ActionHero
Footballguy
Had my draft last night so I thought I'd share some of my thoughts:
Sleeper
Luke Hochevar - Here's a former top prospect who seems like something clicked for him after last year's all star break. His K rate dramatically went up to almost 1k/inning and he has so far kept it up during spring training. Most rankings I've seen him around the 100th ranked SP. That's just crazy. Pick him up in the last round and watch him break out this year. I predict: 200IP, 175K, 15 wins, 3.70 ERA, 1.25 WHIP. Not going to make your season, but I'd take that from my #4 or #5 start and be happy.
Bounceback
Ichiro Suzuki - Yeah he had a rough season last year, not even breaking .300 for the first time since he was in diapers. But he still has blazing speed and I believe he'll come back with a vengeance this year. Plus hitting in the 3rd hole is going to significantly increase his RBI's with only a slight decrease in Runs. Plus the improved lineup around him with Ackley and Montero is going to take a lot of pressure off him. I see: .300 BA, 80 runs, 75 RBI, 7HR, 40 steals -- good enough to be a solid #2 OF. Sportsline has him ranked as the #37 OF behind Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francouer. That's just wrong.
Breakthrough
Elvis Andrus - This is probably the one I feel least confident about, but I think there's a good chance Elvis gets to the top tier of Shortstops with Reyes, Tulo, and Hanley. There's no denying his speed and is still getting better. He added 10lbs of muscle over the off-season and I think this will translate into more hits into the gap and more HRs. His improved eye should result in more opportunities to steal. I'm thinking .290 BA, 100 runs, 70 RBI, 10 HR, 45 steals. Good enough for 2nd round consideration in 2013.
Forgotten
Kendry Morales - Just a couple years ago, Kendry was everybody's breakthrough darling. But then a freak accident sidelined him for a year. He tried coming back last year but for whatever reason couldn't get healthy. But he's healthy now and smashing the ball in spring training. Sure it's just spring training, but the guy could always mash. IF he can stay healthy, I see 3/4th round value that can be had after round 10. I predict: .290 BA, 30HR, 75 Runs, 90 RBI. Oh, and having Pujols in front of him can only help!
Flame Away!
Sleeper
Luke Hochevar - Here's a former top prospect who seems like something clicked for him after last year's all star break. His K rate dramatically went up to almost 1k/inning and he has so far kept it up during spring training. Most rankings I've seen him around the 100th ranked SP. That's just crazy. Pick him up in the last round and watch him break out this year. I predict: 200IP, 175K, 15 wins, 3.70 ERA, 1.25 WHIP. Not going to make your season, but I'd take that from my #4 or #5 start and be happy.
Bounceback
Ichiro Suzuki - Yeah he had a rough season last year, not even breaking .300 for the first time since he was in diapers. But he still has blazing speed and I believe he'll come back with a vengeance this year. Plus hitting in the 3rd hole is going to significantly increase his RBI's with only a slight decrease in Runs. Plus the improved lineup around him with Ackley and Montero is going to take a lot of pressure off him. I see: .300 BA, 80 runs, 75 RBI, 7HR, 40 steals -- good enough to be a solid #2 OF. Sportsline has him ranked as the #37 OF behind Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francouer. That's just wrong.
Breakthrough
Elvis Andrus - This is probably the one I feel least confident about, but I think there's a good chance Elvis gets to the top tier of Shortstops with Reyes, Tulo, and Hanley. There's no denying his speed and is still getting better. He added 10lbs of muscle over the off-season and I think this will translate into more hits into the gap and more HRs. His improved eye should result in more opportunities to steal. I'm thinking .290 BA, 100 runs, 70 RBI, 10 HR, 45 steals. Good enough for 2nd round consideration in 2013.
Forgotten
Kendry Morales - Just a couple years ago, Kendry was everybody's breakthrough darling. But then a freak accident sidelined him for a year. He tried coming back last year but for whatever reason couldn't get healthy. But he's healthy now and smashing the ball in spring training. Sure it's just spring training, but the guy could always mash. IF he can stay healthy, I see 3/4th round value that can be had after round 10. I predict: .290 BA, 30HR, 75 Runs, 90 RBI. Oh, and having Pujols in front of him can only help!
Flame Away!
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