C Joe Mauer - You know he can hit for average. Apparently, he can also steal a base. Will he hit for a lot more power? Tough to tell this early in his career, but even just a modest increase will put him above most other catchers. And with the top prospect shine worn thin, he won't be the flavor of the year at backstop. Count on a slight decrease in steals, a decent increase in power, and an overall uptick across the board.

 

C Mike Jacobs - Showed megapower and average potential, and Willie Randolph is already talking up a starting job either behind the plate or at first base next season.

 

1B Justin Morneau - We were promised 40 homers! Just keep on reminding everyone else what a bust he was. It's looking like offseason forearm/elbow surgery, which is also something to remind people of constantly. Unless it's more serious than they think, he'll be a bargain. Definitely a risk here, but the upside is Ryan Howard-esque (who doesn't qualify for the list because he has already broken out).

 

2B Adam Kennedy - He missed the first month of the season, and then some. But since then, he's been solid. In 2006, he'll maintain the quality average and speed (25 to 30 steals over a full season), and return to moderate power. He doesn't look like Willy Taveras physically, but he's a similar fantasy player at a thinner position who'll be cheaper on draft day.

 

SS J.J. Hardy - Hardy will probably not ever carry your fantasy squad, but rather reminds one of an old-school shortstop. Great glove, a little speed, a little pop, can lay down the bunt and run the basepaths. He'll likely have a few very good years along the way. He's not on this list because he's a star, but next year he should move into the serviceable range in almost any serious league.

 

3B Edwin Encarncacion - Yes, you're rolling the dice on batting average here. But the Reds seem committed to him, and the power is for real. I think he'll like the friendly confines of that park. Over a full season, he should be among the league leaders in power for third basemen.

 

MI Rickie Weeks - I'm thinking 20/30 HR/SB next season.

 

CI Dallas McPherson - Very good chance he'll have the full-time third base job in Spring. Should be fully healthy by then. Plus, he burned a lot of fantasy owners this past season. The average will be a drain, but the power should be fine.

 

OF Grady Sizemore - Don't count on 30 steals, but every other number on the board will rise. Sizemore is quite simply one of the best young players in baseball. And that young lineup is loaded. He'll be leading the Indians to the AL Central title next year, and should be a key component to many fantasy titles as well.

 

OF Chad Tracy - Yes, I know the homers are already so high he might not qualify for the list, but the runs and RBI will jump with playing time, increasing his overall value more than you think. Betting here that an end is coming to the Tony Clark Renaissance. His inclusion here is just my way of saying that the kid will rake.

 

OF Matt Holliday - Solid player with underrated speed who could easily flirt with .300-30-100 with enough at-bats. He'll be a 25 year-old with two productive part-time years in the majors playing at Coors Field. On my short list of players to get in multiple leagues in 2006. 

 

OF Chris Burke - One of my favorite players this year, because I passed on the initial hype, then bought at the right time, and captured his stolen base outburst. So I am admitting my bias here. But next year, he has 30-steal potential from second base. He can take a walk, and if he can become more consistent at the plate, could end up being the number two hitter in the Houston lineup next year (or even number one if Taveras busts, which he will). Let someone else buy the overhyped rookie of 2006, while you take the 2005 version for cheaper. Obviously more valuable if he qualifies at 2B in your league.

 

OF David Dellucci - Kidding.

 

OF Jay Gibbons - He's turning 29 next year, but his injuries justify the fact that it has taken this long to make some nice adjustments at the plate this year, increasing plate discipline and learning to use all parts of the field. Think Paul Konerko potential here.

 

UT Khalil Greene - His line looks pedestrian for a shortstop (.253-15-69), but those aren't bad numbers for a guy with less than 450 at-bats. Betting on an increase in batting average as he becomes a better hitter with experience, and an increase in power over a full season.

 

P Scott Kazmir - This end-of-year surge will make him costly next year, probably out of my price range, especially considering his walk total, his tome team, and his injury potential. That being said, he should make another leap next year. If health/usage concerns continue to evaporate as he gets older, he's a year from elite status.

 

P Felix Hernandez - This is the pitcher you have to be careful of. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, apparently wrong with him. He's the type of pitcher you will pay to see at the ballpark. And next year, he could very well go out and win the AL Cy Young Award. Then again, he could get hurt (á la Mark Prior). Or lose his head (á la Rick Ankiel). Repeat the mantra at next year's draft when the bidding gets high: young pitchers are huge gambles, young pitchers are huge gambles, young pitchers are huge gambles.

 

P Daniel Cabrera - Second only to Hernandez on this list in terms of potential in 2006.

 

P Noah Lowry - Pitcher's park  + what will no doubt be a better lineup (see Bonds, Barry) + a year of seasoning = Nice combination.

 

P Zach Duke - While probably not as good as he initially showed, who is? Still, while the sub-2.00 ERA won't hold up, this is a rare pitcher who could actually win some games in Pittsburgh. Not the typical flamethrowing strikeout king prospect, but his changeup makes veterans look silly at the plate.

 

P Ervin Santana - I was actually hoping he would struggle a bit more this season to keep his 2006 price down. Now I'm just praying he doesn't pull a Frankie Rodriguez in the postseason and do so well that Tim McCarver waxes unpoetically about him for innings on end. That would: a. drive up his 2006 price tag, and b. make me break out my McCarver voodoo doll again, and I don't know where I left it.

 

P Scott Baker - Slipping nicely under the radar. Should be good for a cheap 12 to 15 wins next year.

 

P Jason Vargas - Has taken his lumps, but held his own in some meaningful games down the stretch, and the Marlins think he's a keeper. Younger than you think.

 

P Huston Street - My preseason pick for 2005 Rookie of the Year should up his save total considerably with the job securely his from Opening Day. Play up the impending return of Octavio Dotel's presence on draft day. Street's the better pitcher.