How Michael Young's Move to Third Base Will Impact Fantasy Baseball Drafts

ESPN is reporting that Rangers' shortstop Michael Young has accepted the team's plan to move him to third base for the 2009 season. The move makes way for highly-touted prospect Elvis Andrus to step in and play short every day. Young, initially, was hesitant on making the move.

When the Rangers signed Alfonso Soriano, Young agreed to move from second base to shortstop. Now, he will learn a third infield position. From a fantasy standpoint, this gives him some solid value.

I've always found Young to be a steady addition to any fantasy lineup, even if he isn't a sexy name to have on your roster. Although he hit just .284 last season, he had been above .300 for the five seasons prior to 2008. In each of those, he pounded out over 200 hits. He's consistent production, if nothing else.

The move this year will give him dual eligibility at third and short for the entire 2009 campaign. Meaning you'll be able to use him at even more positions for those of you that have corner infield or middle infield requirements.

I put value on versatility. In many leagues, you only get a couple bench spots. With Young, I know I would have two standard positions covered and could then look for another option to cover a 1B/OF role, leaving just a hole at second base that could easily be addressed.

Even better, Young steps into a third base role where there isn't a large volume of talent once you get outside the top five or so. Here's how I look at the the top-10 at third right now, without Young:

1. Alex Rodriguez
2. David Wright
3. Evan Longoria
4. Aramis Ramirez
5. Chipper Jones
6. Kevin Youkilis
7. Garrett Atkins
8. Chris Davis
9. Aubrey Huff
10. Ryan Zimmerman

Ryan Braun should be exclusively an outfielder this year. Huff played enough games at third to qualify for the season.

So where does that put Young? Well, Zimmerman is coming off an injury, Huff had a career in one season, and Davis will be in his first full-season of playing time. You could argue the order of numbers seven through 10, and Jorge Cantu is on some of these lists as well. That debate is what opens the door for Young.

I'd certainly argue that Young could be as high as seven on this list, but no lower than nine. He provides .300/15/90 every season, and this won't be any exception. Looking at shortstops, I'd put Young in the top-10 there as well, likely in the bottom-third.

From a drafting perspective, you could certainly do better at both positions, but he is a starter in every 10 or 12-team format at some spot. I'd look to grab Young somewhere in rounds six-to-eight. Any higher than that and he's being overvalued. Any lower than round eight and you've got a steal from a value standpoint.

As far as his replacement at shortstop, Elvis Andrus, look for him as a late round acquisition or waiver-wire pickup. Andrus is just 20 years old. In 2008, he spent the year with AA Frisco, going .295/4/65 with 53 stolen bases in 118 games. Andrus isn't going to give the power numbers that other shortstops will provide.

Andrus will, though, give a team speed and average. He's a number eight or nine hitter this season, and owners will need to be patient if they put him on a roster. In deep-leagues, Andrus is an option or as a keeper league draft pick. Shallow leagues should monitor and grab him for categories once he proves he can even play at this level.

That won't be right away.

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