When it comes to the biggest surprises of 1998 many people will mention Strawberry, Helling, Sele, and the like. But to me the most welcome surprise has to be Cincy's second baseman Bret Boone. It was just three years ago when this flight-footed son-of-a-major-leaguer was one of the top players at his position. I remember this because I tried trading for him like crazy. I then went and drafted him that next season, and just like when I drafted Robby Thompson in my first year of roto-ball, he was one of the biggest busts of the year. Boone was drafted in the middle rounds again last year as many Fantasy owners saw Boone's year as just an off-year.

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Boone has taken something from his father and is helping Fantasy players with it! (Allsport)

However, he did not bounce back and again posted horrible offensive numbers. Many Fantasy players who do not really pay close enough attention to the game wondered why he was still in the lineup day in and day out. The answer ... his defense.

Despite his flirts with the Mendoza Line, Boone was such an asset in the field that management stuck with him. Oh yeah, and the fact that he was making a lot of money. So this off-season Bret went home and worked with his father on his swing and his batting stance and completely re-worked them. And apparently it has payed off. He has worked his way into the middle of the Reds' lineup and is batting around .330 and has around 25 RBI through April. Pretty impressive for a forgotten second baseman.

Not many people new about this new stance, but when I was making my draft lists I remembered reading about it somewhere over the winter and so I moved him up a few spots on my list. So I drafted him for the second time in three years and now I am reaping the benefits. And hopefully you are too. For those of you who passed on him thinking that he would continue his woeful ways at the plate, TOO BAD!