The key to a successful baseball franchise is not building from the top down. Having an Albert Pujols or Hanley Ramirez-type is certainly important, but it is the pieces around those players that make them thrive. Nailing the final few picks of a fantasy draft can turn your above-average team into a monster. This is an early look at a few of the guys in MLB 09 and MLB 2K9 that can turn your mediocre franchise into a powerhouse.

Daniel Murphy
New York Mets

Early comparisons rate him as the next Don Mattingly. While he has quite a long way to go before that happens, Daniel Murphy seems to have everything going for him. His work ethic aside, the Mets are ready to get Murphy some at bats. He spent time at second base this offseason and at third in the minors, but as of now he will be patrolling left field in Flushing, Queens. Right now his stats do not warrant much, but he can play multiple positions. If he plays well in April and May, the ratings boost would be enough to make him a starting corner outfielder, second baseman or third baseman for the next few years on any fantasy draft franchise.

David Price
Tampa Bay Rays

David Price made a lot of noise in Tampa Bay as a reliever during his squad's World Series run. He was groomed as a starter, though, and 2009 will be his first real shot in the Rays rotation. If you do not remember all the stories on Price from last October, he was the first overall pick in 2007. He made quite an impression on the Rays organization by going undefeated in his first season at A and AA ball. Tampa Bay then traded away Edwin Jackson, their fifth starter last year, to make sure Price would be on the mound every fifth day. He has a ton of hype as a rookie, but he certainly will not go higher than the more established top-flight pitchers in the game. Take a shot at him in the middle rounds and you will not be disappointed when he sits at the top of your rotation in a few seasons.

Pablo Sandoval
San Francisco Giants

If you need a young catcher or corner infielder, take a look at Pablo Sandoval. He signed with the Giants outright in 2003 out of Venezuela. 2008 was his first season in the big leagues and he hit .345 in 41 games. He did not walk much last season, but he hit well. Sandoval will start at third base this season and back up Bengie Molina on occasion. If you read my article from last week, you would think I was down on Sandoval, but he should have a solid career. It would definitely be worth a late-round draft choice to fill up to three positions, especially considering his eligibility at catcher.

Chris Volstad
Florida Marlins

So who exactly is Chris Volstad? He made 14 starts for the 2008 Florida Marlins and went 6-4 with a 2.88 ERA. The Marlins were 9-6 when he started. That is nothing spectacular, right? Wrong. Volstad will be 22 on Opening Day. He is not as unassuming as Tim Lincecum, who stands at 5-foot-11-inches (Volstad is 6-foot-7-inches), but he might be able to make a similar impact on a team in a similar position. He was drafted 16th overall in 2005 and will enter the season as the Marlins fifth starter. Florida might surprise the NL East this year but do not be surprised if you see Chris Volstad as an ace in your MLB franchise in 2012.

Joey Devine
Oakland Athletics

The A’s already have one blue-chip closer, so what do they do? Trot out another. Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler will be sharing the closer’s role throughout the beginning of the 2009 season. However, it would seem that Devine is in the driver’s seat. He struggled early in his career with Atlanta but was lights out last year, striking out 49 in 45 and two-thirds innings. Devine also had the lowest ERA in the history of baseball with a minimum of 40 innings. He does not have the credentials that a Rivera, Papelbon or K-Rod has, but you could understandably roll the dice with him towards the end of your draft. At only 25, he could be your franchise closer for a decade.


*Queue corny puns* Are you ready for a Devine intervention? Is the Price right for David? Will Murphy’s law take hold in New York? Sound off using the comment box below!