Catcher - If you read the preseason reviews you knew that Ivan Rodriquez went to play winter ball against the advice of Texas. He fine-tuned his skills and looks solid. He will hit more home runs than in any year, and should be strong at the end of the year for the first time, as you again could have predicted when in preseason the Rangers used him as their DH rather than giving him a day off.

First base - With all the rookie hype of Brad Fulmer, Travis Lee, Derrick Lee, and David Ortiz, the player out of spring training that I jumped on was Cliff Floyd of Florida. He had a bad preseason, but he was playing sick and hurt. The knowledgable Fantasy player knew he would be a 20-20 player.

Second base - As soon as Mark Lemke left Atlanta, Keith Lockhart became a find. With the Atlanta lineup and a hitter-friendly park for his style, Lockhart was a lock for a .300 avg., power and speed for a low price.

Shortstop - The early Nomar Garciaparra-Alex Rodriquez comparisons were plentyful. The Neifi Perez situation in Colorado was over-blown as he is not a power hitter or a base stealer. The somewhat hidden talent was Derek Jeter. In spring training he was solid, running at every chance and hitting home runs. For less than Garciaparra or Rodriquez, Jeter will be a 5-category player.

Third base - Everyone knew that when Andres Galarraga left Atlanta, Vinny Castilla would have a monster year in the middle of the lineup. This was an easy choice, but Ron Coomer of Minnesota started to blossom last year and at his preseason price has become an excellent 4-category player in the middle of the lineup and in the Homerdome.

Outfield - We all took the obvious, Griffey, Gonzalez, Walker, but to fill the lineup there were excellent young players with nice prices. Stynes of Cincinnati showed last year he could hit, and during spring training showed the 5-category qualities. Shannon Stewart will have a great year at the top of the Toronto lineup. He is just starting to hit because of a hamstring injury, but will be a 20-20 guy. A healthy Vladimir Guererro will be a 5-category player. I had him from day one, bit my tongue when he got hurt, but his off-season work helped to get him right back.

Starting pitching - Again, we all have the obvious, but on my opening lineup sheets I put Kerry Wood on there. I knew it would only be a matter of time for him to be called up. The other sleeper was Rolando Arrojo of Tampa Bay. I taxied him for the first few weeks to let him get used to the league, but the last few weeks I have had him and he is starting to roll.