Sleeper of the Week

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays might be in bad shape now, but the young outfielders in their system are cause for hope. Carl Crawford showed occasional flashes of brilliance when called up to the Rays, Josh Hamilton has the talent to bounce back from a disappointing season, and Rocco Baldelli made enormous progress this year. This progress is particularly encouraging considering that he began the season on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. If Baldelli can harness his talent and show a bit more patience in the batter’s box, he could eventually put up numbers similar to those of Carlos Beltran at the major league level, hitting for average and power while making his speed felt on the basepaths.

Baldelli’s stats are already enough to make a fantasy owner’s mouth water. This year, he hit for an excellent .331 average at three levels, while adding 19 homers, 71 rbi and 26 steals. Above all, his concentration improved this season, turning him into a prospect who could help the parent club in the near future rather than a raw, long-term project.

While the Rays had originally planned to call Baldelli up in September, the team changed their mind, opting to give the former first-round pick more time to preapre himself to compete for a job in spring training. If Tampa Bay decides to give him more time in the minors next year, Baldelli will be worth a very early pick in 2003 minor league drafts. If it looks like he might make the major league roster, he’ll be worth a late flyer as a reserve outfielder for your major league team, particularly in keeper leagues.