LestersLegends.com

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The Reds are blessed with two of the best young hitters in the game in Joey Votto (27) and Jay Bruce (24 in April). Votto made the jump from above-average fantasy first basemen to MVP. I’m not saying that Jay Bruce can become MVP material, but he has the ability to become an elite power-hitting outfielder.
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Bruce topped 20 home runs for the third straight season, setting a career high with 25. He also set career highs in runs (80), RBI (70), and OPS (.846). Perhaps most importantly, he hit .281. Considering he hit .254 and .223 respectively in his first two seasons, last year’s jump in average was monumental.
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It wasn’t that way for the whole season though. Through July he was hitting just .261 with ten HRs in 376 at bats. That average was higher than his career average entering the season (.240), but it was far from spectacular. He made up for it by 53 runs and driving in another 41.

Joey Votto is really a hot button player this year. Some really love him, while others want no parts of him. I think I’m somewhere in the middle. 

I understand the concern since Votto ‘s career highs in runs (82), HRs (25), and RBIs (84) by no means scream fantasy starting first basemen. I can’t fault you if his mysterious absence last year has you concerned. Nor can I fault you if you think he’s overvalued given an ADP that puts him in the early third round. Personally I have him as my 9th ranked 1B (click to see the rankings).

Putting all of that aside, I love his potential. He’s a career .310 hitter with a .924 OPS. While he’s not a prototypical power hitter, he has hit 49 the past two years with 70 doubles. The addition of Orlando Cabrera should lead to more RBI opportunities. 

While he plays in a hitter’s park, he is equally as effective on the road.

Home:  528 AB, 86 R, 160 H, 31 2B, 3 3B, 32 HR, 99 RBI, .303 BA, .939 OPS
Away:  551 AB, 76 R, 174 H, 46 2B, 1 3B, 21 HR, 86 RBI, .316 BA, .909 OPS

He has picked apart his division to the tune of .317 with 32 HRs and 99 RBIs in 156 games.

Votto will turn 27 in September and is in his third full year in the bigs. If anyone has breakout written all over them, it’s Votto. That doesn’t mean I think you should take him early in the third round, but I would have no problem if he slipped to the 4th, even if I had him penciled in for my IF slot.

Past profiles:
Arizona Diamondbacks:  Brandon Webb
Atlanta Braves: Yunel Escobar
Baltimore Orioles:  Adam Jones
Boston Red Sox:  Clay Buchholz
Chicago Cubs:  Geovany Soto
Chicago White Sox:  Jake Peavy

Now an early look at the NL Central.

1. Can the Cubs’ offense bounce back?
Geovany Soto had a miserable season hitting .218. He was brilliant in Triple-A Iowa in 2007 and had an amazing Rookie season. I fully expect him to bounce back in 2010. Even if he is an average of his past two years, he’d have a decent season. Just don’t reach for him. Assuming Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano can stay healthy, they should have better seasons as well. Marlon Byrd hit 70 percent of his HRs at Rangers Ballpark so I expect him to take a step back in Chicago. At his age (34), I don’t expect Derrek Lee to match the 35 HRs and 111 RBIs. As a whole, though, I do think the Cubs will be much-improved on offense next year thanks to the addition by subtraction of Milton Bradley.

2.  Can Carlos Marmol get it done at Closer?
His BAA was equally nasty as a closer and a setup man, though his ERA and WHIP both improved when he took over at closer. He has both the stuff and demeanor to get the job done. I think he can be a high-end closer next year despite entering the season with just23 career Saves.

3.  Is Joey Votto set to bust out big time?
Joey’s average and OPS  soared dramatically in his second full season. Despite playing in 20 fewer games he had 13 more runs, six more doubles, one more HR, the same amount of RBIs, and 11 more walks. As long as he stays healthy, Votto should emerge as one of the games best hitters.

4. How about Jay Bruce?
I’m not sure he’ll light the world on fire, but he should be improved. Hard not to when you hit .223. I’m encouraged by the way he played in September when he hit .353 with 4 HRs and 16 RBIs in 34 ABs.

5. Is Lance Berkman’s dip a sign of things to come?
I don’t think so. He’s about as steady as they come. Gone are the days of 40 HRs and 120 RBIs, but he should still be good for 30 & 110.

6. Is Tommy Manzelli going to be a viable fantasy option?
I don’t think so. He didn’t exactly put up monster numbers for Triple-A Round Rock last year, hitting .289 with 68 runs, 9 HRs, 56 RBIs, and 12 SBs in 530 ABs.

7.  Is Casey McGehee for real?
He had an impressive Rookie season hitting .301 with 58 runs, 16 HRs, and 66 RBIs in 355 ABs. I like the way he responded in September hitting .337 with 5 HRs and 26 RBIs after struggling in August hitting .241. I wouldn’t want him as a starter, but his 2B/3B eligibility make him a decent bench option.

8.  Can Garrett Jones continue to be a power threat?
He certainly hit his share with 21 in 314 ABs for a 14.9 AB/HR ratio. It is highly unlikely that he can maintain that ratio. His OPS of .939 was also significanly higher than the majority of his minor league stints.

9.  Will Mark McGwire be a distraction?
I don’t think so. He came clean early enough where is shouldn’t be much of an issue for the Cards.

10.  Will Ryan Franklin continue to be an elite closer?
Franklin was one of the surprise closers last year when he recorded 38 saves with a 1.92 ERA. His numbers were significantly worse after the All-Star break.

0.79 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, .165 BAA
3.33 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, .284 BAA

While he was a pleasant surprise last year, I see no reason to believe he can match his 2009 production.

The Indians activated OF Grady Sizemore (elbow) from the DL.  He has been out since May 30th.  He has struggled this season hitting .223 with 29 Runs, 9 HRs, 31 RBIs, and 7 SBs.  Despite his struggles, he should be inserted into fantasy lineups immediately.

The Reds activated 1B Joey Votto.  Votto is enjoying a fine season hitting .357 with 23 Runs, 8 HRs, and 33 RBIs.  I would hold off on putting him into your fantasy lineup until his role is defined since he was sidelined with a mysterious ailment.

The Mets placed Carlos Beltran on the 15-DL because of a knee bruise.  It has not slowed him at the plate though as he’s hitting .336 with 40 Runs, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs, and 11 SBs.  Fernando Martinez is getting another stint with the Mets.  He hit just .194 in his first taste of the bigs.  Ryan Church (.277, 2 HRs, 16 RBIs) is the guy I’d add.

The Angels are returning Ervin Santana to the 15-Day DL because of sore triceps.  Santana has struggled in his six starts this year going 1-3 with a 7.47 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP.  The move was made retroactive to June 12th, but it’s unclear when he’ll make his next start.  At this point he hasn’t shown he’s worth a roster spot on fantasy teams.

The Milwaukee Brewers were dealt a blow when Second Baseman Richie Weeks went down with a wrist injury.  He is lost for the season.  Weeks was hitting .272 with 28 Runs, 9 HRs, and 24 RBIs.  Casey McGehee, who is hitting .188 in 11 games will see more time at 2B.  Craig Counsell will also play the position, but at 38 years old, he’s not likely to play every day.  He is doing well though with a .324 average in 28 games.

Carlos Delgado will have his hip scoped.  The procedure could cost him a couple of months or more.  Fernando Tatis and Jeremy Reed will man First Base until Delgado can return.

The Cardinals got a three-pack of good news when they learned that Chris Carpenter and Rick Ankiel will be back on Wednesday and Ryan Ludwick should be able to return when he’s eligible to come off the DL.

Cincinnati’s Joey Votto will get checked out by doctors to try and find the cause of his recent dizzy spell.  Adam Rosales has been getting time at First Base for the Reds.

Kevin Youkilis started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket.  He went hitless in his debut with the club, but he felt good. 

Vladimir Guerrero is set to begin a rehab assignmnet for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. If all goes well, he could be back in the Angels’ lineup early next week.

Pat Burrell landed on the DL with a neck injury.  Ben Zobrist will continue to fill in for Burrell.