Casey At Bat

Alright, go ahead and 'booo' me over the title. It's pretty bad, but just too easy.

Casey McGehee is the third baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers. The 27 year old had a nice breakout season last year. He batted a .301 AVG, 16 HR, 66 RBI, and 58 Runs (in 116 games). Solid. What makes him more then just another third baseman is that he is second base eligible in most leagues. I wrote about Gordan Beckham and how his second base eligibility (soon) raises his value, same with McGehee.

Although he had a bad spring, he's performing now that it counts. The Brewers have a decent hitting team (Braun, Fielder), so this give McGehee that much more value. If we start with last years stats, we would walk away with a nice second baseman. The fact that he can improve those numbers is exciting. If he continues to hit (5/11, 1 HR, 3 RBIs so far), he'll make a great sleeper. I like him for a .300 AVG, 25 HR, 80 RBIs, and 70 Runs. Not bad at all for a potential waiver wire pickup! Also, being born in my hometown of Santa Cruz, CA, just makes him all the more appealing.

Second base is starting to look a little deeper then I originally thought heading into the year. McGehee is one of the reasons for that. He is available in more then 50% of leagues, but that number is dwindling.

-Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)

Grab You Some S-Rod

Reid Brignac won the 'rookie of spring training' award for the Rays. Good for him. However, his primary competition is starting over him. Sean Rodriguez is the starting second baseman on the opening day roster. This is a little sooner then most thought (myself included).

Don't the Rays already have a second baseman? Yes. In fact, they have at least 3 guys who can play the position, and play it well. Ben Zobrist (who had a break out year last year) can and will play some 2B, but will also see a lot of RF to allow others to step up. Reid Brignac can play 2B and likely will get some playing time (at the very least as an infield utility guy). Last, we have the above mentioned starting 2B, Sean Rodriguez.

Why pick him up? First, the Rays have shown a great ability to groom young players. Second, as good as Brignac's spring was, Rodriguez's was better. .420 AVG, 15 RBIs, 6 HRs. Third, he already has the 'S-Rod' nickname catching on.

Good development, good hitter, good defender, good team, good pickup for you! Rodriguez has a chance to be one of the better sleepers of the year. Should be available in about 90% of leagues, but probably not for too long.

-Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)

Secret Second

Second Base has been a weak position for a few years now. Yes, there are some good players, but the difference from tier 1 to tier 2 seems pretty big. Generally you draft a second baseman in the first couple of rounds or the last couple of rounds. But wait, there is a guy who can perform like a high end pick that can be had in middle rounds.

His name is Gordan Beckham, second base, Chicago White Sox. Wait, in my league he is listed as a third baseman, not second. Correct. At this moment, he is only eligible at 3B, but his position for the White Sox this year will be 2B. So within a week or two, he will be 2B eligible. This little fact is why you can get him on the cheap. This is why he is a 'Secret Second'.

You see, as a third baseman, he is average. He would not be a top pick, but would make someones fantasy team in most formats. But average 3B numbers translate to pretty good 2B numbers.

Wait, there's more! He's only 23 and has upside. In 2009, he played in 103 games as a rookie. He put up a .270 AVG, 14 HR, 63 RBIs, and 7 SBs. He can increase all of those this year. That would move him up the third base rankings, but will rocket him up the second base rankings!

In my AL only league, I picked him up in during the middle rounds. I already had two third basemans, but with his 2B eligibility coming soon, he will boost that position.

If you haven't had your draft (ummm, better do it soon) then target him for your 2B position in the middle rounds and watch the good stats roll in. If your draft is over, consider getting him in a trade. You might be able to pull off a good deal, as he is only 3B eligible right now. The moment he grabs 2B eligibility, his price should go up.

-Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)