Today's Fantasy Rx

National League Catchers with Positive Draft Value over $4

Quick Key to the tables:
AB = At-bats.  H = Hits.  BA = Batting Average.  HR= Home Runs.
RBI = Runs Batted In.  SB = Stolen Bases.  R = Runs.  B = Bats.  T = Throws.
Pos = Position qualification based on 20 appearances or max. # of games in 2003.
2003 Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2003.
4x4 = BA, HR, RBI, and SB in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
5x5 = BA, HR, RBI, SB, and R in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
DV = Draft Value (The price a player earned under a 70/30 hitting/pitching split).
AV = Actual Value (The price a player earned under a 50/50 hitting/pitching split).
Rotohelp = 2003 Rotohelp Predicted Draft Value.
LABR/Tout = 2003 Expert League prices; LABR for 4x4. Tout Wars for 5x5.

Average league worst BA, ERA, and WHIP based on data compiled from TQ Stats.

Players are ranked in order from the highest draft value in a 4x4 league to the lowest. As the majority of fantasy leagues allow you to keep anyone traded to the other league, all players are listed in the league where they began the season.

1.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Javy Lopez		457	150	.328	43	109	0	89	C
ATL Braves		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	30		21		3		7
2003 Age: 32	5x5:	29		20		3		8

The odds of Lopez returning to Atlanta are quite low, however as Turner Field suppressed his stats to some extent, moving to somewhere like Camden Yards will aid him in his attempt to repeat this performance. Almost all reports indicate that Lopez arrived at spring training in February in his best shape in years, so even though he performed among the league's best players, check for reports regarding his condition before considering him. Of course, posting career-best marks of a 3.56 #P/PA and 1.04 G-F is a good indication he at least should maintain an .800+ OPS in 2004. While his value obviously is quite high right now, I see no reason not to expect him to produce around $20 worth of stats next season as Lopez should remain one of the best catchers in the majors.

2.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jason Kendall		587	191	.325	6	58	8	84	C
PIT Pirates		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	25		17		17		14
2003 Age: 29	5x5:	24		17		17		17

While Kendall's speed largely vanished and his homers barely improved, a 42-point batting average increase, coupled with continually solid plate discipline, keeps him among the major's best catchers. He certainly isn't a bargain for the Pirates, however any catcher who can maintain a .399 OBP and therefore deserve to bat second is a valuable commodity, particularly as a homegrown veteran, and Pittsburgh probably should keep him at this point. Although we can't expect any notable improvement in the next few years, Kendall should be able to hold a $20+ salary on the strength of his BA and limited quantitative contributions. If his homers or steals spike, you'll net a nice profit since he shouldn't cost much more than $20 in most leagues.

3.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Ivan Rodriguez		511	152	.297	16	85	10	90	C
FLO Marlins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	22		15		23		21
2003 Age: 31	5x5:	22		15		22		19

Although he failed to his .300 for the first time since 1994 due to a career-low .82 contact rate and displayed a worrisome lack of power, IRod still managed to post career-high marks of a 3.62 #P/PA, .11 walk rate, and a .369 OBP. Unfortunately, he jumped from a career-best 1.08 G-F to a 1.54 mark, his worst in four seasons. Somewhat surprisingly, Rodriguez also posted worst marks on the road despite his pitcher-friendly home park. Of course, his second-half slowdown probably is a product of him seeing his most playing time since 1999, which suggests the power outage only will be temporary, especially if he returns to the American League and/or begins hitting more flyballs. Rodriguez should remain one of roto's top catchers indefinitely, but exercise caution in bidding since his post-season exposure likely makes him overvalued in most leagues.

4.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Mike Lieberthal		508	159	.313	13	81	0	68	C
PHI Phillies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	19		13		6		10
2003 Age: 31	5x5:	18		13		7		10

With Veterans' Stadium emerging as one of baseball's best pitchers' parks over the past few years, moving to Citizens' Bank Park in 2004 could cause a mild jump in Philadelphia's offense. If Lieberthal, about to turn 32 in January, can remain healthy enough to play 130 games for the third straight season, he owns the skills necessary to see his value jump several dollars. Of course, any increase in value is contingent upon him maintaining this career-best batting average, and with only minimal skill growth in 2003, expect his BA to slip under .300. I see no reason he can't improve on his current power numbers, but without an excellent batting average, you should stop bidding in the teens.

5.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jason L. Phillips		403	120	.298	11	58	0	45	C/1
NY Mets		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	12		8		-3
2003 Age: 27	5x5:	11		8		-4

While these stats certainly don't surprise me given his minor league history, I didn't expect Phillips to establish himself with the Mets so rapidly. A 3.66 #P/PA and .10 walk rate are fine fundamentals, and his .88 contact rate and 1.15 G-F suggest additional power potential. Unfortunately, my major concern here involves Phillips' playing time as neither Mike Piazza nor Vance Wilson appears ready to leave the organization, and Mike Jacobs and Justin Huber quickly are rising to the majors. An unlikely comeback by Mo Vaughn would muddy the situation further, so you simply can't count on Phillips catching much this year, and even his future with the Mets isn't secure. His on-base percentage also makes him a good #2 hitter, but with Jose Reyes and an incoming veteran middle infielder at the top of the order, we won't see Phillips hitting higher than 5th. Yet if kept in the lineup nearly every day, he should approach 20 homers and 80 RBI. Take advantage of his catcher qualification to roster Phillips at any price to the mid-teens.

6.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Benito Santiago		401	112	.279	11	56	0	53	C
SF Giants		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	8		6		7		9
2003 Age: 38	5x5:	9		6		7		7

Despite basic skill regression, Santiago maintained much of his 2002 value as PacBell boosted the batting average of right-handers. Yet neither his .83 contact rate nor his 1.27 G-F are bad marks, and his 3.54 #P/PA suggests his best patience since 1998. The biggest problem is that after posting 10 HR and 41 RBI in the first half, he only compiled 1 homer and 15 RBI. While his skills stayed roughly the same, his nearly complete power outage drained his value, and I suspect only a move to a hitter-friendly park such as Kauffman Stadium will enable Santiago to maintain this level of roto value. Of course, any 39-year-old could disappear from baseball within weeks, however Santiago's established defensive reputation and recent offensive performance should secure him a starting job in 2004. I don't see him earning less than $5, but unless his new home park will boost his average and power, don't expect Santiago to approach double-digit value.

7.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Craig A. Wilson		309	81	.262	18	48	3	49	C/1/O
PIT Pirates		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	8		6		3		10
2003 Age: 26	5x5:	8		6		3		7

While Wilson's .308/.431/.692 demands he bat third or fourth against lefties, his sub-.775 OPS versus right-handers gives Lloyd McClendon an excuse to sit him fairly often. Fortunately, Pittsburgh's payroll purge leaves the team with few power threats, meaning Wilson certainly should start at first base every day. His career-best marks in 2003 included a .11 walk rate and .71 contact rate, but even if his average lags below .280, he should approach 30 homers in 500 at-bats. Considering he also qualifies at catcher, only McClendon's whims will keep many owners from rostering one of the best catcher-eligible quantitative contributors in years. As long as the Pirates don't add another first baseman, consider pushing $20 to secure Wilson's power for your catcher slot.

8.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Paul Lo Duca		568	155	.273	7	52	0	64	C
LA Dodgers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	7		5		15		13
2003 Age: 31	5x5:	8		6		15		15

Even with Dave Ross and Koyie Hill pushing him, Lo Duca appears likely to spend another season as the Dodgers' full-time starting catcher. While his basic skills remain fairly solid, erosion since his 2003 debut leaves him at a career crossroads, particularly when we consider his effectiveness plummeted after the break for the third straight year. Perhaps the only good news is that increasing plate patience should secure his spot in the top half of Los Angeles' batting order, but if his contact rate falls below .90, Lo Duca will lose more playing time to Ross. Given his BA upside, Lo Duca still merits a double-digit bid, although don't expect a profit if you bid into the teens.

9.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Mike Piazza		234	67	.286	11	34	0	37	C
NY Mets		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	6		4		19		25
2003 Age: 35	5x5:	6		4		18		23

As Piazza remains one of the most disciplined hitters in the game, he certainly could push $30 again if he remains healthy. He suffered from no overt platoon weakness in 2003, and his .333/.422/.613 in the first half indicated impressive upside if not for his injury. Expecting 500 at-bats from Piazza at this point in his career appears unreasonable, however he should regain his position among baseball's best catchers with a little luck.

10.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Eddie Perez		350	95	.271	11	45	0	26	C
MIL Brewers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	6		4		-4
2003 Age: 35	5x5:	5		4		-4

Perez hadn't earned enough playing time to hit a homer since 1999, so his power spike with the Brewers both was highly unlikely and appears quite unrepeatable. Even if he maintains a .87 contact rate, a 1.60 G-F indicates his power will regress, and I doubt he'll see another 300 at-bats. His .342/.386/.500 performance against left-handers almost certainly secured him another season as a back-up, but Perez's skills suggest he'll head to $-5 before earning $5 again. Rostering him in 200 is a very risky move

11.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Robby Hammock		195	55	.282	8	28	3	30	C
ARI Diamondbacks		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	6		4
2003 Age: 26	5x5:	5		4

After spending parts of the last three seasons at AA El Paso(TL), Hammock found himself in the majors this year due to Arizona's terrible string of injuries. Despite a .444/.444/.667 performance in his April audition, he returned to the minors in May, where he compiled a .267/.321/.405 line and an 11:24 BB:K in 116 at-bats at AAA Tucson(PCL). By the end of the season, Hammock emerged as Arizona's starting catcher, and when catching, he hit a surprising .293/.372/.475. With Chad Moeller likely headed elsewhere, expect Hammock and Rod Barajas to share catching duties until Brad Cresse or another Diamondbacks' catching prospect develops. Obviously, as long as Hammock qualifies behind the plate, he'll remain quite valuable in roto. You should be able to roster him for less than $10 in most leagues, although exercise caution if bidding moves to double digits as Hammock lacks a solid skill foundation for further development.

'03 Catcher Week continues tomorrow, featuring National Leaguers with DV from $4 through $0.

Today's Fantasy Rx:The great sleepers here are Jason Phillips, Craig Wilson, and Rob Hammock. None of these players appears likely to enter 2004 with a guaranteed starting job at any position, yet because of their skills and overall upside, their catcher qualification makes them extremely valuable in standard leagues. Definitely target these players in your spring draft, especially if you believe you can roster them for under $5.