Top 10 Rookies for 2008 (II)

by Andrew Krumme, Updated Thursday, February 14, 2008

While predicting which prospects are going to make the biggest splash there are always numerous things to consider. Injuries, position battles, whether or not a team is ready to start the clock and so on and so forth. Luckily, those in the fantasy community just have to sit back and wait until all the decisions are made and then worry about one thing - what can he do for my team? While many of the players on this list may be household names, they are also not necessarily considered the top prospects in the game if you ran them by a general manager. What is important here is which one of these prospects is going to make the biggest splash fantasy wise in 2008. Playing time, possible position battle, overall talent and old Bill James adage listed as number one his historical primer "Minor league batting statistics will predict major league batting performance with essentially the same reliability as previous major league statistics" all played a part in determining the Fantasy Toolbox's Top 10 Baseball Prospect List.

Note: Only those considered were position players with less than 100 major league ABs and pitchers with less than 50 innings pitched in the majors

1. Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati

Why - Votto smacked the cover off of the ball at every level of the minor leagues. And after six years he finally got his shot, posting a 321/360/548 line with four home runs and 17 RBIs in just over 80 major league at-bats. His ability to hit at every stop in the minor leagues (Minor league totals: 289/385/476, 96 HRs, 436 RBIs - 2553 Abs) shows his readiness as a major league hitter. Votto also may be a player who can snag you a few extra stolen bases, after being relatively quiet on the base paths early on; he stole on average 20 bags per season his last two years in the minors.
Why not - Considering both Votto and backup 1B Scott Hatteberg hit from the left side of the plate, the idea of platooning does not seem likely. Barring a disastrous spring he should get at least 400 ABs with the possibility for a .280-20-90 season.

2. Clay Buchholz, SP, Boston

Why - With the recent discovery of Curt Schilling's injury, Buchholz is all but guaranteed a spot in the back end of the BoSox rotation. If his no-hitter in just his second major league start last year is not enough to warrant consideration as one of the top minor league prospects, his strikeout numbers in the minors are. Last year alone, Buchholz rang up 171 batters in just 125.1 IP in stops at Double-A and Triple-A and has tallied 356 Ks in just over 285 IP in his minor league career. He has three pitches, a low to mid-90s fastball and a plus curve and changeup that he can locate for strikes.
Why not - Buchholz was shut down after just four appearances late in the year with shoulder fatigue and will be kept on a tight leash pitch count wise early in the year. If any injury problems surface, the Red Sox front office brain trust will most likely not hesitate to shut him down.

3. Daric Barton, 1B, Oakland

Why - Barton has long been considered the crown jewel of Billy Beane's on base percentage driven obsession he calls a farm system. He was, along with Dan Haren, a key piece in a deal between the Cardinals and A's for Mark Mulder in 2004. He posted solid numbers for five years in the minors (301/412/459) with more walks than strikeouts and made his major league debut as a September call up going 347/429/639 with four long balls and eight RBIs in 72 Abs. Barring a offensive explosion by Dan Johnson, Barton will man down first base for Oakland this year and should have decent to solid power numbers with a batting average hovering around .300 and the opportunity to drive 80-90 runs.
Why not - Unless Barton decided to go on a few cycles of HGH or bull testosterone over the offseason he will not have the power numbers to rival many of the top fantasy first baseman. Oakland's relatively weak lineup will also not offer up a while lot of protection for the former first round pick.

4. Jay Bruce: OF - Cincinnati

Why - The Reds top prospect was tabbed by numerous publications over the offseason as the minor league player of the year and should find himself patrolling center field for Cincinnati in 2008. Bruce rose quickly threw the Reds system jumping from Single-A to Triple-A just last year posting 319/375/587 clip with 26 HRs and 89 RBIs. With Josh Hamilton shipped off to Texas for a couple arms it seems the center field job is Bruce's to lose. His power numbers are shocking for just a 20-year old and he should be given some good pitches to hit considering he will be sandwiched between the likes of Dunn, Phillips, Griffey and the toolbox's number one fantasy prospect Joey Votto.
Why not - He has yet to take a swing in the majors and Cincinnati General Manager Wayne Krivsky has been overly cautious with his young chips, a rough spring for Bruce may mean another month or two in Triple-A. He has also developed the reputation as a free swinger, striking out almost once every four at-bats. Considering the Reds aren't really hurting for another bat in their lineup along with having the likes of Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper as viable center fielders, Bruce may have to have a monster spring to warrant a spot on opening day.

5. Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay

Why - Since being drafted third overall in the 2006 draft Longoria has not disappointed. In two minor league seasons the Long Beach State alum has cruised though the Rays system hitting 304/388/546 with 44 career homers and over 150 knocked in. He is considered to have the inside track to hold down the hot corner with the Tampa Bay brain trust making room by moving Japanese import Akinori Iwamura over to second.
Why not - He has just 733 ABs in the minors and has yet to grace the big show with his presence. While his defense is considered a plus, a slow start in spring training or a rough first couple weeks in the majors could mean a little more time in Triple-A.

Next Page >>