We were surprised to see the results of a Yahoo! Sports poll, in which fantasy owners had to choose: Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham or Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Surprisingly, 56 percent of the 2,975 voters went with McCutchen over Beckham.

The results are particularly stunning in the aftermath of ESPN.com fantasy columnist Jason Grey’s statement that Beckham will be fantasy’s “next big thing.” SB Nation goes a step further with a comparison of Beckham to Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. 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.

Nate McLouth, OF, Atlanta Braves
Overview: Dynamic, but brittle, center fielder who is still working on gaining the trust of fantasy owners … burst onto the scene with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008, hitting .276 with 26 HRs, 94 RBIs and 23 SBs … was on par for similar numbers last season, but struggled with a hamstring injury and missed 33 games … not likely to hit for a high average, but should, if healthy, make big contributions elsewhere.
2009 numbers: .256 avg., 20 HRs, 70 RBIs, 86 runs, 19 SBs in 129 games
Key splits and trends: Is a .260 career hitter, so last season was no fluke … does have some room for improvement, though, especially if he stays healthy for an entire season … was far more productive with the Pirates than with the Braves, hitting .256-9-34 in 45 games with Pittsburgh and .257-11-36 in 84 games with Atlanta.
Strengths: Produces excellent numbers in the two ‘glamor’ categories, home runs and steals … is also a superb run scorer and a rare candidate for 25 HRs, 25 SBs, 100 runs and 100 RBIs.
Weaknesses: Batting average is the weak link in his statistical line … is also a health question mark with a not-so-lengthy track record of success.
Bold prediction for 2010: Falls short of 25/25, but stays healthy enough for another rare .270-20-90-90-20 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Lastings Milledge was right when he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that 2010 is “going to be an important year.” He’s still just 24 years old, but the last thing he needs is another organization to bail on his upside because of issues with his attitude and immaturity. Milledge has come to that realization in Pittsburgh.

Milledge told the Post-Gazette:

“Here, it’s kind of like I’m more thankful for and appreciative of the game. My work ethic has gotten better. I’m starting to realize a lot of things.” Read more »

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ courtship with 36-year-old reliever Octavio Dotel came to fruition yesterday with a one-year, $3.5 million yesterday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Pirates were the only team to promise Dotel closing duties, the Post-Gazette reported, and he jumped on the opportunity.

In the past two weeks, the market for closers on fantasy baseball has been all but settled. Dotel’s arrival in Pittsburgh gives the team a clear-cut closer, rather than a stabile of mediocre candidates led by Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek. That kind of clarity is important in fantasy. 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.

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Overview: Speedy young player who made a late run at National League Rookie of the Year honors last season … is an adept base stealer (22-for-27 SBA) and offers 15-20 home run power as a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise … has an advanced approach at the plate, which should help him avoid a sophomore slump.
2009 numbers: .286 avg., 12 HRs, 54 RBIs, 74 runs, 22 SBs in 108 games
Key splits and trends: Was consistent from month to month, but with good indications of improving plate discipline … had 10 walks to 31 strikeouts in his first 38 games, then 44 walks and and 52 Ks in his next 70 games … home run total was boosted by a 3-HR effort on Aug. 1.
Strengths: Speed is his premium tool, but is a quality contact hitter and run scorer … power isn’t a liability, which enhances an otherwise basic five-category package.
Weaknesses: Misleading power will have fantasy owners scrambling to draft him early … will likely offer below average power; we’re expecting no more than 15 HRs.
Bold prediction for 2010: McCutchen continues to improve, but barely exceeds his partial-season total of 12 HRs.

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche’s exit from Pittsburgh was widely anticipated, so news of a Wednesday trade came as no surprise.

As the Pirates usher in a full blown youth movement, a slumping veteran like LaRoche had no place on the roster moving forward. His left-handed power bat, as the Boston Globe reports, is on its way to Boston in exchange for minor leaguers Argenis Diaz and Hunter Strickland. Read more »

Of all the Major League prospects to debut this season, no player seemed to be in better position to succeed right away than Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen.

That’s not to say he is going to be a perennial All-Star or have the best career of the bunch; his physical tools and maturity just translate to more immediate results. Speed is his biggest plus, especially with it working in conjunction with a compact swing that should translate to very few strikeouts. Read more »

Wednesday was an eventful day for prospect watchers, with three more of the game’s most talented, major league-ready products being called up by their parent clubs.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson was the most anticipated of the group, but Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and Chicago White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham could also have an immediate impact on their respective teams. Read more »

St. Louis Cardinals rookie closer Jason Motte got touched up for four runs and a blown save in a 6-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday. An auspicious start for a closer with shaky job security as it was, which begs the question today, just how safe is Motte in his new role?

It’s impossible to interpret quotes from manager Tony LaRussa anyway, but he wasn’t quoted in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch specifically on the matter. But, what LaRussa did do was show Motte some support by not warming up any other relievers until Jack Wilson hit a go-ahead three-run double, the Post-Dispatch reported. That’s a good indication that Motte has some leash left. Read more »

Well, after initial reports by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. signing a one-year deal worth $2 million plus incentives with the Braves, the report was quickly denied by Griffey, who officially signed with the Seattle Mariners Wednesday.

This news coming from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which also reports that a phone call from Willie Mays gave Seattle the edge over Atlanta for good in the Griffey sweepstakes. Read more »