In the 2009 preseason, I looked at Mark Reynolds and saw a bargain. He stole bases and hit homers. I figured the rest would sort itself out. It did. In a big way. On his way to celebrating the bi-whifftennial, Reynolds hit a career high in homers, steals, RBIs, Runs… Knocked down 7 consecutive bulls eyes that make the old Western piano man play, perfectly stopped his Tivo remote so it landed right after the intro to The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins, but didn’t miss one moment of Tonya acting bat-shit crazy and he aptly called someone on The Biggest Loser a chucklefanny. (A chucklefanny is anyone whose butt jiggles when they giggle.) Yeah, Mark Reynolds is money. Sorry, I’m so 2008. I mean, #markreynoldsismoney. So what’s left for Mini Donkey in 2010 fantasy baseball? Is he a fantasy baseball keeper?
Frankly, I’m worried. But we had so many good times! I’m not prepared to throw him in the schmohawk category just yet. I won’t do that until I start to see how early he gets drafted. My guess is he’ll go way too early. But this is a 2010 fantasy baseball keeper post, and that shizz means you have Reynolds already for mad cheap — that’s Jim Cramer’s brother’s show. Now scream like you’re a lobster going into boiling water. Just remember some figures. Someone who strikes out 200 times, is not a good bet to repeat a .260 average. Reynolds isn’t plain old fast. He gets good reads and is “sneaky fast,” courtesy of Mark Grace. “Sneaky fast” is a recipe for a guy that may only steal 12-15 bases next year. So don’t rely on Reynolds getting 24 again. Finally, 44 homers seems like the apex on Mt. Mini Donkey. Does he hit monster shots? Beef pho sho! So, even if he has no tolerance for chucklefannies, he’s definitely a fantasy baseball keeper, assuming you have Reynolds for cheap. Just keep your expectations in check.
