Breakout Prospects: Catcher

Matt Wieters (S/R) -- Orioles -- There hasn't been a prospect this highly touted and ready for the major leagues since A-Rod in the mid '90's. There isn't a negative aspect to Wieters game. He's big, strong, a natural leader, hits for power, gets on base and is a plus defender all while playing the toughest position on the field. Make no mistake, Wieters is a game changer and is a symbol of a more promising future in Baltimore. Fantasy wise you won't find many catchers with his kind of ability especially in BA & OBP. In the coming years Wieters will be an automatic first round pick and won't last too long in your draft this year either. I suggest taking him early but be willing to keep him in reserve if he gets off to a slow start. Since he has not failed on any level he has ever played at it may take awhile for him to get adjusted to life in the big leagues. But when all is said and done, this guy will be a star.

J.R. Towles (R/R) -- Astros -- A lot of people are going to be down on Towles after he hit just .137 last season for the Astros. He remains a very solid catching prospect and without Brad Ausmus to fall back on, Houston will allow Towles to work through any future struggles that may come. Towles is a very grounded kid with strong Christian beliefs. He is a hard worker who will not let his previous struggles effect his mind the way many younger players do. His ability to get on base is rare for a catcher and we should see above average power numbers out of him hitting in a very right hand friendly ballpark in Houston. I believe '09 is a bounce back year for Towles and he begins his path on being one of the top catchers in the National League.

Kelly Shoppach (R/R) -- Indians -- Shoppach will be viewed as a backup catcher for the Indians now that Victor Martinez is back but I am here to tell you this will not be the case. After a breakout season in '08, Shoppach showed that he can handle the everyday job and provide plenty of power and drive in runs from the lower third of the order. Martinez is likely to be moved to 1B and spend plenty of time at DH as well this season. Cleveland has a top line catching prospect in Carlos Santana waiting in the minors who is ready to assume the full time gig when given the chance. For 2009, V-Mart finds a new position, Shoppach steps in as regular behind the plate and Santana spends one last season crushing minor league pitching. You will be able to get Shoppach later in most drafts and pick up quite a steal in HR's, RBI and OBP out of the catching position.

Jeff Clement (L/R) -- Mariners -- Clement is going to get his chance this year to finally show whether or not he can cut it at the major league level. As a hitter I believe that he can. He has a good eye and has added a lift in his swing which has brought much better power over the past couple of seasons. Kenji Johjima is a better defensive catcher and will see his share of time especially if Clement struggles. But, Seattle will need to get Clement's bat in the lineup regularly and his power numbers should provide for a fine #2 catcher on any strong fantasy team.

Angel Salome (R/R) -- Brewers -- This is purely a selfish pick I must confess. But a guy I want you all to keep an eye on as this season progresses. Salome is one of the most unorthodox players I have seen yet has had nothing but success since he started pro ball at the age of 18. For starters, he is small at only 5'8" and under 200 lbs. He also has a unique hitting motion the will almost remind you of a right handed Ichiro. Salome has an unreal ability to make contact and has hit for high BA at every stop on his tour including .360 in the Southern League which won him the batting title. His defense is lacking a bit and his wild approach at the plate may not fly against top level pitching. But there is something about the guy that will bring a smile to your face while watching. He got a call up late in September which means Milwaukee is just as intrigued as I am about him. Salome will get a good look this spring. If he continues slapping the ball all over and getting on base he will break camp with the big club. If you draft early, I wouldn't bother taking him but do keep an eye out for him in the free agent pool come late April or early May.

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

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

Breakout Prospects: Second Base

Blake DeWitt (L/R) -- Dodgers -- DeWitt is on track to be the Dodgers starting second baseman on opening day, instantly making him one of the top breakout candidates at the position. Though playing mostly 3B in '08, DeWitt has plenty of experience at second in the minor leagues and performed quite well there during the Dodgers playoff run last season. With his position now settled, DeWitt will have a full season to concentrate on major league pitching and making adjustments to how he will be pitched to in his second year in the bigs. He has a very level left handed swing which creates few holes and allows for consistent contact through the zone. He projects more of a doubles hitter than a true power guy but will reach the 20 HR mark rather consistently which is great for a 2B. With his ability to get on base and developing power I easily see DeWitt creeping into the top 10 of fantasy 2B in 2009.


Alexi Casilla (S/R) -- Twins -- This guy is going to be very undervalued come draft day and that should be just fine with you. If you strike out on getting Pedroia, Kinsler, Utley or even DeWitt look for Casilla in the later rounds when you are in need of a on-base, run scoring base stealer. Casilla has shown great strike-zone discipline in the minor leagues and once he masters the art of hitting on the Metrodome turf should result in a .350+ OBP. Though Casilla only stole 7 bases in '08, he has twice stolen 50 bases in the minors and will no doubt be a factor on the basepaths for a Twins team that loves to run.


Mike Fontenot (L/R) -- Cubs -- Those who follow baseball closely should not be surprised by Fontneot's very productive second half of '08. Living in Chicago I see that even Cubs fans have no idea what they have in Mike Fontenot. This guy won countless awards while attending LSU including leading the Tigers to the 2000 College World Series along with his fellow Cub double play partner Ryan Theriot. Fontenot was a #1 draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2001 and was their minor league player of the year in 2003. He came to the Cubs in exchange for Sammy Sosa in 2005. Despite his 5'8" 180 lb frame, Fontenot has decent power to go along with superior on base ability. With Chicago trading Mark DeRosa, Fontenot will be the full time 2B against righties while splitting time with Aaron Miles against lefties. This role will serve him quite well as he has always been a righty killer throughout his minor league career. Look for him to continue to feast Vs. RHP and get to the .290/.360/.870 levels with 15 HR's this season.


Emmanuel Burriss (S/R) -- Giants -- This spot could easily go to fellow teammate Eugenio Velez as both are exciting speedsters that will have my attention in spring training. Burriss gets the nod however for his ability to work counts and get on base. Burriss has electrifying speed as he swiped 68 bases in the minors in '07. He has risen fast in the Giants system getting called up to replace the injured Omar Visquel last season and wound up sticking around for most of the season. A .357 OBP as a rookie is very encouraging though the true test comes when major league pitchers adjust to his patient approach. He is likely to be the starting 2B in what appears to be the Giants attempt to build a speed orientated small-ball type offense.


Chris Getz (L/R) -- White Sox -- In case you weren't paying attention this offseason, Alexi Ramirez is now the Whitesox starting SS after a strong showing at 2B last year. This provides an opening for either Chris Getz or newly acquired Brent Lillibridge to start at second. I suspect Getz will get the call based on the teams love for his passion and work ethic as well as his on base mentality. I like the opportunity here for Getz to score tons of runs in an offense that is always among the leaders in that category. With sluggers Jim Thome, Carlos Quentin, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and Alexi Ramirez hitting behind him in the order all he will have to do is reach base to be in scoring position. Getz is not a starting fantasy 2B but could provide some solid stretches as a backup 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