Skip Schumaker

Schumaker enters his age-35 season coming off of his worst year at the plate, one that started off poorly thanks to a dislocated shoulder suffered in spring training. He also had a concussion in the middle of the season and finished the year with a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery. When he wasn't hurt, Schumaker walked less, struck out more and hit for his usual lack of power as part of the Reds' collection of ineffective left fielders. Making matters worse for his fantasy value is that he only played 19 games at second base, falling one short of qualifying there in many leagues.

Schumaker saw time at second base and all three outfield positions, batting .263/.332/.332 in 319 at-bats. He doesn't offer much in the way of power or speed, similar to former teammate Nick Punto. Apparently Schumaker was good enough to net a two-year deal this winter with the Reds, so expect him to fill a similar role with his new team as a versatile veteran off the bench for new manager Bryan Price.

Schumaker's fourth season as a second baseman was a lot like the others - no power, no speed, and a won't-hurt-you batting average. That might be worth a buck or two at second base, but his playing time could be limited even after the Dodgers acquired him in December. Look for Schumaker to fill more of a utility role with his new club, rather than being locked in as a semi-regular at the keystone.

Schumaker had his second straight year with a sub-.700 OPS, and he didn't exactly make up for that low figure with any power or speed. About the best thing we can say about him right now is that he qualifies at both second base and outfield, though that just means you'll have a choice as to where you want a hole in your offense. With the Redbirds re-signing Rafael Furcal, he might find himself out of a job in 2012, especially if his BABIP (.324 last year) falls to a normal level.

Schumaker's second year as an everyday second baseman didn't go as well as the first: his .666 OPS made him one of the worst-hitting regulars in the National League. The low OPS would be fine if he brought something else to the table, but five home runs and five stolen bases from a starting second baseman isn't going to cut it in most fantasy leagues. Schumaker has shown that he can hit .300 in the majors, but if he's slumming in the .260s again in 2011, he may ultimately play his way out of the job.

No one thought it would work, but Schumaker became a second baseman last year. More importantly, his hitting didn't suffer with the switch. Schumaker has hit over .300 in each of the last three years, and although he doesn't get a lot of steals, 85 runs will help most fantasy teams. He may switch back to the outfield this year, but it's nice for the Cardinals that they can plug him at second and no longer have to worry about his glove.

Ryan Ludwick may have been the most pleasant fantasy surprise in the St. Louis lineup last year, but Schumaker wasn't far behind. Considering that Schu started the season 1-for-20 and had almost no major league track record, the fact that he hit .302 in 540 at-bats is even more surprising. He started at least 30 games at all three outfield positions, and while St. Louis should have a crowded outfield this season, that kind of flexibility should keep him on the roster.

Schumaker hit .333 in 88 games for the Cardinals in 2007. In three years in the St. Louis organization, he has hit .294 at the major league level. However, as a fifth outfielder with no power or speed, he's unlikely to ever be worth more than a reserve pick in most fantasy leagues.

Schumaker hit .306 in 95 Triple-A games last season, and spent much of the first and last month of the season with the big club. Expect more of the same in 2007. He occasionally finds his way into the Busch Stadium outfield, but he’s more likely to roam the outfield in Memphis for the rest of his career.

Schumaker doesn't hit for enough power or a high enough average to be an everyday player in the majors, but he is a superior defender and has the speed to be a solid role player in the future. He will most likely begin 2006 at Triple-A Memphis.

A second go-round at Triple-A was mildly better for Schumaker, but it wasn't exactly the splash the 25-year-old needed to become a part of the major-league club's plans. He'll need to do well in his first run through Triple-A in 2005 to regain his path toward the majors.