Today's Fantasy Rx

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 2005.
Age = Player's Age as of October 2, 2005.
4x4 = BA, HR, RBI, and SB in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters in 2005.
5x5 = BA, HR, RBI, SB, and R in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters in 2005.
RAR = Runs Above Replacement in 2005; Adjusted RAR = RAR modified to
consider a player's 2005 defensive rating in Scoresheet fantasy baseball.

We ranked players 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, we listed each player in the league where he started the season.

99.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Chris Aguila		78	19	.244	0	4	0	11	O
FLO Marlins		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	B:R    T:R	-4		-4		-5		-5.4

A respectable 2004 AAA campaign led to an Opening Day roster spot for Aguila. Unfortunately, he batted merely sixteen times in the first two months of the season, however spending June back at AAA Albuquerque(PCL) produced a .355/.412/.630 performance in 138 AB that pushed him right back to the majors. Now, despite continued problems with big league pitching in the second half and few observable baseball skills, Aguila appears on the short list for a starting outfield job. Even winning everyday at-bats shouldn't earn him a place on your fantasy squad until you see his averages improve.

100.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Adam Hyzdu		36	7	.194	0	4	1	2	O
SD/BOS		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 33	B:R    T:R	-4		-4		-2.4		-2.4

Hyzdu spent most of the first half with San Diego, compiling a .271/.406/.483 line with 11 HR, 32 RBI, and a 46:61 BB:K in 207 AB for AAA Portland(PCL). A July deal for Scott Cassidy briefly pushed him to the majors with the Red Sox, but he quickly returned to the minors, registering a .254/.343/.415 output with 4 HR, 25 RBI, and a 16:32 BB:K in 118 AB for AAA Pawtucket(IL). Signing with Texas for 2006 provides Hyzdu with another excellent opportunity if he impresses his new bosses during camp. His skills could thrive in Ameriquest, so although I can't recommend him at this time, feel free to add Hyzdu as soon as he earns a call-up.

101.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Tyrell Godwin		3	0	.000	0	0	0	0	O
WAS Nationals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	B:L    T:R	-4		-4		-0.5		-0.5

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Washington for my comments on Godwin.

102.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Endy Chavez		116	25	.216	0	11	2	19	O
WAS/PHI		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	B:L    T:L	-4		-4		-7.8		-6.7

I still can't believe Pat Gillick wasted Marlon Byrd just to acquire Chavez, whose skills don't measure up to those of Shane Victorino, forget about Byrd. Yet somehow Chavez landed in Philly, producing truly terrible numbers that couldn't even offset with several steals. Perhaps his new deal with the Mets will reverse his declining SB totals, but nothing here allows me to envision a role for Chavez on successful fantasy teams. Completely ignore him unless you him starting to steal bases regularly.

103.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jeffrey Hammonds		32	7	.219	0	1	0	3	O
WAS Nationals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 34	B:R    T:R	-4		-4		-2.3		-2.5

Hamstring problems forced Hammonds to the DL in May, and Washington optioned him to AAA New Orleans upon his return three weeks later. Hammonds retired rather than support, concluding a respectable if thoroughly unspectacular career after thirteen seasons yet less than a thousand MLB games.

104.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Chris Magruder		138	28	.203	2	13	3	16	O
MIL Brewers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	B:S    T:R	-4		-4		-8.9		-9.3

Although Magruder spent all year on the Brewers' bench, his mediocre performance finally got him booted from the 40-man roster at season's end. He doesn't deserve another big league opportunity any time soon after clearly demonstrating his minimal upside in HR, SB, and BA. Don't bother rostering him for any reason.

105.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Doug Clark		5	0	.000	0	0	0	2	O
SF Giants		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	B:L    T:R	-4		-5		-0.9		-0.9

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: San Francisco for my comments on Clark.

106.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Todd Self		45	9	.200	1	4	0	7	O
HOU Astros		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	B:L    T:R	-4		-4		-2.9		-3.4

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: New York(N) for my comments on Self.

107.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Dan Ortmeier		22	3	.136	0	1	1	1	O
SF Giants		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	B:S    T:L	-4		-5		-2.5		-2.5

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: San Francisco for my comments on Ortmeier.

108.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Raul Mondesi		142	30	.211	4	17	0	17	O
ATL Braves		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 34	B:R    T:R	-4		-4		-6.6		-8.3

Technically Mondesi didn't return and even might want to return this summer, but after more underachieving seasons interrupted only by persistent off-field issues, he may not receive another shot a the majors. While I still see some power potential here, his minimal BA will offset any quantitative value he manages, rendering Mondesi effectively useless until further notice.

109.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Marquis Grissom		137	29	.212	2	15	1	8	O
SF Giants		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 38	B:R    T:R	-4		-5		-9.9		-9.2

Knee and hamstring problems benched Grissom for most of June and July, and San Francisco finally DFA'd him following the acquisition of Randy Winn. The Cubs waited until after the season to give Grissom a minor league deal, but after the worst year of his career, he appears unlikely to contribute helpful numbers even if he lands a job on the end of Dusty Baker's bench. Even a relatively strict platoon role doesn't seem likely to minimize Grissom's downside to the point where he merits much fantasy attention.

110.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Dave Krynzel		7	0	.000	0	0	0	0	O
MIL Brewers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 23	B:L    T:L	-4		-5		-1.3		-1.3

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Milwaukee for my comments on Krynzel.

111.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Brandon Watson		40	7	.175	1	5	0	8	O
WAS Nationals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	B:L    T:R	-4		-5		-3.6		-3.6

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Washington for my comments on Watson.

112.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Tony Blanco		62	11	.177	1	7	1	7	O
WAS Nationals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 23	B:R    T:R	-4		-5		-5.5		-5.1

Perhaps the worst Rule 5 pick from 2004, Blanco nevertheless followed Jim Bowden to Washington and spent half the year in the majors before vertigo sidelined him for a month. He added absolutely nothing to the Nationals before or after his return, finishing the year with a .215 OBP, .274 SLG, and little hope of resuming a big league career any time soon. Do not acquire him in any fantasy league despite a unique middle name of Hemiphere.

113.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Cody Ross		25	4	.160	0	1	0	1	O
LA Dodgers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	B:R    T:L	-4		-5		-2.8		-2.8

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Los Angeles(N) for my comments on Ross.

114.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Eric Valent		43	8	.186	0	1	0	4	O
NY Mets		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	B:L    T:L	-5		-5		-3		-3.4

A year after enjoying regular outfield duty for the Mets, Valent only lasted until late May with New York before his unsurprising demotion. Although he mildly rebounded in the minors, he still only managed a .255/.380/.407 output with 9 HR, 38 RBI, and a 55:58 BB:K in 275 AB. We can't consider him as anything more than roster filler until he resecures a regular job in the majors.

115.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Scott Hairston		20	2	.100	0	0	0	0	O
ARI Diamondbacks		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	B:R    T:R	-5		-6		-2.9		-2.6

One of fantasy's forgotten future studs, Hairston continued to abuse AAA pitching, compiling a .306/.380/.603 performance with 16 HR, 39 RBI, and a 21:40 BB:K in 209 AB for Tucson(PCL). He unfortunately required season-ending labrum surgery in July, but despite his inconsistent work since reaching Arizona in 2004, I still see significant upside in these numbers. A healthy Hairston could exceed twenty homers in a corner outfield slot, so consider spending a reserve pick on the recovering ex-prospect while certainly remaining vigilant if a change of scenery creates any opportunity for him.

116.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Luke Scott		80	15	.188	0	4	1	6	O
HOU Astros		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	B:L    T:R	-5		-6		-5.7		-5.7

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Houston for my comments on Scott.

117.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Roger Cedeno		57	9	.158	0	8	0	4	O
STL Cardinals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 31	B:S    T:R	-6		-6		-7.4		-7.6

The expiration of Cedeno's four-year deal casts the veteran into free agent limbo after hamstring problems sent him to the DL in June and led to his release mere weeks later. Although he still owns a little plate discipline, the disappearance of his formerly consistent double-digit SB output firmly destroys his otherwise respectable roto value. Cedeno no longer appears able to help any fantasy team.

118.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Jason Grabowski		112	18	.161	4	12	1	14	O
LA Dodgers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	B:L    T:R	-6		-6		-9.8		-10.7

Grabowski registered a .309/.410/.508 performance with 6 HR, 33 RBI, and a 30:26 BB: in 181 AB for AAA Las Vegas(PCL), however his failure even to echo his unimpressive 2004 big league averages apparently sticks him with a firm AAAA label. Befitting a player with his skills, he signed with Orix in Japan for 2006, which obviously removes him from receiving any fantasy consideration.

AL Starting Pitcher Week begins tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Right now Brandon Watson looks like the only outfielder listed above with a decent chance to win a regular job, but the minor league numbers of Scott Hairston and Luke Scott indicate plenty of upside. Feel free to target any member of this trio at a few bucks to fill out your outfield.