The Sophomore Report: Billy Hamilton, Mike Zunino…

We read a lot about prospects and rookies but the coverage tends to fall off the map after the conclusion of a player’s freshman season. This ongoing series will chronicle the successes and failures of the sophomore class to help determine whose rookie season was a harbinger of even better things to come, and whose first foray into The Show was actually blanketed in smoke and mirrors.

Jesse Hahn, RHP, Athletics: The A’s acquisition of Hahn was my favorite of their off-season moves. He has the stuff to be a No. 2 hurler but he’s been held back by injuries that are somewhat worrying. The move from San Diego to Oakland does not hurt his value whatsoever given the similarly-friendly confines of the home parks. He could be the second most valuable arm in the rotation behind Sonny Gray in 2015. Hahn, 25, has 200+ strikeout stuff if his body holds up.

Billy Hamilton, OF, Reds: I’m not a fan of speedsters that don’t understand the need to get on base. It’s the most important part of their games, hands down. Hamilton came into the Majors with immense hype due to a 100+ stolen base season in the minors but his freshman season wasn’t really that strong despite his consideration for the Rookie of the Year award (.292 OPS, 23 CS, 117-34 K-BB). The infielder-turned-outfielder was also significantly worse in the second half of 2014 than he was in the beginning of the year… and those struggles have continued on into Spring 2015. Stats this time of year don’t mean a whole lot without some context and, in this case, the trend is worrisome.

Ender Inciarte, OF, Diamondbacks: Yasmany Tomas’ inability to play a big league third base will eventually have an impact on the Diamondbacks’ left field situation but it appears the Cuban is headed for some minor league seasoning. That should free up a starting gig for either Inciarte or David Peralta. Both outfielders have had great springs but the former has a better offensive potential. Neither player hits for power and both have shown the ability to hit for a decent batting average but Inciarte has the potential to steal 20+ bases with regular playing time. Long term, Tomas is the superior player but the 24-year-old sophomore outfielder could have value if he gets on base enough.

Caleb Joseph, C, Orioles: Continued elbow issues with No. 1 catcher Matt Wieters means Joseph is likely to enter 2015 as the starting catcher. An injury to J.P. Arencibia and disappointing springs by Steve Clevenger and Ryan Lavarnway suggests that the first-string guy should see lots of playing time because the back-up option looks bleak. The downside to all of this is that Joseph, 28, doesn’t have much of an offensive game — other than the odd homer — and the majority of his value is tied solely to his defensive abilities.

Mike Zunino, C, Mariners: Valuable fantasy catchers are hard to find so the improvements in Zunino’s game this spring are encouraging. It’s also more comforting to know that he made swing adjustments so the increase in offence may not be solely linked to small sample size spring numbers. After all, he was a highly touted amateur and solid hitter in the minors. No matter how you slice it, though, the home park is going to take some sting out of his numbers but he’s a name you definitely have to consider — especially in fantasy leagues with two catchers on the active roster.