5. Nick Swisher  Oakland A's
Swisher made huge strides in 2006. His Runs increased by 40, he hit 14 more home runs and knocked in 14 more RBI than he did in 2005. His three year .246 average is concerning, but this up-and-comer has indicators that forecast he can hit for average, evident by the .050 point jump in OBP from 2005 to 2006. Once he improves his EYE and reduces his strikeout ratio, the power-hitting switch-hitter should experience an across-the-board statistical spike. Overall, his numbers have shown an upward trend making a repeat of his 2006 production an expectation.

Nick Swisher 2007 Projections  

G	AB	Runs	Hits	2B	3B	HR	BB	RBI	SO	SB	CS	E	AVG
147	524	86	131	29	1	29	82	88	133	0	2	5	0.250

6. Richie Sexson  Seattle Mariners
A monster second half in 2006 helped Sexson recover from a slow start in the spring and early summer. Sexson can best be compared to Paul Konerko, but with a large differential in strike outs. In fact the Seattle bag-man has averaged 150 K's per season dating back to 2001 -- the 30 home runs and 100+ RBI during that time frame makes his tendency to whiff palatable. Sexson can be counted on for 35-plus dingers and 100 RBI, but his lack of plate discipline diminishes his Roto value.

7. Howie Kendrick  LA Angels
Touting a rookie this high in the rankings is against our better judgment at SG, but numbers, projections and tendencies tell us Kendrick is not only going to be good, he could be exceptional. In his 2006 rookie campaign, Kendrick hit a meager .267 -- but his minor league totals paint a different picture. Kendrick was a career .359 hitter during his four-year stint on the farm, which translates into better numbers across the board for his sophomore season. The Angels believe his power will increase as he matures and his improved plate discipline during the latter stages of his rookie season  put him in a position to see better pitches during the dog-days-of-summer. Kendrick is raw, but ultra-talented, and easily rates as potentially the strongest second-year player in the league. A sure-shot AL-only top-tiered option, his dual qualification offer owners a fringe starter in mixed leagues as well.

8. Kevin Youkilis  Boston Red Sox
Youkilis' 2006 season can be summed up in the 'tale of two halves'. In the first half last year he hit .297 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI. He digressed in the second half with a .258 AVG with but 3 home runs and 29 RBI. This may have been a repercussion of being a full time player for the first time in his career. The Red Sox believe making Youkilis the number-two in the batting order -- in front of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez -- will make him a better hitter and assist the offense in being more balanced rather than simply a station-to-station unit. Youkilis has a terrific eye and the ability to move runners. Expect plenty of hit-and-run plays with Youkilis hitting behind the speedy Julio Lugo.