On Opening Day 2009 I was feeling pretty good about my team, but the good times faded fast. Between Josh Hamilton’s injury woes, Lance Berkman and David Wright’s consistent struggles, and the mess that was Corey Hart, I quickly had to turn to free agency in hopes of finding stopgaps until long-term fixes presented themselves.
As the season was winding down and I found myself desperately clinging onto a playoff spot, I had a starting lineup full of players I never anticipated. Somehow, with the likes of Garrett Jones, Chris Coghlan, Erick Aybar, Juan Rivera, and Juan Uribe playing everyday, I managed to make the playoffs and go on a tear en route to a League Championship.
Now entering 2010, those pleasant surprises should all find spots on Opening Day fantasy rosters, but there is one name I didn’t mention who played a crucial role for my team during the brief span I had him: Drew Stubbs.
Somehow Stubbs managed to muscle eight HR in only 180 AB with Cincinnati (one every 22.5 AB). For comparison, he hit only 28 HR in 1588 AB in the minors (one every 56.7 AB). Stubbs is a former first-round pick (eighth overall in 2006) and rose quickly through the Reds’ system, playing at five classes from ’06 to ’08.
What can we expect out of Stubbs in 2010?
- The Diamond Cutter writes, “Stubbs also has some pretty good gap-to-gap pop that can develop into home run power, especially in the home run friendly Great American Ballpark.”
- As always, check out Stubbs’ Fangraphs.com page for all of his minor league stats as well as some advanced metrics from his 2009 season with the Reds.
- Charlie Scrabbles at Red Reporter writes, “Joey Votto is good at baseball. But is he really the best player on the team?” Does that honor belong to Stubbs? Read what Scrabbles thinks.
- Razzball.com projects Stubbs as the 49th best OF in 2010, with a line of 80/.255/7/50/35.
- And because it’s always helpful, check out Stubbs’ competition in the Cincinnati OF.
Your championship was a joke and should be stricken from all record books.
HEY! Just because you had no answer for Juan Uribe and Matt Wieters isn’t my fault… but it did take incredible luck