How Much Can Jason Heyward Help You In 2010?

The rookie bat getting the most talk this spring is the Braves Jason Heyward.  What you need to know before a draft/auction is if he is going to be on the team?  Can he contribute this year?  After all, everyone knew Hanson had the skills to make the club out of spring training last year, and the Braves waited until June to slow down the arbitration clock.  That experience, that some feel cost the Braves a run at the postseason, combined with Bobby Cox's last season, gives the indication that if Heyward produces this spring, he will start the year in RF for Hotlanta.

Production wise, Heyward has already hit enough cars in the back lot that new covers are being erected, he has the kind of power that players like Chipper Jones have christened him "the freak".  He stands 6'4 and he is now a  more muscular 240, drawing comparisons to a young Dave Winfield.  What seperates him, what has the Braves all a gush, is his patience.  As a 19 year old last year Heyward gathered 49 free passes and 49 strikeouts, excellent for a 19 year old,   let alone one with his power.  He is massive, runs well, should be an asset defensively, and has all the hype that the "next great thing" always has thrown his way.  He stole 9 bags last year, being only nabbed once, so what's not to like?

You do have to temper your hopes though as he's only had 195 plate appearances at the AA level and nothing above that. He will be only 20 when the season starts and you never know what will happen when, and he will, struggle? Heyward has been nicked or dinged every year since he's been a pro and there is some concern about him holding up.   He will go much earlier in a draft than a player that PECOTA projects for  .277  16 HRs, 54 RBIs and 6 SB will go.  Those numbers eerily have Garret Anderson written all over them!  But, there is a catch, what if he explodes!  Goes Pujols on you?  You can be the guy who drafted him before he became a fantasy god, and that's what will tempt somebody to bid over $12 and yell his name before he should be called in a standard draft. 

Best case, I see Heyward getting 465 AB's, .285 BA with 19 HRs and 79 RBIs and 11 SB.  More than likely he will put up a line similar to the PECOTA projection.  I love Heyward.  He is a local Atlanta kid who the franchise will have as it's face fore the next 15 years, I just won't have him this year.  That being said, I have him in two of my dynasty leagues and he is an untouchable along the lines of a Justin Upton.  Watch what he does this spring and act accordingly.