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Versatility rocks!!!

A hitter who can play multiple positions is uber-valuable for a manager. What’s important for a fantasy GM is if that player qualifies for multiple positions. There are more than 50 hitters out there that have played in 15+ games at, at least, two positions, which qualifies them for both positions in most leagues. However, there are only five players who…

• Qualify at two or more positions
• Have the power to hit double digit home runs
• Have the speed to rack up double digits in stolen bases

Here they are, ranked by Average Draft Position supplied by Mock Draft Central.

1. B.J. Upton | Tampa Bay Rays | ADP: 22.92 (late 2nd round) | 2B/OF - Posted slash stats of .300/.384/.508 while launching 24 home runs and swiping 22 bases in 2007. But, a few of his other numbers (high strikeout rate of 32.5%, low contact rate of 68% and a very high BABIP of .399) lead me to believe that his numbers are inflated. You can still expect 18+ home runs and 25+ stolen bases in 2008.
2. Carlos Guillen | Detroit Tigers | ADP: 52.74 (early 5th round) | SS/1B - You don’t see the shortstop/first base combo too much, but when Edgar Renteria and Miguel Cabrera come to town and take over the left side of the infield, you’d best be able to play first base. Guillen hit 23 home runs last season and added 13 stolen bases while approaching .300. Expect something very similar in 2008, but don’t expect any future years with positional versatility like this. Guillen is locked at first base to stay.
3. Alex Gordon | Kansas City Royals | ADP: 145.06 (early 13th round) | 3B/1B - Gordon had some growing pains in his first MLB season as he only hit .247/.300/.411 with 15 home rus and 14 stolen bases. 2008 should be better as he could approach a 20/20 season.
4. Josh Fields | Chicago White Sox | ADP: 181.49 (early 16th round) | 3B/OF - Injuries forced Fields into MLB service earlier than most expected and boy did he shine. In only 373 at-bats he bopped 23 home runs. Fields also has some speed, although he didn’t show it in ‘07, as he stole 26 bases in 2006 at the AAA level. The White Sox are going to have to find 500+ at-bats for Fields in 2008, and if they do, good things will happen. Fields could hit 25 home runs and steal 10 bases if given every day playing time.
5. Felipe Lopez | Washington Nationals | ADP: 239.08 (late 20th round) | SS/2B - Many things are looking up for Felipe Lopez. The most important change may be the new hitter friendly ballpark the Nationals will play in this season. Lopez hit 9 home runs in 2007 and stole 24 bases, but the 2008 Felipe Lopez might well hit 13+ home runs and 30+ stolen bases. If he can bump his average up a bit, he’d be a virtual steal in the 20th round.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm and is filed under Stolen Base Threats. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.