The Need for Speed: A Potential Fantasy Maverick

Eric Young Jr. has been on the tip of every fantasy owner’s tongue for what seems like the better part of a decade now.  Well, it hasn’t been nearly that long, but back in 2006 he got everyone more than a little bit excited when he swiped 87 bags for the Rockies in A-ball.  It’s not much of a stretch to say that ballplayers don’t steal 80 bases with great frequency.  In the Major Leagues, in fact, it hasn’t happened since both Rickey Henderson (doy) and Vince Coleman (well, sure) both accomplished the feat in 1988.  While players aren’t necessarily any slower, and pickoff moves probably haven’t improved exponentially, it’s safe to assume that with the power surge of the 1990s and 2000s, the stolen base simply fell out of vogue (strike a pose).  When a player flashes a special talent, especially when that talent goes against the grain (so to speak), it simply stands out all the more.  That’s how fantasy baseball enthusiasts became enamored with the potential of one Eric Young Jr.

Young followed up his professional debut by hitting .291 with another 73 steals in high-A ball in 2007.  And, after hitting .290 with 46 steals in 2008, it was abundantly clear he was cut from the same mold as his father, Eric Young (465 career stolen bases).  The only real obstacle to junior’s path to the Major Leagues were the doubts about his ability to hit for a reasonable average at the game’s highest level, doubts that he has yet to fully erase to this day.

Young’s first taste of the big leagues came in 2009, a year in which the Rockies finished with the best record in franchise history (92-70), losing in the League Division Series three games to one versus the Philadelphia Phillies.  Young had trouble finding regular playing time amidst a pennant race and facing stiff competition at second base from Clint Barmes (23 HR, 12 SB).  Barmes’ greatness (relatively speaking) has already faded from memory, but he was a capable bat despite the .245 batting average.  Young compiled 61 plate appearances batting .246 with four stolen bases and his first big league home run (good for him).

Barmes’ struggles in 2010 led to the Rockies trying desperately to find stability at second base, using the likes of would-be 3B Ian Stewart, Jonathan Herrera, as well as Young in the role.  None fared particularly well, although more playing time meant fantasy baseball owners got a more extended look at Young—189 plate appearances to be exact.  While his batting average still languished (.244) his 17 steals in just 25 games reminded everyone of why their collective interest was piqued in the first place.  Speed is a rare commodity in fantasy circles and the promise of even 40, let alone 80 steals was simply too much to pass up.

2011 was going to be different in Colorado, with newly-acquired Jose Lopez of Seattle Mariners fame finally bringing stability to the right side of the Rockies infield, a move which failed…tragically.  Lopez hit just .208 (.521 OPS), ranking him among the worst hitters in all of baseball.  Long story short, the team juggled the infield, again trying different combinations of players including the likes of Steward and Herrera, none of which really seemed to work for more than a game or two. Even realizing Lopez didn’t seem to bring clarity to the issue.  In fact, when Lopez was released, a familiar name resurfaced in Colorado—Mr. Eric Young Jr.

So, here we are again…again.  After hitting .363 in 42 games in AAA, Young will be given another shot at being a full-time big league second baseman, more or less. Since being recalled, Young has hit .258 in eight games while stealing three bases—effective but understated numbers.  Eight games really isn’t enough of a sample size to really formulate a cogent opinion, but if his six-plus years in the minor leagues is any indication, Young can and will bring one thing to the table, a heaping helping of speed.  With the Rockies also needing occasional help in the outfield (where Young can reasonably fake it), it appears as though this may be the year Young gets to sink or swim on his own merits.  After all, it’s only Herrera and the bloated, range-deprived body of Ty Wiggington standing in his way.  NL-only owners need to be aware of his presence, and should playing time continue to come his way, his steals alone might make Young relevant in deeper mixed formats, ROTO leagues in particular.  It all has a familiar refrain, but this time Jockstrap Journalism might actually be right.  Imagine that.