Fantasy Forces:
CF-Brian Giles (31)- If there is a more consistent hitter in baseball, we don't know who he is. Playing lone wolf in a fragile
lineup, the former Indian has topped 35 homeruns each of the last four seasons while roping 37 doubles each of the last three seasons.
Although his average fell below .300 for the first time in four years, he posted a career high in OBP, largely the product of a career high
in walks. Although he will again be the primary enforcer, Giles should benefit from the presence of Simon as well as a sure increase
in production from Aramis Ramirez. So close the last four seasons, pencil him in for increases across the board including his first
40-homerun campaign.
CL-Mike Williams (34)- Five years ago the Pirates took a chance on a washed up starter who failed in a short bullpen stint in Kansas
City. He rewarded Pittsburgh with a sensational half season that earned him a shot at closing in '99. Three years later, after
being traded to the Astros and returning a couple months later, Williams shattered the Pirates' saves record, besting Jim Gott's 34 by 12,
blowing just 4 others. With an average lineup on his side, he should again see a bundle of save situations although it's doubtful he
will have last year's overall success. Armed with a devastating slider, Williams faded late last season but should have a couple more
years in him as a top closer.
Better Days Ahead:
LF-Tony Alvarez (23)- With tons of potential, Alvarez carried a stellar '02 spring into an all-around productive season at Double
A. One of the Pirates top prospects since '99, Alvarez has the ability to be a yearly .300/20/30 hitter but needs to develop his
discipline at the plate as well as on the basepaths. While his speed makes him a natural for the leadoff spot and center field, the
Pirates would rather see him get more seasoning at Triple A before letting Giles go back to left next year although a callup would happen if
either Stairs or Hydzu went down or failed to produce.
Risky Business:
SP-Dave Williams (24)- After a good start last year, Williams fell into a funk that ended with season-ending shoulder surgery, the
result of, some say, the increased velocity on his pedestrian fastball. When he is getting hitters out the southpaw is using his deep
arsenal but tended to rely too much on his heater last season. While he is expected to be ready for spring training, Williams may have
to duke it out with Salomon Torres for the fifth spot with the other spots already occupied. A liklier option is a stint at Nashville
to get his feet wet, in which case he would be the first option should one of the top five go down.
SP-Salomon Torres (31)- Once thought of as a future ace in San Francisco, Torres retired prematurely in '97 before stepping back into
the game last year. At one time a pinpoint thrower, Torres misses on his pitches far more often but can still be tough to hit,
allowing less than a hit an inning. Armed with a dazzling array of pitches, Torres will get a shot at the last spot in the rotation
but be very careful. Experiments like this one don't work out too often and while he had good success last year a bigger load would
surely take its toll. Past Their Prime:
LF-Matt Stairs (35)- Despite the fact Stairs can no longer hit, run or field a position, he keeps picking up contracts due to his
massive power. Since a bust-out '99 season, the prototypical DH has seen successive decreases in playing time, resulting in sinking
homerun and RBI totals. While Stairs is likely to start in left to open the season, Alvarez is a phonecall away from sending Stairs
into retirement.
1B-Kevin Young (33)- With the acquisition of Simon, Young's career as a full-time player is likely over. Perenially
coming in near the bottom of the OBP chart, Young no longer posesses the hitting, power or running skills that at one time made him one of
the most versatile first basemen in the game. Now he is a fading backup who could get the lefthanded at-bats. |
Supporting Cast:
C-Jason Kendall (28)- Mirroring Williams career, Kendall started at the top and has worked his way into the proverbial grey area.
After ranking among the top offensive catchers in the game, Kendall has seen a drastic dip in his power numbers as well as his average,
falling from a career .314 in '00 to .300 last year. Some theorize the move to PNC has been the biggest contributor to his slide but
it also holds true that Kendall is not nearly as patient as he was earlier in his career and tries to drive the ball more. Still, it's
hard to believe a hitter as talented as Kendall won't find his stroke, he was considerably better last year than the year before and should
get back to a shade of his former self.
3B-Aramis Ramirez (24)- Fresh off a monster '01 season, Ramirez came crashing back to earth as he endured a season-long slump that
ended with the second lowest OBP in the NL. Suffering a sprained ankle after charging Ben Sheets 3 weeks into the season, the injury
nagged him until the final weeks, limiting his mobility and footwork at the plate and in the field. Pitchers became intent on jamming
pitches on the inside and Ramirez suffered because of it. Going on his sixth season, the stocky slugger will be just 24 on Opening Day
and will will once again settle into the cleanup spot. Although he has never been one to pass up a good pitch, Ramirez will need to be
more selective at the plate and make adjustments to the inside stuff if he hopes to approach his '01 totals again.
SP-Josh Fogg (26)- Acquired along with Wells in exchange for Todd Ritchie during the '01 offseason, Fogg enjoyed a rock solid
rookie season that led to the most starts by a Pirates rookie in more than a century. Working with a deep, quality arsenal, some
compare the crafty pitcher to Greg Maddux although he works off his slider. Relying on location and finesse, Fogg isn't going to be a
big strikeout pitcher but can be very tough to hit and should have better strength to go deeper into games this season.
SP-Kris Benson (28)- Even though the '02 season was largely a stage for Benson's recovery following major elbow surgery, he
showed flashes of his wicked potential in his last 17 starts, winning 9 of them with a 3.57 ERA. While he comes equipped with a four
pitch repertoire, Benson gets in trouble when he gets away from his hard stuff, which can crawl into the upper 90s and did again at the end
of last year. At 28 and with just 30 career wins under his belt, it is time for Benson to warrant his top pick status and looking at
his latter production last year this could be the year he places his name among the best in the game although wins are going to be tough to
come by.
SP-Jeff Suppan (28)- Signed as a free agent, Suppan spent much of last season out of place as the Royals ace and wound up with
yet another substandard season although he topped the 200-inning mark for the fourth straight year. Working with a vanilla assortment
of pitches, Suppan has always given up far more hits than innings and a good share of the four base variety. With the trio
leading the way Suppan will benefit from pitching lower in the rotation, where he will often face pitchers of his talent as opposed to the
aces he had to match up against the past two seasons but the results will be minimal.
RF-Craig Wilson (26)- After splitting time between right and first the last two seasons, Wilson will open as the primary right
fielder this year, leaving first in the hands of Simon. With power to spare, Wilson would be an instant 30-homerun threat if he can
get to 500 ABs but his mounting strikeout totals and inconsistencies will likely keep him below that level. He is an all or nothing
hitter and too often it's the latter.
SP-Kip Wells (25)- After failing to live up to the hype in 67 appearances as a White Sox, Wells slipped into a full-time spot in the
rotation and turned in the best season of any Pirates pitcher in '02. Loaded with an explosive fastball that can touch just shy of
triple digits, Wells has the rare ability to throw five pitches effectively but doesn't use his change on a regular basis. While wins
are always an issue in Pittsburgh, Wells should match last year's numbers.
SS-Jack Wilson (25)- If you ever play in a fantasy league that includes sacrifice bunts, Wilson is your guy, accounting for 17 each
of the last two seasons, tops in the majors. At the same time, however, if you play in the other 99.9% of the leagues that don't
include bunts he isn't going to help you much. Not only does he not have any power to speak of but he lacks the speed to take
advantage of his groundball tendencies while his strikeouts hang on the high side for a contact hitter. Despite the NL's lowest
average versus RHP last year (just ahead of teammate Ramirez), Wilson's glove work and potential (he has hit .373, .369 and .343 in the
minors) will keep him in the lineup, likely in the 8th hole.
2B-Pokey Reese (29)- Like most of the denizens of the Pirates lineup, Reese suffers from impatience at the plate, leading to
many bad swings and failed at-bats. An explosive baserunner, Reese is a few walks away from being an effective leadoff hitter and he
seemed to show more patience as '02 wore on and the results were an increased average and a career best in OBP. Like Wilson, he is a
top or bottom hitter and will likely open the season at the top.
|
