2012 Fantasy Baseball Rookie Report: No embargo on Cuba’s Yoenis Cespedes
Yoenis Cespedes (credits below)
The Rookie Report returns for the first of our weekly 2012 Tuesday editions. We start 2012 with a look at a Japanese flame thrower and a 26 year old slugger from Cuba.
SP- YU DARVISH (TEXAS)- Darvish was shaky in his first major league start last night as he took on the Seattle Mariners. The much hearalded Japanese phenom went 5.2 innings walking four batters while giving up eight hits and finishing with a 7.92 ERA. Darvish was a popular sleeper pick this spring with a ADP of 119. I recommend patience with him while he gets the jitters out and works out the kinks. He clearly has great stuff and it will only be a matter of time until he settles down.
SP/RP- LANCE LYNN (ST. LOUIS)- Currently the number five starter for the Cardinals, pitched a gem his first time out against the Brewers allowing only one run, striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings. Lance who got the win also only allowed two hits and finished with a 1.35 ERA. Lynn played a major relief role for the Cards in last year's World Series run and has been lights out in his brief MLB career. For now he occupies disabled list star pitcher Chris Carpenter's spot in the rotation.
RP- HECTOR SANTIAGO (CHI SOX)- Santiago is a hot commodity right now after being named the White Sox closer by manager Robin Ventura. Santiago already has two saves but a 4.50 ERA. I expect some growing pains out of the 24 year old lefty and he is not a sure thing. He also does not have a proven minor league track record. My advice is to proceed with caution.
SS- ZACK COZART (CINCINNATI)- Zack has gotton off to a great start going 7-14 for a .500 BA. While I certainly do not expect the .500 avg to continue, I think he is in an excellent spot to have a great year with the Reds. Occupying the number two spot in the Cincy lineup batting in between Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto is a no brainer. His minor league numbers show some pop as well so I dont think it is unreasonable to see Cozart post a .290/13/60 line with double-digit stolen bases.
OF- YOENIS CESPEDES (OAKLAND)- The 26-year old Cuban born phenom has been mashing the ball since his opening day start in Japan with the A's. Currently he has three home runs, seven RBI's and a .250 batting average. On the down side he has struck out nine times in only 16 AB's. I see the makings of a classic long ball slugger here so we need to get ready to take the good with the bad. If Cespedes still remains on your waiver wire stop reading this and grab him right now.
BRYCE HARPER WATCH – Harper has began his season at AAA Syracuse where he is working in center field. Through five games he is hitting .278 with no home runs and just one RBI.
SP- YU DARVISH (TEXAS)- Darvish was shaky in his first major league start last night as he took on the Seattle Mariners. The much hearalded Japanese phenom went 5.2 innings walking four batters while giving up eight hits and finishing with a 7.92 ERA. Darvish was a popular sleeper pick this spring with a ADP of 119. I recommend patience with him while he gets the jitters out and works out the kinks. He clearly has great stuff and it will only be a matter of time until he settles down.
SP/RP- LANCE LYNN (ST. LOUIS)- Currently the number five starter for the Cardinals, pitched a gem his first time out against the Brewers allowing only one run, striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings. Lance who got the win also only allowed two hits and finished with a 1.35 ERA. Lynn played a major relief role for the Cards in last year's World Series run and has been lights out in his brief MLB career. For now he occupies disabled list star pitcher Chris Carpenter's spot in the rotation.
RP- HECTOR SANTIAGO (CHI SOX)- Santiago is a hot commodity right now after being named the White Sox closer by manager Robin Ventura. Santiago already has two saves but a 4.50 ERA. I expect some growing pains out of the 24 year old lefty and he is not a sure thing. He also does not have a proven minor league track record. My advice is to proceed with caution.
SS- ZACK COZART (CINCINNATI)- Zack has gotton off to a great start going 7-14 for a .500 BA. While I certainly do not expect the .500 avg to continue, I think he is in an excellent spot to have a great year with the Reds. Occupying the number two spot in the Cincy lineup batting in between Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto is a no brainer. His minor league numbers show some pop as well so I dont think it is unreasonable to see Cozart post a .290/13/60 line with double-digit stolen bases.
OF- YOENIS CESPEDES (OAKLAND)- The 26-year old Cuban born phenom has been mashing the ball since his opening day start in Japan with the A's. Currently he has three home runs, seven RBI's and a .250 batting average. On the down side he has struck out nine times in only 16 AB's. I see the makings of a classic long ball slugger here so we need to get ready to take the good with the bad. If Cespedes still remains on your waiver wire stop reading this and grab him right now.
BRYCE HARPER WATCH – Harper has began his season at AAA Syracuse where he is working in center field. Through five games he is hitting .278 with no home runs and just one RBI.
(March 28, 2012 – Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Written by John Marino exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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