fantasy baseball - who is the next braun?

by yoda1 on Jan 26, 2008 1:42 AM EST Comment 21 comments

Obviously it is impossible to predict a breakout season like Braun's 2007. However, it seems like more and more teams are aggressively advancing their youngsters to the big leagues. It also seems like the top consensus prospects like Delmon, Gordon, etc are not the ones that make the most immediate impact.

The top names I see going into the season are Rasmus, Bruce, Upton, Longoria, Maybin. Which of these youngsters (or anyone else) do you think will make the biggest impact in 2008 and why?

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Bruce...

he's the most advanced hitter of the bunch in my book.

by DJSkillz on Jan 26, 2008 2:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Doubt anybody

Not many rookies can put up those numbers. When was the last time before Braun? Pujols?

But my pick would be Andy LaRoche if the Dodgers give him a chance. Great patience at the plate, lots of power, and he can hit for a high average.

by nyy601 on Jan 26, 2008 2:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

No one

What Braun did last year doesn't happen too often by a rookie. If someone puts up a Tulo like offensive season they generally will run away with the ROY.

http://www.redsminorleagues.com

by dougdirt on Jan 26, 2008 3:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not to poop the party,

But would I be out of line by predicting a Ryan Braun doesn't show himself for the next few seasons?

by elrey34 on Jan 26, 2008 3:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

No...

I agree. Noone is likely to produce that, at least not at his rate over 3-4 months.

I thought the question was more about who is likely to be the most "impact" guy this year. To me Bruce fits that bill.

by DJSkillz on Jan 26, 2008 4:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rasmus

Knows the strikezone good and hit for better power in AA than Braun or Gordon did. Bruce will IMO struggle because of his lack of knowledge of the strikezone.

by Bravesin07 on Jan 26, 2008 8:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

While I agree Rasmus walks more and may know the strike zone a little better, he did strike out over 100 times last season...

by goose102977 on Jan 26, 2008 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

With Edmonds in SD and Ankiel better suited for a corner OF position, Rasmus is poised to have a Braun -like breakout in 2008.

by bryeic on Jan 26, 2008 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah bruce struck out once a game

by Bravesin07 on Jan 26, 2008 10:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Longoria

Though I have Bruce and Maybin in my keeper league, I'd have to go with Longoria here. I worry about the K rates of the other two. Also, I think that college hitters generally are better equipped to deal with the pressure at first. He's been brought along slowly and is likely to be more ready. I hope Maybin gets more time in the minors, actually. In the long run it'll help him.

by laughlin on Jan 26, 2008 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Evan Longoria will have an opportunity to claim the thirdbase position out of ST and be poised to put up Braun-type numbers too!

by bryeic on Jan 26, 2008 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

PS

I also think Ellsbury could have a fantastic rookie season...unlikely he keeps up the numbers he put up at the end of last season, but he's hitting in a great lineup and seems to have the makeup to succeed right away.

by laughlin on Jan 26, 2008 11:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Justin Upton

Don't forget what Hunter Pence and Chris Young did last year, and Matt Kemp the year before, was pretty special. Even Corey Hart got busy from day one. Then there was Fausto last year, Francisco and Josh Johnson the year before.

I got Justin Upton making the adjustment and putting up great numbers; Cameron Maybin winning hte cf job in Florida, having a good April, being the new sensation, and cooling off thereafter; Matt Antonelli tearing up aaa ball, coming up in May and being unfairly compared to Braun.

Andrew Miller will throw an absolute gem every third start, particularly against the the left handed Phillies.

Then, of course there's Billy Butler's breakout coming this year.

Elijah Dukes performs stellarly off the bench for DC, hits a couple ph home runs, stays on his best behavior until winning a starting job, then gets in a bar fight at Platinum after some dude scoops up the chick Dukes had been tryin' to get at all night. In fantasy, he'll be a major sleeper if you got room to take the risk.

Hmmm, the Cardinals will be very pleased with Brian Barton occasionally playing in the Cardinals outfield. Well enough to keep Rasmus down for his finishing touches until mid-August or so.

How about a mid season trade to the AL for Matt Laporta and a super second half performance?

Matt Garza doesn't take the trade to Tampa very well and Sonnanstine just won't get AL East hitters out. David Price, after a rocky April and better April-June, gets a mid-July call-up and performs well but with 'only' a decent k%, say 14%.

The Rays rally in the second half towards a possible wild card and bring Jacob McGee or Wade Davis, put Garza in the bullpen where he dominates and becomes their full-time closer.

Gio Gonzalez strikes out 22% but doesn't perform well otherwise, goes back for more seasoning in May, dividing the prospecting community.

Adam Jones gets off to a slow start in the majors, while Balentien absolutely DESTROYS aaa pitching, again dividing the prospecting community.

Feel good story of the year, Dallas McPherson makes a club.

by smittybanton on Jan 26, 2008 11:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Elijah Dukes

I know that sentiment about Dukes on this BLOG site but you cannot ignore his potential impact on a new team with no clear cut OF positions claimed.

IMO, Longoria, Rasmus and Maybin will be given equal opportunity to claim starting positions for their respective MLB teams this Spring but Dukes can potentially put up huge number in Washington!

by bryeic on Jan 26, 2008 1:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pena, Kearns, Milledge ... oh my!

All three of these players could be considered 4th outfielders on a good team and would hardly qualify as a road block for Elijah Dukes. If Dukes has a good ST, he'l get the opportunity to put up Braun-type numbers.

As far as Dukes being a danger to society, that's a joke! Paternity issues aside and he-said, she-said accusations, Dukes has done nothing that would consider him to be dangerous.

Immature yes, dangerous no.

by bryeic on Jan 26, 2008 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha

They hardly gualify for a guy that hit .190 in the majors last year? I'm not sure what Dukes sucks at more, being a good citizen or hitting RHP.

by nyy601 on Jan 26, 2008 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

qualify*

by nyy601 on Jan 26, 2008 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

um

i hate to break this to you bud but he doesnt have more potential then milledge.

by High Heater on Jan 27, 2008 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

5 Tool Talent

Again, outside of his immaturity, Dukes is still a young baseball phenom that will post Albert Belle like numbers if given the chance.

Obviously, either you guys are 1) TB fans, 2) player haters, or 3) media from TB that nothing to write about now!

I would venture to say three because you do not know how to evaluate talent unbiasly.

by bryeic on Jan 28, 2008 8:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No one will repeat that

in fact, Braun will have problems repeating those numbers. Braun is good but he was out of his mind for 4 months. He will most likely put the same numbers but in a full season this time.

I don't see anyone repeating those numbers. I agree with Doug, numbers like Tulo are more likely.

The Reds are finally making a move!

by Rupe34 on Jan 26, 2008 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs