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	<title>Fantasy Baseball Addiction &#187; carl crawford</title>
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		<title>Jason Bartlett isn&#8217;t overpriced &#8212; he&#8217;s underpriced!!</title>
		<link>http://fantasybaseballaddiction.com/2010/03/18/jason-bartlett-isnt-overpriced-hes-underpriced/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:40:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike D</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Author-MikeD]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://fantasybaseballaddiction.com/?p=2058</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In an article about Jason Bartlett earlier this off-season, I pointed out that if the Rays traded Carl Crawford to free up money, Bartlett would become the leadoff hitter on a daily basis, greatly increasing his value.  The Rays did not trade Crawford, but it appears that Bartlett will hit first in the Rays [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In an article about <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/392862/jason-bartlett" target="_blank">Jason Bartlett</a> earlier this off-season, I pointed out that if the Rays traded <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/182199/carl-crawford" target="_blank">Carl Crawford</a> to free up money, Bartlett would become the leadoff hitter on a daily basis, greatly increasing his value.  The Rays did not trade Crawford, but it appears that Bartlett will hit first in the Rays order with Crawford hitting behind him, which is the best of both worlds for Bartlett owners.</p>
<p>Bartlett achieved his career year on 500 at-bats, but will have 20% more at-bats in 2010.  The cumulative categories (Home runs, stolen bases, RBIs and runs) can only be positively affected by 100 more at-bats.  Even with a slight regression in production per at-bat, last year&#8217;s numbers are more than achievable; they can be exceeded.  Let&#8217;s look at how 600 at-bats in the leadoff position should affect Bartlett&#8217;s 2010 numbers.<span id="more-2058"></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #00ff00;">Home Runs</span></strong><br />
No number was more of a breakout last year for Bartlett than his home run total in 2009.  He hit 14 long-balls, nine more than his previous best for a season.  Still, his relatively high total of home runs last season works out to just one home run every 36 at-bats.  That&#8217;s not exactly Babe Ruth or Ralph Kiner.  Even if Bartlett regresses to just one home run per 50 at-bats, in a 600 at-bat season, he still hits 12 home runs, just two shy of that breakout total of 14.  To put it in perspective, that&#8217;s basically one home run every two weeks.  If he cracks two in one series, he doesn&#8217;t have to hit one for another month.  Bartlett can handle that.  The Bartlett owner-to-be isn&#8217;t exactly buying him for his power anyway.  In fact, the home run jump that seems unsustainable, might be scaring him off.  But as we can see, the extra at-bats cushion the risk of a return to a four or five home run season.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #00ff00;">Stolen Bases</span></strong><br />
This category is a double bonus.  Whereas home runs is a category in which Bartlett&#8217;s extra at-bats mitigate risk, stolen bases gets two serious bumps from this move.  First, where most of the experts are predicting around 30 stolen bases on about 500 at-bats, we can now update that number.  Adding 20 percent to 30 is easy.  So is 36 the new stolen base number?  The Sporting News™ is the only fantasy baseball publication I use that has predicted 600 at-bats and get this, they predict 35 stolen bases.</p>
<p>But there&#8217;s another difference that adds value beyond the 20 percent already tacked on.  Batting toward the bottom of the order doesn&#8217;t always lend to running situations.  The leadoff spot is designed around it.  So, related to stolen bases, Bartlett isn&#8217;t just receiving more at-bats, he&#8217;s receiving a higher quality of at-bat too.  A 40 stolen base season is well within reach.</p>
<p><span style="color: #00ff00;"><strong>Runs</strong></span><br />
The same two positives that will affect stolen bases will have a similarly positive impact on the runs category.  The 20 percent added to last year&#8217;s total(90 runs) will add 18, to bring the projection to 108 runs.  That&#8217;s a huge number.  Remember the aforementioned Sporting News with the 600 at-bat Bartlett line?  They project 111 runs scored.  Add to it that when batting near the bottom of the order, Bartlett was often stranded by lesser hitters.</p>
<p>If Carl Crawford and the rest of the heart of the order had a chance to drive him in, you could be sure there would be a few outs on the board already.  But now Bartlett will always, <em>always</em> be followed by the best on the team.  The one hitter is driven in by the three and four hitters a hell of a lot more than the eight hitter.  Stolen bases and runs stand to receive the largest jump and with all these opportunities, 110 runs suddenly seems like the right floor.  If this Tampa offense cranks away this season, Bartlett could end up 5 &#8211; 15 runs higher than that.</p>
<p><span style="color: #00ff00;"><strong>Runs Batted In</strong></span><br />
RBIs seems to be the one category in which the leadoff hitter doesn&#8217;t have a huge edge on the others in the order, to varying degrees of course.  You can guarantee that there will be no one on base during the first at-bat of the game, so the extra at-bats add a little less to this category.  Still, slight improvements to RBIs are to be expected, just based on total chances, but don&#8217;t bet on too much.  Add five to ten RBIs to last year&#8217;s 65 and you should be safe.</p>
<p><span style="color: #00ff00;"><strong>Batting Average</strong></span><br />
This is the toughest category to predict.  Can Bartlett keep up the .320 average he displayed last year?  Likely not, but imagine a .295 average on 600 at-bats.  That&#8217;s a fair regression and leaves plenty of room for realistic upside.  So, at .295, that&#8217;s 177 hits.  That&#8217;s 17 more total hits than the breakout year of 2009.  And that&#8217;s with a very conservative estimate for at-bats.  There&#8217;s no reason to believe that 100 extra at-bats sprinkled evenly throughout the course of a season will have a tiring effect on a veteran like Bartlett.  The fact that we can be so conservative in our batting average projections and still exceed last year&#8217;s number with higher quality at-bats is the clearest indication of how undervalued Bartlett&#8217;s stats really are.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #00ff00;">Fantasy Implications</span></strong></p>
<p>Last year I bid on <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/20277/russell-branyan" target="_blank">Russell Branyan</a> at third base and got him for nothing.  I noticed that he was going to play everyday, putting his 2009 reality far above his projected at-bats.  In the three seasons leading into 2009, Branyan had collected a total of 536 at-bats and hit a whopping 40 home runs (one home run per 13.4 at-bats), virtually in line with his now career home per at-bat rate one for every 14.8 at-bats.  So it became a question of math.  How many at-bats was he going to get.  In the end, he got injured, but by that time he had amassed 431 at-bats and 31 home runs, one home run ever 13.9 at-bats&#8211;right on target!  Sure, I had to finish with an also-ran in Branyan&#8217;s spot, but by that time, that roster spot had produced, among other things, 31 home runs, a great total for a third baseman that cost me nothing.</p>
<p>The point is, fantasy baseball is a game of math.  If you see a player who will be getting many more at-bats than the fantasy baseball magazines and, more importantly, your friends think he will, then the player is under-valued.  There are under-valued players like Branyan at the bottom rungs of the depth charts, and once in a while there&#8217;s a player like Bartlett, who&#8217;s got a high price tag, but remains under-valued nonetheless.  Also, the game isn&#8217;t about getting a whole team of under-priced players.  The key is to strike a balance between stats you can buy on the cheap while paying the price for the stats you absolutely must have.  Some players are worth the price tag.</p>
<p>That said, my new 2010 fantasy baseball projection for Jason Bartlett is:</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #00ff00;">600 abs/12 home runs/73 RBIs/114 runs/41 stolen bases/.295 BA</span></strong></p>
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		<title>2010 Fantasy Baseball Tiers: Outfield</title>
		<link>http://fantasybaseballaddiction.com/2010/01/14/2010-fantasy-baseball-tiers-outfield-2/</link>
		<comments>http://fantasybaseballaddiction.com/2010/01/14/2010-fantasy-baseball-tiers-outfield-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:00:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Keith Giordano</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[The outfield is full of talent, and the upside lasts deep into the tiers.  With perhaps some of the best players that blend power and speed, you can make up some ground here if your infield is weak.  Don&#8217;t feel like you HAVE to get 4 great ones early though, because there will be good [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The outfield is full of talent, and the upside lasts deep into the tiers.  With perhaps some of the best players that blend power and speed, you can make up some ground here if your infield is weak.  Don&#8217;t feel like you HAVE to get 4 great ones early though, because there will be good options available later in your 2010 fantasy baseball draft.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #008000;">Outfield</span></h2>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Top Tier:  Ryan Braun, Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Holliday, Justin Upton, Jason Bay</span></strong></p>
<p>Some of the best power and speed mixes in fantasy baseball are in this tier.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1103045/ryan-j-braun" target="_blank">Ryan Braun</a> has hit non-stop since joining the major league club.  He hits for power, a high batting average, and even set a career high in stolen bases in 2009.  He is only 26 years old.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/182199/carl-crawford" target="_blank">Carl Crawford</a> proved that he wasn&#8217;t finished after a mediocre 2008, finishing 2009 with 60 SBs and his highest home run total since 2006.  He even got that batting average over .300 to prove himself once again a 5-category threat.  <span id="more-1429"></span><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/549974/matt-kemp" target="_blank">Matt Kemp</a> has the potential to take over the number one slot if he improves again in 2010.  Showing the ability to produce in all five categories, he tops my list for likely members of the 30-30 club in 2010.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1184595/jacoby-ellsbury" target="_blank">Jacoby Ellsbury</a> is a stolen base machine, and he apparently knows it.  He likes to steal, and wants to set milestones.  Expect it to continue in 2010.</p>
<p>Now that <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/181555/matt-holliday" target="_blank">Matt Holliday</a> has had a productive season away from Colorado, his price will go back up in 2010.  His power could grow a bit more in 2010, and he even kept up the stolen bases in 2009.  More importantly he still hit over .300.  While not the most flashy pick, he is dependable.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/593198/justin-upton" target="_blank">Justin Upton</a> has plenty of upside, but even if he can manage to reach last season&#8217;s totals, he is ready to lead your outfield corp.  One red light about Upton is that his BABIP was a little higher than usual in 2009.  Some people may balk at paying full price for <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/390795/jason-bay" target="_blank">Jason Bay</a> in 2010 since he signed to play half his games at Citi-field.  Don&#8217;t be one of them.  All he has to do is increase his batting average in 2010 and he will be a bonafide leader of fantasy teams.  The Mets like to use speed on the bases, so even if Bay loses a little of his HR production, he will likely steal more bases.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Second Tier:  Grady Sizemore, Adam Dunn, Curtis Granderson, Manny Ramirez,  Shane Victorino, B.J. Upton, Bobby Abreu, Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz, Jayson Werth</span></strong></p>
<p>Several of these players have been in the top tier before, and some may be there after 2010.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/392088/grady-sizemore" target="_blank">Grady Sizemore</a> was a sure top 3 outfield pick in 2009 fantasy baseball drafts and auctions.  Injury ruined his season (along with many fantasy baseball teams).  The Indians are pathetic offensively (if not completely), so his runs and RBI totals may suffer.  However, his power and speed remain intact.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/174678/adam-dunn" target="_blank">Adam Dunn</a> put together his usual power-heavy season, but finally did so along with a batting average that was not a detriment to fantasy rosters.  It still wasn&#8217;t a <em>good</em> batting average, but it was better than usual.  I thought he was over priced before he raised that average in 2009.  In 2010 he will be even more expensive.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/393076/curtis-granderson" target="_blank">Curtis Granderson</a> saw his value jump drastically in this off-season when he was traded from the Tigers to the Yankees.  It remains to be seen where he will hit in the batting order, but wherever it is, it will be better for his fantasy value than anyplace within the city limits of Detroit.  All he needs to do is raise that batting average against left-handed pitching (2009- .183) and he can join the elites in the outfield.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/7996/manny-ramirez" target="_blank">Manny Ramirez</a> is, well, Manny.  I don&#8217;t think age is really a factor for him quite yet.  Expect another .300 average with 30ish home runs.  He is in a contract year, so perhaps he will take the game seriously in 2010 and uptick.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/530355/nelson-r-cruz" target="_blank">Nelson Cruz</a> offered great power and even threw in 20 stolen bases for fantasy owners in 2009.  He figured out minor league pitching, but has needed some time to be effective on the big stage.  Now that he is here, he is not going back.  If he can just get that BB/K rate closer to what he did in 2008, he could be a star.  Note:  Cruz is 30 years old this year, so realize that before paying a premium in keeper-leagues.  Perhaps the most upside in this group is <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/390784/bj-upton" target="_blank">B.J. Upton</a>.  We saw what he could do in his awesome first full season, but it seems he has taken a step back at the plate.  Believers in him took comfort in the fact that despite his drop in batting average and power from 2007 to 2008, his OBP remained almost identical.  In 2009, that OBP dropped by 70 points.  The drop in his 2009 walk rate is undeniable, and should the trend continue this season his supporters will start to fade.  This is the last season I would pay full price for him unless he takes a step forward.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/292740/shin-soo-choo" target="_blank">Shin-Soo Choo</a> went 20-20 in 2009.  He was one of only 7 OFs to accomplish that feat.  His production was more than solid, and in no month did he hit lower than he did in May (.274).  His splits against RHP and LHP are good, so it is not likely that he will lose his starting status to some sort of platoon.</p>
<p>Did <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/44638/jayson-werth" target="_blank">Jayson Werth</a> finally prove to all his doubters how good he is?  He stayed healthy all year, started all year, and wound up producing numbers that were worth of much more bid money than he went for in 2009 auctions.  Do not expect him to come so cheap this season.  A word of warning about Werth.  His breakout came late (he is 31 this year), so I would not count him among &#8220;core&#8221; team members that you want to build a keeper team around.  He&#8217;s good, but his shelf life is probably not going to be that long.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Third Tier:  Carlos Lee, Carlos Quentin, Nick Markakis, Andre Ethier, Adam Lind, Torii Hunter, Hunter Pence, Nyjer Morgan, Ben Zobrist, Michael Cuddyer, Michael Bourn, Nate McLouth, Adam Jones, Andrew McCutchen, Josh Hamilton, Brad Hawpe, Denard Span, Juan Pierre, Raul Ibanez, Nolan Reimold, Jermaine Dye, Jason Kubel, Ryan Ludwick</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/21607/carlos-n-lee" target="_blank">Carlos Lee</a> may be boring, but he is money in the bank.  It appears that his power and speed peaked in 2006, but he is still good for solid production in 4 out of the 5 scoring categories.  Do not underestimate how valuable 20-something HRs is with 100 RBI and a .300 BA.  After all, only 13 outfielders hit .300 in 2009.  Of those 13, only 6 of them hit 20 or more HRs, and of those, only 4 also had 100 RBI.  There is value here.  I like <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/490156/carlos-quentin" target="_blank">Carlos Quentin</a> to rebound in a big way in 2010. When looking at his injuries and numbers in 2009, that may scare away other GMs.  After all, he still has only one really successful season under his belt.  Realize, however, that his AB/HR ratio remained steady in 2009.  Coming into the season healthy should help him move back into the second tier for 2011.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/547591/nick-markakis" target="_blank">Nick Markakis</a> may be a little overrated.  He has never topped 23 HRs, both his BB rate and his OBP were the lowest of his career in 2009, and his steals total has dropped drastically since his breakout season in 2007.  Beware of spending too much on him.  There is one big difference between <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1099503/nyjer-morgan" target="_blank">Nyjer Morgan</a> and <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/548112/michael-bourn" target="_blank">Michael Bourn</a>.  That is:  Nyjer Morgan has a track record with a good batting average, and Bourn does not.  Like the old saying goes, you can&#8217;t steal first base.  Bourn&#8217;s increase in batting average for the 2009 season was a surprise.  Don&#8217;t be surprised if it sinks significantly lower in 2010.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1099014/ben-zobrist" target="_blank">Ben Zobrist</a> is a nice player, but should be taken at one of the infield positions before his name comes up on the outfield depth chart.  Andre Ethier and <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/547682/adam-lind" target="_blank">Adam Lind</a> are in a similar situation.  Both just had a breakout 2009 in which they hit over 30 HRs.  Lind&#8217;s breakout could be real if he sticks to what he did in 2009.  He improved his plate discipline in a big way.  His percentage of balls outside the strike zone swung at dropped significantly, and his walk rate increased as a result.  The Blue Jays appear to be in a rebuilding year, so beware that Lind may not have as much support around him in the lineup as you would like.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/490390/andre-ethier" target="_blank">Andre Ethier</a> got a shot to play every day in 2009 and made the most of it.  While his BB rate went up, so did his K rate.  His BABIP actually was lower in 2009 than 2008, so perhaps that batting average will rise a bit in 2010.  One potential stumbling block for Ethier is that he has trouble with left-handed pitching (BA vs. LHP: 2008- .243, 2009- .194).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1103290/andrew-mccutchen" target="_blank">Andrew McCutchen</a> is one of those players that people are hoping to slip by as a sleeper, but there is just no way.  He is going to go for big bucks in auctions as GMs hope to grab the next big power/speed threat.  The fact that he is on the Pirates limits his production in runs and RBI.  If you want a lower-key potential breakout, look to <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/479388/adam-jones" target="_blank">Adam Jones</a>.  He could be this season&#8217;s power/speed outfielder, and his numbers from 2009 are not as likely to draw the attention of your competition.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1200078/nolan-reimold" target="_blank">Nolan Reimold</a> may break-out in a similar fashion in 2010.  He has a good BB/K rate, and does not swing at too many balls outside of the strike-zone.  He may even steals bases for you.  This spring, monitor the healthy of his recently operated-on Achilles tendon before you draft him.  Don&#8217;t go overboard, since he still has to prove he can hit at the major league level, but a modest bid could pay big dividends.</p>
<p>I am not a believer in <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/174916/josh-hamilton" target="_blank">Josh Hamilton</a>.  When he was young, there was crazy hype surrounded by injuries and mysterious &#8220;personal problems&#8221;.  He finally dealt with his issues, and had one monster season.  Then, right back to the injuries with worse performance when he did play.  I don&#8217;t care about the night he spent in a bar, and do not think that he is much risk to fall into that lifestyle again.  I care about his ability to hit, which is far from proven.  He could have another good season, but some fantasy baseball magazines I have seen rank him as high as a top 10 outfielder.  The price he will bring for the risk he represents is too high.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/132725/juan-pierre" target="_blank">Juan Pierre</a> is a full-time player again, and his fantasy value will take a huge rebound.  After filling in very nicely for Manny Ramirez during his suspension, the White Sox are going to let him lead off in 2010.  He can still hit and steal bases, but will cost less than the last time he was a full time player.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Fourth Tier:  Chris Coghlan, Alfonso Soriano, Alex Rios, Marlon Byrd, Vernon Wells, Carlos Gonzalez, Jay Bruce, Johnny Damon, Franklin Gutierrez, Magglio Ordonez, Mike Cameron, Corey Hart, J.D. Drew, Garrett Jones, Julio Borbon, Jeff Francoeur, Carlos Gomez, Milton Bradley, Carlos Beltran, Coco Crisp, Chris Young, Josh Willingham, Kyle Blanks, Mark Teahen, Conor Jackson, Elijah Dukes, Mark DeRosa, Melky Cabrera, David Dejesus, Cody Ross, Rajai Davis, Lastings Milledge, Jose Guillen, Juan Rivera, Matt LaPorta</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1473575/chris-coghlan" target="_blank">Chris Coghlan</a> is a nice little player.  He will be overrated in 2010 fantasy baseball drafts, and overpriced too.  To read a complete analysis, read <a href="http://fantasybaseballaddiction.com/2010/01/10/fantasy-baseball-addiction-player-profile-chris-coghlan/" target="_blank">Coghlan&#8217;s Player Profile</a>.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/127572/alfonso-soriano" target="_blank">Alfonso Soriano</a> and <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/18817/carlos-beltran" target="_blank">Carlos Beltran</a> both appear to be in decline as well as significant injury risks.  Beltran now finds himself in trouble with the Mets due to a recent surgery which could jeopardize his status for opening day.  Do not pay for their names.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/383411/alex-rios" target="_blank">Alex Rios</a> has the confidence of manager Ozzie Guillen.  He should play every day, and will likely rebound a good bit.  His reputation (both on and off the field) has taken a beating over the last year, so you may be able to steal him cheap.  Want a cheap option in the outfield that has both power and speed?  Look to <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/392462/franklin-gutierrez" target="_blank">Franklin Gutierrez</a>.  He will fly under the radar at fantasy drafts and auctions, but has his playing time locked it, and can serve as an above average 3rd outfielder.  I am very skeptical of <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/284578/marlon-byrd" target="_blank">Marlon Byrd</a>.  This guy has a fairly long track record, and 2009 was his first truly good season.  While his batting average has made progress over the last few seasons, the power came from nowhere and his BB rate was his lowest since 2002.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1262282/julio-borbon" target="_blank">Julio Borbon</a> is going to be one of the unproven players in 2010 auctions that goes for big money.  He may, however, be worth it.  He has been announced as a starter for 2010, and his speed and batting average appear to be for real.  He could even throw in above average power for a speedster in Arlington.  Speaking of potential that will cost you, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1103728/carlos-gonzalez" target="_blank">Carlos Gonzalez</a> put up enough of a stat-line that fantasy GMs are not going to look past him.  Highly touted, Gonzalez put up 13 HR and 16 SB in under 300 ABs.  I am hoping that <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1098932/carlos-gomez" target="_blank">Carlos Gomez</a> will slip under the radar of my competition.  His batting average could be lower than I would like, but if his price matches, I like the upside he offers with a full-time job for the Brewers.  He is crazy fast, but keep your bidding low since his OBP has been under .300 for three straight seasons.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1543508/kyle-blanks" target="_blank">Kyle Blanks</a> is another player who&#8217;s 2009 numbers are mediocre enough that he could slip under the radar.  The kid is huge, has huge power, and will start all season.  Sure, the ballpark and supporting cast hurt his numbers, but you aren&#8217;t drafting him to be your #1 outfielder.  As a #3 or 4 he should be above average.</p>
<p>Could this be the season that <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1133731/jay-bruce" target="_blank">Jay Bruce</a> finally establishes himself as a true fantasy asset?  Yes, I think so.  While the casual fantasy GM will look at the batting average drop he suffered in 2009, the secondary numbers paint a different picture.  His AB/HR ratio went up, his BB/K rate went up, and his BABIP for 2009 was absurdly low (.222).  If those GMs that loved him have soured on him due to his BA, grab him at a discount.  Power galore.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/489783/conor-jackson" target="_blank">Conor Jackson</a> had a very odd season in 2009.  He was suffering from valley fever, which is a disease caught from the spores of a desert fungi.  Wow.  He is tearing the cover off of the ball in the off-season, and should pick up where he left off in 2008, a potential breakout with a good BA.  He qualifies as a sleeper this year, since he is being ranked very low in many draft prep articles and fantasy baseball rankings.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/489811/chris-b-young" target="_blank">Chris Young</a> had a miserable 2009, and that continues a trend of bad news.  For two straight years his power has dropped.  For two straight years his batting average has dropped.  For two straight years, his stolen bases have dropped, his K rate has risen, and his OPS has dropped.  These are all very worrying signs.  Strangely, he did post his major league best BB rate in 2009 (though he didn&#8217;t use that to steal a single base after the All-Star Break).  He also picked up the pace in September and October, having his best month of the year.  If you can slip him by, he definitely still has good upside, but I would want him to fall into my lap rather than pay more than a couple dollars.</p>
<p>A similar disappointing season was turned in by <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/490389/elijah-dukes" target="_blank">Elijah Dukes</a>.  This kid has all the talent in the world, but can&#8217;t seem to put it all together.  He is seeing fewer fastballs (49.1%-2009 vs. 56.9%-2008) and this helped him put up the worst K rate of his major league career (20.3%).  Another number of note for Dukes in 2009: 3 SB, 10 CS.  Rajai Davis is another player who&#8217;s numbers from 2009 will prevent him from having &#8220;sleeper&#8221; status in 2010 fantasy baseball auctions.  There is no such thing as a sleeper that put up 40+ stolen bases the season before.  I would like to see his K rate get a little better if he is to bat leadoff, but his minor league numbers support his 2009 batting average.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Fifth Tier: Delmon Young, Luke Scott, Aaron Rowand, Xavier Nady, Nick Swisher, Jack Cust, Gerardo Parra, Jake Fox, Garret Anderson, Randy Winn, Ryan Garko, Willy Taveras, Skip Schumaker, Scott Podsednik, Colby Rasmus, Ryan Church, Chris Dickerson, Kosuke Fukudome, Matt Diaz, Jonny Gomes, Carlos Guillen, Travis Snider, Dexter Fowler, Andruw Jones, Rick Ankiel, Brett Gardner</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/7764/andruw-jones" target="_blank">Andruw Jones</a> was at least productive in 2009.  He has a chance to get even more ABs in 2010, and could improve more.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1208924/gerardo-parra" target="_blank">Gerardo Parra</a> will have to play well to receive playing time in what could become a crowded Arizona outfield, but he has upside.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/223569/scott-podsednik" target="_blank">Scott Podsednik</a> still has a little juice left in his legs.  Just don&#8217;t forget that 2009 was his first season with over 215 ABs since 2006.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1104949/chris-dickerson" target="_blank">Chris Dickerson</a> improved his BB/K rate in 2009, and could show more power in 2010.  He is a qualified post-hype sleeper pick if he can manage to get the ABs.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/293119/matt-diaz" target="_blank">Matt Diaz&#8217;</a> batting average against RHP will keep him from ever truly claiming a full-time gig.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1184596/colby-rasmus" target="_blank">Colby Rasmus</a> has power, but his batting average is a concern, especially against lefties.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1208709/dexter-fowler" target="_blank">Dexter Fowler</a> is a nice sleeper.  His numbers against righties are not great, but he smokes lefties, and will start from day one in 2010.</p>
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		<title>Fantasy Baseball Addiction Player Profile: Jason Bartlett</title>
		<link>http://fantasybaseballaddiction.com/2009/12/09/fantasy-baseball-player-profile-jason-bartlett/</link>
		<comments>http://fantasybaseballaddiction.com/2009/12/09/fantasy-baseball-player-profile-jason-bartlett/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:47:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike D</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Author-MikeD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Draft Prep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Player Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Player Profile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 fantasy baseball draft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 Fantasy baseball projections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 fantasy baseball rankings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[adrian beltre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carl crawford]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fantasy baseball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fantasy baseball analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hanley ramirez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jason Bartlett]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[joe mauer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[justin morneau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[minnesota twins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pat burrell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scott baker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shortstop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tampa Rays]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://fantasybaseballaddiction.com/2009/12/09/fantasy-baseball-player-profile-jason-bartlett/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Season-ending, head-scratching is part of the fun of fantasy baseball.  So many 2009 owners spent an arm and leg to make sure they had a top-notch shortstop.  When all was said and done, how many asked themselves, &#8220;Why didn&#8217;t I get Jason Bartlett and spend my Hanley Ramirez-money elsewhere?&#8221;  In case you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 144px"><img class="      " src="http://fromthedugout.freedomblogging.com/files/2009/06/bartlett-turn-dp-by-ap.jpg" alt="Doubt the power, not the talent" width="134" height="153" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Doubt the power... not the talent</p></div>
<p>Season-ending, head-scratching is part of the fun of fantasy baseball.  So many 2009 owners spent an arm and leg to make sure they had a top-notch shortstop.  When all was said and done, how many asked themselves, &#8220;Why didn&#8217;t I get <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/392862/jason-bartlett" target="_blank">Jason Bartlett</a> and spend my <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/393458/hanley-ramirez" target="_blank">Hanley Ramirez</a>-money elsewhere?&#8221;  In case you didn&#8217;t notice, this Tampa SS put up a monster year, hitting .320 with a .389 OBP to go with 14 home runs, 30 stolen bases, 90 runs and 66 rbis &#8212; all career highs.  So the question becomes, will Bartlett play well enough in 2010 to warrant the added attention he will surely garner on draft day?</p>
<h2><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Minors</span></strong></h2>
<p><strong></strong><br />
It may seem odd to take a look a 30 year-old player&#8217;s minor league history, but there is one thing to note about Bartlett.  He is a product of the Twins organization.  The Twins minor league system has this amazing ability to turn out players who do what they&#8217;re supposed to do.  <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/288970/joe-mauer" target="_blank">Joe Mauer</a>, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/288974/justin-morneau" target="_blank">Justin Morneau</a> and <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/546225/scott-baker" target="_blank">Scott Baker</a> of recent note, Bartlett was also a member of that fraternity, and was always touted as a contact, line-drive hitter with better-than-average speed and a good glove.  This is basically the skill set that has made him an everyday major leaguer.<span id="more-312"></span></p>
<h2><span style="color: #0000ff;">2009</span></h2>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong></strong></span><br />
Those who have followed Bartlett&#8217;s slow (sometimes painfully slow), rise as a serious fantasy option at SS were properly enticed by what had always been a cheap source of stolen bases.  When an owner didn&#8217;t get Option 1 or 2 at shortstop, Bartlett was a decent choice because of his ability to swipe a bag, even at the detriment of power and RBIs.  The 2009 season has thrown that all out the window;  Bartlett had a career year.</p>
<p>As 2009 unfolded, many believed Bartlett&#8217;s numbers would fade, especially his batting average and power.  After a minor hamstring injury slowed him for a bit, the excuse was there for the slide to begin.  He hit .247 in the month of July.  August days are supposed to be the &#8220;dog days&#8221; where worn out players finally fall off, but after that slow July, Bartlett got it cranking again, hitting .356 in August.  He slowed a little again to the finish line, but was out there everyday, right up to the end.  He finished with a stolen base in 5 of his final 6 games of the season.  There is no doubt.  2009 was a spectacular, wire-to-wire effort for Bartlett, but what should we be concerned about?</p>
<h2><span style="color: #0000ff;">Warning Signs</span></h2>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong></strong></span><br />
There are quite a few things that flash &#8220;Stay Away!!!&#8221; when a player has a breakout season.  For starers, there&#8217;s history.  Past baseball drafts are strewn with the carcasses of teams built around players who were coming of off huge seasons.  How many 2004 drafts had wild bidding on Esteban Loaiza after his 21 win/207 strikeout 2003?  There was plenty of evidence that Loaiza wasn&#8217;t going to repeat that effort and only a little evidence that he might.</p>
<p>That, of course, is an extreme example, but it is more likely that Bartlett fits into the <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/11491" target="_blank">Adrain Beltre</a> mode; a guy who was all upside until his 48 home run outburst in 2004, then became a disappointment as owners spent 48 home run dollars to get 19 home run production.  With both Beltre and Bartlett, there is a history of stats leading up to the explosion.  Owners need to realize that the price for Bartlett will probably be too high, but the question is, what will his stats for 2010 be?</p>
<p>Before we get to those projections, let&#8217;s go over the remaining Bartlett-specific issues in the numbers.  As mentioned earlier, these were career numbers across the board and in some instances, complete outliers.  Home runs jumps out as the category that seems least likely to repeat.  Bartlett had a career total of 11 home runs entering the 2009 season, and this 29-year old, was able to more-than-double that total.  It&#8217;s possible that he&#8217;s found a power stroke, but to pay, expecting 14 home runs every 500 at-bats(as it was in 2009) is silly.  If you pay and get them, consider yourself lucky.  The good news is that you aren&#8217;t(or shouldn&#8217;t be) drafting Bartlett for his power.  If you got 9 instead of 14, your team shouldn&#8217;t be all that affected.</p>
<p>Further, the other numbers do seem a  bit tough to repeat, but at least there&#8217;s some precedent.  If you&#8217;re concerned about the batting average, don&#8217;t be.  Just expect a .290 average when you&#8217;re putting your squad together and be happy with everything you get over that.  A .290 batting average is more than attainable and actually leaves you plenty of upside.  See, if you build expecting a .290 average and get a .305 batting average, you will be in good shape, as it will fill in for the failings of other players, where if you expect the repeat at .320, then get that .305, your team will actually be in the hole.  Instead of that .305 helping, it hurts, so the lesson here is plan wisely.  Don&#8217;t expect too much from certain players and it will force you to be realistic about the stats you need from the rest of your team.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #0000ff;">Good News and Projections</span>:</h2>
<p>An interesting bit of news has been floating out there that potential Bartlett owners should keep an eye on.  The Rays, flush with the excitement after their great 2008 run, went out and spent some money, primarily on <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/21509/pat-burrell" target="_blank">Pat Burrell</a>.  Well, 2009 wasn&#8217;t so good, especially at the gate, and that put the Rays in a difficult situation.  They may be forced to move a major salary, and the word is that <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/182199/carl-crawford" target="_blank">Carl Crawford</a> might be shipped out for prospects.  If this happens, Jason Bartlett would become the primary option to bat leadoff, with some time in the two-hole.  It also means almost no time at the bottom of the order, which is where he often found himself in 2009.  Remember, the blow out stats for Bartlett came in just 500 at-bats this season.  Even if you believe that the home runs will decline, the raw number, with extra at-bats, may not look all that different.  As it was, Bartlett was only hitting one home run every 36 at-bats.  Let&#8217;s say that moves to one every 50 at-bats, but Bartlett ends up with 600 at-bats on the season; that&#8217;s still 12 home runs.  As discussed earlier, you aren&#8217;t really getting Bartlett for the home runs, but that same math applies to all the other categories you care about.  In 2009, Bartlett scored 90 times, while batting 7th, 8th or 9th in the order for a combined 65 games.  If Bartlett is hitting 1st or 2nd for the entire season(or even most of the season), he will set another career high in runs scored in 2010, as he will be sure to be in triple-digits for the first time.  The Crawford situation is one a swift fantasy owner will watch closely.  If Crawford is dealt, the price for this SS might suddenly be a lot easier to swallow.  If all that happens, get Bartlett for sure, but for now, I would work off the following stat projections:</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">2010 Prediction:</span></strong> <strong>530 abs/.290 ba/9 HR/90 runs/65 rbi/27 sb</strong></p>
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