With Grady Sizemore dealing with an elbow issue and Tom Sizemore responsible for The Smoking Gun updates, finally we have a Sizemore that had a good 2009. Scott Sizemore is the 2nd base prospect for the Tigers. I know what you’re thinking, Crapolanco’s got 2nd base locked down, son. Well, Dad, Crapolanco is entering free agency this winter so his time in Detroit may be over. So, let’s assume that 2nd base is vacated for Sizemore in 2010, can he help you in fantasy baseball leagues?
In 520 at-bats between Double and Triple-A, Sizemore hit 17 homers and stole 21 bags while maintaining .308/.389/.500. He only lost about 60 points in slugging when he moved from Double-A to Triple and his line drive rate actually got better. (More on Scott Sizemore’s minor league numbers.) One drawback is he’s starting to ripen late for a prospect (he’ll be 25 years old in 2010). He needs to make the move this year. And, to be fair, if he played outfield, I may not be talking about him, but at 2nd base giddy-up. Leyland has shown he doesn’t have any qualms about playing a rookie. Incredibly, he batted a rookie third for about 200 at-bats in 2009. Also, knowing Leyland’s tendency to save trees by Liquid Papering lineup cards, he may simply replace Polanco in the two hole with Sizemore. With a starting job, Sizemore could mean 80/14/70/.275/16 with upside from there. This is exactly the kind of guy I would take a flier on at MI late in 2010 fantasy baseball drafts. If he doesn’t pan out, then you grab Felipe Lopez or some other schmohawk. So if you go with Sizemores for $300 and the answer is, “He has two working elbows and a blood alcohol level under .25.” The question is, who is Scott Sizemore?
