Even with Petco’s fences coming in, I’m really liking what this middle-aged journeyman pitcher… *checking notes* Me to myself, “I don’t think this is the Adam Eaton, 4+ ERA pitcher.” Myself to me, “Jesus, then don’t write about the pitcher, or people will think you have no idea what you’re talking about.” Me to myself, “Chill, Myself! I know what to write and what not to– Um…Uh…” So, Adam Eaton is a Diamondbacks prospect, not the other Adam Eaton that once pitched for the Padres. That is plenty obvious. I mean, these are rookie outlook posts for 2013 fantasy baseball after all, right? *awkward laughing* Right, so here’s what I said about Adam Eaton at the end of last year, ” To give you the brief summary up front about Eaton: Imagine Pedroia in the outfield with more speed and less power. He’s got spark plug written all over him (in invisible ink, so not to creep anyone out). At five foot-eight soaking wet, he’s not the biggest of players. (“Soaking wet” doesn’t add much to someone’s height, but it’s also not inaccurate. If you don’t believe me, measure yourself in and out of the shower.) But you can’t weigh a guy’s heart on a scale. Unless he has a baboon heart and is portrayed by Christian Slater. In the minors this year, Eaton had 44 steals and only 11 times caught. He also maintained a .375 average between Double and Triple-A, with a .456 OBP. A lot of that was due to a high BABIP, but with his speed that shouldn’t be a huge concern. Scrappy is Eaton’s middle name. The S is silent in most shallower mixed leagues. But where you need steals, he’s a good guy to get to know. Plus, at his size, getting to know him won’t cost you an arm and leg. I mean, how much could he possibly eat?!” And that’s me quoting me! So, what can we expect of Adam Eaton for 2013 fantasy baseball?
I love Adam Eaton. Getting that out of the way first (well, after all that other “first” stuff). Wil Myers is going to have a steeper price tag. Will’ll even be on shallower league radars. He probably won’t be up in April. I don’t think anyone’s drafting Adam Eaton in most mixed leagues, but he will be a huge sleeper in mixed leagues and should start the year in the majors. He’s capable of a top 50 outfielder season, i.e., value in ten team mixed leagues that carry five outfielders. Shoot, he’s actual capable of a top 30 outfielder season, but I don’t want to get people too crazy. He’s not strictly SAGNOF. He could chip in 7-10 homers over the course of a season. Krispie Young has already been shipped out of Arizona and Upton might not be too far behind. The Diamondbacks will play Eaton unless the injury he sustained at the end of last year (broken hand) bothers him still, though he should be recovered well before Spring Training (by December is the word on the street). Adam Eaton could be a cheap Austin Jackson. Call him Round Rock Jackson. In 2013, I could see a line for Eaton of 75/7/45/.270/25. Like Stallone, stay hungry because there will be more Eaton this offseason.
