Emilio Bonifacio

2013

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2012

Bonifacio finally learned how to take a walk and make the most of his blazing speed, and as a result he enters 2012 with a higher price tag than in recent seasons. He's penciled in as the center fielder, but injuries could move him around the diamond as needed. Wherever he plays, so long as he keeps slapping grounders and drawing walks, he'll be stealing bases by the bushel. Keep an eye on his placement in manager Ozzie Guillen's lineup, as getting a chance to lead off in front of the likes of Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez and Giancarlo Stanton would pay huge dividends.

2011

Bonifacio's conversion to utility player was completed in 2010, as he played at least five games at six different positions. He was also a perfect 12-for-12 on the base paths, but beyond speed and flexibility he really doesn't offer much. With question marks for the Marlins in center field and at second and third base heading into spring training, there are plenty of avenues for Bonifacio to get at-bats and starts, but he's purely a one category player.

2010

Bonifacio exploded onto the scene with a fantastic first week of the season in which he hit everything thrown his way and stole bases with a Vince Coleman-like abandon. Then reality set in and he reverted to type, that type being "guy with great speed who can't get on base often enough to use it." If the Marlins part ways with Dan Uggla, Bonifacio is probably the favorite to inherit the starting second-base job, and he did steal 21 bases in mostly regular duty in 2009 so he would have some fantasy value as a one-category player. He's better suited to replace Alfredo Amezaga as the team's jack-of-most-trades, though.

2009

Traded to the Marlins, Bonifacio is truly a wild card. He could wind up starting at second base, third base or being a supersub. Starting 2009 at Triple-A isn't out of the question either. His stolen base numbers have not been impressive the last two seasons, and he's got nothing else going for him offensively, so even if he does see significant big league action he's got to demonstrate he can translate his wheels into steals before he'll be worth much to a fantasy team.

2008

Orlando Hudson's hand injury and Alberto Callaspo's ineffectiveness opened the door for Bonifacio to make the leap from Double-A Mobile to the big leagues and enjoy a brief stint as the everyday second baseman. Bonifacio has plus speed -- with 209 steals across all levels in his five years as a pro -- and he could eventually replace Hudson while fitting in the leadoff spot ahead of the team's powerful young outfielders. A season as the team's utility infielder isn't out of the question if he performs well this spring and the D-Backs believe they can get him enough at-bats without sending him to Triple-A.

2007

Bonifacio is a tiny second baseman who runs like the wind and is already a four-year veteran of pro ball. The power spike last year could be developmental or it could be Lancaster; a great hitters' environment. Even without that kind of power, Bonifacio is a real prospect, comparable to Luis Castillo with two good legs.