Fantasy Baseball: Friday’s Spring Training Roundup

We’re back at it with some thoughts on Friday spring training boxscores:

Jason Heyward made the Braves opening day roster and will start in right field. That was obviously the right decision, and I wish more teams would overlook the money side of the equation and put the best 25 man roster on the field. With that said, I am very curious how much Heyward goes for in my NL-only auction draft Sunday morning. I could see someone paying $20 for him.

Giants starter Tim Lincecum struck out 7 in 4 innings of work on Friday, giving up 1 run on 6 hits and 2 walks. I was sooo close to dealing him in my NL-only league but thought better of it. Will go into the draft with $79 spent on 5 pitchers. Not something I normally do.

Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee will be sidelined for 5 days with the abdominal strain. The string of bad luck continues to follow Lee. He went for “just” $15 in Friday’s Tout Wars draft. $15!! Even I would take the risk at $15.

Are the Padres going to lead the majors in SBs in 2010? They stole another 5 bases on Friday, with Will Venable and Luis Durango each stealing two bags apiece. Everth Cabrera with 50 SBs in 2010?? Could happen.

Rangers starter Rich Harden threw 5.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 5 walks on Friday. He struck out 5 batters, but appears to not be the same pitcher he was when healthy. I see a DL stint in the near future.

Rangers pitching prospect Neftali Feliz appears to be headed to the minors after giving up a 3-run HR to Jake Fox on Friday. The Rangers are probably better off not rushing him at this point.

Rockies temporary closer Franklin Morales gave up the go-ahead run in the 7th inning vs the Indians on Friday. Talks of Manny Corpas being waived may be put on hold after he pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Sleeper Alert-Diamondbacks second baseman Tony Abreu went 3-5 with 5 RBI on Friday. He is hitting over .400 this spring and I would not be surprised to see him unseat Kelly Johnson as the DBacks second baseman at some point in 2010.

Reds pitchers Mike Leake and Travis Wood both gave up 1 run over 4 innings of work on Friday as they battle for the 5th spot in the Reds rotation. Leake gave up 4 baserunners in his 4 innings, while Wood gave up 7 baserunners. But, Dusty Baker apparently says Wood is the favorite to win the 5th starter spot in the rotation.

Yankees 5th starter Phil Hughes gave up only 1 run in 3 innings on Friday, but he did walk 4 batters and struck out 5. He was out-dueled by Phillies 47 year old starter Jamie Moyer who struck out 6 in 6+ innings and only gave up 1 hit.