Clint Barmes

2013

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2012

After being squeezed out of playing time in Colorado, Barmes opened last season as the Astros' starting shortstop. He posted good defensive numbers, but got too many at-bats (446) for a player with a .698 OPS. The Astros wanted to keep Barmes in a reserve role, but the veteran infielder moved on to Pittsburgh, where he figures to get regular playing time as the everyday shortstop. The Pirates' mistake shouldn't be yours, you can do better with your endgame buck.

2011

Any goodwill that Barmes built with fantasy owners in 2009 was washed away in 2010. He hit .235/.305/.351 in 387 at-bats and saw the field primarily because of his defensive skills. Those defensive skills were enough to peak Houston's interest as it traded for him in the offseason. He can hit lefties (.280/.340/.408) and possesses some pop in his bat (48.9 percent flyball rate), which suggests a platoon role would be ideal. The short porch at Minute Maid Park will help him, but outside of that, expect more of the same from his 2011 campaign.

2010

Barmes was the biggest benefactor from the Rockies' midseason managerial switch, when he transitioned from a utility player off the bench into the everyday second baseman. Manager Jim Tracy brought with him a confidence in Barmes, who responded well at first, but tailed off after the All-Star break. Barmes was beginning to look like one of the best waiver-wire fantasy pickups of the season, hitting .314 with four home runs and 19 RBI in June, however, he peaked soon thereafter and finished the season with an uninspiring .245 average. The 23 home runs he hit were a pleasant surprise for a defensive shortstop, but he will shed some of his value with his positional eligibility in 2010, and Eric Young Jr. could begin to encroach on his playing time at second base.

2009

The utility infielder got regular playing time when Troy Tulowitzki went down, hitting well enough at home to fool some of the people all of the time. Barmes' career line outside of Coors Field: .228/.267/.340. He can't play, and Ian Stewart can, so Barmes' days as more than bench help are over.

2008

Barmes started 2007 at Triple-A after losing the spring training shortstop battle to Troy Tulowitzki. He batted .299/.364/.451 with 11 home runs and received a September callup, but failed to impress during the brief stint. He will compete for the starting second base job during spring training, but unless he proves he can hit major league pitching on a more consistent basis, he'll continue to bounce between Triple-A and the majors regardless of his organization.

2007

Barmes struggled mightily this past season, a year after a strong rookie campaign was derailed by the now infamous "deer meat" incident, where he broke his clavicle. He batted just .164 from August 1 on and eventually lost playing time to rookie Troy Tulowitzki. The Rockies are shopping Barmes around this winter and plan on making the impressive young Tulowitzki their shortstop of the present. It's difficult to see Barmes getting a fulltime job anywhere in 2007 coming off a .598 OPS season.

2006

Barmes will be the starter at shortstop for the Rockies after a strong rookie season. He started last season red-hot, hitting .329 with 8 HR and 34 RBI before breaking his collarbone. He struggled upon his return in September and ended his rookie campaign with a respectable .289 batting average. He hit a meager .239 away from home compared to .332 at Coors Field, however.

2005

The future is now for Barmes, who is the extent of the Rockies' organizational depth at shortstop and should be in the Opening Day starting lineup. Barmes has hit for average at every stop in his minor league career, but has only gap power with unspectacular speed. His best-case scenario in 2005 is a strong average in the spacious confines of Coors Field, with power like he displayed in the similarly high altitude of Triple-A Colorado Springs.

2004

Barmes made an impression in September call-up last season, hitting .320 in 25 at-bats. He's been tabbed the Rockies SS of the future and looks to be on his way to fulfilling that promise. He doesn't have a ton of power or speed, though he did he crack 35 doubles at Triple-A last season. Barmes plays great defense and covers a lot of ground in the infield and his defense alone should get him an extended look in Spring Training in the hopes that the future is now for the Rockies' shortstop.

2003