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Fantasy Forces:
1B-Carlos Delgado (30)- While he has steadily kept his power numbers near the top of the AL, Delgado has struggled to find the stroke
that produced a .344 average in 2000. Put on the disabled list with a lower back strain in August, the big lefty found his old stroke
indeed the rest of the way after returning and looks to continue the trend into '03. While he has always been able to rack up huge RBI
and HR totals, this might be his best season yet.
SP-Roy Halladay (25)- Once a star prospect, Halladay's career was hanging in the balance as recent as '01 but put any doubts to
rest with a Cy Young-caliber season as he amassed career bests across the board . And any naysayers who may think it was a fluke, he
has been better each successive half season over the last year and a half. With pinpoint control and an versatile arsenal, he is on
his way to being one of the majors best and with the powerful Blue Jays lineup behind him, he should continue to rack up big win totals.
LF-Shannon Stewart (29)- Continually the subject of trade rumors, Stewart was able to get back to left field and his hitting
improved because of it. While he was once thought to be developing into an effective #3, the speedster has been far more successful in
the leadoff spot. Stewart is one of the toughest hitters in the majors to throw a pitch by and will help in every category. More
of the same this year.
Better Days Ahead:
P-Mark Hendrickson (28)- Were it not for a four year career in the NBA, Hendrickson would have been known far earlier than now.
Stunted in his early development due to short seasons, only when the towering lefty gave up his basketball career did he vault through the
higher levels and into the majors. While his tall frame can make his stuff deceptive as with most similar pitchers, he has to develop
the depth of his repertoire. Though he is older, his development and workload still cast him as a prospect. He has the potential
to be an effective everyday starter and will get a shot this year but will likely settle into a long relief role with some spot starts.
2B-Orlando Hudson (25)- Hudson was perhaps the least successful of the Kiddie Corp in Toronto but showed flashes of brilliance
after taking over the pivot in July. With good speed, he will develop into an effective basestealer while his power and average
potential rest on being more patient and learning to take a walk. Strictly a lower end hitter now, Hidson has already gotten
better with more exposure and should continue down that path.
SP-Justin Miller (25)- As bad as Miller appeared to be in his debut last year, he showed much better results the second half as he
earned a spot in the rotation this season. A less known commodity in the Hinske/Koch deal, Miller doesn't use a big fastball but a repertoire
built on moving pitches. No matter what pitch he throws, he will need to learn control it if he hopes to have any success on the big
league level.
OF-Jayson Werth (23)- The departure of Cruz opens the door for the all-or-nothing slugger to step into a bigger role.
Although Werth likely does not have a .300 season in his future, his power is second to none with a good deal of speed to back it up.
Formerly a catcher, he resembles a trim Richie Sexson and has similar hitting issues, starting with a big swing that misses often.
SS-Chris Woodward (26)- When it was deemed Felipe Lopez wasn't ready to be a big league shortstop the Blue Jays turned to
Woodward and he responded by belting double digit homeruns and a .276 average. Although he is not the best of fielders, he is apt and
has the hitting to make it less of an issue. With only the aging Bordick as a second option, Woodward should get most of the at-bats
against RHPs. |
Supporting Cast:
RF-Frank Catalanotto (28)- With the departure of the under-achieving Cruz, Catalanotto moves in to provide yet another steady bat in the
middle of the Jays already potent offense. Suffering through two trips to the DL last season, the career .296 hitter never got on
track as he sank to career lows. While he spent a lot of his time in Texas leading off, he will be more productive hitting lower in
the lineup where he will get a bunch of RBI opps.
CL-Kelvim Escobar (26)- While Escobar finally completed the transition to the closer role, he had more than his share of headaches,
the result of the same inconsistencies that ousted him from the rotation. While leading the league in blown saves, Escobar's WHIP was
one of the worst among all relievers. If he can get a day's rest between outings, he will be more effective but anytime he steps on
the rubber, anything can happen.
3B-Erik Hinske (25)- Acquired in the deal that sent Billy Koch to Oakland, Hinske cast aside doubts about coping at a new
position and brought the AL ROY award back to Toronto; the first time since Alfredo Griffin in '79 that a Blue Jay has won it. Hinske
not only led all rookies in HRs and RBIs but did it in impressively consistent fashion. With the bruisers lined up around him, Hinske
will have apt opportunity to grow on his success but a boost in power may be a year away.
C-Ken Huckaby (31)- After a ten year stay in the minors, Huckaby had a 1 AB debut with the D'backs in '01 before sliding into the
Jays starting role following Darren Fletchers mid-season retirement. Known more for the defensive side of the game, Huckaby will be a
valuable fill-in while Kevin Cash continues to develop at Syracuse. As soon as Cash is ready he will get the bulk of the catching
at-bats.
SP-Cory Lidle (31)- Lidle came over in the offseason in exchange for a couple minor leaguers and immediately gives Toronto some
badly needed depth in their young rotation. While less talented than his former starting mates in Oakland, Lidle is a reliable thrower
who was on top of his game in the late months of '02 after nearly losing his starting role. While a slight dropoff is expected, his
wins should get into double digits again.
DH-Josh Phelps (24)- While his teammate was winning the ROY, no one made an impact like Phelps did after being recalled on July
2. Steadily climbing, by the time August came the bashing former backstop was unstoppable. Over the 30 days of August, Phelps
drove in 30 runs while belting 7 homeruns, a sign of things to come. While his ineptness behind the plate has made him a 1B/DH type,
no matter where he hits he will be highly effective.
CF-Vernon Wells (24)- Overshadowed by Hinske and Phelps, Wells' first full season went virtually unnoticed despite reaching
triple digits in RBIs and racking up over 600 at-bats, at the same time proving to be a fielder in the ranks of Hunter and Jones.
Wells only got better as the season wore on and if he can learn to take more pitches and be more patient, he could still be the 30/30 talent
the Jays used the 5th overall pick on in '97.
Risky Business:
SP-Tanyan Sturtze (32)- In a nutshell, Sturtze would rather forget his last season in Tampa Bay, resulting in AL-highs in categories a
pitcher would rather not lead in, including losses, hits allowed, runs allowed and walks. He also allowed the third most homeruns.
While there was talk of moving him to the bullpen in Tampa he will be a component in the Blue Jays rotation to open the season, for good or
bad but a future in bullpen is still not out of the question.
Past Their Prime:
SS-Mike Bordick (37)- After struggling to a career-low in hitting last year, Bordick steps in as the primary option against LHPs.
A sure fielder and baserunner, the 14-year veteran should consider his magical '97 season his curtain call as he sees his career wind down. |
