Jung-Ho Kang (SS-PIT) - Between the contract and the posting fee, the Pirates are invested to the tune of $16 million over four years with Kang, but he will reportedly open the year as a utility infielder. He obviously wasn't going to unseat Neil Walker or Josh Harrison, but Kang was thought to be a strong competitor for shortstop duties given Jordy Mercer clocked in with a .692 OPS a year ago. Kang hit a robust .256/.383/.503 with 40 home runs in 117 games in Korea last year, but there are significant questions as to how those numbers will translate stateside. He's an interesting NL-only and dynasty league grab, but he's probably more of a 15-homer guy with full-time at-bats.
Addison Reed (RP-ARI) - Reed is battling early spring arm soreness, but it's probably nothing to be concerned about this early. Reed saved 32 games last year with solid ratios (10.5 K/9, 2.3 BB/9), but his HR/9 rate also spiked, to 1.67 per nine innings, thus resulting in a 4.25 ERA. He's probably not going to allow that many long balls again this year, but Reed is a flyball pitcher who pitches half his games in the desert. In the event of an injury or poor stretch, look for Evan Marshall to be the next man up. Marshall posted a 1.54 ERA over his last two months of last year and with Reed getting more expensive, he's a good keeper play as well.
Rougned Odor (2B-TEX) - Tough break for the Rangers Thursday, as Jurickson Profar will undergo surgery on his troublesome shoulder and likely miss a good chunk, if not all of 2015. Profar has his youth on his side, as he doesn't turn 22 until June, but this is a lot of development time missed. He's worth holding onto in deeper dynasty formats, but this is just unfortunate. It's good news though for Rougned Odor fans, as the second baseman won't have Profar looking over his shoulder (sorry, no pun intended) this year. Odor hit just .259/.297/.402 last year for the Rangers, but that was at age 20, so major improvement is possible this year, and the newfound job security doesn't hurt.
Paul Goldschmidt (1B-ARI) - Goldschmidt's left hand is reportedly completely healed, after the slugger was injured last August, ending his season after just 109 games. Goldschmidt heads into 2015 looking to stay healthy and improve upon an excellent .300/.396/.542 batting line from a year ago. I'd draft him just ahead of Miguel Cabrera and Jose Abreu among first baseman, and if you're worried about the injury affecting him this year, it's not a wrist (much more troublesome).
Eric Young Jr. (OF-ATL) - Young is just a non-roster invitee to Braves camp, but he is reportedly being viewed as a potential leadoff man / platoon left fielder. He would have the "good side" of the platoon with Jonny Gomes given he's face mostly RHP, but you would have a right to be skeptical here. First, Young batted just .229/.299/.311 in 316 PA's with the Mets last season, and given he also posted a subpar .310 OBP the year before, it's tough to see him lasting too long in the leadoff role. Should it happen though, Young would be a legitimate threat to steal 40 bases, as he swiped 30 last year in just 100 games. There isn't much competition for LF duties, so watch this spring to see how this plays out.
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michael
Feb 19, 15 at 11:50 PM
Eric Young is "cute" but has very little chance to be the leadoff man because there is a competition set up in the Braves OF and at 2B. In fact, if like I think Peraza wins the job at 2nd Eric Young will have difficulty sticking with the team.