X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

RotoBaller’s Spring Training Stock Taking: Three Up, Three Down

Jedd Gyorko

Click here to read more about players whose stock has boomed or taken a hit from Spring training. RotoBaller.com has the latest analysis on spring training.

As last week was the “post-hype sleeper” edition of RotoBaller’s Spring Training Stock Taking: Three Up, Three Down (or as I like to call it - STST:3U3D - for short), this week’s article has a prospect theme.  Prospects are exciting, aren’t they?  Fantasy GMs drool over them, targeting them in the late rounds of their draft with the hope that they will make a significant contribution to their team.  Last season, oft-hyped prospects Mike Trout, Yu Darvish, Yoenis Cespedes, Wilin Rosario and Bryce Harper did just that.  Chances are you won or cashed in your league by employing one or more of these players during the season.  Other prospects - like Anthony Rizzo, Josh Rutledge, Norichika Aoki, Addison Reed, and Todd Frazier - made lesser contributions to fantasy teams, but were starting caliber players for most of the season.

In our last Spring Training Stock Taking of the pre-season, RotoBaller will take a look at some prospects who should make an impact on fantasy teams in 2013:

THREE UP

Jedd Gyorko (2B/3B, SD) - Gyorko is a rather obvious choice for the Three Up list.  RotoBaller’s #6 ranked Impact Prospect has had a solid spring thus far with a .268 batting average, 3 home runs and 10 RBIs in 20 Cactus League games.  He’s expected to stick at second base for the Padres, even with Chase Headley out for the first month of the season.  Just don’t forget that Gyorko won’t gain eligibility at the position until Week 2 or 3, depending on your league rules.

Aaron Hicks (OF, MIN) - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire finally named the twenty-three year old Minnesota’s starting center fielder this past Sunday.  Hicks earned it too.  In 18 Grapefruit League games, he has a .350 batting average with 16 runs, 4 HRs, 16 RBIs and 3 SBs.  Yes, he hit a respectable 13 bombs last year at Double A New Britain, but you should temper your expectations in the power department for Hicks, given that he will play half of his games at the spacious Target Field.  While it’s difficult to project how many home runs he will hit, Hicks is a lock for 20 steals with the potential to double that number if he stays atop the Twins’ lineup throughout the entire season.  Target him in the late rounds of your draft as a 5th outfielder.

Yasiel Puig (OF, LAD) - This spot was reserved for Wily Peralta (SP, MIL) until free agent Kyle Lohse signed with the Brewers on Monday afternoon.  While I still like Peralta, Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has been the star of Spring Training thus far.  He leads MLB hitters with a .526 batting average to go along with 16 runs, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 11 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.  He’s been so impressive, that he went in the 4th(!) round of my keeper league draft last night.  While it’s highly doubtful that Puig will crack Los Angeles’s opening day roster, you have to imagine that Puig will be up at some point this season with injury risks (Kemp, Crawford) in the Dodgers’ outfield.  In keeper leagues or leagues with deep benches, be sure to target Puig as a stash player in the late rounds of your draft.

THREE DOWN

Adam Eaton (OF, ARI) -  It was only two weeks ago when the Diamondbacks’ center fielder earned himself a spot on the Three Up list, but Eaton sprained the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow and will be forced to miss 6-8 weeks.  Before the injury, I was targeting Eaton as a fourth or fifth starting outfielder on all of my teams.  Now that he’s not expected back before mid-to-late May, drafting Eaton means that he would tie up a bench spot for the first two months of the season or a DL slot which isn't as bad.  Those will little roster flexibility will surely pass on the popular 2013 sleeper pick, but I’m willing to be patient with Eaton and will look to add him as a late round DL-stash player.

Trevor Bauer (SP, CLE) - RotoBaller’s #7 ranked Impact Prospect was optioned to Triple A Columbus last Thursday after posting modest numbers this spring.  16.1 IP - 6.06 ERA - 1.65 WHIP - 17/13 K/BB ratio wasn’t enough to beat out Carlos Carrasco or Scott Kazmir for the Tribe’s fifth starter spot, but this native Clevelander expects to see Bauer pitch live at Progressive Field sometime before the All-Star break.  When he does get call, Bauer will surely help fantasy teams with his high strikeout potential.  It just won’t be right away as some were predicting it might be.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (SS, OAK) - The thirty year old Japanese import was expected to open the 2013 season as the Athletics’ starting shortstop, but an uninspiring .150/.277/.175 triple-slash line in 47 Spring Training plate appearances has Nakajima in danger of opening the year in the minors.  Jed Lowrie’s versatility gives Oakland the flexibility to play him at shortstop until Nakajima is ready.  In Japan, Nakajima regularly hit .300 with double digit home runs, so the fantasy potential is there.  He will just have to show the A’s something with the stick before they rely upon him as an everyday option at shortstop.

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Andrew Heaney2 hours ago

Tosses Six Shutout Innings
Triston Casas2 hours ago

Launches Three-Run Homer
Jordan Lawlar2 hours ago

Records Another Multi-Hit Performance
Pete Crow-Armstrong3 hours ago

Homers, Steals Two Bases
Yanquiel Fernandez3 hours ago

With Another Multi-Homer Game
Reese Olson3 hours ago

Strikes Out Seven In Win
Jake Mangum3 hours ago

Exits Game With Groin Tightness
Ryan Pressly3 hours ago

Dealing With Knee Issues
George Kittle3 hours ago

Wants To Be Highest-Paid Tight End
Jac Caglianone3 hours ago

Stays Hot On Wednesday
Tyler Lockett3 hours ago

Joining The Titans
Allan Winans4 hours ago

Strikes Out 10 On Wednesday At Triple-A
4 hours ago

Will Shedeur Sanders' Game Translate To The NFL?
Las Vegas Raiders4 hours ago

Raiders Could Go With Offensive Lineman At No. 6 Overall
NFL4 hours ago

Jaguars, Raiders Looking To Trade Up In First Round
Marcelo Mayer4 hours ago

With Two More Multi-Hit Performances Wednesday
New Orleans Saints4 hours ago

Saints Won't Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On Trevor Penning
Nick Chubb4 hours ago

Not Interested In Retirement
George Pickens4 hours ago

Drawing Trade Interest
Rashee Rice4 hours ago

Taking Part In Offseason Program
5 hours ago

Concerns About Tetairoa McMillan's Lack Of Effort
Jahan Dotson5 hours ago

Eagles Decline Fifth-Year Option On Jahan Dotson
MLB5 hours ago

Rockies-Royals Rained Out On Wednesday
Zach Eflin5 hours ago

To Throw A Side Session Later This Week
Justin Martinez5 hours ago

"All Indications" Justin Martinez Will Be Available On Wednesday
Zack Wheeler6 hours ago

Records Nine Strikeouts
Jared Jones6 hours ago

To Undergo MRI This Week
Luis Rengifo6 hours ago

Returns On Wednesday
Chandler Simpson6 hours ago

Sitting Out Versus Lefty
Joc Pederson6 hours ago

Taking A Seat Versus Southpaw
Leody Taveras6 hours ago

Sitting Out On Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski7 hours ago

Upgraded To Available
Cam Davis7 hours ago

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Corey Seager7 hours ago

Goes On 10-Day Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Michael Porter Jr.7 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Minnesota Vikings7 hours ago

Vikings Waive NaJee Thompson, Trevor Reid
Adam Svensson7 hours ago

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Jake Fromm7 hours ago

Lions Release Jake Fromm
Seattle Seahawks8 hours ago

Cameron Young Let Go By Seattle
Detroit Lions8 hours ago

Detroit Makes Kerby Joseph The Highest-Paid Safety In League History
Davion Mitchell8 hours ago

Moves Into Starting Lineup Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski9 hours ago

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Al Horford9 hours ago

Starts Game 2
Michael Porter Jr.9 hours ago

Practices On Wednesday
Jayson Tatum9 hours ago

Out On Wednesday
Isaiah Stewart9 hours ago

May Miss Another Game Thursday
NYI9 hours ago

Cal Clutterbuck Announces Retirement
Pavel Zacha9 hours ago

Recovering From Small Procedure
Nikolaj Ehlers10 hours ago

To Miss At Least Two More Games
Miro Heiskanen10 hours ago

Still Out On Wednesday
John Klingberg10 hours ago

Enters Oilers Lineup For Game 2
Evander Kane10 hours ago

To Make Season Debut Wednesday Night
Gabriel Landeskog10 hours ago

Likely To Play In Game 3
Denver Broncos11 hours ago

Broncos Not Expected To Trade Up In Round 1
Houston Texans11 hours ago

Texans Trying To Move Up In Round 1 Of NFL Draft
Atlanta Falcons12 hours ago

James Pearce Jr., Mike Green Potential Top Targets For Falcons
Dallas Cowboys12 hours ago

Cowboys Could Add Wide Receiver Help With No. 12 Pick
New Orleans Saints12 hours ago

Saints Likely To Address Defense With No. 9 Pick?
12 hours ago

Rams Eyeing Trade Up For Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland?
Jaren Jackson Jr.17 hours ago

Posts Team-High 26 Points In Tuesday's Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander18 hours ago

Notches 27 Points Despite Poor Shooting
Max Greyserman18 hours ago

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Pascal Siakam18 hours ago

Scores Team-High 24 Points In Game 2 Win
Giannis Antetokounmpo18 hours ago

Posts Big Double-Double In Game 2 Loss
Lee Hodges18 hours ago

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA18 hours ago

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Julius Randle18 hours ago

Leads Timberwolves In Scoring In Game 2
Gary Woodland18 hours ago

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Luka Dončić18 hours ago

Luka Doncic Nets 31 Points In Lakers Win
Max McGreevy18 hours ago

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard18 hours ago

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Jock Landale18 hours ago

Unavailable For Game 2
Sam Stevens18 hours ago

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Jae'Sean Tate18 hours ago

Remains Out Wednesday
Nicolai Hojgaard18 hours ago

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
John Tavares18 hours ago

Collects Two Points In Overtime Win
Christiaan Bezuidenhout18 hours ago

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Frederik Andersen19 hours ago

Posts 40th Postseason Win
Akshay Bhatia19 hours ago

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young19 hours ago

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Kirill Kaprizov19 hours ago

Leads Wild To Valuable Road Win
Matthew Tkachuk19 hours ago

Returns With Three-Point Performance
Erik Van Rooyen19 hours ago

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Anthony Cirelli19 hours ago

Suffers Undisclosed Injury Tuesday
Gabriel Vilardi19 hours ago

May Return To Jets Lineup Thursday
John Klingberg19 hours ago

Ready To Return To Action
Evander Kane19 hours ago

Could Be An Option For Game 2
Andrew Novak1 day ago

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin1 day ago

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore1 day ago

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark1 day ago

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama1 day ago

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa1 day ago

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry1 day ago

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
Terry Rozier1 day ago

Ruled Out For Wednesday
Damian Lillard1 day ago

Will Have His Minutes Monitored Tuesday
Jayson Tatum1 day ago

Listed As Doubtful For Game 2
Derek Forbort1 day ago

Recovering From Surgery
Martin Fehérváry1 day ago

Martin Fehervary To Miss Postseason Following Knee Surgery
Luke Glendening1 day ago

Available For Start Of Playoffs
Mitchell Chaffee1 day ago

Available Tuesday
Cody Glass1 day ago

Good To Go Tuesday
Brenden Dillon1 day ago

Won't Play In Game 2
Damian Lillard1 day ago

Cleared To Play Tuesday
Nikola Jokić2 days ago

Nikola Jokic Posts 19th Postseason Triple-Double
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF