Kurt Suzuki (C) Oakland Athletics

The 24-year-old backstop out of Cal State Fullerton is just another hunch in a long line of Billy Beane’s OBP manifestations. Last season, Suzuki hit .249 with seven home runs, 39 RBIs, 27 runs scored and a .735 OPS in 213 at-bats. Although his career OBP
(.331) isn’t up to par with what Beane expects out of his players, his three hits and 1.069 OPS in eight at-bats in Japan could be an indication of what he might be able to accomplish in the near future. However, since his first big league hack in 2007, the 2004 second-round pick has posted an atrocious .145 average against southpaws and a .233 average inside the home confines of McAfee Stadium. Suzuki’s sample size is very small, but with catcher being so scarce, you could do much worse than grabbing Oakland’s backstop of the future.
Phenomenal Prediction: 460 AB, 55 R, 15 HR, 80 RBIs, 1 SB, .280 AVG

Ryan Garko (1B) Cleveland Indians

In 2007, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound masher hit .289 with 21 home runs, 61 RBIs, 62 runs scored and a .842 OPS in 484 at-bats. He sports a career .358 OBP and has cranked a lifetime .319 off left-handed pitching. In 2008, Garko will be playing fulltime at first base, something that he has never done over his big league career. In addition, his lifetime .835 OPS indicates the possibility of solid production in the coming years for the 27-year-old.  He plays in a stacked lineup and is smack-dab in the middle of his prime. He might not blowup like Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard did in 2006, but the production he might provide at your utility spot or as a No. 2 first baseman could be insurmountable. If 2007 was any indication of his future, you’re going to be a very happy owner.
Phenomenal Prediction: 560 AB, 85 R, 28 HR, 95 RBIs, 2 SB, .295 AVG

Aaron Hill (2B) Toronto Blue Jays

The 26-year-old infielder hit .291 with 17 home runs, 78 RBIs, 87 runs scored, four stolen bases and a .792 OPS in 608 at-bats during 2007. Over his career, he has posted a .305 average against southpaws and a .281 clip against right-handed hurlers. In addition, he has notched a .303 batting average with 15 dingers, 88 RBIs, 115 runs scored and a .805 OPS in 770 Rogers Centre at-bats. However, Hill has posted a grimy .260 average in 173 career April at-bats. Since Hill’s first season in the bigs during the 2005 campaign, he has done nothing but positively progress offensively. Expect big things from the 5-foot-11, 195-pound LSU alum in 2008.
Phenomenal Prediction: 600 AB, 95 R, 20 HR, 85 RBIs, 6 SB, .305 AVG

Stephen Drew (SS) Arizona Diamondbacks

In 2007, the 25-year-old brother of our esteemed orthopedic burden J.D. Drew hit .238 with 12 home runs, 60 RBIs, 60 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a .683 OPS in 543 at-bats. I know what you’re thinking, but 2007 was his first full season in the bigs. He has a ton of upside coming into 2008, and his productive spring only enhances his value. I’m not going to sit here and type a novel about the putrid offensive splits that he has posted over his 756 career at-bats. But I can tell you one thing, Drew possesses immense talent and once he puts it together, he will be a force. He is a No. 2 shortstop going into the season, take a chance on the kid, he might surprise you.
Phenomenal Prediction: 580 AB, 80 R, 15 HR, 75 RBIs, 18 SB, .270 AVG

Mark Reynolds (3B) Arizona Diamondbacks

I have invested a lot in the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Virginia alum. During his inaugural season in 2007, Reynolds hit .279 with 17 home runs, 62 RBIs, 62 runs scored and a .843 OPS in 366 at-bats. In August and September combined last season, Reynolds hit .319 with nine dingers, 31 RBIs and 33 runs scored in 166 at-bats. In addition, he hit .287 with seven home runs, 34 dingers and 26 runs scored in 167 Chase Field at-bats. However, he did strikeout a ridiculous 129 times during his limited 111-game debut. The youngster has immense potential and I truly believe he’s going to tear it up in 2008. Watch and see.
Phenomenal Prediction: 550 AB, 90 R, 26 HR, 95 RBIs, 2 SB, .285 AVG

Lastings Milledge (OF) Washington Nationals

The trade to the Nationals will provide Milledge with the much needed opportunity to shine. In 358 career at-bats, he hasn’t done much. But he possesses power and speed, which is a very tempting mixture for fantasy owners. He’s worth using in all formats and could morph into one of the premier outfielders in the game this season. Watch his strikeouts; he whiffed 42 times last season in 184 at-bats. However, he posted a .787 OPS, which indicates that the soon-to-be 23-year-old could be on the verge of something special. Keep an eye on him though; he has had a lot of conduct problems in the past.
Phenomenal Prediction: 590 AB, 80 R, 20 HR, 85 RBIs, 20 SB, .285 AVG

Jeremy Hermida (OF) Florida Marlins

Hermida (hamstring) was just placed on the 15-disabled list Saturday (retroactive to March 21). The loss of third baseman Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers will hurt him and the squad immensely. But if last season’s .296 average with 18 dingers, 63 RBIs, 54 runs scored and a .870 OPS in 429 at-bats is any indication of his future, the sky is the limit. However, to succeed like a star, Hermida must improve upon his lifetime .262 average against left-handed hurlers and his tendency to swing and miss; he struck out 105 times during the 2007 campaign. His career .811 OPS indicates stardom, so make sure the 24-year-old uber talent is on your team when his true potential is finally unveiled.
Phenomenal Prediction: 540 AB, 85 R, 25 HR, 90 RBIs, 8 SB, .305 AVG
 
Jeff Francoeur (OF) Atlanta Braves

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound slugger is not a sleeper you would expect to see on a list like this, but I couldn’t resist. Last season, Francoeur’s plate presence matured a bit, he walked 19 more times than his 23 free passes in 2006 and notched a .338 OBP, which was 45 points higher than his 2006 mark (.293). His home run power dipped by 10 bombs in 2007, but he registered a .782 OPS, which was a 40-point increase over the .742 mark he notched in 2006. He is only 24 years young and takes his hacks in one of the National League’s most potent lineups. If you can’t tell, I love Francoeur.
Phenomenal Prediction: 590 AB, 90 R, 30 HR, 110 RBIs, 5 SB, .305 AVG

Dustin McGowan (SP) Toronto Blue Jays

In 2007, the 26-year-old hurler registered a 12-10 record with 144 strikeouts, 61 walks, a 4.08 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 169 2/3 innings. He finished the 2007 campaign off with a September that saw him go 4-2 with 41 strikeouts, 13 walks, a 3.79 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings. His 8-3 record with 76 strikeouts, 25 walks, a 3.27 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 85 1/3 innings inside the Rogers Centre was elite. McGowan’s talent is evident, so be prepared to pay an expensive price for his services via trade. He won’t disappoint.
Phenomenal Prediction: 200 IP, 16 W, 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 185 K

Matt Garza (SP) Tampa Bay Rays

Call me what you will, but there is something about this guy that intrigues me. I’m not going to go over his stats from last year, but I just have a hunch. Not much to say here, because his numbers don’t support a thing. If you have space, grab him; see what he can do in 10 starts. There is no fact based on this opinion, just a gut feeling.
Phenomenal Prediction: 185 IP, 10 W, 3.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 160 K

George Sherrill (RP) Baltimore Orioles

Sherrill was one of the main pieces to the trade that sent former Baltimore ace Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners. Last season, he recorded a 2-0 record with three saves, 56 strikeouts, 17 walks, a 2.36 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in 45 2/3 innings with Seattle. Over his career, he has limited opposing hitters to a paltry .208 batting average. Although the O’s won’t win a ton of games, there’s no doubt that when called upon, Sherrill should be golden.
Phenomenal Prediction: 60 IP, 3.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 70 K, 4 W, 32 S

Rob McCarthy has played fantasy sports since the days of tediously transferring his daily points from the Boston Herald to a tattered notepad every morning.  He has been featured on Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports and currently scribes for KFFL.com.  In addition, Rob is an avid fan of all Boston sports.
 
 

3 Responses to “Fantasy Phenom Lineup Card: 2008 All-Sleeper Team”

1. Neil Says:
   April 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

   This is a very solid list that’s been put together. Nearly all these guys have gotten off to fast starts in the first three weeks of the season. I have been most impressed with Reynolds and Milledge. Great post.

2. Rob McCarthy Says:
   April 24th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

   Hey Neil,

   I hope it helped you out a bit. Keep coming to the site and thanks for your support.

   Rob

3. Ryan Says:
   April 25th, 2008 at 2:29 am

   Looking back, these were solid projections. I’m also a big Suzuki backer.

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