Carlos Gonzalez

2013

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2012

Wrist trouble limited Gonzalez to 127 games last season and resulted in diminished counting stats. Fortunately, he had a full offseason to recover and is expected to be 100 percent for the start of spring training. While most owners will focus on the lost homers and steals, consider that Gonzalez actually showed improved plate discipline last season and improved his walk rate from 6.3 to 8.9 percent while making contact more frequently. Just 26, Gonzalez is entering his prime and should be able to make a run at the 30-30 club this season, even if it's unlikely that he will ever hit .336 in a season again as he did in 2010. Further, he continues to benefit from Coors Field, where he now has a career .329/.381/.609 line and 52 of his 77 career homers.

2011

At 24 years old, CarGo had a 2010 season that most major leaguers dream about. He hit 34 homers with 117 RBI, scored 111 runs, stole 26 bases and had a batting line of .336/.376/.598. His 135 strikeouts are concerning, but his strikeout rate (23.0 percent) has been on the decline for two seasons now. It's highly likely that his batting line takes a dip as his 2010 batting average was partially fueled by a .384 BABIP, which is simply unsustainable. Still, his unique blend of power and speed should make him a hot commodity in any fantasy league.

2010

If you target just one Rockie in this year's draft, Gonzalez is your man. He's versatile, durable, consistent and he's got plenty of power and speed to keep fantasy owners as pleased as punch. Gonzalez left Triple-A Colorado Springs hitting .339/.418/.630, with six stolen bases and 10 home runs in 48 games. He was the Rockies' hottest hitter in the playoffs, and he won't have to fight for playing time in 2010. He's not huge, but a 30/20 season isn't an unrealistic expectation.

2009

The A's sent Gonzalez down in August after continued struggles in an attempt to rebuild his confidence, and his disappointing season (.242/.273/.361, 13:81 BB:K in 302 at-bats) made him expendable to the point where he was included in the trade that brought Matt Holliday to Oakland. There's some nice immediate upside going from Oakland to Colorado, though it's not clear if the Rockies will stomach both Dexter Fowler and Gonzalez growing up and struggling at times in the same outfield.

2008

Gonzalez could contend for a starting job with Oakland this summer after coming over to the A's in the Dan Haren deal. A strong showing at Double-A Mobile pushed Gonzalez up to Triple-A Tucson in August, where he continued to drive in runs during his 10-game trial there. At the plate, he could stand to cut back on his strikeouts (36:109 BB:K ratio in 500 at-bats), but considering that he was still just 21 at season's end it shouldn't be much of a concern. Gonzalez is one of the premier hitting outfield prospects in the game and should be on your radar.

2007

Gonzalez is getting by entirely on his tools, which are major-league caliber. He'll need to develop his skills and become better at applying his physical talents if he's to succeed at the upper levels. A full season at Double-A will tell us a lot. Excellent reserve pick.