Nelson Cruz, OF Rangers

[Doc19]

In perusing Rotoworlds depth charts for the upcoming season it was brought to my attention that Nelson Cruz may be in line for a starting job in Texas... also noticed that he has had a nice season in the Dominican Winter League...

Schandler seems to be fairly high on him... with all the talk about the two YOUNGS that will most likely have starting outfield jobs this year, does anyone think that Nelson Cruz has as big of a chance as a breakout candidate?

With a full-time job, is 0.270, 20 hr, 80 RBI, 15 SB attainable?

[Bostonboy]

while the rest of my AL only leagues were jumping all over lee when he came over last year, I grabbed cruz. Your numbers are very realistic. he may never become a stud, but a solid player across the board. sammy sosa not withstanding, right field should be his for the forseeable future.

[AcidRock23]

That's interesting, I don't think that he'll be on the radar, a cheap OF = room for other goodies. Thanks for the tip...

[legoshoe]

Shhhhhhhhhhh.... no one was supposed to know about him!!

He should be a starter on opening day but we'll see what happens since Sosa got signed.

[hookem2003]

He'll be the starter in RF and will have to really suck to lose that job. Sosa was brought in to DH and be the 4th OF. In the Rangers eyes, Cruz is the future in RF. I think those numbers from him are certainly possible. He will hit lower in the order, though. Definitely worth a shot in an AL only or deep mixed league.

[Half Massed]

Cruz has got the talent to put together a fine 3rd OF season, depending on league size, in 07 if he has the job the entire year. Definitely worth a gamble.

[DSheppard]

i watched pretty much all his games last season, i definitely like him.

although, much of that doesnt relate to fantasy. i really like him defensively in right. nice speed/range in RF, especially for a bigger guy. excellent arm.

offensively hes definitely got a lot of pop in his bat, but before id take him for fantasy hes got to prove he can hit for average at the mlb level. he strikes out a ton, which is fine if he can maintain hit .275 or so (.287 minor league career).

in his only full month in the lineup in september he was getting it together.

if he does hit for enough average to stay in the lineup all year, i think 20 homeruns is the lowest end of his projection, more like 25.

10-15 stolen bases is reasonable given showalters not the manager anymore and his decent minor league record.

so yeah.. i like him, but not quite yet for fantasy.

i might grab him in the last round or two, bench him and see how he starts off.

[pokeyjoe]

Is Cruz still technically a rookie? I don't know how many games he played last year, but I don't think it was a huge amount.

[DSheppard]

Is Cruz still technically a rookie? I don't know how many games he played last year, but I don't think it was a huge amount.

nope, hes 5 at bats over the rookie limit. probably been on the roster too long too.

[jake_harv88]

Yay thread revival!

Just to throw it out there Cruz is now hitting .375/.520/.781 with 11 Hrs and 11 SBs in the PCL. He's probably the stereotypical AAAA hitter but i figured that kind of start was worth noting...