Rafael Furcal was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 23. Furcal, who has been sidelined with a sprained left ankle, will be eligible to come off the DL on April 7, but Dodgers manager Grady Little won’t set that date in stone. "We have hopes that he'll be ready to play [April 7], but we're not going to play him until he's ready," Little said.
Source: MLB.com
New Milwaukee base running coach Ed Sedar predicted that Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart will not be the only Brewers with double-digit stolen base totals this season; Prince Fielder and Bill Hall, the likely Nos. 3 and 4 hitters, could get there, too. It’s hard to imagine the 260-pound Fielder going crazy on the base paths, though he could conceivably steal a few more bases than the average lead-footed first baseman if given the green light. Hall, on the other hand, swiped 18 bags in 2005 before dipping to eight last year, so he could be primed to once again contribute more in that category.
Source: MLB.com
J.J. Hardy will bat second in the Brewers lineup this season. Hardy will certainly see pitches to hit batting between leadoff man Rickie Weeks and slugger Prince Fielder, giving the 24-year-old shortstop a good opportunity to put his injury-shortened 2006 season firmly behind him. More of an all-around fundamentals guy than someone with one overriding strength, Hardy's a decent middle-infield option in NL-only play who -- if healthy -- can provide a respectable batting average, eight to 12 homers and a fair amount of runs.
Source: MLB.com
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal sprained his left ankle Thursday when he collided with teammate Jason Repko after catching a fly ball in short center field but doesn't figure to miss much playing time. "I thought I had broken it, but I'm glad it's only sprained," a relieved Furcal said after the Dodgers lost to Baltimore. "I was relieved with the results. I had a similar injury in 2002 with the Braves in spring training," Furcal said. "I may be out four or five days. I could play if it's 80 percent. You don't always play at 100 percent -- sometimes you play hurt."
Stan Conte, the Dodgers' director of medical services, said he believes Furcal will be sidelined for about a week. "We're very thankful that it wasn't more serious than what it was," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "Hopefully, he'll get back out there in a much shorter period than we thought initially." Furcal, a 29-year-old switch hitter, batted .300 with 15 homers, 63 RBI, 37 stolen bases and 113 runs scored for Los Angeles last season - his first with the team. He played six seasons with Atlanta before signing a three-year, $39 million contract with the Dodgers. Furcal is easily a top-10 Fantasy shortstop when healthy.
Source: CBS SportsLine.com
Facing big-league pitchers for the first time since Aug. 21, Bobby Crosby (back) batted second in the A's lineup Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Crosby lost many fantasy admirers during his 2006 disappointment (.228/.298/.338). By the same token, his fall-off makes him an appealing purchase on draft day, too. Only 26, Crosby carries little risk as a third-tier shortstop, was a stud throughout his college and Minor League career, and has the utmost support from the Oakland organization. When the Orlando Cabreras and Edgar Renterias of the world are off the board, pull Crosby's card.
Source: MLB.com
Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal was carted off the field with a left ankle injury sustained when he collided with center fielder Jason Repko in the first inning of Thursday's game against Baltimore. The initial diagnosis was a sprained ankle. Furcal was taken to a hospital for X-rays.
Furcal was racing into shallow center field and Repko was charging for Corey Patterson's blooper when Repko slid and appeared to pin Furcal's left foot on the ground as they made contact. Furcal grabbed his left leg and rolled in pain until teammates and trainers attended to him.
Furcal played in the opening game of the spring, then missed 10 days with a repeat of shoulder tenderness he experienced last spring. Otherwise, he has been something of an iron man for the Dodgers, playing in 159 games last season.
Source: MLB.com
Hanley Ramirez exited Tuesday’s game after just one at-bat with tightness in his right groin. Ramirez would like to return to the lineup Thursday, following the Marlins’ off-day, but manager Fredi Gonzalez likely isn’t going to take any chances with the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year winner. “We'll see,” said Gonzalez. “We'll let our medical people examine him. If it's not Thursday, it's Friday." Ramirez initially tweaked his groin area a few days before while sprinting to first base.
Source: MLB.com
Troy Tulowitzki, the 2005 first-round draft choice out of Long Beach State, has won the battle, unseating incumbent Clint Barmes. Tulowitzki has continued to show impressive defensive skills and a run-producing bat, while Barmes has been unable to shake the offensive inconsistency that haunted him last year. The versatility of Jamey Carroll and Jeff Baker - and the need to get them regular at-bats - means Barmes could be the starting shortstop for Triple-A Colorado Springs or could be traded. The Rangers and Cubs have interest in him as a super sub, but the Rockies want more in return than what a utility player would bring.
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Tulowitzki spring stats (through March 20):
| BA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB |
| .344 | 32 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
Mets SS Jose Reyes hit his fourth spring homer during Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He is now 16-for-47 (.340) with 10 runs, one double, one triple, eight RBI and seven stolen bases in 14 spring games. Reyes is having an unreal spring campaign. He is certainly justifying his ranking among the top five Fantasy options in mixed leagues. If this is just a sample of things to come, how can you not get excited about his 2007 prospectus.
Source: CBS SportsLine.com
2007 Top 15 Shortstop Rankings
Jose Reyes
1. Jose Reyes, New York Mets
2006 stats: .300 average, 647 at-bats, 122 runs, 19 home runs, 81 RBI, 30 doubles, 17 triples, 64 stolen bases, 53 walks, 81 strikeouts, 153 games
2007 outlook: The 23 year-old Reyes improved his pitch selectivity and his walk/strikeout ratio, resulting in a 27-point increase in his batting average (.300) and a 54-point jump in his OBP. Reyes also crushed 19 home runs and drove in 81 runs. His home run total more than doubled his 2005 total and he matched his ridiculous triples total from 2005 with 17. He became the first Major League player to steal at least 60 bases in back-to-back seasons since Kenny Lofton accomplished the feat in 1993 and 1994. Look for more of the same from Reyes in 2007 with further advancement of his power numbers.
2. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
2006 stats: .344 average, 623 at-bats, 118 runs, 14 home runs, 97 RBI, 39 doubles, 3 triples, 34 stolen bases, 69 walks, 102 strikeouts, 154 games
2007 outlook: Jeter posted a phenomenal season for the Yankees in 2006, perhaps his best ever. He set new career marks in doubles (39), stolen bases (34) and batting average (.344) while posting his highest RBI total since 1999 (97). The Yankees will undoubtedly rank among the league's highest-scoring lineups, with Jeter leading the attack. He has played in 148 or more games in 10 of his 11 Major League seasons, delivering 100 or more runs 10 times and double-digit home runs and stolen bases in 11 consecutive seasons with a career .317 batting average.
3. Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles
2006 stats: .330 average, 648 at-bats, 99 runs, 24 home runs, 100 RBI, 37 doubles, 0 triples, 6 stolen bases, 46 walks, 79 strikeouts, 162 games
2007 outlook: Tejada is becoming the new definition of "Iron Man" in Baltimore. He has now played in every game for six consecutive seasons and has not appeared in fewer than 159 games since 1998. He's averaged 28 home runs and 112 RBI per season for the past eight years. Tejada also established a new career mark with a .330 batting average in 2006. His power numbers declined slightly, but much of that can be attributed to his supporting cast. The Orioles added Aubrey Huff and Jay Payton to bolster the heart of the order, and that should allow Tejada to see better pitches. Expect .300-25-100.
4. Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies
2006 stats: .277 average, 689 at-bats, 127 runs, 25 home runs, 83 RBI, 45 doubles, 9 triples, 36 stolen bases, 57 walks, 80 strikeouts, 158 games
2007 outlook: In 2006, Rollins established new career marks in runs (127), doubles (45), RBI (83), and home runs (25). He has played in 154 games or more the last six seasons. Rollins has averaged 38 doubles, 14 home runs and 34 stolen bases for the past six seasons and is just now hitting his power prime. Expect big things for Rollins in 2007 hitting in the potent Phillies lineup and hitter friendly ball park.
5. Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
2006 stats: .292 average, 633 at-bats, 119 runs, 17 home runs, 59 RBI, 46 doubles, 11 triples, 51 stolen bases, 56 walks, 128 strikeouts, 158 games
2007 outlook: In 2006, Ramirez won the National League Rookie of the Year. He was expected to offer speed, batting average and runs, but nobody could have expected him to generate 17 home runs and 74 extra-base hits as a rookie. The 23-year old rookie improved as the season progressed (his batting average rose 51 points) and he hit an impressive .282 at home (Dolphins Stadium). The core is there for the Marlins to score runs, and Ramirez will only get better with time. Expect Ramirez to continue making strides in the plate discipline department (128 whiffs) and end up with .300-20-70 with 50 steals in 2007.
6. Michael Young, Texas Rangers
2006 stats: .314 average, 691 at-bats, 93 runs, 14 home runs, 103 RBI, 52 doubles, 3 triples, 7 stolen bases, 48 walks, 96 strikeouts, 162 games
2007 outlook: Young has been one of the most consistent players at shortstop over the past four years. He has hit .300 or higher in four consecutive seasons with 204 or more base hits in each season, while only missing a total of seven games. Young notched new career-highs in doubles (52) and RBI (103) in 06. The Rangers retain one of the most explosive lineups in the game, and have one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the Major Leagues. Expect 15-20 HR, 90 RBI, .300 plus.
7. Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers
2006 stats: .300 average, 654 at-bats, 113 runs, 15 home runs, 63 RBI, 32 doubles, 9 triples, 37 stolen bases, 73 walks, 98 strikeouts, 159 games
2007 outlook: Furcal thrived in new surroundings playing for the Dodgers in 2006. He played in a career-high 159 games and established new career highs in RBI (63) and batting average (.300) and tied his career high with 15 home runs. Furcal scored 100 runs for the fourth consecutive season and swiped 37 bases. He has seven consecutive seasons with at least 22 steals. Furcal has reached double-digit home runs in four consecutive seasons as well, and 12 of his 15 home runs in 2006 came at Dodger Stadium. He also hit at a .333 clip in the home park, which should lead to another solid season in 2007.
8. Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers
2006 stats: .320 average, 543 at-bats, 100 runs, 19 home runs, 85 RBI, 41 doubles, 5 triples, 20 stolen bases, 71 walks, 87 strikeouts, 153 games
2007 outlook: Guillen rebounded impressively from his injury-plagued 2005 season with an effort similar to his 2004 breakout season. He hit .320 to rank fourth among qualifying shortstops and slammed 65 extra-base hits, including a career-high 41 doubles. Guillen swiped a career-high 20 bases on 29 attempts. The Tigers return all of the firepower from the World Series squad and added slugger Gary Sheffield in the off-season. In this lineup, Guillen will match his power and speed numbers and likely notch his first 100-RBI campaign.
9. Bill Hall, Milwaukee Brewers
2006 stats: .270 average, 537 at-bats, 101 runs, 35 home runs, 85 RBI, 39 doubles, 4 triples, 8 stolen bases, 63 walks, 162 strikeouts, 148 games
2007 outlook: Hall doubled his power production in 2006 with 35 home runs to lead all shortstops and also notched new career-high marks in runs (101) and RBI (85). Unfortunately, Hall regressed in his batting average (down 21 points) and stolen bases (down 10) and watched his strikeout rate rise markedly (162). Hall struck out 59 more times than in 2005 in only 36 more at-bats. That's one area of concern for Brewers management and will be the focal point of his off-season and spring training workouts. He should improve his contact rate and cut down on the K's, but it could lead to a drop in his HR total.
10. Felipe Lopez, Washington Nationals
2006 stats: .274 average, 617 at-bats, 98 runs, 11 home runs, 52 RBI, 27 doubles, 3 triples, 44 stolen bases, 81 walks, 126 strikeouts, 156 games
2007 outlook: Lopez moved to Washington from Cincinnati during the 2006 season, and his power numbers predictably fell (23 in 2005 to 11 in 2006). However, Lopez continued to produce a solid batting average (.281 for Washington) and stole 21 bases to bring his season total to 44. His main value for fantasy owners in 2007 will come via his legs, as it's unlikely that he finds a big boost in the power game at RFK Stadium. Expect him to hit into the gaps and top 30 doubles with 30 stolen bases and 90-100 runs scores. In most fantasy leagues he should be eligible at SS and 2B.
11. Julio Lugo, Boston Red Sox
2006 stats: .278 average, 435 at-bats, 69 runs, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 22 doubles, 2 triples, 24 stolen bases, 39 walks, 76 strikeouts, 122 games
2007 outlook: Lugo assumes the reins in Boston after splitting the 2006 season between the Devil Rays and Dodgers. He struggled terribly with the Dodgers, hitting a weak .219 with zero home runs after achieving a .308 clip with 12 home runs for the Devil Rays. Lugo moves to a more hitter-friendly environment for 2007, so we can discount his 49 games with the Dodgers to some degree. Lugo has stolen 21 or more bases in three consecutive seasons with an average of 45 extra-base hits. He should post decent numbers hitting at the top of the Red Sox lineup.
12. Edgar Renteria, Atlanta Braves
2006 stats: .293 average, 598 at-bats, 100 runs, 14 home runs, 70 RBI, 40 doubles, 2 triples, 17 stolen bases, 62 walks, 89 strikeouts, 149 games
2007 outlook: Renteria went back to the National League in 2006, and regained his comfort zone in Atlanta. He has played in an average of 150 games since 1999 with seven double-digit home run and stolen base seasons. Playing in Atlanta, Renteria nearly doubled his stolen base total from his one season in Boston (from nine to 17). He achieved his highest home run total since 2000 and reached 70 RBI for the fifth consecutive year. Expect similiar numbers in 2007, .288 with 15 home runs, 15-20 stolen bases, 70-80 RBI and 100 runs scored.
13. Orlando Cabrera, Los Angeles Angels
2006 stats: .282 average, 607 at-bats, 95 runs, 9 home runs, 72 RBI, 45 doubles, 1 triple, 27 stolen bases, 51 walks, 58 strikeouts, 153 games
2007 outlook: Cabrera improved in his second season in Los Angeles, raising his batting average by 25 points to .282 with 45 doubles. He has stolen 19 or more bases in four of the past five seasons. Cabrera is durable, he has played in 141 or more games in six consecutive years. He has an excellent strikeout-to-walk ratio and last season tied his career high with 95 runs scored. Expect .280-10-70 with 90 runs scored and 20 plus steals.
14. Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks
2006 stats: .316 average, 209 at-bats, 27 runs, 5 home runs, 23 RBI, 13 doubles, 7 triples, 2 stolen bases, 14 walks, 50 strikeouts, 59 games
2007 outlook: Drew played in 59 games as a rookie with the Diamondbacks we got a glimpse of just how effective he can be in the second half of the 2006 campaign. Drew hit for a strong .316 batting average with 25 extra-base hits in 209 at-bats, which projects to a strong full season. He hit .364 in 31 home games. At 23 years of age and with only 59 Major League games under his belt, predicting numbers is tough, but the future is bright for Drew. He is worth taking as a late round sleeper.
15. Jhonny Peralta, Cleveland Indians
2006 stats: .257 average, 569 at-bats, 84 runs, 13 home runs, 68 RBI, 28 doubles, 3 triples, 0 stolen bases, 56 walks, 152 strikeouts, 149 games
2007 outlook: Expectations were high for Peralta after his phenomenal 2005 season, and those owners who nabbed him early were left disappointed. His batting averaged dropped 35 points from 2005 and his home run output dropped by half. He did finish the year with a respectable 44 extra-base hits and 68 RBI. The Indians will should score a lot of runs in 2007, which will help Peralta's stats. Additionally, after struggling with blurry vision in 2006, Peralta underwent eye surgery to correct the problem in December. He resisted suggestions to wear contact lenses for almost the entire 2006 season, but he finally caved in and produced a .348 batting average over a seven-game stretch to finish the year. Granted, that is a small sample, but the 24 year-old could rebound in 2007 now that he can actually see the ball.
The best of the rest...
16. Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates
17. Bobby Crosby, Oakland Athletics
18. Yuniesky Betancourt, Seattle Mariners
19. Khalil Greene, San Diego Padres
20. Omar Vizquel, San Francisco Giants
21. Jason Bartlett, Minnesota Twins
22. Rich Aurilia, San Francisco Giants
23. J.J. Hardy, Milwaukee Brewers
24. Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays
25. Juan Uribe, Chicago White Sox
Angel Berroa has gone from 2003 AL Rookie of the Year to possibly losing his job as the Kansas City Royals' starting shortstop. After the Royals defeated the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, manager Buddy Bell worked with Berroa in the batting cages. Giants left-hander Barry Zito struck out Berroa twice -- giving Berroa 12 strikeouts in 26 at-bats during spring training with no walks. Bell said Berroa will be competing for the starting job with Alex Gonzalez, who has started for the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs, and prospect Andres Blanco.
"It is open," Bell said. "We still want Angel to be the shortstop. We still expect him to be the shortstop, but that could change in the next couple of days. He has to play better. He knows that. He wants to play better. Angel is still ahead. That is a decision that more than likely will go down to the end."
Berroa hit .287 with 17 homers, 92 runs and 21 steals as a rookie. In 2006, Berroa faded to .234 with nine homers, 68 runs and three stolen bases in four attempts. He grounded into 21 double plays and his .190 road batting average was the worst in the AL.
Source: AP
Bob Melvin shot down the notion that he was considering batting young shortstop Stephen Drew first in the order. "I don't really know if I want him in the leadoff spot," Melvin said. "He can drive in runs, hit behind runners, can be fairly aggressive, probably isn't the highest walk guy we have.” Prospective owners should take note; Drew would likely collect more runs and stolen bases while batting leadoff, but should see more RBI opportunities wherever he winds up.
Source: MLB.com
Brewers manager Ned Yost said he is considering batting shortstop J.J. Hardy in the No. 2 hole this year. A serious ankle injury limited Hardy to 128 at-bats in 2006, but he’s looked impressive while ringing up a .381 average and three doubles over six games this spring. Batting second would give the 24-year-old shortstop the opportunity to score more runs and see better pitches with the formidable Prince Fielder lurking on deck.
Source: MLB.com
Colorado Rockies
Candidates:
Troy Tulowitzki
Clint Barmes
Edge: None--Most Rockies fans and fantasy baseball prognosticators would love to hand this job to Troy Tulowitzki, but manager Clint Hurdle isn't out to simply please us. Tulowitzki, a first-round pick in the 2005 draft, took over for Clint Barmes in September of last season. The two are now battling this spring. Barmes, 28, is a quality defender who is trying to re-find his swing. Tulowitzki, 22, is the future stud who may need a bit more seasoning.
Toronto Blue Jays
Candidates:
Royce Clayton
John McDonald
Edge: Royce Clayton--The 37-year-old Clayton will likely open the season as the starter. However, John McDonald started 76 games at the spot last year and may split the job with Clayton. Either way, there's not much to like here for fantasy baseball owners.
Washington Nationals
Candidates:
Cristian Guzman
Felipe Lopez
Edge: Cristian Guzman--In 2006, Guzman missed the entire season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. He has experienced further soreness this spring, but Guzman is hitting and expects to field in an exhibition game within the coming weeks. If healthy, Guzman is the starter. If not, Felipe Lopez may move from second to short, and Ronnie Belliard could move into the starting lineup.
Oakland Athletics
Candidates:
Bobby Crosby
Marco Scutaro
Edge: Bobby Crosby--As fantasy owners know, Crosby has not been the picture of healthy over the past two seasons. He is still rehabbing following back surgery, and Marco Scutaro has been starting in his place. Crosby has been swinging a bat, but we're not going to consider him the clear-cut starter until he gets on the field and shows he's up to the job. At 27, Crosby's potential remains intriguing, especially compared to the offensive stats Scutaro provides.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Candidates:
Ben Zobrist
B.J. Upton
Edge: Ben Zobrist--Zobrist moved up from Double-A to Triple-A to the majors (and from Houston to Tampa Bay) in 2006, and he took over the starting gig for the Rays. Many fantasy owners may not have noticed because Zobrist batted .224 with only two home runs and 10 runs over 52 games. With work like that, you'd think the Devil Rays might open up the job this spring, but it basically belongs to this 25-year-old. Zobrist batted .324 with a .876 OPS over his minor league career, so we have a bit of hope for his fantasy baseball fortunes. B.J. Upton, the former shortstop of the future, is working at other positions and is not a real threat to Zobrist's job.
Source: Fanball.com
Reds manager Jerry Narron is excited to see what new shortstop Alex Gonzalez will bring to the table this year.
The impact of Gonzalez’s move to Cincinnati will be felt in a couple of ways. First, the cozy confines of Great American Ball Park may enable him to reclaim the power-hitting form he showed with the Marlins a few years ago. Then there’s the matter of his Gold Glove-caliber work on the defensive end. That won’t do anything for the shortstop’s fantasy value, but it will certainly help the members of the Reds pitching staff. Owners will want to keep that in mind when considering whether to invest high draft picks in Cincy aces Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo.
Source: MLB.com
Rangers manager Ron Washington said he’s planning on dropping Michael Young from second to third in the batting order this year.
This move boosts Young’s already lofty fantasy value, as he’ll see more at-bats with runners in scoring position and get the opportunity to surpass his career high of 103 RBIs in 2007.
Source: MLB.com
Jimmy Rollins has cracked 40 steals only twice, but running coach Davy Lopes told the Philadelphia Daily News he could break "50 without a problem." "You can't have fear. You have fear, you're dead," Lopes told the paper. "Certain basestealers have an attitude to the point of being cocky. The guys who, everybody in the ballpark knows they're stealing. The pitcher. The catcher. The manager. Even the fans."
If Rollins really does get in the 50-plus steals zone, he would be a steal in the third round of Rotisserie drafts this spring. Heck, he might even be in the lofty Jose Reyes zone. Rollins had a career year at age 27 and should be as good as anyone after Reyes or Miguel Tejada at the shortstop position this season. He's in the thick of his prime and plays in a great home hitter's park and is the catalyst for a strong lineup.
Source: CBS SportsLine.com
After struggling with blurry vision in 2006, Jhonny Peralta underwent eye surgery to correct the problem in December.
Peralta resisted suggestions to wear contact lenses for almost the entire 2006 season, but he finally caved in and produced a .348 batting average over a seven-game stretch to finish the year. Granted, that’s a small sample size, but it’s hardly a stretch to think that Peralta benefited from actually being able to see the ball. With a clearer road ahead, the 24-year-old shortstop is a good bet to rebound in 2007.
Source: MLB.com
Bobby Crosby took his first swings since being sidelined for the remainder of the 2006 season last August, when A's doctors diagnosed the shortstop with a fractured vertebra in his lower back.
One theory that's been frequently floated about Crosby's troubling injury history -- he's missed 132 games over the past two seasons -- is that he swings too hard. Manager Bob Geren said he'd want Crosby, 27, to dial back his hack only if it were in the name of improved performance. Since staying healthy is a key component to not only Crosby's success but also the A's 2007 playoff hopes, expect the team to bring him along slowly.
Source: MLB.com
