With the 2008 season all but wrapped up, Burning Up the Bases’ Kevin Burgoyne breaks out his crystal ball and gazes into the minor leagues for his 2009 impact players from today’s farm systems. Join Sports Grumblings as we look into the international and Pacific Coast Leagues for tomorrow’s speedsters.
INTERNATIONAL
Josh Anderson, RIC (Braves): Already receiving a call-up, we have seen a glimpse of what Anderson can provide. He is a solid fielder with some pop in his bat. With 42 stolen bases in the minors and eight in 114 at bats in the majors, Anderson has demonstrated his ability to move on the base paths. Anderson hit .314 in Triple-A, dropping to .264 in the majors, but he has four things going for him in 2009. He has excellent plate presence, electric speed on the base paths, is a better-than-average fielder, and has a world of opportunity as he is currently a member of the rebuilding Atlanta Braves.
Andrew McCutchen, IND (Pirates): Andrew McCutchen got off to a slow start, which allowed the team to eclipse him in the early part of the year when the team was shuffling outfielders. Since then, McCutchen has hit .283, and stolen 34 bases, with nine homeruns, 50 runs batted in, and 74 runs scored. He will continue to be overlooked until he can calm down at the plate and improve on his 87 strikeouts in 2008. He is likely going to receive an All-Star break review with a potential call up late in 2009.
Chris Dickerson, LOU (Reds): This is another player with right around a century mark for at bats in the majors in 2008. Dickerson has shown that he can be a low-cost, high-reward fantasy outfielder, especially in NL-Only leagues in 2009. Hitting six homeruns, 20 runs, and 15 runs batted in during his brief stint since the departure of Adam Dunn has won him a ton of looks from fantasy keeper league owners. With a .303 batting average and the hopes that he lowers his strikeout to hit ratio, Dickerson could be one of the great 2009 steals… Think Raul Ibanez-like numbers with little to no expectations.
PACIFIC COAST
Eric Patterson, SAC (Athletics): Eric Patterson has been on the cusp of the major leagues for the better part of two years. The difference is his plate presence when he gets there. Patterson hit .324 in the minors after being sent down with a .192 major league average and was eventually traded to the Oakland Athletics. Patterson has a better chance of seeing the field in ’09 with the A’s, as they love to promote their youth early and often. If given the chance, Patterson can take his combined 29 steals in 2008 and put it to good use on a team that is increasing its speed each year. Place Patterson in a line-up with Emil Brown, Carlos Gonzalez, and Rajai Davis, and you have some serious speed in the outfield.
Colby Rasmus, MEM (Cardinals): Everyone thought he was a shoe-in for the 2008 roster; however, they did not anticipate the rise of Ryan Ludwick. Rasmus stole 15 bases in Triple-A this year while batting a mediocre .251. With at least half a season more in the minors, he may be able to rise to the major league club and start to have an impact on your fantasy bottom line in stolen bases. Rasmus, like Cameron Maybin and Andrew McCutchen, needs to work on plate presence, decrease the number of strikeouts and focus on fundamental hitting. Once he gets it together, he should prove to be a long-term, five-tool athlete.
Emilio Bonifacio, TUC (Nationals): The Nationals wasted no time promoting this young second baseman to the major leagues where he is being given the old school “trial by fire”. With only 85 games in Triple-A, Bonifacio stole seventeen bases, batted .302, and had 111 hits. With 45 games in the major leagues in 2008, he has managed only a .231 batting average, however, the team appears set to make their trading away of a savvy relief pitcher (Jon Rauch) a valuable one by getting Bonifacio past the learning curve before heading into 2009 as their starting second baseman.
