Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward role in 2010 has been settled, and it’s exactly what he deserves. The 20-year-old has blown away teammates, coaches, fans and media all spring and, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has earned the team’s starting job in right field.

Not a surprise, really. Read all the quotes from manager Bobby Cox, hitting coach Terry Pendleton and teammates like veteran Chipper Jones, and the message is pretty clear: Heyward is a special, special player. Size, strength, makeup, maturity, plate discipline, power, defensive prowess, throwing arm. He’s the complete package. Read more »

Atlanta Braves outfielder Nate McLouth is lost at the plate this spring, a fact that should be noted by fantasy owners. Spring numbers don’t always tell an accurate story, but a .029 (1-for-35) average can’t be discounted. McLouth is struggling with his approach and mechanics, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and could be in jeopardy of losing at-bats to newly-acquired Melky Cabrera.

Cabrera was brought to Atlanta from New York to compete for a starting job, but with the idea that he’d come off the bench as the team’s fourth outfielder. The problem for McLouth is, Cabrera is a viable enough starter in center field to shove McLouth to the bench until he works out the kinks in his swing. Read more »

Atlanta Braves rookie outfielder Jason Heyward can’t possibly be sent to the minors after his showing in spring training. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports today that the 20-year-old launched a Max Scherzer fastball at least 450 feet in the first inning of the Braves’ contest at the Tigers’ complex in Lakeland, Fla.

The most impressive Heyward blast of the spring was summed up best by Braves’ pitcher Tim Hudson, as told to the AJC. Heyward worked a full count after falling behind 0-2, then launched the payoff pitch well beyond the wall in right field.

“If he’d have just gotten a hit or a walk it would have been a great at-bat,” Hudson said. “And he goes and puts one in the trees out there. I mean, it just adds to the legend.” Read more »

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Brian McCann, C, Atlanta Braves
Overview: Since his first full season in 2006, McCann has become one of the two or three best offensive catchers in the game … is fantasy’s undisputed No. 2 catcher this season behind only Minnesota’s Joe Mauer and Boston’s Victor Martinez … has posted consistent power numbers over career and has 90+ RBIs in three of four full seasons.
2009 numbers: .281 avg, 21 HRs, 94 RBIs, 63 runs in 138 games
Key splits and trends: Hits over .300 against righties but just .225 vs. left-handed pitchers … nearly all of power numbers coming against right-handers … struggled down the stretch, batting .228 in August and .270 combined in September and October.
Strengths: One of the most productive hitters in the majors despite playing at a non-offensive position … more consistent power numbers than Mauer with 3 years of 20+ HRs and 90+ RBIs … records a high number of XBH each season and, surprisingly, has 9 combined stolen bases the last 2 seasons.
Weaknesses: Like most catchers, McCann brings virtually nothing once he reaches base, as evidenced by his inability to score runs and his career 12 SBs … Lacks plate discipline, walking just 49 times in 2009 … is a big man at a position that grinds on players’ bodies.
Bold prediction for 2010: Will reach the 20-HR plateau once again, but will post 100 RBIs for the first time in his career.

Atlanta Braves prospect Jason Heyward is already doing some serious damage at spring training. Literally, says David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. According to the AJC, Heyward dented a Coke truck and smashed the sun roof of assistant general manager Bruce Manno’s car with a couple of batting practice home runs. Afterward, manager Bobby Cox had some high praise for the youngster.

“His line drive is like the old Hank Aaron sound,” Cox said. “I don’t want to put him in that class, but it’s the same sound. The same ring off the bat.” Read more »

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as Spring Training approaches.

Tommy Hanson, SP, Atlanta Braves
Overview: Young, power arm coming off an outstanding rookie season … has swing-and-miss stuff, including an electric fastball and superb command of a plus-breaking pitch … was as hyped as any other pitching prospect in recent memory and made good on the lofty expectations … won his first five decisions and was remarkably consistent as the season wore on.
2009 numbers: 11-4, 2.89 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 116 Ks in 127.2 IP
Key splits and trends: Made leaps and bounds in his K rate throughout the season … had a 25:20 K-to-BB rate in 41 innings in his first 7 starts and a 91:26 K-to-BB rate in 86.2 innings in his last 14 starts … smothers right-handed hitters, but was far less dominant against lefties … worked at least 6 innings in 15 of his 21 starts.
Strengths: Calm, cool demeanor is a strong intangible … size and strength will help him stay durable and become 200-inning workhorse … consistently works deep into games and vies for wins … should add premium K rate.
Weaknesses: Still has some struggles with left-handed hitters, the product of an underdeveloped change-up.
Bold prediction for 2010: Wins 18 games and arrives as one of the NL’s elite pitchers.

Fake Teams previews the Washington Nationals and names third baseman Ryan Zimmerman the club’s top fantasy player for the 2010 season.

“One can make an argument that he is the second best fantasy third baseman in baseball behind Alex Rodriguez, after seeing David Wright’s power all but disappear in 2009.”

Ray Guilfoyle is on to something here. The third base pool is evolving quickly, and Zimmerman and Rays’ third baseman Evan Longoria are leading the next wave. A healthy Rodriguez still has to be penciled in as the second-best player at the position, and Wright deserves another season with a healthier supporting cast before we remove him from our top 3. But, the gap from the Big 3 to everyone else has narrowed in a hurry. Read more »

There’s always a handful of Hot Stove surprises, and this year’s biggest yet has to be the New York Yankees’ dealing outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Javier Vazquez today.

It was a good deal for the Yankees, who acquire a top-notch, innings-eating No. 3 starter and trade away prospects and a good, but expendable, young player in Cabrera. Surely, general manager Brian Cashman has a plan in place to replace Cabrera’s production and restock his empty cupboard of outfielders. Read more »

Two Atlanta Braves youngsters were among MLB’s top 20 for the next decade, according to Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Minor league outfielder Jason Heyward checked in at No. 13 on the Baseball Prospectus list and was the only player without a Major League at-bat. Right-hander Tommy Hanson was at No. 17 after going 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA in half a season with the Braves in 2009.

These lists are far from scientific, but Heyward is in some kind of elite company on this particular one. He is widely regarded as the top position player prospect in the game, but the fact remains that he’s got just 11 at-bats above the Double-A level. Lumping him with the likes of Hanley Ramirez, who was tops on the list, Ryan Braun (No. 7) and Felix Hernandez (No. 9) requires an awfully favorable projection. Read more »

Atlanta Braves right-hander Tim Hudson will make his first start since last July on Tuesday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Hudson was originally expected to start today, but an injury to Nate McLouth in a rehab appearance at Double-A Mississippi forced the organization to alter plans.

Fantasy spin: Tough to expect much from Hudson in the final month of the season, but you always must wait and see in these situations. Observe a start or two, see how deep he works in each outing, then give Hudson some consideration as a regular in NL-only leagues or spot starter in mixed leagues. Remember, this is a guy with a 146-77 career record and 3.48 career ERA.