Player Spotlights - Scott Kazmir and Corey Hart

Scott Kazmir and Corey Hart March 28, 2009

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SP Scott Kazmir,Rays, Operating with his trademark wicked fastball, and improving changeup, it's easy to forget that Scott Kazmir is just 25 years old, because he has been such a workhorse for the Rays over the past four years. Somewhat ironically, it is also his extensive use that has some fantasy players shying away from Kazmir in 2009. The young lefty's durability came into question last season, when he had some minor elbow soreness during Spring Training, and then tailed off significantly after the All-Star break. Going into July, he was flaunting his usual strong ratios, with a 3.04 ERA, and 1.17 WHIP, but he seemed to tire in the 2nd half, usually lasting only 5 innings, and posting a below par 4.03 ERA with a disappointing 1.38 WHIP. While questions about Kazmir’s stamina have caused him to drop in fantasy drafts to around the 8th round, he probably represents a nice bargain if you can grab him there.

OF Corey Hart, Brewers, - Although we saw Corey Hart’s batting average drop from .295 in 2007 to .263 last season, this was mostly the result of a dreadful September (.173 BA, 0 HRs), but he has otherwise been a fairly good prototype of consistency from year to year. Dating back to his first significant minor league season in 2002, Hart has steadily delivered about a .290 BA, with an unambiguous 20 HR/20 SB ability. Now 27, Hart enters 2009 in his prime, and as the only player in Brewers history to accomplish consecutive 20/20 seasons. Batting in the middle of a potent lineup behind Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, he still has some upside, especially if he can improve his plate discipline. Hart probably won’t last past the 5th-6th round in your draft this year, but he is a great player to add with expectations of about a .285 BA, 20-25 HRs, 85 RBI and 20+ stolen bases.

Player Spotlights By Junkyard Jake JunkyardJake.Com

Player Spotlights - Kevin Slowey and Matt Kemp

Kevin Slowey and Matt Kemp March 22, 2009

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SP Kevin Slowey,Twins, Kevin Slowey emerged as an interesting fantasy prospect in 2008, with an ERA of 3.99, a 1.15 WHIP, and 12 wins in 27 starts. He throws an effective assortment of pitches, mostly using his 90 mph fastball, and mixing in a cutter, slider, a slow curve and a changeup. Although some scouts have suggested that Slowey doesn't have any one pitch which can be described as dominant, few pitchers can match his ability to throw strikes. In fact, the 24-year old was clearly one of the best control pitchers in the league last year, yielding just 24 walks in 160 innings. Dating back to 2005, his first year in the minors, Slowey has consistently demonstrated this type of impeccable control, allowing just 1.31 walks per 9 innings. The Twins righthander represents a solid addition to your fantasy roster in 2009, with the potential to pleasantly outperform his 14th-15th round draft position.

OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers, - After two years as a part-timer, Matt Kemp was given the chance to play everyday for the Dodgers last season, and the results were a fantasy-friendly .290 average, 18 HRs, 76 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. Going into 2009, there should be little dispute as to Kemp's status as LA's starting centerfielder, and if he spends a fair amount of time batting from the 4 or 5 spot, we could hopefully see an improvement in his HR and RBI numbers. While Kemp started off slow in the HR department in 2008, hitting only 3 HRs through May, his power kicked into gear around June, and he proceeded to hit 15 HRs over the June through September stretch of the season. Assuming that his late season HR pace is more indicative of his power potential, Kemp is well worth a 3rd or 4th round pick and is a candidate to join the 25/25 club in 2009.

Player Spotlights By Junkyard Jake JunkyardJake.Com

Player Spotlights - Jonathan Sanchez and Nelson Cruz

Jonathan Sanchez and Nelson Cruz March 13, 2009

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SP Jonathan Sanchez,Giants, It's difficult to assess Jonathan Sanchez's potential fantasy value in 2009, because he hasn't been able to consistently perform at the major league level thus far in his young career. One thing is for certain, he has exhibited the ability to consistently produce strikeouts. Throughout his minor league career, Sanchez tallied about 1.3 strikeouts per inning and over his limited major league experience, he has produced about one strikeout per inning. His primary pitch is a fastball, which he typically throws in the 90-94 mph velocity range, and he also throws a changeup, slider and curve. What makes Sanchez relatively unique, is the movement he can generate on his fastball and changeup. While he does sometimes struggle to throw strikes, the movement on his pitches helps to create an above-average frequency of swings without contact. Assuming he secures a spot in the Giants rotation this spring, Sanchez is worth gambling on in the later rounds of your draft.

OF Nelson Cruz, Rangers, - Nelson Cruz was once considered a top prospect, but was only able to show brief glimpses of his potential during his early years in the minors. He is now 28, and while he has still been bouncing between the minors and majors for the past three years, he seemed to really put everything together last year at triple-A Oklahoma, with 37 HRs, 99 RBIs, a .342 average and 24 stolen bases. After getting called up to Texas in August , Cruz initially struggled, but then went on to have an exceptional September, where he hit .356, with 6 HRs and 23 RBIs in 90 at-bats. Although Cruz does seem to strikeout at a fairly high rate, his power proclivity is undeniable, and combined with his untapped stolen base potential, he makes a terrific player to add to your fantasy roster, at a very reasonable ADP of about round 11-12.

Player Spotlights By Junkyard Jake JunkyardJake.Com

Player Spotlights - Justin Verlander and Geovany Soto

Justin Verlander and Geovany Soto March 6, 2009

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SP Justin Verlander,Tigers, After winning AL Rookie of the Year winner in 2006, Justin Verlander had an even more impressive campaign in 2007, with 18 wins, a 3.66 ERA and an improved WHIP of 1.23. Certainly he looked like one of the elite young pitching talents in the league by the beginning of last season, but he inexplicably retreated into mediocrity finishing 2008 with only 11 wins while his ERA and WHIP ballooned to 4.84 and 1.40. In accordance with his newfound label as an underachieving enigma, Verlander will probably be available in about the 10th or 11th round of your fantasy draft, where he is well worth the risk. He still has one of the best arms in the league, is only 26, and if he can work out the mechanical problems he suffered from last year, mostly related to pitching with men on base, Verlander should be a nice value pick.

C Geovany Soto, Cubs, - Expectations were high for Geovany Soto coming into last season, and the Cubs young catcher did not disappoint, finishing the season with 23 HRs, 86 RBIs and a .285 average and walking away with NL Rookie of the Year honors in the process. Not surprisingly, you will probably need to expend about a 5th or 6th round draft pick on Soto in 2009, as only Russell Martin, Brian McCann and Joe Mauer command higher ADPs at the catcher position. Of course, no young player is without risk, and Soto is no exception, especially considering that he only had one standout year in the minor leagues (2007 -.353/26HR/109RBI) before his emphatic arrival last year. However, considering the relative scarcity of talent at the catcher position in 2009, Soto may be worth the steep investment, as he has a great chance of outperforming the most proximate best options, which will likely be Victor Martinez and Ryan Doumit.

Player Spotlights By Junkyard Jake JunkyardJake.Com