Fantasy Dr X: Strike Zone

Top-10 "Comeback" players!

Last season, many above-average players had a down year due to injuries and many other causes.  However, the best players are the ones that bounce back the next season and are considered "Comeback players".  Here are my top 10 players for the "Comeback Player of the Year" award this season. By Lawrence Barreca.
 
Catcher:
•    Ramon Hernandez (BAL) -  Hernandez had a down year last season, hitting .258 with 9 homers and 62 RBI's.  This is mainly due to a number of nagging injuries throughout the year.  Now, Ramon is as healthy as ever after being on an offseason workout plan consisting of weightlifting and cardio exercises.  Expect him to bring his RBI's up from last season as well as his homerun total.  I am expecting to see at least 20 dingers from him this year.

First Baseman:
•    Lyle Overbay (TOR) -  Overbay had two hand operations last season, causing his hitting to slowly go down the drain.  He hit .240 with 10 homers and 44 RBI's.  However, so far this spring he has been swinging a good bat, something that many fantasy owners like to see.  I like him as a 20+ homers guy with good RBI potential and a definite comeback player.

Second Baseman:
•    Rickie Weeks (MIL) -  Weeks slumped early last season, something that fantasy owners greatly disliked.  As long as he stays healthy, though, he can be an elite second baseman come opening day.  He is still young and has all the time in the world to become a star in this league.  Let's see if he uses this time wisely.

Third Baseman:
•    Hank Blalock (TEX) -  Hank also had an injury-riddled season last year, posting a .293 batting average with 10 homers and 33 RBI's.  However, this season he is healthy and ready for a rebound year.  He still has 30 homerun potential, so look for him in the later rounds for a steal on Draft Day.

Shortstop:
•    Bobby Crosby (OAK) -  The once hot-prospect has had an injury plagued career; however, he has taken steps in order to simplify his swing, and it seems to be working.  So far this spring, he has hit 3 homers; that is a good sign for fantasy owners.  He may be one of the top shortstops to not get picked on Draft Day.  Look for his numbers to be great compared to last year's dismal performance.

Outfield:
•    Vernon Wells (TOR) -  The second Blue Jay to make my list, Wells had a season filled with minor injuries that affected his overall performance.  This season, he looks to rebound with an increase in his .245 batting average and 16 homers from last year.  If healthy, Vernon can, once again, be an elite fantasy outfielder in any league.

•    Chris Duncan (STL) -  Duncan had a good power hitting year going last season, hitting 21 homers before a hernia injury benched him for the remainder of the year.  He is the everyday starter in left field, so look for him to get plenty of at-bats this summer.

•    Austin Kearns (WSH) -  Kearns did not have a bad year because of injuries, he just flat out had an off-season.  Now moving to a hitter-friendly park and adding Wily Mo Pena, Elijah Dukes, Paul Lo Duca, and Lastings Milledge, Kearns now has plenty of reasons why he could be a comeback player in 2008. Being 27-years old makes him part of the "Magical" baseball peak age for a hitter. He will also bat 5th to start the season and could take advantage of batters in front of him being walked by driving them in. He will be looking to bring his homeruns total up to the 24 he had in 2006 from the 16 he had last year. 

Starting Pitcher:
•    Francisco Liriano (MIN) -  As if there was anyone else that could top the young ace out of Minnesota, Liriano is hoping for a huge comeback year after missing the entire 2007 campaign healing from Tommy Jones surgery on his elbow.  He has the potential to be a top-10 pitcher in the pros, and he may be a top-5 pitcher sometime mid-season. He will try to match his pre-injury numbers of 12-3 in 16 starts and 144 strikeouts registered in 2006 before years' end.

Relief Pitcher:
•    Oscar Villarreal (HOU) - Villarreal was good at some points last year, and horrible at others.  Now with Jose Valverde as the closer, the 'Stros need to find a setup man in order to get to him.  So far, Oscar has looked good in Spring Training, and is looking like the favorite as of now to win the job.  He is also second-in-line for saves this year if he does win it.

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