A quick preamble about the 2012 fantasy rookie series that is coming all this month. Rookies are picked through MLB eligibility requirements, less than 130 ABs or 50 IP. That means no Brett Lawrie, no Lonnie Chisenhall, no Mike Moustakas. Last November I said, he is the best prospect currently in the game with under 130 ABs. Only that “he” wasn’t Mike Trout last year, it was Desmond Jennings. With DJ off the ones and twos for top fantasy baseball prospects because of eligibility requirements, we have Mike Trout. He’s currently ranked number two on Stephen’s top 50 fantasy baseball prospect list. He’s ranked number one for me. Numero uno. The Big Mahoff. He’s the big Statue of Liberty in New York, not that girly one in Paris! (Or that weird one in Israel that overlooks a goat farm.) Last year in Double-A, Trout had 11 homers, 33 steals and a .326 average in 91 games. Combine that with his major league ABs and he had 16 homers and 37 steals in 131 games. In 2010 in the minors, he had 10 homers and 56 steals between different levels of A ball. A ball, indeed. As in what he had in the minors. You may have noticed I didn’t mention his Triple-A stats. That’s cause he didn’t have any. The Angels skipped him right past Triple-A. Bee tee dubya, Trout’s not legal to drink, i.e., he’s twenty years old, i before e except in Teixeira, there’s room to grow. So what can we expect for Mike Trout in 2012 fantasy baseball?
He’s never had an OBP lower than .388 at any stop in the minor leagues, so I don’t think the bottom is going to fall out on that in 2012. If he’s getting on base, he’ll be stealing bases and scoring runs, whether he’s slotted leadoff or ninth. Is he much more than SAGNOF? Yes and no. He can be more than SAGNOF for 2012, but, worst comes to worst (or wurst comes to wurst, if you’re German) he’s going to steal bases. There’s the possibility of him getting 5-8 homers and he has the power for 12. In mixed leagues, Trout will be worth drafting late as your fifth outfielder if he has a starting job. NOOOOOO!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN IF? Sorry, Al Caps, the Los Angeles Angels That Aren’t In Los Angeles County have a crowded outfield. If the Sciosciapath somehow figures out a way to get Abreu, Hunter or Wells out of the lineup or if there’s a serendipitous injury to one of the 2005 All-Stars, then Trout will start. In 2012, I expect a line of 55/7/30/.270/20 in 300 ABs, that’s worth a 5th outfielder flyer in redraft leagues because of his upside. You should go after him so hard in keepers that you dance your panties off.
