Player profile: Orlando Hudson - Overwhelming Coolness

Fantasy Impact:
Orlando Hudson is a great baseball player. Orlando Hudson is not a great fantasy pick but he could be a useful one especially now that he is an Arizona Diamondback. Hudson is essentially a .270 hitter with a bit of pop in his bat. He has decent speed but isn't very good at stealing bases. Hudson's right-handed power should be maximized by Arizona's Chase Field Stadium (whatever its called these days). I think that power maxes out at 15 or so homers but I said useful not amazing. A stat line of .275/330/.440 with 10-15 home runs looks very possible even if it is a little optimistic.

Background:
Almost everyone likes Orlando Hudson. You can tell the fans in Toronto like him by how many of them would rather have Hudson than Troy Glaus. The Blue jays got a fantastic deal when they traded Hudson's defense for the bat of Glaus and the chance to get Aaron Hill into their everyday lineup. Hudson is probably the best defensive secondbaseman in baseball right now. He is very very good. The Diamondback pitchers who use their defense should reap benefits The Diamondbacks should have a new fan favorite very soon.

Year	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2002	TOR	54	192	20	53	10	5	4	23	11	27	0	1	.276	.319	.443	.762
2003	TOR	142	474	54	127	21	6	9	57	39	87	5	4	.268	.328	.395	.723
2004	TOR	135	489	73	132	32	7	12	58	51	98	7	3	.270	.341	.438	.779
2005	TOR	131	461	62	125	25	5	10	63	30	65	7	1	.271	.315	.412	.728
Career		462	1616	209	437	88	23	35	201	131	277	19	9	.270	.328	.418	.746

Player Profile: Rondell White

Fantasy Impact:
Rondell White has always had a solid bat. He doesn't take a ton of walks but he usually hits for a high enough average that his obp stays at decent levels. Its always been injuries that have held White back from both baseball and fantasy stardom. In 2005 White hit .313/.348/.489 in 374 at-bats. Comerica Park reduces significantly a players' doubles and homeruns. The Metrodome (Rondell's new home park) also reduces doubles but not as much as Commerica. The Metrodome also slightly boosts homeruns. Given the change in parks and a better chance of staying healthy via the DH role, Rodel White could have a big year. With the addittion of Luis Castillo and a bounce back to more typical numbers by Shannon Stewart alongside the continued improvement of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau White should have plenty of batters to drive in and to drive him home. A year in the .290/.345/.485 range wouldn't surprise me at all. Thirty homeruns wouldn't surprise me either. Because of Rondell Whites injury problems and mediocre totals the last few years he should be available cheaply and late in drafts. Bid that extra dollar or move him up a round or two, he'll be worth it.

Background:
When Rondell White came up with the Montreal Expos great things were expected of him. He was thought to be a future 30/30 player. Instead injuries have consistently kept him from reaching his once considerable potential. Because of injuries his speed is just about gone but he still has considerable power. White just signed a one year deal to act as the DH of the Minnesota Twins. If White makes plate appearance incentives he could make as much as $8.5 million over two years.

Year	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
1993	MON	23	73	9	19	3	1	2	15	7	16	1	2	.260	.321	.411	.732
1994	MON	40	97	16	27	10	1	2	13	9	18	1	1	.278	.358	.464	.822
1995	MON	130	474	87	140	33	4	13	57	41	87	25	5	.295	.356	.464	.820
1996	MON	88	334	35	98	19	4	6	41	22	53	14	6	.293	.340	.428	.768
1997	MON	151	592	84	160	29	5	28	82	31	111	16	8	.270	.316	.478	.794
1998	MON	97	357	54	107	21	2	17	58	30	57	16	7	.300	.363	.513	.875
1999	MON	138	539	83	168	26	6	22	64	32	85	10	6	.312	.359	.505	.863
2000	MON	75	290	52	89	24	0	11	54	28	67	5	1	.307	.370	.503	.873
2000	CHC	19	67	7	22	2	0	2	7	5	12	0	2	.328	.392	.448	.840
2001	CHC	95	323	43	99	19	1	17	50	26	56	1	0	.307	.371	.529	.900
2002	NYY	126	455	59	109	21	0	14	62	25	86	1	2	.240	.288	.378	.666
2003	KC	22	75	13	26	6	1	4	21	6	8	0	0	.347	.400	.613	1.013
2003	SD	115	413	49	115	17	3	18	66	25	71	1	4	.278	.330	.465	.795
2004	DET	121	448	76	121	21	2	19	67	39	77	1	2	.270	.337	.453	.790
2005	DET	97	374	49	117	24	3	12	53	17	48	1	0	.313	.348	.489	.837
Career		1337	4911	716	1417	275	33	187	710	343	852	93	46	.289	.343	.472	.815

Player Profile: Bobby Hill 2B Padres

Fantasy Impact:

In my opinion Bobby Hill can still be a star for both MLB and fantasy leagues. He won't hit for an amazing average although his average shouldn't hurt you. He has a very good idea about how to get on base. If the Padres put Hill in the leadoff or second spot in the order he'll start stealing bases again and that is the strength of Bobby Hill. Playing a whole season at leadoff you might get fifty steals from Hill. Spend a dollar on Hill or use your last pick of the draft on him. Not many will be advocating such a move I'm sure but its finally time for Hill to get his shot don't miss out.

Background:
Bobby Hill has had a raw deal the last few years. After being a star in high school and being drafted in the fifth round by the then California Angels. He chose not to sign and went to the University of Miami where he became a huge college star. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the second round but didn’t sign (Scott Boras…’nuff said). He played with the Independent Newark Bears where he was incredible. He hit .326 and stole 81 bases. The Cubs drafted him in the second round in 2000 and it was pretty unanimous that Hill wouldn’t need long in the minors. Then he ran into Don Baylor who preferred Delino Deshields and questioned Hill’s attitude. Hill never got another real shot. He was traded to the Pirates and despite spending most of four years in the majors has accumulated only 523 career at-bats. All the while with the Pirates Hill, as an occasional starter and pinch hitter, had a .343obp and sat on the bench behind not one but two infielders (Jose Castillo and Jack Wilson) who are just barely capable of .300obp. Now Hill is finally free of the Pirates thanks to the Padres who will finally give Hill a chance to compete for a job. The bad news is he must compete with top prospect Josh Barfield. Hill has been mediocre with the glove thus far but I expect that with regular playing time that would improve.

Statistics:

Year	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2002	CHC	59	190	26	48	7	2	4	20	17	42	6	1	.253	.327	.374	.701
2003	CHC	5	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	.250	.400	.250	.650
2003	PIT	1	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.333	.500	.333	.833
2004	PIT	126	233	28	62	7	2	2	27	20	39	0	3	.266	.353	.339	.692
2005	PIT	58	93	12	25	6	0	0	11	9	17	0	0	.269	.343	.333	.676
Career		249	523	67	137	20	4	6	58	48	100	6	4	.262	.343	.350	.693

Player Profile: Rocco Baldelli

Fantasy Impact:
Assuming Rocco Baldelli is back to 100% he should be a solid player for 2006. It is tough to assume he's healthy after the bad luck Baldelli experienced last year. I'm basing my optimism on the large contract the D'Rays gave him after missing the entire 2005 season with a torn ACL and then Tommy John Surgery in July. What worries me most is the possible loss of speed after his injuries. Back to normal I'd feel comfortable predicting a .280/20/80/25 season. He doesn't draw many walks but was making progress on controlling strikeouts before getting hurt. If he can play he'll be the D'Ray centerfielder.

Background:
As Baldelli flashed thru the minors he was often compared to Yankee Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio. He probably should have been the 2003 American League Rookie of the Year. He faced stiff competition from Hideki Matsui and Angel Berroa. Many belive that players coming from the Japanese leagues shouldn't be elidgible for the ROY award. Berroa had a good season but turned out to be a one hit wonder. Despite his injuries the Devil Rays signed Baldelli to a six year $32 million contract.


Statistics:

Year	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2003	TB	156	637	89	184	32	8	11	78	30	128	27	10	.289	.326	.416	.742
2004	TB	136	518	79	145	27	3	16	74	30	88	17	4	.280	.326	.436	.762
Career		292	1155	168	329	59	11	27	152	60	216	44	14	.285	.326	.425	.751

Finding Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

A Fantasy Baseball Sleeper means something different to every owner out there. Most people define a sleeper as a player who is underrated and unknown. If you are in a 13 Team National League Only League you will have a much different view of who is and isn't a sleeper than the person in a 10 Team Mixed League. Victor Diaz may be undraftable in your league but invaluable in mine. Read More Below...

The big question isn't really who is a sleeper (it isn't ???) but rather how to find a sleeper. The easy answer is to know more than your opponents. There is no doubt that knowledge is power in fantasy baseball. But in tougher leagues you may find yourself evenly matched with your opponents. You all know that Mike Lowell has declined the last couple of years and majorly in 2005. You will all also know that Fenway Park tends to add life to a flyball hitting slugger's numbers. You may also know that Lowell's decline coinsided with the testing for steroids. The difference in a league where you have many knowledgeable owners is the ability to put your knowledge into context. Is Mike Lowell automatically the starter? Why? Because he has a big contract? What does that mean for Kevin Youkilis? Who starts at first? Even if Lowell starts how much of a chance will he get? How will a potential Manny trade impact Lowell? or Youkilis? These are the type of questions you have to ask yourself constantly.

The purpose of this site will be to try and provide the context for your knowledge. I'll point you to good sources of that context. I'll give you profiles of players. I'll keep you up to date on player news. I'll give you a regular dose of sleepers some for the ten team yahoo league and some for the thirteen team ultra only league. Feel free to send me your rosters and I'll help you with your keeper lists. E-mail me anytime at bigjon_2002@hotmail.com or just comment on this site.

Coming right up? Some infield sleepers you may find interesting.

Reds Trade Sean Casey to the Pirates

Cross Brad Eldred off your list for 2006. The Pirates have acquired Sean Casey for Dave Williams a left handed starter who after years of injuries has started to establish himself. The Pirates want Eldred to get more seasoning in the minors. Despite hitting forty homeruns in the minors and majors last year he had over 150 strikeouts. The Pirates have money to spend and they've chosen to spend it on Casey rather than the gigantic hole at third (and short and second in my opinion).

Check out this story about the trade:

The Pittsburgh native Casey, 31, did not want to discuss the details of the deal until after returning to Pittsburgh to complete his physical with the club. But he did express initial disappointment upon hearing his name included in trade rumors this winter.

"I want to retire with the Cincinnati Reds. I don't want to go anywhere," Casey said. " I love Cincinnati, the fans, the team and the charitable work that I do. If I have to go, and I hope I don't, Pittsburgh is the best place because that is where I was born and raised."

By adding Casey, the Pirates address their need for a left-handed run producer at first base to bat behind All-Star Jason Bay. A three-time National League All-Star, Casey has a .305 career batting average with 118 home runs and 605 RBIs in nine big-league seasons, eight of which he spent in Cincinnati.

Casey batted .324 with 24 home runs and 99 RBIs in 2004 but saw his power numbers fall off significantly last season after he sustained a left shoulder injury in May while diving for a foul ball. Casey was batting .312 with nine home runs and 58 RBIs when he suffered a season-ending concussion at PNC Park on Sept. 16 following a collision at first base with Pirates catcher Humberto Cota.

Also check this story on the impact on Brad Eldred:

The addition of Casey, even if he is not signed beyond 2006, allows the Pirates to give powerful first base prospect Brad Eldred another year to improve his pitch selection, contact and defense at Triple-A. Eldred combined to club 40 home runs in the Minor Leagues and big leagues last season, but he also struck out 159 times in 469 at-bats.

If you can stash Eldred away do it. He'll be back in 2007 and he has some serious power. I'll have more on the fantasy impact of this and the other Hot Stove Transactions soon.

Prospect Profiles - Rich Hill

I have a weakness in fantasy baseball. Prospects. Prospects are my kryptonite. For those of you into Superman (or with a girlfriend who watches Smallville) I don't have to tell you there are many types of kryptonite. There is the regular old Green Kryptonite which will kill Superman but slowly (albeit painfully). But what we're talking about here is Red Kryptonite. Red Kryptonite doesn't kill Superman it changes his personality, his caution and restraint go out the window. Unlike Superman I've learned to avoid the Green Kryptonite but the red stuff? It catches me everytime. On this site we will avoid the Green Kryptonite Prospects and concentrate on the Red Kryptonite guys. Why? Because in Fantasy Baseball the green guys will cause you serious pain. With the Red guys at least you'll have fun. I'll let you know when we get to the Black Kryptonite, that is some heavy stuff!

Rich Hill might sneak past a few guys in your league. He led the minors with a 13.4 K/9IP in 2005. His control went from terrible in his earlier minor league days to pretty damn amazing for AAA Iowa in 2005. Yeah? you might say. So, how is that supposed to help me get Hill cheap?you might add. Simple. Take a look at Rich Hill's numbers in the majors last year:

	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
2005	CHC	10	4	0	2	0	0	0	23.2	25	24	24	3	17	21	9.13	1.77	.260
Career		10	4	0	2	0	0	0	23.2	25	24	24	3	17	21	9.13	1.77	.260

Yeah, I don't care what league you're in those numbers will scare off the casual bidders no question. Hill's control went away with his promotion to the majors. He simply lost track of what sent him flying thru the minors in 2005. That was throwing strikes in case you weren't paying attention. He'll be better when he returns in 2005, especially if he gets to start the season with the team. Flying thru the system from A to AA to AAA to the majors takes a toll on a player. I'm confident he'll be fine. The Cubs are so confident that he's ready they're shopping Mark Prior and Kerry Wood around for a big time bat. Bobby Abreu? Maybe, but a rotaion of Zambrano, Prior, Wood and Hill would be damn fun to watch. Damn fun.

Okay here's his deal: Rich Hill has an amazing curveball. An unhittable 12-to-6 curveball. That combined with a low 90's fastball that he's finally learned to control (he attributes it to greater mental focus, the coaches say he cleaned up his delivery - whatever, right?) His change-up is constantly improving. And he's a lefty, which guarantees the opportunity will be there. He's 26 so the time is now. A big huge chunk of Red Kryptonite.