Power category surprises

[Firechicken]

Hello, new guy here, but veteran of 11 years of fantasy baseball.

Any bold predictions for players who will exceed their expectations in 2005? I.e.

Kevin Mench .285/30/100
Craig Wilson .290/30/100
Wily Mo Pena .280/35/110 (Griffey goes down early)

Who's your "below the radar" candidate to kick tail in the power categories in 2005?

[Amazinz]

Richard Hidalgo

[red]

Pedro Feliz: and eligible in at least two positions (1st and 3rd) and possibly SS.

[wrveres]

Richard Hidalgo

thats my next OF ... too

damn you.


MacPherson
Mohr
Lane
Rivera

[FF Newb but Lovin it]

Not to change a good topic.....but do you think the steroid thing will hurt any of these guys or any of the more tradiotional power guys. I heard some rumor that Helton...looked horrible.

[Firechicken]

Yap, Feliz is on my want list too. They're saying he's ready for 550 + at bats this year.. Watch out. I agree with Hidalgo, too. Lane? Hmmm.... the book on him is that he's for real, but why haven't they somehow made room for him before now if he really is blue chip.

How bout Casey Blake as a second baseman... is this going to happen or not? Great power numbers for a 2sacker.

[Amazinz]

The thing that bothers me about Feliz is playing time.

[AKhomebrewer]

I'm with Amazinz on this one. Not sure how Feliz gets 550 AB when he doesn't have a starting job (Snow 1b, Alfonzo 3b).

I also like Wily Mo for some decent numbers ... between Griff and Kearns, he will find playing time.

[Brendo]

i think lane gets his chance,

if your league uses OBP, check Brad Wilkerson....quietly hit 32 last year, and is getting better (despite a .255 average)

[Firechicken]

The steroid hullabaloo may prove to not much of a serious issue this year... the penalties for getting caught don't really create enough of a disinsentive at this time. But over time, I expect to see power numbers go down to more traditional levels due to stronger and stronger policing and penalties.

Big name players may be affected more, since a part of their value to teams and cities is in their reputation and character, so they may have more of an incentive to clean up right now.

Of course, all this assumes that the use of steroids is "predominate", which, by the way, I still don't believe is the case.

However, lesser known players, those who haven't established themselves, may still think it's worth the risk to bulk up over the winter in the hopes of a career year. So... if you know of a player that has reported to camp having "gained 30 lbs. of muscle", he's surely worth a flyer in your fantasy draft- and he's also a candidate to feel the wrath of the "'rhoid police" sooner than later.

IMHO- ask the batboy.