Rookies are a tricky bunch. Most of them do not play regularly, and those who do rarely make much of an impact. The best Fantasy strategy is to generally look at them to fill holes in your roster instead of building your team around them. To assist in the process, here are some who have best chance if making an impact:
Kurt Ainsworth, SP, San Francisco: Many thought this right-hander was ready to pitch in the major leagues last season, but the Giants kept him in the minors for most of the year. He pitched well for Triple-A Fresno, improving his command with a diverse arsenal of pitches. Ainsworth will likely join the end of the Giants rotation this season and might win 10 to 12 games while also contributing in the ERA, strikeouts and WHIP categories. He will be a good addition for NL-only leagues.
Rocco Baldelli, OF, Tampa Bay: He will likely get a chance to play for the Devil Rays at some point this season. But Baldelli needs to improve his plate discipline before he is ready to make an impact in a Fantasy league.
Josh Bard, C, Cleveland: He is projected to be the Indians' opening day catcher but lacks the offense to fight off fellow rookie Victor Martinez for long. Bard is known more for his defense and is a risky player to use, even in AL-only leagues.
Joe Borchard, OF, Chicago White Sox: This switch-hitter is one of the best power-hitting prospects in baseball but will likely have to wait another year to flex his muscles. Chicago will likely start Borchard in Triple-A to allow him to get more seasoning.
Dewon Brazelton, SP, Tampa Bay: Brazelton has a good fastball and change-up, but he needs to improve his command. He will likely get a chance to join the starting rotation during spring training but is likely another year away from making an impact.
Marlon Byrd, OF, Philadelphia: Byrd will likely be the Phillies' opening day center fielder. He has the potential to be a .300 hitter with 20 homers, 20 steals and at least 100 RBI in the near future. Byrd will probably fall short of those lofty stats this season but should be a good starting outfielder in an NL-only league.
Hee Seop Choi, 1B, Chicago Cubs: Choi improved his plate discipline in 2002 and had a stellar season at Triple-A Iowa. At 6-feet-5, 235 pounds, he has the ability to hit for power and average. But Choi will have to prove he can hit consistently to beat out Eric Karros for the starting job. Until his status is determined, Choi will be a risky pick outside of keeper leagues.
Aaron Cook, SP, Colorado: His blazing fastball will likely get him out of a lot of trouble in Colorado, but Cook will still find himself trying to pitch out of jams if he can't control his breaking pitches. Pitching well in Coors Field is also a tough task for a rookie. Cook is expected to be Colorado's fifth starter and might win a reasonable number of games, but expect him to have a high ERA and WHIP. He is a talented pitcher but is a risky Fantasy player to use in any format.
Mike Cuddyer, OF, Minnesota: Cuddyer excelled in the minor leagues for Minnesota last season and has the potential to hit .300 with at least 25 homers and 100 RBI. The Twins hope he can be their opening day right fielder, but he must fight off Bobby Kielty and Dustan Mohr for the job in spring training. Cuddyer should be a good pick in an AL-only league, but don't rely on him to be anything more than a marginal Roto starter.
Zach Day, SP, Montreal: He pitched well during his brief major-league stint last season as a spot starter and long reliever. Day will get the opportunity to make more of an impact when he joins the back end of Montreal's rotation. He might not win a lot of games but should be productive in the ERA and WHIP categories. Day should be a good reserve in NL-only leagues.
Travis Hafner, 1B, Cleveland: This former Texas Ranger has the ability to hit for average and power. His greatest strength might be his ability to hit left-handed pitching. This should help the lefty slugger get more at-bats. He will still be a risky pick but is worth the gamble if you use him as a corner infielder in an AL-only league.
Ken Harvey, 1B, Kansas City: Harvey doesn't have exceptional power but has the ability to hit for a good average and drive in some runs. However, he will likely be used mostly as a platoon player.
Aaron Heilman, SP, N.Y. Mets: Heilman will battle for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training but will likely begin the season in the minor leagues. He needs to become more consistent with his pitches and is not worth using at the start of the season.
Brandon Larson, 3B, Cincinnati: Larson has 20-homer, 80-RBI potential, but he hasn't been able to break into the packed Reds lineup. His poor plate discipline will likely result in a low batting average if he plays regularly at third. Larson is only worth the gamble if you are unable to nab a more proven third baseman in an NL-only league.
Victor Martinez, C, Cleveland: Martinez has the potential to be the best offensive catcher in baseball but is at least another season away from approaching that title. He will likely spend most of the season in the minor leagues. Nevertheless, Martinez is worth adding to your roster in a keeper league if you can stash him on reserve.
Miguel Olivo, C, Chicago White Sox: Olivo is the frontrunner to be Chicago's opening day catcher. His ability to steal bases should make him a decent catcher for AL-only leagues, but he will be useless outside of keeper leagues if he doesn't win the starting job.
Lyle Overbay, 1B, Arizona: He is expected to surpass Mark Grace for the starting job, an interesting coincidence considering Overbay has hitting talents similar to Grace in his prime. Overbay doesn't have much power, but has the potential to hit for a good average and drive in some runs. He will likely split at-bats with Grace, but should be a decent corner infielder in NL-only leagues.
John Patterson, SP, Arizona: He likely earned himself a spot in the 2003 rotation with a strong performance at the end of last season. Patterson might struggle in June once hitters begin to figure him out, but should be a good Fantasy starter in an NL-only league.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cleveland: Phillips is a shortstop by trade but will move to second to replace injured Ricky Gutierrez. Phillips doesn't have much power but can hit for a good average. Phillips also has enough speed to steal at least 15 bases and should be a good second baseman in AL-only leagues once the premier players are off the board.
Jose Reyes, SS, N.Y. Mets: He has been regarded by many as the best shortstop prospect in baseball. Reyes doesn't have much power but has the potential to hit for average and steal bases. He will likely begin the season in the minor leagues but might be called up during the season. Reyes is probably another year away from making an impact and is a risky selection in yearly leagues.
Brian Tallet, SP, Cleveland: He will likely begin the season in the starting rotation. The big left-hander impressed the Indians late last season with his lively arm and impressive breaking pitches. Tallet might be a surprise star this season and is a good player to use if you are trying to fill the final spots on your Fantasy roster.
Billy Traber, SP, Cleveland: Traber has good control but doesn't have much velocity on his fastball. He has to earn a spot in the starting rotation during spring training and will likely be shuttled between the minor and major leagues. Traber is not a good Fantasy prospect for the start of the season but might emerge as a good pickup later.
Chad Tracy, 3B, Arizona: Tracy has the potential to be a .300 batter and hit 20 to 25 home runs. But with Craig Counsell and Matt D. Williams ahead of him on the depth chart, Tracy will likely spend most of the season in the minor leagues. Barring injuries, Tracy will be useless outside of keeper leagues.
