Fantasy Baseball 2009: Top 5 Chicago Cubs Rookies

The Chicago Cubs won the N.L. Central last season with a 97 and 64 record, meaning that the club has its fair share of talented ball players. While this is great news for Cub fans who are hoping to finally win a World Series, it is not great news for the club's rookie crop who will not see significant playing time this season. Here then are the five best Cub rookies to keep an eye out during a 2009 fantasy baseball draft.

Jeff Samardzija (RP)

Samardzija, a former All-American wide receiver at Notre Dame, who spurned a football career for baseball, made his way through the Cubs minor leagues in quick fashion. After positing a 3-5 record in Class AA ball in 2008, Samardzija went 4-1 with 40 K's in 37-1/3 IP in Class AAA to earn his way to the majors. Relegated to the bullpen with the parent club, Jeff went 1-0 with a 2.28 ERA and 25 K's (in on 27 -1/3 IP) for the Cubs. Only 24, Samardzija has a good future ahead of him, unfortunately a spot in the rotation would have to open up before he can offer real value for your fantasy baseball team. Ignore him this draft but monitor his development.

Michah Hoffpauir (1B)

After a nice long tenure in the minors, Hoffpauir finally made his way to the majors and responded well to the change, hitting .342 with 8 doubles, 2 homers and 8 RBIs in his brief tour of duty with the Cubs last year. Before his call up, the 28 year old, left hand hitting rookie, was enjoying a tremendous season at Class AAA Iowa, where he it .362 with 25 homers and 100 RBIs in only 71 games. With Derek Lee at first, at bats may be hard to come by, though Hoffpauir can also play in the outfield if need be. Check into his projected playing time before taking him in the draft this year.

Jake Fox (OF)

The 26 year old Fox has plenty of pop in his bat, collecting 31 homers, 72 extra base hits, and 101 RBI's in a split season between Class AA and AAA last year. The problem with Fox is that the Cubs are crowded in left field (Fukedome and Bradley), and getting him enough at bats to show case his power will be next to impossible. Avoid Fox for now.

Brad Snyder (OF)

Though a decent hitter who has 84 homers and a .273 career minor league batting average, Snyder strikes out often (718 K's in 6 seasons); that fact coupled with Alfonso Soriano playing in front of him means that Snyder does not offer enough of a return for taking a risk on him during the draft this year. There are a lot better options out there. Unless a spot opens up in the crowed Chicago outfield, pass on Snyder for now.

Sam Fuld (OF)

Yet another rookie outfielder with little or no place to play in Chicago this year, Fuld has had a decent minor league career hitting .288 with 133 extra base hits and 62 steals in 4 seasons. Fuld probably has a future in the big leahgues, but it won't be with Chicago in 2009. Pass on Fuld in the draft for now.

Statistical Sources:

www.sports.yahoo.com

www.minors.baseball-reference.com