Who I'm Watching
Written by Jeremy Kempter
June 1, 2006

Every year, like a Pacific wave following a high-arcing but ultimately crashing crescent, Eric Byrnes makes an appearance in fantasy relevancy. The surfing, skateboarding, flowing-blond-locked Byrnes’ hot streaks always include a string of multi-hit games, sprinkled throughout with some jacks and bags encrusted with a too-good-to-be-true high average. His buzz of energy will plummet at some point, though, returning to the sands of reality, along with his fairly shallow K-to-walk ratio. But, for now, it’s time to enjoy Byrnes’ high-tide season. He’s hit a homer in four of his last five games and is riding a 14-game hitting streak. He has nine dingers on the year and is 6-0 on the base paths. The California native and UCLA graduate nearly went 20-20 for Oakland in 2004, finishing with 20 HR and 17 SB, and Byrnes now, in his prime at 29, is back near the West Coast with Arizona after bouncing between Colorado and Baltimore last year, where he hit .189 and .192. (Incidentally, why did the center-field-starved Rockies trade Byrnes after they traded for him? Are you telling me Cory Sullivan is a better answer? … Yet another example of Dealing Dan O’Dowd getting too trigger happy.) He’s a wise fill-in for a struggling or hurt star and should carry eligibility at every outfield spot, if your league is that detail-obsessed. (Which is the case with my keeper league.) The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Byrnes’ temporarily glowing .322 average will inevitably sink, but ride this riffle right now, hope it turns into a tidal wave and be ready to toss him out to sea when he hits the skids and is bumped from the outfield for one of the Diamondbacks’ many stud prospects, such as Chris Young, Carlos Gonzales or Carlos Quentin. Here are 30 other high-risk, relatively high-reward options I’m mulling (with strong keeper consideration balanced with viable help for this year), be they crafty vets, green rookies, youngsters ready to break out or prospects about to come up. Sticks: 1. Lastings Milledge, OF, Mets – Technically, he’s just filling in for the injured Xavier Nady. But there is a chance this super prospect hangs onto the right field job for good. Milledge can already fly and the power in his bat is sure to come. You can wait and see in redraft leagues but he’s an absolute must-add in keeper formats. 2. Kendry Morales, 1B, Angels – He started off with a bang, hitting a homer in his first game, and although he went hitless in the Halos’ series against the Twins, Morales, similar to Milledge, has an opportunity to seize the first base job for the foreseeable future. 3. Jose Castillo, 2B, Pirates – A chic pick as a breakout player at a shallow position, Castillo started slowly but is starting to come on in a big, big way. He has hit – make sure you’re sitting – six dingers in his last five games. He’s a must-add in all formats. 4. Aubrey Huff, 3B-OF-1B – Although his start has been atrocious, like usual, you cannot ignore his 30-HR, .300 potential, with multiple position eligibility as a bonus. 5. Jose Valentin, 2B, Mets – He’s been slotted in as the two-bagger in Gotham, and even though he’ll fan a ton and hit a mediocre average, this longtime slugger brings rare pop to fantasy’s thinnest position. 6. Jose Bautista, 3B-OF, Pirates – For fantasy purposes, I like the way the Bucs are moving this youngster around, providing varied eligibility for this year and next. However, I’m not sure it’s the best way to let him get accustomed to the bigs. Soon, third base will be his … until he leaves for a bigger-market club, a la Aramis Ramirez. 7. Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers – He was raking down on the farm. And, although his debut was a little rough (0-4, 3 K’s, error), this big, toolsy prospect has 20-20 potential and is an excellent add in NL-only keeper leagues. 8. Rocco Baldelli, OF, Devil Rays – You may think of him as an eternally injured outfielder. But you may also remember him as an ultra-athletic, former first-rounder (sixth overall in 2000). He’s expected back between June 10-12, and he may take a while to get comfortable again, but if you have room, he’s a smart stash candidate. 9. Michael Cuddyer, 1B-2B-3B-OF, Twins – He’s another former top pick, but this 26-year-old may be finally coming into his own. He could be a utility Swiss Army knife for your bench. 10. Frank Thomas, DH, A’s – Remember this guy? Well, in case you forgot, the Big Hurt can still crush the ball to at least a 30-HR pace, and he’s good for walks if that’s your bag. 11. Adam Eithier, OF, Dodgers – He’s actually outplaying Kemp, by a long shot, even if he isn’t quite the long-term prospect. Go with the hot hand and hope he develops into a Blue Crew staple. 12. and 13. The Aybars – While Eric, an Angels SS, is the higher-rated prospect (there was talk he would bump Brandon Wood from short long-term), Willy (3B, Dodgers) has played better and more often. They’re both worth an eye in their respective leagues and in long-term keeper leagues. 14. Lyle Overbay, 1B, Blue Jays – Like Byrnsie, he makes a seasonal habit of hitting everything within a foot of the plate … then levels out to mediocrity. This time, though, he may be onto something with that Jays lineup looking legit. 15. Josh Bard, C, Padres – He’s basically stealing the job from the greatest hitting catcher of all-time, so he must be doing something right. He hit cleanup Wednesday night and has shown decent pop for a backstop. Arms: 1. Anthony Reyes, SP, Cardinals – I’d lump this prized hurler in the elite group of Cole Hamels, Chad Billingsley, Jeremy Sowers. He’s polished, has excellent control and is in an organization that makes Jason Marquis and Jeff Suppan winners. If he can bump 2. Sidney Ponson from the rotation by the time Chris Carpenter returns from the DL, Reyes could be an elite NL arm by the end of the season. 2. Josh Johnson, SP, Marlins – Everyone thought Scott Olson or even Jason Vargas was going to be rookie starter to own among this fresh fish market, but the overpowering lefty Johnson has had the goods, and consistently. He got the L on Wednesday but his season 2.42 ERA tells the real story. 3. Jered Weaver, SP, Angels – Outside of Reyes, he’s about as Major League-ready as any rookie pitcher you will find this season. The 2004 college player of the year dazzled in his debut and should have a fair shot to prove himself for Bartolo Colon returns from the DL. At 6-foot-7, this Weaver could be the thrower who justifies his early selection. 4. Oliver Perez, SP, Pirates – OK, his velocity hasn’t returned (yet?), but the positive results are starting to re-appear. Olie is still so young (24) and was so dominant in 2004 that you just have to take a flyer on him if he is available in any format. 5. Orlando Hernandez, SP, Mets – Is it foolish to buy into the high strikeout totals, or the Big Apple mojo talk? Perhaps. But he is a big-game pitcher, and every game is a big game until he finds a consistent form – or an ERA below 5.00. 6. Juan Cruz, SP, Diamondbacks – I still haven’t really forgiven him for posting one of the worst lines of the season – 9 ER, 0.2 IP – but he has put together back-to-back respectable outings, so this converted reliever may be worth monitoring again, if not trusting. 7. Scott Olsen, SP, Marlins – The walks and earned runs are staring to come down while the K’s are climbing. This lefty has some serious upside, so don’t take these trends lightly. 8. Aaron Sele, SP, Mariners – Roll with this low-ERA, low-WHIP option until the wheels start to come off. Which could be any day now. 9. Jason Jennings, SP, Rockies – I don’t know exactly when you would start him, but I do know he turns in a gem every few starts. Play this guessing game if you’re desperate. 10. Sindney Ponson, SP, Cardinals – The smoke-and-mirrors is awing crowds. For now. 11. Jorge Julio, RP, Diamondbacks – Everyone wondered why the D’Backs would deal El Duque for another reliever when Jose Valverde was throwing lights out and Brandon Lyon was doing an admirable job setting up. Now it looks like a sage move. 12. Jonathon Broxton, RP, Dodgers – Keep your ear close to the radio for Eric Gagne injury updates. If he goes down, fly to the nearest computer and add this stud closer-in-waiting. 13. Joel Zumaya, RP, Tigers – I want him in the rotation. Badly. I’m talking, a righty Francisco Liriano. Think I’m crazy? Look at the numbers, MLB and in the minors. For now, he posts numbers on par with just about any reliever, save for the saves. 14. Yosmeiro Petit, RP, Marlins – He’s up with the big club. That has to count for something. For now he’s throwing spot duty, but if he gets a crack at the rotation, pounce. 15. Adam Loewen, RP, Orioles – See above.