Forgot Log-in or  Password? |  Help  Not a member, Register Now!
Stream  beta
Go to CBSSports.com
      
2011 Draft Prep Guide
Fantasy Football Today
Downloadable Draft Kit
Mock Drafts
Draft Analyzer
Player News
Stats
Players
Depth Charts
Roster Trends
Columns
Injury Report
Projections
Rankings
Red Zone Stats
Teams
Schedules
Scores
Standings
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Premium
Office Pool Manager
Playoff Challenge
2011 Draft Prep Guide
Downloadable Draft Kit
Mock Drafts
Player News
Stats
Players
Depth Charts
Roster Trends
Columns
Injury Report
Rankings
Projections
Teams
Schedules
Weekly Planner
Probable Pitchers
Scores
Standings
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Premium
Downloadable Draft Kit
Player News
Stats
Players
Columns
Injuries
Projections
Rankings
Teams
Schedules
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Downloadable Draft Kit
Player News
Stats
Players
Columns
Injury Report
Projections
Rankings
Teams
Schedules
Mock Drafts
Scores
Standings
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Premium
Downloadable Draft Kit
Player News
Stats
Players
Columns
Injury Report
Projections
Rankings
Teams
Schedules
Mock Drafts
Scores
Standings
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Premium
No Fantasy Teams Found
 
 

Eric Mack

Highlighting top Cardinals prospects for '09

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


We are breaking down the top five prospects for each organization for 2009, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.

According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."

Note: Statistics are those at each stop in the minors this season and age represents how old they will be on opening day 2009.

St. Louis Cardinals

It wasn't long ago we didn't see much coming out of the Cardinals farm system. Baseball America only last year finally had them in the upper half of baseball in their prospect rankings. Now, we are having a hard time picking among all the fruits of their organizational rebuilding labor. They are deep in the upper levels -- meaning a lot of potential help for the big club in 2009 -- and down lower, too. A team built around Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright and a arguably the most talented coaching staff in baseball looks like it will be competitive for a long time.

1. OF Colby Rasmus, 22

Yours truly blew it last spring training. We saw a Cardinals outfielder with tremendous upside and a ridiculous swagger that was destined for greatness. We thought it was Rasmus. Instead, Ryan Ludwick slugged his way to Fantasy MVP status. Even Rick Ankiel and Skip Schumaker proved valuable at times. Rasmus? He was wallowing in Triple-A and hardly looking Fantasy worthy. Our eyes didn't deceive us, though. Rasmus might open the year in Triple-A again after his down campaign, but he is going to finish it in St. Louis and as an impact Fantasy outfielder in all leagues.

Level AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLUG OPS
Triple-A .251 90 331 56 83 15 0 11 36 131 49 72 15 3 .346 .396 .742
Low A .556 3 9 1 5 1 0 1 2 9 3 2 0 0 .667 1.000 1.667
High A .000 3 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 .182 .000 .182
Totals .252 96 349 58 88 16 0 12 38 140 53 77 15 3 .351 .401 .752

2. SP Jess Todd, 22

This Razorback product soared through the system this year and has put himself on pitching guru Dave Duncan's doorstep. Duncan usually does better with reclamation projects (see Chris Carpenter, Kyle Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer and Braden Looper) than prospects (i.e. Anthony Reyes), but Todd is arguably better than anyone in St. Louis already -- save for Adam Wainwright perhaps. Watch him for a spring training rotation spot or an in-season call-up. He could be a big winner immediately for the contending Cardinals.

Level W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO GO/AO BAA
High A 3 0 1.65 7 4 0 0 1 27 1/3 18 7 5 0 7 35 1.33 .184
Double-A 4 5 2.97 17 16 0 0 0 103 79 37 34 12 24 81 1.49 .216
Triple-A 1 1 3.97 4 4 0 0 0 22 2/3 19 10 10 4 11 20 1.14 .232
Totals 8 6 2.88 28 24 0 0 1 153 116 54 49 16 42 136 1.41 .213

3. 3B David Freese, 25

It was seemingly a veteran dumping when the Cardinals dealt Jim Edmonds to the Padres late last winter, picking up a decent but not great prospect in Freese. The Padres had Kevin Kouzmanoff in the majors and Chase Headley on the way, so Freese was expendable for what they thought was going to be a veteran defensive outfielder with pop. The Padres wound up releasing Edmonds and Freese went on to have a huge year in Triple-A. He is an ideal insurance policy for aging and oft-injured Troy Glaus and could prove to be a sleeper flier in NL-only leagues on Draft Day.

Level AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLUG OPS
Triple-A .306 131 464 83 142 29 3 26 91 255 39 111 5 2 .361 .550 .910

4. OF John Jay, 24

The Cardinals have a glut of outfielders, which is why Ludwick was rumored to have been included in a Matt Holliday package. Jay and his likely Triple-A teammates above (Rasmus) and below (see No. 5) are the next wave. Jay has speed and power and is developing more by the year after being picked in the second round out of Miami in 2006. Consider him a reserve option in 2009 but long term he profiles as a David DeJesus-like Fantasy option.

Level AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLUG OPS
Double-A .306 96 372 57 114 17 3 11 47 170 39 46 10 7 .379 .457 .836
Triple-A .345 16 58 8 20 4 1 1 10 29 6 10 0 1 .406 .500 .906
Totals .312 112 430 65 134 21 4 12 57 199 45 56 10 8 .382 .463 .845

5. OF Daryl Jones, 21

Jones came into last season with less fanfare than Rasmus or Jay and had a better year than both. Considering the level he reached and the numbers he put up at his age, he is becoming a big-time Fantasy prospect. He will be stuck behind a glut of veterans and the two prospects above, but he is a must-stash in long-term keeper leagues right now.

Level AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLUG OPS
High A .326 87 307 43 100 11 7 7 35 146 33 67 18 5 .406 .476 .881
Double-A .290 36 124 19 36 6 1 6 14 62 22 30 6 1 .409 .500 .909
Totals .316 123 431 62 136 17 8 13 49 208 55 97 24 6 .407 .483 .889

Best of the rest: SP Mitchell Boggs, C Bryan Anderson, SP Jamie Garcia, SP Tyler Herron, SP Clayton Mortensen, SP Fernando Salas, OF Shane Peterson, SP Francisco Samuel, SP Kenny Maiques, SP Blake Hawksworth, 3B Brett Wallace, RP Jason Motte, SP P.J. Walters, SP Lance Lynn, SS Pete Kozma, 3B Allen Craig, SP Adam Reifer, SS Niko Vasquez, SS Jose Martinez, SP Brad Furnish, SP Mark McCormick, SP Blake King, 1B Mark Hamilton, 1B Curt Smith, SP Luke Gregerson, SS Tyler Greene, C Luis De La Cruz, OF Reid Gorecki, OF Amaury Cazana-Marti, OF Cody Haerther, 3B Travis Hanson, SP Stuart Pomeranz, SP Scott Gorgen, SP Adam Ottavino, 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir, RP Mark Worrell, 3B Brian Barden, OF Nick Stavinoha, 3B Rico Washington, RP Mike Parisi and RP Josh Kinney.

2008 rookies to exhaust eligibility: RP Chris Perez, OF Brian Barton, OF Joe Mather and RP Kyle McClellan.

Last year's top five here: OF Rasmus, SP Walters, 2B Hoffpauir, SP Ottavino and OF Mather.

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball prospect questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Cardinals prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.

 
 
 
Player News
Roy Oswalt
Oswalt waiting to sign with Texas?
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI
5:11 PM
News: The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Reds GM Walt Jocketty said he hasn't had contact with Roy Oswalt's agents in the last week, and Jocketty offered up his own opinion on the Oswalt sweepstakes. “I think he’s waiting for Texas to clear money,” Jocketty said.
Analysis: It's interesting to hear Jocketty say Oswalt wants to sign with Texas. At least it's a legit reason why the veteran right-hander hasn't signed with a team yet, despite being linked to the Reds and Cardinals. Oswalt is likely going to sign somewhere before the start of the 2012 season and should be in a rotation. Consider Oswalt more of a mid-to-late-round Fantasy pick on Draft Day. Don't forget about his chronic back problems.
Johan Santana
Santana looks 'great' playing catch
Johan Santana, SP, NYM
2:25 PM
News: The Wall Street Journal reports Mets SP Johan Santana (shoulder) played catch from 175 feet Monday. Manager Terry Collins said Santana looked "great" and he hopes the left-hander will throw off a mound by the end of the week.
Analysis: Collins' assessment of Santana sounds like cautious optimism. After all it was just catch. Santana has bigger hurdles to clear in hopes of pitching for the first time since the 2010 season. Santana is coming off a serious shoulder injury and who knows if he can return to the dominant arm he once was. Fantasy owners should bear in mind that Chien-Ming Wang, who underwent the same procedure, needed two years to make it back to the majors, so Santana could wind up providing far fewer than 25 starts -- which is the Mets' goal for the lefty this season. Because of the playing time risk, he is a late-round option in mixed leagues at best.
Ryan Braun
Braun ruling coming soon?
Ryan Braun, LF, MIL
1:51 PM
News: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports there is no indication that a ruling will be announced Monday regarding Ryan Braun's appeal of a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. It appears the recommended guideline for a ruling will be extended.
Analysis: The entire baseball world want this issue to be put to bed, but it seems we might have to wait a little longer for a ruling. The Brewers remain upbeat about Braun's situation, but only time will tell what happens. If Braun avoids a suspension, then he remains a first-round Fantasy pick. If he is suspended 50 games, then he is going to tumble down draft boards a bit, but Braun would still be an early-round Fantasy selection based on potential once he becomes active.
Seth Smith
Cespedes to bump Smith?
Seth Smith, RF, OAK
1:37 PM
News: Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $36 million, four-year contract. Agent Adam Katz confirmed Monday the sides had reached agreement, with details still to be finalized. Cespedes' arrival means the A's could eventually bump Seth Smith to designated hitter.
Analysis: We will have to wait and see what happens when Cespedes finally arrives at A's camp, but the speculation is that the A's outfield alignment will eventually be Josh Reddick in right field, Coco Crisp in center field and Cespedes in left, which is where Smith is currently penciled in as the starter. But the A's could use a rotation at DH, which would still allow Smith to see regular at-bats, if Cespedes doesn't have to begin the year in the minors, which remains an option as well. Smith struggles against left-handed pitchers, so he might still be in a platoon situation like he was with the Rockies. Smith remains more of a late-round Fantasy option on Draft Day.
Mike Napoli
Napoli's ankle still an issue
Mike Napoli, C, TEX
12:48 PM
News: ESPN.com reports Rangers catcher Mike Napoli said his injured left ankle is progressing, but he is still not 100 percent. Napoli turned his ankle in the World Series against the Cardinals last year. "I think I’m close," Napoli said. "I’m not really going to know until I get into the wear and tear of spring training and catching all the time. But I've been feeling good and getting better day by day." Napoli said he has been running on the ankle, and he is also hitting and throwing without pain. However, he is still concerned about how it will hold up with the constant squatting and baseball activity. "But I'm trying not to do that all the time so I'm not depending on that," Napoli said. "I'm working on getting my little muscles stronger."
Analysis: The Dallas Morning News reports GM Jon Daniels said exams by team physician Keith Meister said Napoli's ankle shows no structural damage, but Napoli is still experiencing soreness. "The fact he's still feeling it a few months later speaks to what he went through to play the rest of Game 6 and go back out for Game 7," Daniels said. "It was about as bad as it looked to the rest of us." You have to wonder if Napoli can't shake this injury if it will play into how much time he gets behind the plate. Nonetheless, if Napoli catches less that just means he will likely see more PT at DH and first base. The Rangers aren't going to take his bat out of the lineup. Napoli remains a top 5 Fantasy catcher on Draft Day.
Emilio Bonifacio
Bonifacio was always the choice in CF
Emilio Bonifacio, SS, MIA
5:28 PM
News: The news broke Monday that OF Yoenis Cespedes agreed to a four-year contract with the A's, turning down the Marlins offer. Cespedes signing with the A's means Emilio Bonifacio will start in center field for Miami. However, manager Ozzie Guillen said that was going to be the case all along. "Bonifacio would've have been my center fielder no matter if Cespedes was here," Guillen told 790 AM in Miami. "If Cespedes (came) to the Marlins, he would have had to make the ballclub."
Analysis: Finally, Guillen steps up in front of this situation and stands behind Bonifacio as an everyday player. He absolutely deserved it after the season he put together in 2011. The 26-year-old took a big step forward last year as both a hitter and a base-stealer and is a viable starter in mixed Fantasy leagues at either shortstop or third base. He's worth targeting with a middle-round pick on Draft Day.
Scott Rolen
Rolen 'swinging bat really well'
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN
5:21 PM
News: The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Reds GM Walt Jocketty said 3B Scott Rolen (shoulder) should be full-go for the start of spring training. “I talked to his offseason trainer a 10 days or two weeks ago. He said Scott is 100 percent and swinging the bat really well," Jocketty said.
Analysis: Rolen had shoulder surgery in August and his recovery seems to be going well. While Jocketty expects Rolen to have a productive season, we have to look at the facts. He will be 37 years old in 2012 and hasn't played more than 133 games the last five seasons. Rolen will sit at times in 2012, whether it is by design or because of injury. He did hit 20 homers in 2010, but Fantasy owners can't bank on that come Draft Day. Rolen is at best a late-round, injury-risk Fantasy option.
Aroldis Chapman
Chapman 'healthy and feels good'
Aroldis Chapman, RP, CIN
5:18 PM
News: The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Reds GM Walt Jocketty said pitcher Aroldis Chapman is at the team's spring complex in Arizona and throwing. “He’s healthy and feels good,” Jocketty said.
Analysis: The plan is for the Reds to stretch out Chapman as a starter this spring. He isn't guaranteed a starting spot, but the Reds want to see if he can bring his electric stuff to the rotation. If Chapman can stretch out and utilize his 100 mph in the rotation, then he could end up as a very good Fantasy option. Chapman will be a player Fantasy owners will want to keep tabs on this spring. He has breakout appeal written all over him.
Ryan Kalish
Kalish not cleared to swing bat
Ryan Kalish, CF, BOS
4:41 PM
News: The Boston Globe reports Red Sox OF Ryan Kalish has arrived at the team's spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., and is working out. However, he hasn't been cleared to swing a bat as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Analysis: Kalish isn't expected to join the MLB roster until later this summer, so this news isn't shocking. Kalish is still holding out hope to be ready by opening day, but he isn't counting on it. It's disappointing he has to deal with this injury since the Red Sox have an opening in right field, which Kalish would be competing for had he avoided surgery. Kalish could very well emerge as an everyday player once he is healthy, but consider Kalish more of a draft-and-stash option in AL-only formats on Draft Day.
Adrian Gonzalez
Gonzo trims down for 2012?
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, BOS
4:36 PM
News: The Boston Globe reports Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez showed up to spring training on Monday, even though position players didn't have to report until Feb. 23. The paper notes that Gonzalez appears trimmer than he was at the end of the 2011 season.
Analysis: Perhaps Gonzalez wanted to get a bit more in shape for the 2012 season, but it's not like he had poor conditioning in 2011. He did pretty well in his first season with Boston, batting .338 with 27 homers and 117 RBI. He is only 29 years old and still has plenty of quality years left. Gonzalez remains an early-round Fantasy pick in all formats.
 
 
 
Top Videos
Tigers 1B: Miguel Cabrera
Blue Jays OF: Jose Bautista
Angels 1B: Albert Pujols
 
More Fantasy Baseball Videos
Rankings