Which 5 out of these 10 available young NLers and why?

[speedman]

I have the opportunity to select a series of 5 picks in a row this weekend in my PNL and am looking for some feedback on the true upside for these available young NLers.

In a rebuild obviously....

If you had to pick 5, which ones would you choose in order and why? OPS and OBP for offense, ERA and WHIP for pitching are the most important factors.


1. Casey Kotchman
2. Carlos Gonzalez
3. Chase Headley
4. Kevin Kouzmanoff
5. Andy LaRoche
6. Richis Weeks
7. Homer Bailey
8. Ubaldo Jimenez
9 Jeff Francoeur
10.Pablo Sandoval

Appreciated as always.

[skmo2345]

I've already responded; but I don't know if I would pass up Tejada and Ibanez if they are available. If they have solid seasons, especially Ibanez, you could ship them to a contender for a solid prospect, or, at the very least, future picks (if you can trade those in your league).

Anyways, if I had to re-rank the guys on my own list:
1. Casey Kotchman - solid player, even if he struggled with the Braves
2. Carlos Gonzalez - may not start the year in the bigs, but has potential
3. Chase Headley - solid potential
4. Ubaldo Jimenez -stats were far better than I thought they were
5. Rickie Weeks - still plenty of upside
6. Kevin Kouzmanoff - solid bat

Weeks/Kouz is a toss-up; I guess I would go with Weeks due to his potential and 2B eligibility, even though he may not be there once Alcides Escobar gets called to the bigs.

7. Andy LaRoche - have a soft spot for the guy, but he just can't hold his own in the majors
8. Jeff Francoeur - regressed in three straight seasons, Braves have a boatload of solid OF prospects
9. Homer Bailey - no spot in the rotation, never saw what was so great about him
10. Pablo Sandoval - not buying the hype

[JakeTrain72]

5. Casey Kotchman - Has yet to put it all together, streaky. He will get the PT to prove himself though.
1. Carlos Gonzalez - best overall mix of opportunity, OPS, long term value.
3. Chase Headley - Should be able to focus better now that he knows he is the teams starting LF.
10. Kevin Kouzmanoff - i'd target him on the cheap later in the season since he isn't worth owning until he changes teams.
9. Andy LaRoche - Doesn't exaclty have any mentors to learn from in Pitt.
2. Rickie Weeks - speed/power combo can hit. Not sure he'll ever be top 3 at his position though.
7. Homer Bailey - Dusty Baker affect aside, he is still learning to pitch in the bigs.
4. Ubaldo Jimenez - needs to show more consistency but he's a good gamble with that sinker.
8. Jeff Francoeur - he hurts you as much as he helps you in fantasy. He is what he is, little ceiling.
6.Pablo Sandoval - If he qualifies at C its a no brainer. If he gets enough games at 3B he is worth a flier. As a 1B he's wire fodder.

[Fielder's Buffet]

1. Casey Kotchman too blah for me
2. Carlos Gonzalez still think he has upside and like coors field factor, don't think there's much room in Col OF for him yet. If he wins LF in spring training, I'd rank him higher. I think Fowler makes it before he does and Spillborghs shifts over to left
3. Chase Headley not a fan
4. Kevin Kouzmanoff 5) Starting 3B who will produce decent #s, not great, but seems to be stable and lower downside risk... OBP sucks though and hurts you big time. I do think he improves a bit this year
5. Andy LaRoche 7) could be OBP machine if he could actually hit
6. Richis Weeks 1) On solid offensive team and has good potential in all stats except BA... OBP between .350 to .370 is decent regardless of BA so that helps... i still think he's a good sleeper even though he' s burned me for a few years now, plus 2B factor and lack of other great 2B options in NL... high risk/high reward pick
7. Homer Bailey 6) I think he still has potential to be a #3 starter in bigs
8. Ubaldo Jimenez 2) Great talent, would be #1 if not for Coors Field. Love his stuff
9 Jeff Francoeur 3) I think he rebounds somewhat but also obviously comes with risk... low OBP hurts more in your league, keeps him from being higher
10.Pablo Sandoval 4) Would like him higher if qualified at catcher... not as big of a fan at 1B. Still think he may hit in the middle of weak SF lineup and get some decent production #s. Not great OBP, but ok

Help me out in my NL Only trade post here
http://www.fantasybaseballcafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=366950

[HOOTIE]

5 Casey Kotchman steady
Carlos Gonzalez
Chase Headley
4 Kevin Kouzmanoff decent power
Andy LaRoche
3 Richis Weeks maybe he finally uses his talent
Homer Bailey junk
2 Ubaldo Jimenez great stuff
Jeff Francoeur overrated forever
1 Pablo Sandoval highest celing imo