Fantasy baseball strategy: Backups to watch

May 18, 2009 @ 03:59:43

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Tim Heaney

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre and New York Mets infielder Fernando Tatis have garnered playing time recently thanks to a suspension and an injury, respectively. Don't lose sight of players withering on the pine now but only an injury or suspension away later.

Which clubs have backups who can become relevant instantly thanks to one development? Examine each situation to come up with names like ...

Chicago Cubs 1B/OF Micah Hoffpauir

Hoffpauir packs a ton of power and enjoyed an amazing season at Triple-A Iowa (.362-25-100 in 290 at-bats - yes, 290) last season. He wasn't exactly a prospect at the age of 28, though, so he has flown under the radar. He could be mixed worthy in a hurry with the right development.

He batted .342 in 73 at-bats with the Cubbies last year. The lefty has collected 21 hits, including four homers, in 68 at-bats (.309) this year. The Cubs have three players - first baseman Derrek Lee (neck), outfielder Milton Bradley and outfielder Alfonso Soriano - who are either injured now or have a rep for becoming that way - or both.

Detroit Tigers IF Ramon Santiago

Second baseman Placido Polanco hasn't produced much with his bat, and he has an injury history a mile long. Shortstop Adam Everett is in Motown strictly for his glove; his .306 average is an unsustainable bonus. He has missed substantial time in each of the past two seasons, too. Even mixed leaguers may take notice of the man who could benefit.

Santiago was Detroit's starting shortstop in 2003, and he's close to coming full circle. He has been a reliable reserve in the past two seasons and is making a case for more PT (.352-3-19 in 54 at-bats). If he maintains a slightly more reserved approach, it'll be hard for manager Jim Leyland to keep him down.

Washington Nationals OF Willie Harris

Nats outfielders seem to drop like flies, no matter how many are there. Elijah Dukes (hamstring) is ailing. Austin Kearns (hand) is, too. Lastings Milledge (finger) earned a demotion and then broke his finger in the minors. Josh Willingham missed a ton of time last year with a back injury - scary how easily one of those can recur, isn't it?

Harris has been playing in the last few days thanks to Dukes' and Kearns' maladies. He has been mixed worthy before. In 2007, he hit .270 and stole 17 bases in 344 at-bats. Last year, he batted .251 with 13 dingers and 13 steals in 367 at-bats. Power isn't his forte, but he's always good for some swipes.

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Nicholas Minnix

KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010.

The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter.

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