Saturday, March 16, 2013

Fantasy Focus: All Rookie Team

Last year was a banner year for Rookies with two superstars of the future(and present) breaking in, Mike Trout and Bryce Harper.  It is unlikely that this year's crop has anyone who compares to either of those two, but it's still a nice class and possibly deeper.

C  Rob Brantly, Miami.  Barely Qualifies as prospect/rookie, but I like his lefthanded bat and give him a slight edge over Travis D'Arnaud of the Mets who I'm not sold on hitting right away.

1B  Mike Olt, Rangers.  There were only two possibilities on this list, Olt and Jonathan Singleton of the Astros.  Singleton is suspended for the first 50 games, while Olt has some challenges breaking into the Rangers' lineup.   Not a great choice.

2B  Jedd Gyorko, Padres.  Jurickson Profar is a better long term prospect who may play 2B for the Rangers in 2013, but it's not clear Profar is going to be able to force the Rangers to move Ian Kinsler off 2B.  I'll go with Gyorko who has a starting gig from day 1.

3B  Nolan Arenado, Rockies.  Arenado has been the Rockies' 3B of the future for almost as long as I can remember and there is absolutely no reason for them to delay his MLB debut.  They may want to delay the start of his arbitration clock, but he should be up by mid June at the latest.

SS  Jean Segura, Brewers.  Segura was the centerpiece of the Zack Greinke trade for the Brewers and he will be the starting SS out of the gate in 2013.  Excellent minor league resume and a promising start to his MLB career in limited action last year.  If you are looking for a cheap fantasy SS with a whole lot of upside, look for Segura.

OF  Aaron Hicks, Twins.  Hicks has has a tremendous spring and appears to have all but won the starting CF gig for the Twins.  5 tool player who will likely give more speed than power early in his career.

OF  Adam Eaton, D'Backs.  Eaton is an on-base machine who the D'Backs like enough to trade away Chris Young to make room for him.  He'll be the starting CF/Leadoff Batter for the snakes out of the gate.

OF   Wil Myers, Rays.  Myers will start the season in AAA, but look for him to be called up as soon as his arbitration clock gets delayed.  The premier power hitting prospect in this rookie class.

P   Dylan Bundy, Orioles.  Bundy will almost certainly be up by the first of June.  He should have an immediate fantasy impact.  Definite draft and stash candidate.

P  Gerrit Cole, Pirates.  Cole also will almost certainly be up by the first of June and should have an immediate impact.  Also a draft and stash candidate.

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