ATL: Jeff Francoeur - .292/.333/.470
- Despite the poor walk rates, it appears that Francoeur's .260 AVG in '06 was a fluke. It's also possible that the 29 HR he hit that year was also a fluke, but Jeff is still young enough (24) to improve virtually every aspect of his offensive game, and the aforementioned walk rate actually rose considerably last season. WAVE is projecting .292/86/24/105/5 in 634 AB.
ATL: Mark Kotsay - .239/.293/.344
- Kotsay hasn't been much of a fantasy contributor for years, and it appears that his days of contributing much to a major league team are also nearly over. This is a Spring Training battle that fantasy players hope goes in Josh Anderson's favour, if only for the steals. WAVE: .239/38/5/39/3 in 355 AB/
ATL: Josh Anderson - .259/.312/.324
- His only real asset is his speed. If he wins the starting job, he's worth a couple of bucks for the stolen bases. Otherwise, keeper league owners should just grab Jordan Schafer and wait for the changing of the guard. WAVE: .259/25/1/19/12 in 216 AB.
ATL: Matt Diaz - .344/.377/.503
- I have my doubts that Diaz can improve on last season's .338 AVG, but WAVE has him as a batting title contender. It is important to note that Diaz has hit .338 in '07, .327 in '06, .371 in '05 (AAA), .332 in '04 (AAA), and .328 in '03 (AAA). The high averages seem to be for real, and here to stay, despite mediocre walk rates. Also, Matt managed to hit .318 off of right handed pitchers last year, so a platoon seems unnecessary, and more AB's should be in store for Diaz in 2008. WAVE is calling for a .344/68/17/68/6 line in 535 AB.
FLA: Jeremy Hermida - .304/.381/.509
- A former top prospect who struggled in his first exposure to MLB pitching, Hermida really came along last season, especially after the All-Star break, where he batted .340 with 10 HR. It should all come together in '08, although it doesn't appear as though he will provide fantasy owners with the steals that it once looked like he would. WAVE projects .304/77/23/82/5 in 566 AB.
FLA: Josh Willingham - .281/.376/.493
- Once a third baseman, and a catcher, Willingham now patrols LF for the Marlins. He won't hurt you in any category, and for the right price makes a fine fantasy outfielder. WAVE: .281/77/24/91/7 in 531 AB.
FLA: Cameron Maybin - .243/.329/.421
- I feel Maybin would be best served with a full AAA season, but with the rebuilding fish, they will probably go ahead and make him their starting CF. Don't expect much more than steals in his rookie season. WAVE pegs him at .243/75/15/51/30 in 420 AB.
NYM: Ryan Church - .289/.366/.495
- With both Carlos Gomez and Lastings Milledge gone, Church shouldn't have a problem racking up over 500 AB for the first time in his career. In a solid lineup, and a better hitting environment than RFK, Church should have a career year. WAVE: .289/74/20/91/6 in 564 AB.
NYM: Carlos Beltran - .274/.356/.512
- A former 5 category stud, Beltran's wheels seem to have slowed to a 20 steal pace, and he's settled into a .270 type hitter. Even still, he's one of the best in the biz, and will cost a pretty penny on draft day. WAVE is projecting .274/98/31/105/20 in 551 AB.
NYM: Moises Alou - .325/.382/.531
- Seemingly ageless at the dish, unfortunately Alou has issues remaining healthy for a full season. At 41 years old, despite his desire to rack up 500 AB, you shouldn't be counting on anything more than 350 AB or so. WAVE projects .325/54/16/57/3 in 354 AB.
PHI: Pat Burrell - .261/.392/.502
- Burrell can mash, but his AVG is likely to hurt you in fantasy. Expect more of the same in 2008. People of PHI: A .900 OPS is fantastic. Quit trashing the guy. WAVE: .261/85/33/110/0 in 540 AB.
PHI: Shane Victorino - .297/.365/.466
- If people in your league are expecting more of the 2007 version of Victorino in '08, than you should take advantage and buy low. Shane should accrue a lot more AB than he did last season, while batting in the 2-hole, snugly nestled in between Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. Those are two of the best bats in the game around the Flyin' Hawaiian, so he should see plenty of good pitches. Definitely a sleeper for 2008. WAVE is projecting a .297/108/17/67/42 line in 599 AB.
PHI: Geoff Jenkins - .264/.338/.464
- Jenkins is a fine low-end player for fantasy purposes, provided Philly is playing him regularly. WAVE: .264/63/23/76/2 in 511 AB.
WAS: Austin Kearns - .278/.375/.464
- Kearns can't keep disappointing forever. WAVE likes him to have arguably his best offensive season to date in 2008. .278/89/22/84/3 in 582 AB.
WAS: Lastings Milledge - .264/.333/.433
- Nothing special quite yet, but Lastings should blossom into one of the games best in time. Still only 23 years old. WAVE likes him for a .264/69/18/81/6 line in 534 AB.
WAS: Wily Mo Pena - .261/.321/.461
- Pena will get a great opportunity to show off his power stroke with regular playing time in 2008. Not so sure that he will ever become the 40 homer monster that the CIN brass envisioned, but 30 is definitely within reach. WAVE: .261/82/28/84/2 in 582 AB.
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