Breakout Prospects: Shortstop
Elvis Andrus (R/R) -- Rangers -- The Rangers informed their current All-Star shortstop Michael Young that he was moving to third base to make room for Andrus. If that isn't an indication of what kind of upside this kid has then I don't know what is. He will develop slowly as a hitter most likely but has crazy speed and stolen base potential. Elvis also has a patient approach at the plate and will take walks which will make use of his speed even while struggling at the dish. He won't hit many HR's but uses gaps well in racking up extra base hits. Should score a bunch of runs and steal 30+ bases right away making him quite a useful backup SS.
Alcides Escobar (R/R) -- Brewers -- Another extremely talented shortstop that will force a great player to switch positions. In this case the Brewers will have to try J.J. Hardy out at second or third to allow Escobar and his outstanding range to play short. Escobar has a still swing through the zone which allow him to spray line drives to all fields. He has good speed also and will steal 30+ bases very early in his career. He has been adding muscle the past two offseasons and has greatly improved his power potential going forward. Has 20/20 ability and will score quite a bit of runs if hitting high in the Milwaukee order.
Reid Brignac (L/R) -- Rays -- I really like the cut of Brignac's jib. He is a gamer that has fallen behind other shortstop prospects the past two years because of injury and an adjustment at the plate that has resulted in more power. I believe Brignac will make the team out of spring training and find himself platooning with Jason Bartlett against RHP. He is a big kid with good power for a middle infielder. His biggest problem is a lack of patience at the plate and the tendency to become pull happy. But Brignac is a plus defender and a streaky hitter who can carry a team for weeks at a time. He also has above average speed and good baserunning instincts. He could steal 20 bases if given regular playing time. The Rays could use him as trade bait if in contention at the trade deadline as many teams would like to give a talent like his room to grow.
Chris Valaika (R/R) -- Reds -- The problem with Dusty Baker as a manager is that he doesn't believe in giving young players a chance and especially doesn't give them time to adjust at the big league level. Thus, he is likely to give the backup SS job to light hitting Paul Janish rather than tapping a pure hitting machine like Valaika for the job. My guess is that Valaika will so outperform Janish in spring training that it will be hard for the team to not promote him. His work ethic is through the roof and hasn't hit under .300 in his life. Valaika is one of those players who skill set won't blow you away but does everything you want out on the field. Likes to hit to the opposite field which is a great sign for a young hitter and a great tell of someone who is likely to hit for high average.
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
Alcides Escobar (R/R) -- Brewers -- Another extremely talented shortstop that will force a great player to switch positions. In this case the Brewers will have to try J.J. Hardy out at second or third to allow Escobar and his outstanding range to play short. Escobar has a still swing through the zone which allow him to spray line drives to all fields. He has good speed also and will steal 30+ bases very early in his career. He has been adding muscle the past two offseasons and has greatly improved his power potential going forward. Has 20/20 ability and will score quite a bit of runs if hitting high in the Milwaukee order.
Reid Brignac (L/R) -- Rays -- I really like the cut of Brignac's jib. He is a gamer that has fallen behind other shortstop prospects the past two years because of injury and an adjustment at the plate that has resulted in more power. I believe Brignac will make the team out of spring training and find himself platooning with Jason Bartlett against RHP. He is a big kid with good power for a middle infielder. His biggest problem is a lack of patience at the plate and the tendency to become pull happy. But Brignac is a plus defender and a streaky hitter who can carry a team for weeks at a time. He also has above average speed and good baserunning instincts. He could steal 20 bases if given regular playing time. The Rays could use him as trade bait if in contention at the trade deadline as many teams would like to give a talent like his room to grow.
Chris Valaika (R/R) -- Reds -- The problem with Dusty Baker as a manager is that he doesn't believe in giving young players a chance and especially doesn't give them time to adjust at the big league level. Thus, he is likely to give the backup SS job to light hitting Paul Janish rather than tapping a pure hitting machine like Valaika for the job. My guess is that Valaika will so outperform Janish in spring training that it will be hard for the team to not promote him. His work ethic is through the roof and hasn't hit under .300 in his life. Valaika is one of those players who skill set won't blow you away but does everything you want out on the field. Likes to hit to the opposite field which is a great sign for a young hitter and a great tell of someone who is likely to hit for high average.
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: alcides escobar, chris valaika, elvis andrus, prospects, reid brignac, shortstop, ss
posted by Jeff Mans at
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
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