Sleeper Watch

Looking for a shortstop prospect who comes with upside at the plate, yet won’t cost you an arm and a leg, even in dynasty leagues? How about Minnesota’s Jason Bartlett?

Up-and-coming shortstops who hit well at the AAA level usually cause quite a stir, both in the media and in the fantasy community, but so far, Bartlett has largely slipped through the cracks. Yet while Bartlett may not be a household name, minor league pitchers have become quite familiar with the 24-year-old. In 66 games at AAA Rochester last season, he hit an impressive .332 with an OPS of .892, following up on a 2003 AA campaign in which he posted an .805 OPS and a .296 average. Speed? Bartlett swiped 41 bags in 2002, although he was caught a rather high 24 times. Plate discipline? With a K/BB ratio of 0.92 at Rochester last year, he’s well ahead of most players in his age group.

Now, following a very strong spring showing (.389 average, .611 slugging, two steals in 15 games), it looks like Bartlett hasn’t just earned a roster spot with the big league club, but also locked up the Twins’ starting shortstop spot to start the season. Clearly, as with all rookies, you shouldn’t count on him to produce at the major league level right off the bat, but his upside is undeniable. If you can afford to be patient while he develops, he looks like an intriguing backup option with keeper potential.