Last year was supposed to be a big year for the Brewers, especially for all you Fantasy fans who like to jump on the next big thing. But we have to say young talent takes time and Ben Sheets needs to get through an entire season.
Perhaps this is the year.
Rickie Weeks will be one of the hot-button players of the spring. He's loaded with talent and has just as many injury questions. The wrist that has dogged him was surgically repaired, so hopefully we can finally see what he can do over the course of a full season. He has the potential to go .300-25-80-100-25 as early as this year. He's that good.
But, he'll also go ridiculously early for someone so unproven and injury prone.
You should be able to get better value out of the man-child at first, though, Prince Fielder. The sophomore could be overlooked because his numbers as a rookie were not top shelf at his deep position. They will be in short order, though, perhaps on the level of .300-30-110-100 as early as this year.
The hype will be high again -- tempered only a little by last year's disappointment team-wide -- but they do have one very important thing going for themselves this time around:
A year's experience.
Spring position battles
Left, right field -- Geoff Jenkins and Corey Hart vs. Kevin Mench, Gabe Gross, Laynce Nix, Brady Clark and Tony Gwynn
One of the cloudiest outfield situations in baseball, especially when you consider Bill Hall is moving from third-to-shortstop-to-center now. Hall, Jenkins and Hart (who has a decent mix of speed, power and potential) figure to be the front-runners to start, but Mench will likely start against left-handed pitching at least. There is potential here for mixed-league Fantasy owners, but you will have to wait and see how the at-bats will be divied before you can consider these guys anything more than NL-only options on Draft Day.
Third base -- Corey Koskie vs. Ryan J. Braun, Tony Graffanino and Craig Counsell
Despite hold/cold reports, the Brewers are hoping Koskie's post-concussion syndrome will subside in time for him to be ready for the season. The Giants' Mike Matheny has already had to retire due to a similar ailment, though. Braun is the future at the position for the Brewers and potential "next David Wright" five-category talent. Graffanino is a solid fill-in if Koskie is still out and Braun isn't quite ready, while Counsell is a defensive-minded utility man at this point in his career. Consider Braun in all leagues if he gets the job. Koskie and Graff would be little more than NL-only Fantasy options on Draft Day, if they did.
| | Rookies/Prospects | Age | Pos. | 2006 high | Destination |
| 1 | Ryan J. Braun | 23 | 3B | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Big-time power prospect has outside chance at opening day |
| 2 | Yovani Gallardo | 21 | RH SP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Do cartwheels when filthy Francisco Liriano-like talent gets call |
| 3 | Zach Jackson | 23 | LH SP | Majors | Triple-A |
| May be first in line for spot starts once season gets under way |
| 4 | Tony K. Gwynn | 24 | OF | Majors | Triple-A |
| Bloodlines more interesting than talent and this OF is crowded |
| 5 | Manny Parra | 24 | LH SP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Injury hit prospect, but he could be finally turning the corner |
| Best of the rest: RHP Dennis Sarfarte, 25; UTL Vinny Rottino, 26; 3B Matthew Gamel, 21; OF Lorenzo Cain, 20; SS Alcides Escobar, 20; RHP Mark Rogers, 21 (injured); RHP William Inman, 20; RHP Jeremy Jeffress, 19; LHP Steve Hammond, 24; C Angel Salome, 20; C Lou Palmisano, 24; 1B Brad Nelson, 24. |
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