Jeff Keppinger

Keppinger was brought into Tampa Bay to be a utility player used to fill-in against left-handed pitching, but he instead became the team's stopgap all over the diamond. He started games at first base, second base, third base, and designated hitter and was a key hitter for a struggling Rays offense hitting .325 with an .806 OPS (his highest totals since 2007) along with a career-high nine home runs. Keppinger also hit .302 against right-handers, normally an issue that has forced him into platoons in the past. His biggest asset to fantasy owners is the fact that in 2013 he will be eligible at first, second, or third base, while the White Sox are expected to use him as their primary third baseman this season.

After Keppinger played pretty well for the Astros, he hit just .255/.285/.333 over 216 at-bats after getting traded to San Francisco. As usual, he fared much better against left-handers than he did righties. He wasn't tendered a contract by the Giants during the offseason, but quickly signed with the Rays in January where he could emerge as their primary utility option with Ben Zobrist settling in at second base.

Keppinger started out the season at short, but shifted over to second when the club released Kaz Matsui. Although he has limited offensive capabilities, Keppinger was actually one of the Astros' most consistent hitters in 2010, leading the team in doubles with 34. He'll compete for the starting second base job, but may be relegated to a utility role. Still, he doesn't appear to be the type that will age gracefully. Check his status in spring training as he could miss the start of the regular season after January foot surgery.

After an awful spring for Cincinnati, the Reds traded Keppinger to the Astros for a player to be named later. Houston hoped they could recapture the lightning in a bottle that made Keppinger a pleasant surprise in 2007 (.332/.400/.477), but it simply wasn't there. It's uncertain what the Astros intend to do with him in 2010, but he's likely second on the team's projected depth chart at short, second and third. Watch the Astros' offseason moves closely to see if there will still be a place in Houston for the 29-year-old infielder, but he's nothing more than endgame fodder in a deep NL-only league.

Keppinger was exposed as an everyday player in 2008, though in fairness, he was hitting quite well (.324/.373/.446) before fracturing his kneecap in May. He returned too soon thanks to the Reds' numbers-crunch at shortstop and never fully recovered. He doesn't have the range at shortstop to play effectively every day, which is why Alex Gonzalez will get the first crack at the starting job if he's healthy this spring.

Another virtually-free talent grab by Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, Keppinger continued to do what he's done for the last three years - draw walks, make great contact, hit for average, and add a modicum of pop for a middle infielder. It took a series of injuries to Alex Gonzalez for Keppinger to get his chance, but he reasonably should expect to at least be the Reds' top utility infielder, and he's made a prima facie case to start on at least an occasional basis because of his bat. Note that in many leagues he'll be eligible only at shortstop this year, as opposed to his customary second base slot.

Keppinger has terrorized Triple-A pitching for three consecutive years yet hasn't been able to impress enough to warrant a good look in the majors. The Mets went for a younger, less-ready model when they traded Keppinger for Ruben Gotay. The Royals, meanwhile, have second base sewn up with Mark Grudzielanek and the utility job aptly covered by Esteban German. Keppinger is ready for a prime-time role, but it may not come with Kansas City, or it may have to wait a little while longer. The Royals could do worse than to have Keppinger in the mix for the second base job in 2008.

Keppinger, who was acquired as part of the Kris Benson deal, opened some eyes in the Mets organization in his brief call-up at the end of 2004. He carried that fine play into the 2005 regular season and was hitting .337 for Triple-A Norfolk before he cracked the tibial plate in his left knee in a dirty take-out slide at second base. Prior to the season, the organization viewed Keppinger as a utility infielder in the majors, but his fine play at Norfolk could give him a look-see as the team's second baseman down the road. Some scouts have compared him to Jay Bell, with less power and better range.

Keppinger, who was acquired as part of the Kris Benson deal, flirted with .400 for almost one-third of the year at Double-A Altoona and was the MVP of the Eastern League All-Star team. His solid play earned him promotions to Triple-A and the major leagues, where he impressed the Mets brass with his approach to the game. He is one of those players who does the little things right and should begin 2005 on the Mets roster as a utility infielder who will play both second and short.

Keppinger, a fourth round selection in the 2001 draft out of the U. of Georgia, had one of the best NCAA post-seasons in collegiate baseball history, slugging 1.239 in 10 games. As a pro he has yet to show much power but does have gap power potential at a minimum and plays a solid game at second base. He doesn't take many pitches but rarely strikes out and is showing sign of become a legitimate .300 hitter. The 2004 season should find him at Double-A Altoona in his third year as a pro.