Give 'em Hellickson

Tampa Bay is still buzzing about top pitching prospect Jeremy Hellickson, who blazed past the Twins in his MLB debut on Monday.

"Hellboy" retired the first 10 batters he faced, finishing with three hits allowed, six strikeouts and two earned runs in seven innings. The 23-year-old looked cool, calm and collected while mixing a 92-93 mph fastball with an 82 mph change and keeping the Minnesota hitters off balance.

While Hellickson had been dominant at Triple-A this year to the tune of an 11-2 record, 2.21 ERA and 104/26 K/BB ratio, the righty's being sent back to the farm after giving Tampa Bay's starters an extra day of rest. But you have to figure we'll see him in a Rays uniform again soon after such a successful debut, most likely in the bullpen this September, a la David Price in 2008. Of course if there's an injury in the Rays rotation, they now know they have a spot starter who's proven he can hang with the big boys. For that reason, Hellickson could be worth hanging onto in most fantasy leagues and should certainly be scooped up in keeper leagues.


Photo by The Associated Press

Spring Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

SARASOTA - In just a few short years the Tampa Bay Rays have gone from major league afterthoughts to serious contenders. They've catapulted themselves past established AL East powers like the Blue Jays and Orioles - who I watched the Rays beat 8-3 on Tuesday at Ed Smith Stadium - to give the Red Sox and Yankees a run for their money.

A big part of that success has been the talent - specifically the young, homegrown variety - the fanchise has amassed. And all that talent makes Tampa Bay's roster extremely appealing to fantasy owners. Let's have a closer look, shall we?

BREAKOUT PLAYER: Starter Matt Garza is penciled in as the Rays' No. 2 starter behind James Shields, but he may have the best pure stuff on the staff. Though his W-L record (8-12) and ERA (3.92) were disappointments after a stellar 2008 season, keep in mind it was really only his second full season in the big leagues, and he struck out 189 batters in 203 innings. With a little luck and a little more maturity on the mound, the 26-year-old could be in line for a fine season.

BUYER BEWARE: Jason Bartlett had an outstanding 2009, but you have to be a tad skeptical about a player who added nearly 200 points to his OPS from the previous season, raised his batting average 30 points and almost tripled his previous career high in homers (from 5 to 14). I'm not suggesting there's anything fishy going on; I'm just saying we might have seen a once-in-a-career season out of the 29-year-old SS, who's going to cost you a lot more this draft day than he ever has.

ETC: Carl Crawford (top) is a top-10 talent, even if there's a decent chance he gets traded elsewhere by season's end. If that happens, minor league speedster Desmond Jennings instantly becomes a must-own. ... A lot people are down on B.J. Upton, whose stats fell for a second straight year last season after a stellar 2007. But I believe there's still hope for the 25-year-old, who was still recovering from shoulder surgery last year, to be an across-the-board contributor. ... keep an eye on IF/OF Sean Rodriguez, who's tearing it up so far this spring after being acquired in the Scott Kazmir deal and pushing for playing time. ... Evan Longoria is the second-best fantasy 3B in the game behind Alex Rodriguez, plain and simple. ... Carlos Pena is another Ray who could end up getting dealt by year's end, but don't let that scare you away. Can you say contract year? ... The versatile Ben Zobrist demands your attention after an awesome 2009 that came out of nowhere. He's a lot more comfortable this year, as the Herald's John Lembo reports, knowing the Rays will find ways to get him in their lineup, whether it's at second base or in right field. But I do have hesitation when it comes to a player who hit 27 homers in one season at age 28 after a total of 23 in more than 1,300 career minor league at bats. ... I've already spelled out how much I like new closer Rafael Soriano this year ... Want strikeouts? Get No. 3 starter David Price. Want an even cheaper source of strikeouts? Get No. 4 Jeff Niemann (above). Want a late-round sleeper with a ton of upside? Get Wade Davis.

Tommy Boy

Looking for that lightning-in-a-bottle prospect, that spark that will put your fantasy team over the top?

Go get Tommy Hanson.

Hanson is the Braves' top pitching prospect and has dominated at all levels so far. He's currently tearing up Triple-A (2.01 ERA, 57 Ks and 13 BBs in 40 2/3 innings) and is considered an ace in the making.

The 6-foot-6, 210-pound right-hander isn't quite as well known as Rays prospect David Price (who made a major league cameo last year) but could be every bit as valuable as Price in fantasy leagues this year. Like Price, Hanson is apparently being held out of the majors in part to delay his arbitration eligibility, but that soon won't be an issue. It's also only a matter of time until Atlanta realizes Hanson is more deserving of a spot in the rotation than Jo-Jo Reyes (0-2, 5.48 ERA, nine straight losses dating to last year, plus his name is Jo-Jo). Act now and grab him while you can.

This week's column: Class of 2008

This week I'm taking an in-depth look at the MLB rookies you need to know, from Yankees phenom Joba Chamberlain to Bradenton's Chris Perez to Rays to pick David Price.

You can read all about them here or in Sunday's Herald sports section.