Breakout Prospects: First Base
Chris Davis (L/R) -- Rangers -- I guess you could call Davis' '08 season a breakout as he hit 17 HR's in just 295 AB's. Davis is a true power hitter in every sense. A left handed bat like his playing in the notoriously short right field porch in Texas is nothing short of the perfect storm. He is an absolute top of the line power hitting and run producing 1B who will also not drag your team down in BA or OBP categories. He is assured of being the Rangers starting 1B and will hit in the middle of the order with great protection in Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young around him. I expect Davis to have a very big season and finish among the top 5 in fantasy production among AL first basemen.
Gaby Sanchez (R/R) -- Marlins -- Mike Jacobs hit 32 HR's and drove in 93 runs for the Marlins last season yet was traded to the Royals for middle reliever Leo Nunez. The Marlins were blasted for not acquiring more for such a prolific power hitter but this is a clear indication the team sees Gaby Sanchez as ready to take over. Sanchez may not have the power that Jacobs provided but he has good extra base power to all fields and should collect between 16-24 HR's himself. Sanchez will get on base far more than Jacobs and hit for a higher BA thus will score more runs and drive in close to amount of Jacobs. Sanchez is a more complete player, the kind you love to have on your fantasy team.
Nick Johnson (L/L) -- Nationals -- I am aware that Johnson's days of being a "prospect" are long over as he now enters his 30's. But I have always liked the way he plays the game and feel that he could be a huge find late in most fantasy league drafts this year. After missing the '07 season with a broken femur (ouch!) Johnson returned to lead the Nationals in OBP and RBI before tearing a ligament in his wrist just 38 games into the season. Reports are that Johnson is taking batting practice and will be a full go for spring training. When healthy, Nick Johnson is one of the most prolific on-base players in the league. He also has plus power and above average speed rare for a 1B. Keep an eye on Johnson's progress this spring. If he remains healthy you could easily avoid wasting early picks on the top 1B and use late round picks to grab a great comeback player like Nick Johnson.
John Bowker (L/L) -- Giants -- Travis Ishikawa is likely to be the Giants staring 1B on opening day, but I see Bowker coming on strong this season. Bowker was a third round pick of the Giants back in 2004 and proceeded to hit for a high average in four minor league seasons. Before the '07 season Bowker put on 15 pounds of muscle which allowed him to put up a career high 22 HR's at AA Connecticut. In spring training last year the Giants staff had Bowker move closer to the plate which resulted in much better pitch selection and a drastic power increase especially to right field. Bowker is a "team" type guy who is always willing to listen and put in extra time to make himself better. His ability to play the corner OF positions as well as 1B will earn him a spot in the Giants opening day roster. If he continues to progress the way he has been Bowker will be the Giants starting 1B and a run producer in the lower middle of their lineup.
Bryan LaHair (L/R) -- Mariners -- LaHair is a bit of a mysetery but a good story nonetheless. He has been in the Mariners system for 6 seasons the last 3 at AAA Tacoma. He worked with Seattle strength coach James Clifford to develop a stronger base which seems to have paid off. At 6'5" 220 lbs. LaHair is quite an intimidating presence in the batters box. The 1B job appears to be his to lose though he will see plenty of time as DH as well. LaHair has dropped his strikeout totals each of the past 3 seasons, a very good sign for a young power hitter. Though his BA may rarely rise above the .270 mark, he will be a major run producer for the Mariners in 2009.
Those are a few of the guys I have on my radar heading into spring training. What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Post your comment below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com
Gaby Sanchez (R/R) -- Marlins -- Mike Jacobs hit 32 HR's and drove in 93 runs for the Marlins last season yet was traded to the Royals for middle reliever Leo Nunez. The Marlins were blasted for not acquiring more for such a prolific power hitter but this is a clear indication the team sees Gaby Sanchez as ready to take over. Sanchez may not have the power that Jacobs provided but he has good extra base power to all fields and should collect between 16-24 HR's himself. Sanchez will get on base far more than Jacobs and hit for a higher BA thus will score more runs and drive in close to amount of Jacobs. Sanchez is a more complete player, the kind you love to have on your fantasy team.
Nick Johnson (L/L) -- Nationals -- I am aware that Johnson's days of being a "prospect" are long over as he now enters his 30's. But I have always liked the way he plays the game and feel that he could be a huge find late in most fantasy league drafts this year. After missing the '07 season with a broken femur (ouch!) Johnson returned to lead the Nationals in OBP and RBI before tearing a ligament in his wrist just 38 games into the season. Reports are that Johnson is taking batting practice and will be a full go for spring training. When healthy, Nick Johnson is one of the most prolific on-base players in the league. He also has plus power and above average speed rare for a 1B. Keep an eye on Johnson's progress this spring. If he remains healthy you could easily avoid wasting early picks on the top 1B and use late round picks to grab a great comeback player like Nick Johnson.
John Bowker (L/L) -- Giants -- Travis Ishikawa is likely to be the Giants staring 1B on opening day, but I see Bowker coming on strong this season. Bowker was a third round pick of the Giants back in 2004 and proceeded to hit for a high average in four minor league seasons. Before the '07 season Bowker put on 15 pounds of muscle which allowed him to put up a career high 22 HR's at AA Connecticut. In spring training last year the Giants staff had Bowker move closer to the plate which resulted in much better pitch selection and a drastic power increase especially to right field. Bowker is a "team" type guy who is always willing to listen and put in extra time to make himself better. His ability to play the corner OF positions as well as 1B will earn him a spot in the Giants opening day roster. If he continues to progress the way he has been Bowker will be the Giants starting 1B and a run producer in the lower middle of their lineup.
Bryan LaHair (L/R) -- Mariners -- LaHair is a bit of a mysetery but a good story nonetheless. He has been in the Mariners system for 6 seasons the last 3 at AAA Tacoma. He worked with Seattle strength coach James Clifford to develop a stronger base which seems to have paid off. At 6'5" 220 lbs. LaHair is quite an intimidating presence in the batters box. The 1B job appears to be his to lose though he will see plenty of time as DH as well. LaHair has dropped his strikeout totals each of the past 3 seasons, a very good sign for a young power hitter. Though his BA may rarely rise above the .270 mark, he will be a major run producer for the Mariners in 2009.
Those are a few of the guys I have on my radar heading into spring training. What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Post your comment below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com
Labels: 1B, 2009 breakout, breakout prospects, bryan lahair, Chris Davis, first base, gaby sanchez, john bowker, nick johnson
posted by Jeff Mans at
Friday, January 23, 2009
4 Comments:
Bowker leaves some room for improvement. His bat is still to slow, and his inability to play any position great will limit his value. I would agree on the others and deffinity have Johnson on the radar as an undervalued player. As long as he can stay healthy that is.
Aballer, I am interested to see how Bowker's swing develops this spring. It seems that he has found a power stroke but will need to start hot in order to get playing time away from Ishikawa. You are right though, he remains a work in progress.
That was great analysis Jeff. great points as well Aballer14. You know your stuff.
Hey jeff, other then C.Davis would you draft any of the others guys say in a stander 12 team 5x5 league or would these be player we should just keep a eye on?
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