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Position player six-pack

Evan Longoria, 3B (TB): After essentially messing with his head, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays -- yes, they are still the Devil Rays until they climb out of the AL East basement -- have called up their highly-touted prospect Evan Longoria. Longoria went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk in his first outing, and he's worth adding simply because everyone is so high on him. Keep in mind, though, that Kansas City's Alex Gordon was highly touted last year, and he didn't get comfortable until the second half of the season.

Nate McLouth, OF (PIT): Nate McLouth held off Nyjer Morgan for the starting duties in center field for arguable the worst franchise in baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he's thrived with the early playing time. McLouth is hitting leadoff and has at least one hit in every game he's played. He's not particularly, flashy but he is consistent. In NL-only leagues, he's worth owning because his 11 RBIs, eight runs, seven doubles and two stolen bases are too good to pass up. Especially the RBIs. Last year it took him until mid-July to get 10 RBIs. He's efficient stealing bags too. He's been thrown out only once in his last 25 attempts. If you believe he can keep it up, he has value in deep mixed leagues.

Mark Reynolds, 3B (ARZ): Mark Reynolds is as hot as hot can be right now and is among the league leaders in home runs and runs batted in. Why I believe he is a long-term solution and not just a short term flash-in-the-pan is because he was really good for the D-Backs last year when they called him up and then tailed off as the season wore on. I think he's learned from last year and will make adjustments to be one of the D-Backs' best offensive weapons all year long.

Jeff Keppinger, SS (CIN): I was hesitant to recommend him at first, but the fact that Edwin Encarnacion is struggling in the early going increases Jeff Keppinger's value. You'll recall that Keppinger is seeing lots of playing time right now since Alex Gonzalez is on the disabled list, but Keppinger might stick around and take some playing time from Encarnacion when Gonzalez returns. Keppinger has also started at first base for Joey Votto. Considering he's hitting .340 with two HRs, eight RBIs, seven runs and one stolen base, Dusty Baker will have a hard time benching him when Gonzalez returns.

Mike Jacobs, 1B (FLA): After starting the season 1-for-11 in the Marlins' opening series against the New York Mets, Mike Jacobs has been mashing. He has nine hits in his last 19 at-bats, which includes three home runs and a double. He looks like he'll be a good source of power, and his .298 average is better than most people would expect. Use him as a power supplement unless he has another 33 at-bat hitless streak like he did last year.

Jorge Cantu, 2B (FLA): Sticking with the Marlins, Jorge Cantu might be a nice sleeper if he can translate his phenomenal spring into quality regular season at-bats. Cantu crushed a home run that left Minute Maid Park completely during the Marlins' series against the Astros, which gives you an indication of what he is capable when he connects. After starting the season 1-for-12 at the plate, Cantu is 10 for his last 29 with two home runs, five RBIs and only one strikeout. Cantu had 28 home runs in 2005, so he is capable of big numbers. Keep an eye on him.

Comments

Do you mean climbing out of the basement now, or at the end of the season?

Because, as of this writing, the Yankees are in the basement of the AL East.

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About this blog

Dave Golokhov
Fantasy sports are to Dave Golokhov what a lack of power is to the Orioles lineup; it is not just a hobby, it is a way of life. Dave has been a fantasy expert for Rotowire and hosts a weekly fantasy show on Saturdays at 12 p.m. EST on Hardcore Sports Radio, Channel 186 on Sirius Satellite Radio. From draft day decisions to waiver-wire watching, he'll be the fantasy version of your fantasy Dr. Phil: just ask the questions and he'll dole the advice. E-mail Dave
Dean Jones
Dean Jones Jr. is a Web producer at baltimoresun.com. Thanks to fantasy sports, he is able to make decisions that he wishes the Orioles and Ravens would make for their teams. He will be a regular contributor to the fantasy blog.
E-mail Dean
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