This post will be a repeat of last week's format, which focused on one prospect, Andrew Miller of the Detroit Tigers. This week's post focuses on Milwaukee third baseman Ryan Braun.
John Sickels likes Brandon Wood better than Ryan Braun. I don't. This isn't a knock on Wood (ugh, no horrible pun intended) than it is high praise of Braun.
Part of it, though, is a philosophical bent when it comes to Roto. In the short term, I'd rather take the polished college hitter than the rawer high school hitter. In the long term, Wood might be better than Braun, but I feel like Braun's got more of an opportunity to do some damage here and now. His strikeout rates, compared to Wood's, don't make me worry as much about Braun's average cratering once in the majors. That doesn't mean Braun will hit .300, but I could see .270-.280 with good power. Braun's 15/11 BB/SO ratio in 137 PCL at bats will make you sit up and take notice.
As far as a bid, you're going to have to blow a significant portion of your bank to get Braun. Power doesn't sit in the free agent pool for long, and this is going to be one of the few opportunities non-farm leagues will have to pick up a guy who has the potential to hit 15-20 HR from here on out. I'd say go somewhere between $45-50. Yes, it's a huge risk, with the biggest drawback being that the Brewers are in contention, and will send down Braun if he's flailing. However, I don't think Braun will flail. He's here to stay and even if he doesn't have Wood's high ceiling as a 35/120/.280 guy, he will produce as a major leaguer. Or, at least, he has a better chance at moderate to high production than any free agent you'll buy this year.
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