Fantasy Baseball: Which Kings of Spring Will Help Your Fantasy Summer?

The pitchers are trying out new deliveries.

The stats leaders are littered with non-roster invitees trying to make an impact.

But among the myriad of misleading numbers posted during spring training, there are some diamonds lurking for your fantasy roster.

Congratulations, you had a great draft. Everyone thinks you're going to win. But fantasy leagues are won on the waiver wire. What are you going to do now?

The spring stats leaders are a good place to start. There are interesting stories that could lead to you making the pickup that earns you the hardware come September.

PULL THE TRIGGER

JOHN BOWKER

He's the guy in the picture and the spring fling we're liking most for the summer. He had 10 HR and 43 RBI in 326 ABs back in 2008 and then fell off the radar in ’09. But Bowker made an undeniable case in March with a .307-6-22 month.

He was named the starting right fielder in San Fran Sunday. I think he could put up big numbers as the sleeper of the year.

CHASE HEADLEY

He has been a fantasy headache thus far, as so many owners jumped on his bandwagon in both 2008 and 2009 after getting burned. His 12 HR and 64 RBI weren’t bad for a middle infielder.

Too bad he’s in left field.

Don’t be fooled by the 23 spring RBI. Word out of PETCO is a lot of offseason work will up his average closer to .280, but 70 RBI looks like the ceiling.

Watch list him. He's going to get ABs to show he's better than the projections.

KYLE BLANKS

The Padres outfielder with the Troy Polamalu hair hit .407 with two HR and 16 RBI after 10 HR and 22 RBI in 148 ABs for San Diego last year. He’s going to get an everyday shot in the Pads’ youth movement 2010.

The 23-year-old is still a free swinger, but he has 30-100 potential. Worth taking a shot on in the first week of pickups if he’s still available.

FRANCISCO LIRIANO

Thirty Ks in 20 IP and a 2.70 ERA this spring. Hey, I get it. We’re all shy on the guy because we bought into past hype and got burned.

The Twins are taking the same approach. He’s the fifth starter, and in those matchups he’s a clutch pickup. Plus, he could be showcased for a trade as a closer come June.

MAYBE LATER

SEAN RODRIGUEZ

He came to the Rays in the Scott Kazmir trade last year and wouldn’t stop hitting in Grapefruit games. His .460-6-17 spring earned him a roster spot. Joe Maddon loves him and will try to get him as many ABs as possible. He’s a watch list guy for now. He won’t help you out of the gate.

TYLER COLVIN

.468, two HR, and 18 RBI for the apple of Lou Piniella’s eye. MLB.com had him in a poll as one of the top five rookie impact guys this year.

Whoa, killer, slow your roll.

The Cubs’ outfield is not that strong, and he’s still the plug-in guy. Injuries might give him a shot, but don’t move on him until that happens.

DELWYN YOUNG

The 27-year-old earned a backup role for Pittsburgh with six HR and 18 RBI this spring. The Pirates want him to succeed. That alone is worth keeping him on your watch list. If he can finally just relax when he gets his shot, he could be in the lineup to stay and put up sneaky helpful numbers.

TIM WOOD

Of course I like the name, but I truly like him for holds—we play with the saves-plus-holds category in my league. He posted a 0.96 ERA in 9.1 innings this spring after an impressive late-season push for Florida last year.

JORDAN NORBERTO

The 23-year-old is the only lefty reliever in the D-Backs’ pen thanks to a 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings in Cactus League play. Again, he’s a holds guy.

LONG SHOT TO HELP

MITCH MAIER

The 28-year-old hit .475 with 19 RBI to earn a backup outfielder spot for the Royals. Trey Hillman gives guys like this a chance. It’s just not going to be a large window of opportunity. Keep him on your watch list.

CHRIS JOHNSON

Eight HR and 22 RBI this spring earned him the “third baseman of the future” tag from Astros GM Ed Wade. The future isn’t now, though. He’ll get ABs against lefties, but it won’t be enough to help you.

REID BRIGNAC

The 24-year-old infielder beat out Hank Blalock for the last Rays roster spot thanks to 18 spring RBI. There’s just no place for him to begin. He’s a modern-day Randy Velarde.