Two Managers to Watch

Here are two guys that I can guarantee aren’t on anyone’s draft board that might be able to help you this season: Tony LaRussa and Trey Hillman. Yes, two managers. Neither of whom will be pulling a Pete Rose and calling their own number to pinch hit, but both are trying to add some deep league value to a shallow position. It almost seems like LaRussa and Hillman were sitting in a fantasy draft room at the end of the 15th round looking at their teams and thinking that they wish they had a better middle infield. The next day in camp they had an old school little league meeting with their real teams and asked everyone to raise their hand if they could play 2nd base. In St. Louis, LaRussa was not happy with the any of the Major League ready 2nd basemen in camp this spring so he decided to give Skip Schumaker a shot at the job. Schumaker is an outfielder by trade, and has not seen the infield since playing 3rd base for six games in AA in 2004. The last time he saw regular time in the dirt was at shortstop his freshman year at Loyola Marymount. He also pitched an inning in relief that year and was listed as a possible closer candidate when he transferred to UC Santa Barbara is the next year, hopefully LaRussa wont see that and throw his name in the muddled closer mix in St. Louis. As an outfielder, Schumaker is not an exciting fantasy commodity. His ’08 line of .302 / 8 HR / 46 RBI / 87 R / 8 SB makes him a decent fourth outfielder. As second basemen, anyone with a chance for double-digit homers and steals, while hitting .300 and scoring 85 plus runs is worth a look. Over in Kansas City, Hillman is dealing with a similar situation. Mark Teahen became a man with a locker full of gloves, but no position. Teahen spent time last year in rightfield, leftfield, centerfield, 3rd base and 1st base. With the offseason addition of Coco Crisp the outfield is full. Crisp will start in center, David DeJesus in left, and Jose Guillen in right. When Mike Jacobs came over from Florida, Teahen was no longer needed to play 1st base. 3rd base will be manned by rising star Alex Gordon. What about the DH you ask? That spot is reserved for Billy Butler and Jacobs. Both of whom are hacks in the field but can swing the stick. At first, the common thought that Teahen would be traded, but no deals were struck. This spring, Teahen has been working out at 2nd base, where he has never seen any Major or Minor League time. The two 2nd basemen Teahen is battling in the Royals camp are utility-men Alberto Callaspo and Willie Bloomquist, neither who can provide the offensive punch that Teahen can. Teahen had an ’08 line of .255 / 15 HR / 59 RBI / 66 R / 4 SB. Again, not a great line for a corner infielder or outfielder, but as a 2nd baseman, it is serviceable. Teahen is hitting like a man possessed this spring, punishing the ball, hitting .500 with 5HRs. It is conceivable that Teahen’s line will look similar last year, but with a higher average. He hit .285 and .290 in ’07 and ’06. Schumaker and Teahen will by no means be top tier, or even second tier two-baggers, but they could be top 15 guys at a traditionally weak position. They should be owned in AL/NL only leagues and are definitely worth a look in a 12 team and up mixed leagues that have an MI spot. Keep in mind that neither of these players have 2nd base eligibility to start the season, so check your league eligibility requirements before investing a pick or a claim on either of these guys. Hoffy’s Ballpark Figures: Mark Teahen - 475 AB / .272 AVG / 14 HR / 71 RBI / 4 SB / 75 R Skip Schumaker - 550 AB / .304 AVG / 7 HR / 56 RBI / 11 SB / 86 R