Joyce taking grounders at 1B: The Tampa Bay Times reports that Rays OF Matt Joyce has been taking defensive practice at first base. Joyce, who has never played first base in the majors, is not in line for a position change, but the Rays want to see if he can fill in as a defensive replacement. Rays infield coach Tom Foley explained the move, saying, “This is just, hit him some ground balls over there to see how he looks. That’s it. He’s taking ground balls. He’s still (the) right fielder...We just want to get an idea if there’s somebody else who can go over there.’’ (Updated 01/11/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/15/12).
Fantasy Analysis
If Joyce shows he can handle the position, it will increase his flexibility and possibly earn him some extra at-bats. In the bigger picture, though, it won't increase his Fantasy value significantly. Joyce remains a late-round option for owners in standard mixed leagues. (Updated 01/11/2012).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
After kicking around in the minors for the better part of two seasons, Matt Joyce finally became the fixture in the Rays lineup that most onlookers expected him to become when the team acquired him from the Tigers prior to 2009. And the results, by most indications, were all you could have hoped for in Fantasy. He hit for power. He drew some walks. He even stole a few bases. But before you pencil him in for another step forward in his age-27 season, keep in mind that his performance in 2011 was more than a little front-loaded. Of Joyce's 19 homers, nine came in the first two months, when he hit .370 with a 1.066 OPS. Kind of helps explain the All-Star nod, doesn't it? Joyce hit only .226 with a .691 OPS the rest of the way -- a full two-thirds of the season -- to give Fantasy owners a reason to wonder if he's really the man for the job. His first full season was a mixed bag for sure, but through it all, Joyce continued to hit right-handers well, which means he'll at least remain a platoon player in a worst-case scenario. Because the jury's still out on his exact upside, you should wait until the late rounds to select him in mixed leagues. (Updated 2/13/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
