He gets clobbered when he has to throw his non moving fastball, that is just completely flat. Excellent off speed stuff which fools hitters, especially with that quirky motion, but if he falls behind and has to throw a fastball, hitters just sit on it.

For those familiar with the movie Major League, this guy is without question the twin of Pedro Cerrano a player in the movie, who cannot hit any curveballs or slow stuff. Banks is big, and will hit an offspeed pitch if the pitcher makes a mistake out over the plate, but will wave at anything off the plate. Has huge HR potential.

He has and always will get fooled on slow stuff off the outside of the plate. However, what is most disturbing is that during spring training and in the first few games of this young season, he cannot catch up to the fastball, as straight cheese is flying by him belt high. That was stuff he would normally crush. That is a major concern.

The guy has great stuff, but just doesn’t pitch “smart”. Too many balls out over the plate that don’t tail back in to jam hitters. He reminds us of a young Smoltz. He will get close to 200 k’s, and he has the attitude to win 20, just needs better location. What is even more amazing is that he is available in most mixed leagues as late as round 12 or so, which is mind blowing.

If Ryan Howard’s power numbers could ever increase against lefties, he could be a legitimate threat to hit 60+ homers in a season. There is a small trend here the last three years against lefties. Here are his home run totals and slugging percentage against lefties since 2007:

2007:   16 homers and .493

2008:   14 homers and .451

2009:     6  homers and .356

We raved about his stuff earlier last year, and his stuff hasn’t changed. In a league where holds are rewarded, he is valuable. Just incredible stuff, and has the goods for a sub 2.00 ERA this year.

Though looking lost at times last year at the plate and still getting fooled with off speed stuff off plate, here is yet another injury prone player who has lost little as far as ability. Most will see a decline in skills, we don’t see that yet. Can still hammer ball, and if lineup around him stays healthy and he gets protection, he is back to 30+ homers. He has already been slated to hit in the 6 spot, which suits him better than leadoff. Looking for nice comeback year.

We have determined with much fanfare that Rollins played injured most of last year and was healing towards the end of the season, when he had a superb second half. He has lost very, very little as far as his ability, and where he once couldn’t be found outside of round one, there could be a steal here. Still drives ball with authority, and has the wheels for another 30+ stolen base season.

Until he shows us he can stop his 3 year slide of homers and steals, he will be an incredibly overpriced/overvalued player on draft day, probably going no later than round 4 in most leagues. He basically is Brad Hawpe, with a few more steals, and you can get Hawpe in round 12 or later.

Regardless of showing signs of ocassional brilliance and electric stuff, he just can’t pitch, and even in the deepest of leagues provides little value. We see no sleeper candidate here. Even if he has a good spring we are sticking by our guns.