Breakout Prospects: Outfield (Part 3)

Justin Upton (R/R) -- Diamondbacks -- Upton started out strong last year but hit a big snag in late May when he went through an 0-24 stretch where he struckout 17 times. Upton is young and too talented to let that or any slump hinder his success. It is important to understand that this kid is the real deal and he will be an impact major league player very soon. He is a guy who will get on base often and makes great contact for a guy with his kind of power. Upton will be a regular 20/20 guy and possibly even 30/30 a few times in his career. I expect him to be the Diamondbacks opening day right fielder and never look back. He will be one of the best value picks in the entire draft especially if he can start out the way he did in '08.

Matt LaPorta (R/R) -- Indians -- I am really not sure what to make of LaPorta just yet to be honest with all of you. I figured that I would place him on the Breakout Prospect list because of his tremendous power potential and because the eyes of the world will be watching him this spring. LaPorta was labeled as a "can't miss" prospect last season when he was traded for CC Sabathia. At the time he was in a zone where he was crushing fastballs out of the ballpark even to the opposite field. But I worry about his ability to do much more than hit HR's. His swing is an all or nothing approach that has brought great results early in his career but may be found out against superior pitching. Also, I am torn on whether or not he will make the big league club. The Indians want to showcase LaPorta as soon as possible after feeling like they got egg on their face when Sabathia carried the entire city of Milwaukee on his back last season. But LaPorta needs a year at AAA to work out some fundamentals. His power potential alone may warrant taking a late round flier on him but I would go ahead and let one of your fellow draftees take him in the mid-rounds and save yourself the trouble.

Colby Rasmus (L/L) -- Cardinals -- Rasmus is a very patient and mature hitter for his age. He has gap to gap power and is a plus runner which is a great combination for fantasy success. Right now however the Cardinals are not sure whether his future is as their leadoff hitter and table setter or as a middle of the order bopper hitting in front of or behind Albert Pujols. He could steal 20+ bases if left at the leadoff spot or hit for 25+ dingers if moved down. The Cardinals are in need of impact players and will take Rasmus with them on their opening day roster. I would not expect big power numbers in his rookie campaign but instead believe the Cardinals staff will push Rasmus to get on base more then being a run producer. Anybody hitting ahead of Pujols will cross the plate often and that proves very important in fantasy.

Micah Hoffpauir (L/L) -- Cubs -- I am officially intrigued by this guy so much so that I will be the only fantasy player on earth who will actually draft him in every single draft I am in. Since making a slight but noticeable change in his stance, Hoffpauir has torn the cover off of the ball whether he was in Iowa, Chicago or Mesa, Arizona. We all know that Milton Bradley will eventually break down, either mentally or physically. So, the Cubs will have to turn to the HOFF as their left handed power hitter. This guy could go for 30+ and drive in 100 runs if placed in the middle of this Cubs lineup. His fantasy upside is great but it all hinges on Bradley, Soriano or Fukudome breaking down. I would wait until the last round as nobody else is going to draft this guy in the majority of leagues. Take him and sit him down until the opportunity arises and then lean back and let the your mad genius shine through.

Brett Gardner (L/L) -- Yankees -- The biggest longshot on my Prospect Board. Gardner's speed seduced me into including him in this list. I have heard that he has been working on drag bunting and hitting the ball on the ground in order to leg out more hits. He has no power to speak of at all and most of his extra base hits will probably come as a result of taking an extra base on the defense. Once he is on base, Gardner is an electrifying base stealer. He stole 14 bases in very limited action late last season and figures to challenge Melky Cabrera for a starting OF spot this spring. If he can cut down on the strikeouts and work on just making light contact he can become a very useful fantasy player this season.

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