Today's Fantasy Rx

On the Ninth Day of Outfielders, my true love gave to me:
National Leaguers without PDV,
Single-digit NL PDV,
Double-digit NL PDV,
AL West "Prospects",
AL Central "Prospects";
AL East "Prospects",
American Leaguers without PDV,
Single-digit AL PDV,
and American Leaguers with Double-digit PDV.

National League Outfielders 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.

65.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jason Lane		27	8	.296	4	10	0	5	O
HOU Astros		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:L	4x4:	0		0		7		3
2003 Age: 26	5x5:	-1		0		7		4

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Houston for my comments on Lane.

66.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Brian Banks		149	35	.235	4	23	2	14	O
FLO Marlins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	0		0		0		R
2003 Age: 33	5x5:	0		0		0		R

While his failure to qualify at catcher is annoying, Banks owns relatively solid all-around skills and easily could bounce to $5 or more this year. He isn't someone to target in most leagues, but his .17 walk rate, 3.75 #P/PA, and .78 G-F demonstrate the basic offensive skills normally necessary to contribute to fantasy teams. Banks' profile, particularly his consistently acceptable on-base percentages and position flexibility, also makes him a good candidate for many sim teams.

67.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Rene Reyes		116	30	.259	2	7	2	13	O
COL Rockies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	0		0
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	0		0

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Colorado for my comments on Reyes.

The Twelve Days of Outfielders 2003 continue tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx: The problems of Jeffrey Hammonds and Eli Marrero stem from injury while Thurston unexpectedly lost his job at the end of spring training; anyone drafting after Opening Day could safely ignore him. Pat Burrell qualifies as the one puzzlement here, however as all his skills indicate a rebound, I see no reason not to grab him, though bidding much more than $20 is risky. Of course, his slump reminds of Richard Higalgo's problems a couple years ago, so while you still shouldn't exceed $30 for Burrell, we might push $25 or more depending on the league and draft flow.