Today's Fantasy Rx

National League Third 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 2002.
2002 Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2002.
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 65/35 hitting/pitching split).
AV = Actual Value (The price a player earned under a 50/50 hitting/pitching split).
Rotohelp = 2002 Rotohelp Predicted Draft Value.
LABR/Tout = 2002 Expert League prices; LABR for 4x4. Tout Wars for 5x5.

Average league worst BA, ERA, and WHIP provided for 2002 leagues courtesy of Rototimes, 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.

25.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Morgan Ensberg		132	32	.242	3	19	2	14	3
HOU Astros		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	0		1		11		12
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	0		0		11		14

While Geoff Blum certainly provided the Astros with a surprisingly helpful boost in 2002, Ensberg has proven himself in the minors and merits a full season in the big leagues. He managed an OPS over .720 over the first two months of the year, so he wasn't performing too badly when Houston demoted him. However his failure to meet the Astros' expectations cost him his starting job, as well as valuable development time for one of the older players in the game who's still considered a prospect. He posted a .288/.401/.421 line in 292 AAA at-bats from June through August, along with 7 HR, 37 RBI, 50 R, 9/14 SB%, and a solid 50:56 BB:K. Although he struggled against right-handers, Ensberg's history suggests he needs a little time to adapt to every new level. Since he compiled an 18:25 BB:K in 132 at-bats in Houston, along with a 3.90 #P/PA and 1.00 G-F, Ensberg's skills indicate he's ready to succeed in the majors, so I'll be happy to make an investment of several dollars in him even if just breaks camp as a reserve.

27.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Pedro Feliz		146	37	.253	2	13	0	14	3
SF Giants		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		0		0		R
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	0		0		0		R

Racking 33 homers and 105 RBI in 2000 at AAA Fresno put Feliz firmly in the middle of the Giants' future plans, but I don't expect he'll see much time as a starter in 2003. He's compiled a .770 OPS against lefties over the last three years but only a .570 OPS against right-handers. However, in 2002 alone, he posted a .722 OPS against righties against a .404 against southpaws, so we don't know what to expect with his platoon split next season. Feliz possesses neither much plate discipline nor contact ability, although his 1.18 career G-F suggests he still owns the power necessary to hit 30 homers if given regular playing time. As his other skill deficiencies suggest he needs more time on the bench or as a platoon player, Feliz doesn't seem likely to earn more than a couple bucks next year at best, so don't consider him until Dollar Days unless you're desperate to add any available players with decent power potential.

28.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Chris Donnels		80	19	.238	3	16	0	5	3
ARI Diamondbacks		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	-1		0		-3
2002 Age: 36	5x5:	-1		0		-2

Donnels seems likely to replace Greg Colbrunn as Arizona's top reserve cornerman, although we're not sure how much playing time he'll find since he's a left-hander like Lyle Overbay and Mark Grace. He's never seen more than 179 at-bats in the majors in any one year, and while he possesses decent plate discipline, he doesn't own the power potential I normally like to target in a cornerman. I doubt Donnels will serve any function to 2003 fantasy teams other than mid-season roster filler.

29.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Kevin Orie		32	9	.281	0	5	0	4	3
CH Cubs		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-1		-1
2002 Age: 30	5x5:	-1		-1				R

The Cubs' most recent third baseman of the future, Orie returned to Chicago this year after spending three years bouncing around AAA. He compiled a promising set of AAA numbers in 2002, hitting .299/.358/.578 with 20 HR, 63 RBI, 51 R, and a 25:40 BB:K in 294 at-bats. After a late-season call-up, Orie managed a 1.09 G-F, so we believe he's finally demonstrating helpful power potential, but there's no reason for anyone to expect him to find a regular major league job in the near future. I don't believe he'll earn more than a buck or two if he even makes a roster as a utilityman, so he's probably only someone you should consider as a mid-season pickup if he's even in the majors.

30.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Danny Klassen		3	1	.333	0	0	0	0	3
ARI Diamondbacks		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-2		-1		1
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	-2		-1		1

Klassen's never displayed good plate discipline at any level above Rookie-ball, and since he's found all of three at-bats in the majors over the last two years, I doubt we'll see much more of him in the near future. He's demonstrated little power over the last five years, and a lack of health and therefore consistent playing time also has hampered his growth. Right now his weak skills leave him effectively unownable, although I wouldn't be surprised if he rebounds as a decent utility player in a couple of years.

31.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Keith Ginter		81	19	.235	1	8	0	7	3
HOU/MIL		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-2		-1
2002 Age: 26	5x5:	-2		-1				1

The likely non-tendering of Ron Belliard next Friday should cede the Milwaukee third base job to Ginter, and while he hasn't displayed great skills at AAA New Orleans over the last two years, he shows some promise on offense. Ginter's held a .13 walk rate at AAA, and he's always hit a good number of doubles. In his 90 at-bats in the majors, he owns a .20 walk rate, .80 contact rate, 4.15 #P/PA, and .77 G-F, so he possesses both the patience and power we like to see in younger player. I don't see much for upside for Ginter beyond a .250/15/60 season, however I doubt you'll need to pay more than a few bucks to roster him, and he'll surprise a lot of people if he can maintain his skills over an entire season.

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Milwaukee Prospects for additional comments on Ginter.

32.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jay Bell		49	8	.163	2	11	0	3	3
ARI Diamondbacks		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-2		-2		6		6
2002 Age: 36	5x5:	-3		-2		6		6

A torn calf muscle cost Bell over half of the 2002 season, and he only played 32 games after he returned due to his declining skills and the rise of Junior Spivey. Bell still possesses good patience and decent power potential, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him land as a reserve somewhere for another season or two. Of course, he's nearly as likely to retire now and immediately began a coaching career that appears likely to quickly lead to a major league managerial job. I don't envision him as a capable fantasy option regardless of his 2003 destination, but if he continues playing, he might not hurt you as a mid-season injury replacement depending on which team he joins.

33.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Mike Coolbaugh		12	1	.083	0	0	0	0	3
STL Cardinals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-3		-2
2002 Age: 30	5x5:	-3		-2

Despite compiling 29 homers and a .509 SLG in 411 at-bats at AAA Memphis this season, Coolbaugh doesn't appear anywhere close to earning the major league starting job that his minor league skills suggest he deserves. He's unlikely to post a helpful BA, but his consistently solid walk rate and promising power potential give him value to teams with limited payrolls. Although he's obviously not useful to fantasy owners until he finds a regular role, I see no problem with employing him as roster filler when he's in the majors if you need a little power and can afford a minor BA hit.

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of St. Louis Prospects for additional comments on Coolbaugh.

34.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Chris Truby		382	82	0.215	4	22	2	35	3
MON/DET		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-5		-3		4		1
2002 Age: 28	5x5:	-3		-2		5		5

Truby went from the Astros' starting third baseman to Montreal's backup to Detroit's starter to a minor league free agent within the space of eighteen months. A couple of pulled muscles effectively forced him out of the Detroit job, and he played rather horribly after the Tigers' acquired him from the Expos for Jose Macias. His .199/.215/.282 line isn't acceptable on any major league team, and since his only offensive skill is the ability to hit for power, he's a worse choice to start than a dozen or more other minor league free agents. However, Truby will likely employ his connection with the dark lord to secure another starting job in the near future, although he's still a poor fantasy choice due to his BA downside even if he resumes a regular role in the majors.

35.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Mike Benjamin		120	18	.150	0	3	0	7	3
PIT Pirates		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	-7		-5		-2
2002 Age: 36	5x5:	-6		-4		-1

The least valuable NL position player in 2002, Benjamin was roughly $2 worse than Chris Truby, who at least can use the evil excuse for his terrible play. Benjamin failed to drive home a single run in his 38 at-bats as a third baseman, and his extraordinarily poor performance at the plate throughout the year allowed him to finish with a stunningly horrible .385 OPS in 120 at-bats. We expect a mild rebound next season since his 2002 skills were quite similar to the marks he posted in the previous year, but he's still one of the worst choices you can make for any fantasy team. There's no reason to own someone with no speed, power, or plate discipline, so ignore Benjamin unless you're terribly desperate for any available at-bats in the last week of the 2003 season.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Owners in NL Ultra leagues looking to stash a Major League ready third baseman on their reserve rosters don't have many options this year as Jamey Carroll is the only NL third baseman who played in the majors in 2002 and still retains his rookie eligibility. Therefore, if you want to keep a third baseman, your best option is to find a bargain veteran you can reserve on your regular roster, even if its just someone like Burroughs or Ensberg who's barely lost his rookie eligibility.