Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Second Basemen without Positive Draft Value

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.

20.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Luis Ugueto		5	1	.200	0	1	2	4	2
SEA Mariners		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	0		0		-3		R
2003 Age: 24	5x5:	-1		0		-3

After a triple-promotion to the majors in 2002 as Seattle's Rule 5 pick, Ugueto headed to AA San Antonio(TL) this year, where he posted a .260/.312/.314 with a 27:75 BB:K in 350 at-bats. While he possesses good speed and defensive capabilities, nothing in his offensive profiles suggests he'll peak as more than a reserve middle infielder. Without notable improvement in his plate discipline, Ugueto won't contribute to much success for the Mariners, and he certainly doesn't belong on fantasy rosters.

21.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Denny Hocking		188	45	.239	3	22	0	22	2/3
MIN Twins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	0		0		2		R
2003 Age: 33	5x5:	0		0		2		1

I fully expect the Twins to re-sign Hocking, originally drafted by Minnesota in 1989, given his long history with the organization. Of course, nothing in his stats suggests any pending improvement, making him a poor fantasy target regardless of his 2004 team.

22.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Angel Santos		76	17	.224	3	6	1	9	2
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	0		0
2003 Age: 24	5x5:	-1		0

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Cleveland for my comments on Santos.

23.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Aaron Miles		12	4	.333	0	2	0	3	2
CH White Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	0		0		-1
2003 Age: 26	5x5:	-1		0		-2		R

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Chicago(A) for my comments on Miles.

24.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Esteban German		4	1	.250	0	1	0	0	2
OAK Athletics		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		0				3
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	-2		-1				1

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Oakland for my comments on German.

25.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Trent Durrington		14	2	.143	0	1	1	5	2
ANA Angels		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		0
2003 Age: 28	5x5:	-1		-1

His .304/.390/.434 performance in 447 AB at AAA Salt Lake(PCL), including a 35/43 SB%, caught the eye of the Brewers, who signed him to a minor league deal last month. If Durrington breaks camp in the majors, he might merit an early FAAB grab if he appears likely to take advantage of his respectable plate discipline and speed skills. However, his inability to secure regular playing time in the past suggests he won't receive an extended look with Milwaukee.

26.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Gookie Dawkins		2	0	.000	0	0	0	0	2
KC Royals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		-1		-4
2003 Age: 24	5x5:	-2		-1		-5

Kansas City foolishly dealt two youngsters for Dawkins in July even though he again failed to demonstrate an ability to post decent averages in the upper minors. With his speed skills and power potential apparently gone, Dawkins merits no consideration in any fantasy league.

27.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Luis Sojo		4	0	.000	0	0	0	0	2/1
NY Yankees		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		-1
2003 Age: 37	5x5:	-2		-1

Sojo only left retirement as a short-term favor to the Yankees. As he'll resume his coaching career in 2004, don't expect him to see any more big league playing time.

28.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Alex Prieto		11	1	.091	0	0	0	1	2
MIN Twins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-2		-1
2003 Age: 27	5x5:	-2		-1

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Minnesota for my comments on Prieto.

29.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Terry Shumpert		84	16	.190	2	7	1	14	2/O
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-2		-1		-3
2003 Age: 37	5x5:	-2		-1		-4

Shumpert departed Colorado and unsurprisingly failed to manage even a .200 batting average. His presence on Tampa's roster for nearly the entire season indicts the Rays' management and their extended rebuilding project. Despite decent patience and power potential, Shumpert no longer appears capable of contributing offensively, so hope your favorite team doesn't sign him this winter.

30.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Frank Menechino		83	16	.193	2	9	0	10	2
OAK Athletics		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-2		-1		-1
2003 Age: 32	5x5:	-2		-1		-1		1

Despite posting his worst performance to date in his third straight season of decline, Menechino likely will return to Oakland's bench next year. Of course, his failure to take advantage of his solid plate discipline and respectable power potential renders him useless to fantasy teams, so certainly ignore him everywhere except deep sim leagues.

31.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Zach Sorensen		37	5	.135	1	2	0	2	2
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	-3		-1
2003 Age: 26	5x5:	-3		-2

Cleveland's middle infield problems led to a few stints in the majors for Sorensen. Unfortunately, his poor performance at AAA Buffalo(IL) suggests he shouldn't return to the Indians any time soon, especially after they removed him from their 40-man roster in October. Sorensen won't merit much fantasy attention until he demonstrates some ability to take advantage of his good patience and intriguing power potential.

32.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Brandon Phillips		370	77	.208	6	33	4	36	2
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-3		-2		16		12
2003 Age: 22	5x5:	-2		-1		14		13

In perhaps the most disappointing performance of the year, the complete breakdown of Phillips' offensive skills led to decreased playing time and a mid-season demotion after he won the starting second base job in spring training. He somehow played worse at AAA Buffalo(IL), registering an atrocious .175/.247/.279 line in 154 at-bats. The good news is that Phillips won't turn 23 until next June, giving plenty of time to recoup following this disaster. I suspect he'll head back to the minors next year, but since he still possesses significant long-term upside, consider drafting him in your minor league or reserve round as he again should emerge as Cleveland's starter no later than 2005.

33.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Brent Abernathy		34	2	.059	0	0	1	3	2
TB/KC		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-3		-2		9		6
2003 Age: 26	5x5:	-4		-2		9		4

Abernathy lost his job in Tampa during spring training as the Rays decided to maximize their infield defense. Continued flailing in Kansas City after an April waiver claim forced Abernathy to the minors, though he responded to his demotion with a solid .291/.354/.408 performance in 368 AB at AAA Omaha(PCL). He even demonstrated good plate discipline, so he should return to the majors next spring. Recent reports indicate he should sign with Detroit later this week, and given his BA/SB upside, consider a Dollar Days' grab of Abernathy if he breaks camp in the majors.

'03 Second Basemen Week continues tomorrow, featuring Minor League Free Agent and AAA/AA Second Basemen in the American League.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Most of today's players either are relatively useless veteran backups or youngsters with a little speed highlighting meager overall offensive skills. While Aaron Miles and Esteban German could succeed in the right situation as soon as next season, the only player with significant potential here is Brandon Phillips. His basic tools remain intact, and considering his age, he likely never should have seen the majors until this September. Even if his window to succeed in Cleveland is closing, he should earn a full-time starting job within the next couple of years, though given his immediate upside, targeting him for a few bucks in an auction or as an early pick in any reserve draft could net you an excellent keeper, particularly if he eventually moves back to shortstop.