catcher worth getting a few looks in the first 10 rounds.  You never know, before this season is over, he could be your top fantasy player.

Cameron Maybin (FLA) - The 20-year-old outfielder was recently involved in arguably the biggest deal yet this off-season.  Now with Florida, Maybin has the chance to start in center field for the Marlins.  He dominated the minors, and now he hopes to do the same in the pros.  Expect Cameron to get plenty of at-bats, and hopefully, plenty of fantasy points.  He doesn't deserve a pick anywhere in the first 10 rounds; however, look for him around the final rounds for a potential steal.

Joey Votto (CIN) - In 84 at-bats last year, Votto hit .321 with 4 homers and 17 RBI's.  Joey is expected to be the starting first baseman in Cincinnati, though he may be eligible in the outfield as well.  Votto has the potential to hit 20-25 homers and a .300 average, so look for him around rounds 9-10 for a solid fantasy sleeper.

Yunel Escobar (ATL) - Escobar had a good year with Atlanta; hitting .326 with 5 homeruns and 28 RBIs in 319 at-bats.  Now with Edgar Renteria going to Detroit, Yunel has the opportunity to start everyday.  He got better as the season wore on last year, proving that he is durable (a good thing for a fantasy owner).  Look for him in rounds 8-10 for a solid number 2 fantasy shortstop.

Ryan Church (NYM) - After being traded from the Nationals, Church is looking for a fresh start in New York.  The Mets want him to earn full-time at-bats this spring, so look for his .272 average from last year to potentially go up.  He has some pop in his bat (he hit 15 homers last year) and he knows how to bring the runs home (he had 70 RBI's also).  Look for him to be a good late round pick to put on your bench in case you need an injury replacement or utility batter.  Hey, for all I know, he may be starting in your fantasy outfield before the season ends.

BUSTS

American League:

Scott Rolen (TOR) - Last season, Rolen hit .265 with 8 homers and 58 RBIs in 392 at-bats. Now with the Blue Jays, Rolen is looking to stay healthy and pull his numbers back up to where they used to be.  Don't expect that to happen.  Rolen is always an injury-risk player who should be avoided until the much later rounds in your fantasy draft.

Alex Gordon (KC) - In my opinion, Gordon has all the potential to be a star player in this league; however, I don't think that he will reach that potential this season.  Gordon is still young and has time to progress.  I say give him one more year before seriously considering him as a starter on your fantasy infield.

Jack Cust (OAK) - Cust had a breakout season in 2007 hitting .256 with 26 homers and 82 RBIs in 395 at-bats.  However, with all the talk about steroids surrounding him, it might get on his mind.  Not only that, but in order for his team to win, he must be a catalyst on the A's offense, something that I don't believe that he can handle.  I think that he should be picked on Draft Day, just after round 10.

Johnny Damon (NYY) - Damon had an average year in '07 hitting .270 with 12 homers and 63 RBI's in 533 at-bats with the Yanks.  Now their starting left fielder Damon is expected to get at least 600 at-bats.  Don't think that will help him.  Damon is getting up in age and I believe this is the year that we see a huge drop-off in his numbers.  In my opinion, avoid him on Draft Day.

Jason Varitek (BOS) - Varitek will be fine for the Red Sox, but for your fantasy team he may be a bust.  He no longer has the power numbers that he used to, and his average is declining every season.  Sure, he can make a great number 2 catcher on your squad; however, I don't believe that you should waste an early pick on him.  Grab a different catcher early and save him for a later pick (if he's still available).

National League:

Miguel Tejada (HOU) - When many people think of Miguel Tejada, they think of an opposite field-hitting power shortstop that makes any fantasy team 10x better.  This off-season, though, is proving to be his worst yet, potentially hurting him in the end.  He was not only named in the Mitchell Report, but he also had a tragic loss in his family with the death of his brother in the Dominican.  Tejada was not his same old self last year either; he hit .296 with 18 homers and 81 RBI's.  Usually Tejada clears the .300 mark with ease.  Also, I used to draft him knowing about his consecutive games streak and knowing that he wasn't an injury risk.  Now, we know that he can, indeed, get hurt and sit out for a month or more.  I would still draft him in the first 10 rounds, but I would look to see if any better shortstops are available first.

Jeff Kent (LAD) - Kent had a good year last year hitting .302 with 20 homers and 79 RBI's in 494 at-bats.  Kent is definitely a good player when healthy, and should be considered on Draft Day.  There is one problem, though.  Will the question of retirement cause Kent to lose focus?  Who knows, so where you wish to draft him is your opinion.

Carlos Beltran (NYM) - One thing is ruining Carlos' chances at a successful season:  an arthroscopic knee surgery that is taking a while to recover.  Beltran is usually known for his speed, something that may lack this season.  In addition, this same injury ruined Jason Bay last year, so if you plan to draft Beltran, do it with caution.

Troy Glaus (STL) - Glaus is always an injury-risk, making him a pick that shouldn't be taken so easily.  Sure, now he's in the National League, but won't that make it harder for him to produce at a good fantasy level?  He will be facing pitchers like Roy Oswalt, Carlos Zambrano, Ben Sheets, Ian Snell and Aaron Harang.  That alone should bring down his value on Draft Day.

Aaron Rowand (SF) - Rowand hit .309 with 27 homers and 89 RBI's in 612 at-bats last season with the Phillies.  Now with the Giants, Rowand's numbers should gradually begin to decline.  He should only be picked with the intent to be a number 3 or 4 outfielder in '08.