Amongst this list are a lot of younger veterans here that are just starting to make their mark. Owners that missed out of the top left fielders will find a solid bunch here that are capable of contributing to a championship-level team. There are some potential bargains here as well.
1) Ryan Raburn, Detroit Tigers
In most leagues, Raburn is eligible at second base and that is where he is the most valuable. However, he has a good amount of value here as well. He is the every day left fielder for the Tigers, and it appears that he will hit sixth in a good Tigers lineup. He is capable of getting really hot like he did last season (.333/.382/.586 with 13 homers from August 1st on) which led to an above average (.266/.337/.469 over 410 PAs) offensive year. He is 30 years old, so Raburn is as good as he is going to be as a player. However, more playing time can make him a real bargain at auction this year. Assuming, Raburn can stay healthy and starts the entire 2011 season, then a year with a .280+ average, 20-22 homers, 85+ RBIs and 70+ runs. At auction, he could go in the $16-18 range.
2) Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
Gardner is another player that shows flashes of what he can be, but has trouble staying healthy. In his first 70 games last season (.321/.403/.418 with 24 steals), he is very good perhaps even playing over his head. Then a thumb and wrist injuries occurred, and the bottom dropped out of his offense (.232/.363/.340) the rest of the way. He is a very patient hitter at the plate. His walk rate was outstanding (13.88% of his PAs) last year as was his stolen base total (47 steals, 9 caught). Gardner's strikeout rate was only okay last year (17.89%). Gardner brings a lot of speed and scores a lot of runs, but unlike Juan Pierre, Gardner does not hit for a high average. When healthy his defense is a Gold Glove level left fielder. In a powerful Yankees lineup, Gardner is a candidate to be a real sleeper on auction day. A season with a .265+ average, 70+ runs and 35+ steals is something that he is capable of in 2011. At auction, he should be in the $15-17 range.
3) Rajai Davis, Toronto Blue Jays
Davis is another late blooming player that brings good defense, runs well and hits for a good average to the lineup. He has an excellent stolen base ability (91 steals, 23 caught over the last two seasons) which makes him attractive to fantasy owners. His line drive stroke will play well in Toronto, and he is in a much better lineup as well. He does not walk enough (5.91% of his career PAs) to warrant being a good leadoff option. However, his career strikeout rate is (15.05%) solid. He will provide very good defense in left field for Toronto. A 2011 season with a .270+ average, 65+ runs and 40+ steals is reasonable for Davis. At auction, Davis should be in the $13-15 range.
4) Josh Willingham, Oakland A's
Willingham is a solid power hitter that is older that most people think (he will be 32 years old in 2011). He put very good offensive (.268/.389/.459 over 450 PAs) numbers last year, but a bad knee and a bad offense hampered his counting numbers (especially RBIs and runs scored). Normally, moving from the Nationals home park would mean a boon at Willingham's offensive numbers, but Oakland is at least as much a pitching park. He does control the strike zone extremely well. His walk rate (14.89% of his PAs) was at an elite level last year, and the strikeout rate (18.89%) was okay. He is another guy that has more value in OBP leagues due to his excellent walk rate. However, Willingham (unlike Carlos Pena and Mark Reynolds) has a decent batting average (four of the last five seasons with a.260+ average) which helps make him a solid fantasy player. A 2011 season with a .270+ average, 19-21 homers, 65+ runs and 70+ RBIs is possible if Willingham stays healthy. At auction, he should be in the $12-14 range.
5) Johnny Damon/Desmond Jennings, TampaBay Rays
Johnny Damon wants to reach 3,000 career hits, but right now that looks like a real long shot at best. Damon showed a significant power loss (8 homers in 2010 down from 24 in 2009) after he left the Yankees for Detroit. He demonstrated an excellent walk rate (11.26% of his PAs) last year, but was no longer able to take advantage of it on the base paths (11 steals in 2010). He was mainly a DH for Detroit last season, but he will take over left field for the Rays at least for a couple months. It is very hard to see Damon staying a starter the entire year. At best Damon might be an endgame flier on a fantasy roster. If a fantasy owner pays more than $5 for Damon is a mistake.
Desmond Jennings is a much better option than Damon even though the talented 24 year old is starting the 2011 season at Triple-A (Durham). He is one of the most exciting players in the entire minor leagues. Jennings brings dominating speed (91 steals, 13 caught over the last two seasons at three levels), but there are prospects that have that kind of speed. What separates Jennings from other speedy prospects is a very good plate discipline. Some prospect watchers compare him to Carl Crawford but with much more plate discipline. When Jennings comes up he is going to play every day for Tampa Bay. Even in a half season or so, Jennings will have a big impact for the Rays. A 2011 season with a .270+ average, 50+ runs and 25+ steals is certainly possible for Jennings. At auction, he will command $10-12.
John Stroba - There are few that are more passionate about their writing than I am. I bring all that passion into the articles I am writing. Have been ...
