7. Russell Martin Los Angeles Dodgers

The 24-year-old got a chance to start after Dioner Navarro (now with Tampa Bay) went down with a wrist injury in early May and never looked back. Martin put together a fine rookie campaign (.282-10-65-65-10 in 121 games) and showed why he was so highly touted on his way to the big leagues. He has a good eye (57K/45BB last season) and should continue to improve with the bat; perhaps slugging his way to as many as 15 HR this year. Martin averaged 12 SB per season over his last two minor league seasons so there is no reason to think he cannot match his 2006 total in that category.

The Phillies will let Barajas and Carlos Ruiz battle it out this spring for the starting catcher job. Barajas, 31, averaged .259-16-53 in 108 games per season over the past three years as a member of the Rangers. Though he figures to get the nod as Philadelphia’s starting catcher, there is a good chance that Ruiz will see a fair chunk of playing time as well so be aware of that as you ponder the thought of selecting Barajas on draft day. The 28-year-old Ruiz batted .307-16-69 in 368 AB at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season when he was not filling in for the Phillies (.261-3-10 in 69 AB).

9. David Ross Cincinnati Reds

The Reds were evidently sold on his performance from 2006 (.255-21-52 with 75K in 247 AB) as they signed the 30-year-old to a two-year, $4.5 million contract in January. Fantasy owners would be wise to view Ross with some skepticism this season as he had struggled mightily at the major league level prior to last season (.217-19-50 with 136K/36BB in 424 career AB). It is also worth noting that he batted just .203-9-21 in 126 AB over the second half of 2006. Given his troubles against right-handed pitching (.228-10-33 in 84 games last season) and Javier Valentin’s success against pitchers of the same ilk (.286-8-25 in 88 games in ’06), this could develop into a platoon situation if Ross cannot get off to a fast start.