Lorenzo Cain

2013

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2012

When Cain came over from Milwaukee to Kansas City as part of the Zack Greinke deal, many thought he would immediately jump into the team's center field role and run with it. Instead, he spent the majority of the season at Triple-A Omaha where he hit .312/.380/.497 with 16 home runs and steals. He was blocked at the major league level by Melky Cabrera, who turned in a career year, so the move was understandable at the time. With Cabrera getting traded to San Francisco, the door has opened for Cain to step in and finally claim the center field position. The fact that Ned Yost likes his players to stay active on the basepaths plays right into Cain's skill set as he can hit for average and has shown good speed in the past (33 stolen bases in 2010 between Double-A, Triple-A and the majors with Milwaukee). That combination alone should have fantasy owners excited about what 2012 holds for Cain.

2011

Cain rebounded from a lost 2009 season to make his way to the majors and put himself in a position to be Milwaukee's starting center fielder in 2011. Cain hit .306/.348/.415 in 43 games with seven stolen bases for the Brewers after a late season callup and played above average defense. His .373 BABIP average should give fantasy owners a reason to pause before selecting him. Traded to the Royals as part of the Zack Greinke deal in December, Cain should have every opportunity to secure the starting job this spring as the rebuilding efforts in Kansas City continue.

2010

Cain was on track to get a shot at a starting center-field job in 2010, but then missed half of last season with a partially torn MCL and played poorly after he returned. When healthy, he's shown an improving ability to get on base and a moderate amount of power. Combining that with the ability to play center field leads to a capable major league player. The Brewers' trade for Carlos Gomez indicates that they don't feel Cain is ready for prime-time duty just yet. He'll likely play next season at Triple-A Nashville where a good season can put him back on track for a roster spot in Milwaukee.

2009

Cain finally came through on the potential tag that has been hanging on him for the past few years with a solid 2008 season. Prompted to Double-A Huntsville halfway through the season, he hit .277/.363/.486 in 40 games. He followed that up with a 1.017 OPS in 18 Arizona Fall League games. Cain's ability to play center and a 25 of 31 success rate on stolen bases last season only enhances his chances of moving quickly through the Milwaukee system. The Brewers will likely start him off at Double-A in 2009, but don't be shocked if he finds himself in Milwaukee before the season is out.

2007

Cain is an intriguing sleeper prospect for the Brewers. In 2006 he hit .307/.384/.425 with 34 SB for Low-A West Virginia as a 20 year old. Right now he doesn't hit for much power, but most scouts think he'll fill out as he gets older and the power will develop. If that power stroke does come around, Cain will be one of the brighter prospects in the Milwaukee system.