I’m in a couple of deep leagues, so I’m always looking around and digging deep for potential value. Here are a few players who have caught my eye recently.
JOSH RABE, Twins
Rabe displayed a solid batting eye (37/35 K/BB) last year at Triple-A, so he might be able to hit for a good average in the big leagues. He’s also 28 years old, so he’s at his peak. How good that peak will be remains to be seen, but if he’s ever going to make a major-league impact, now’s the time.
More important for now, Rabe could earn significant at-bats. Jeff Cirillo and Rondell White are hurt. Playing time can be had at left field or DH.
Rabe’s no superstar, but he’s certainly worth a flier in a deep league.
ANTONIO ALFONSECA, Phillies
I thought Alfonseca’s days of fantasy usefulness were long over. And they might be. But the fact remains that Alfonseca is pitching well (2.08 ERA through four games) and is on the verge of nailing down the eighth-inning job in Philly. That puts him one step away from closing games -- and given Tom Gordon’s injury history, it’s no stretch to think Alfonseca could see some save opportunities.
I know Alfonseca has a crummy 2/3 K/BB. I don’t think he’ll keep pitching well. However, if you’re one of those fantasy players who punts saves at the draft table and tries to pick them up during the season, you need to be aware that Alfonseca could be a target.
TODD LINDEN, Giants
Nothing special here, but Linden does possess some interesting skill. He had a 44/29 K/BB at Triple-A last year, so his batting eye is OK. He also smacked 30 homers at Triple-A in 2005, proving he’s got some pop. Combine that ability with his age -- 26 years old -- and you have something of a breakout candidate. Linden doesn’t have a ton of upside, but that doesn’t make him useless.
Expect Linden to rack up plenty of at-bats this year. He’s already spelling the struggling Randy Winn in right field, and with injury-prone Barry Bonds and Dave Roberts occupying the other two spots in the San Francisco outfield, there should be no shortage of opportunity for Linden.
DEVERN HANSACK, Red Sox
Hansack has a 20/3 K/BB in 10 2/3 innings at Triple-A. Boston’s fifth starter is shaky Julian Tavarez, and the bullpen has more holes than a mole-infested lawn. Hansack could get a chance.
