[revo]

With the trade of Shea Hillenbrand to Toronto, Chad Tracy officially gets his job back, as Glaus eases across the diamond to play 1st. The soon to be 25-year old had a solid rookie year in '04, batting .285 with 8 HRs and 53 RBIs in 481 ABs.

But it seemed as if Tracy disappeared for awhile, because while he was posting decent monthly batting averages, he simply wasn't producing enough to help a fantasy team. For example, in August, he hit .304 but had a measly 5 runs and 6 RBIs, with no HRs and no SBs.

But I think there's a lot of reason for optimism in 2005:

1 - the Diamondbacks offense is much improved. The additions of Glaus, S. Green and even Royce Clayton should help, as well as the continued growth of Tracy, K. Hill, S. Hairston and Terrero.

2 - He was a minor league superstar. He was MVP of the Texas League in 2002, and a PCL All-Star in 2003. He hit .340 at A, .344 at AA, and .329 at AAA. Obviously, this guy can hit.

3 - His BB/K rate was pretty good for a rookie (45/60), and his .285 looks paltry compared to his minor league numbers.

He only hit .215 vs LHPs in 2004, so if he improves that, his numbers can jump. I think he may resemble Lyle Overbay's 2004, which would make him a good value in 2005.


Projection:
C. Tracy, 2005 -- .307 / 80 / 10 / 78 / 2
I have him as my 19th-ranked 3B eligible player, behind C. Blake & Koskie, but ahead of Wigginton, Inge & Alfonzo.

What are your thoughts?

[SteveP]

his move to 1B instantly makes him just about the weakest offensive 1Ber this side (and the wrong side) of Doug Mientkiewicz. People compared him to Boggs, which is silly, because Boggs controlled his ABs and wasn't just a high average low power guy with a decent walk rate.

But he'll qualify at 3B so he's still a viable roto player.

The main problem is not his offense, there are unlikely to be any suprises there, if you sign on you're going to get what you signed on for. But whether he can handle 1B defensively whick could cause him to lose his job. He's a risky roto investment

[revo]

With the signing of Glaus and his bad shoulder, I don't believe Tracy is penciled into playing 1st any longer.

[joncarlos]

Now the Snakes have Cruz. Does this change anything? Is Tracy still going to split time at 1B with Tony Clark?

I think if he stays away from lefties, he can get 350-400 AB of .300-7-55-45-2.

[WampumWalloper]

Originally Posted by joncarlos

Now the Snakes have Cruz. Does this change anything? Is Tracy still going to split time at 1B with Tony Clark?

I think if he stays away from lefties, he can get 350-400 AB of .300-7-55-45-2.

I'm a little more optimistic on this guy than this. I don't see Clark getting 200+ ABs at 1b, and the Cruz acquisition changes nothing, unless your name is Terrero.

Tracy- .295 15hrs. 80 rbi seems reachable to me.

[witoldo88]

Originally Posted by WampumWalloper

I'm a little more optimistic on this guy than this. I don't see Clark getting 200+ ABs at 1b, and the Cruz acquisition changes nothing, unless your name is Terrero.

Tracy- .295 15hrs. 80 rbi seems reachable to me.

15 does not seem reachable to me. Tracy has never hit for more than 10 HR in a season. He slugged .407 last year in the 2nd best hitter's park in the league. Nothing is impossible and he has growth potential at age 25, but that's pretty unlikely.

[revo]

Can anyone explain why it will be Tracy, and not the gimpy shouldered Glaus (or even Shawn Green) playing 1st?

[joncarlos]

Update from rotowire:

Conor Jackson has been getting work at first base in the Diamondbacks' camp, and the team feels that Jackson's bat is just about big league ready, the Arizona Republic reports.

[GladHeAteHer]

Originally Posted by joncarlos

Update from rotowire:

Conor Jackson has been getting work at first base in the Diamondbacks' camp, and the team feels that Jackson's bat is just about big league ready, the Arizona Republic reports.

Well, considering Conor was drafted as a 3rd baseman, I wouldnt think he would have TOO much trouble with a move to first. Its not liek you are trying to convert a career OFer to the infield. Jackson is really moving up my lists now.

[willthethrill]

Originally Posted by joncarlos

Update from rotowire:

Conor Jackson has been getting work at first base in the Diamondbacks' camp, and the team feels that Jackson's bat is just about big league ready, the Arizona Republic reports.

I really like this move by the D-backs if true. Trying to make room for Jackson if Glaus injury or Tracy not performing too highly is smart. I would love to see Quentin worked into the lineup too by 2006.

They need to do more of this with their highly rated prospects instead of developing them and then trading them or letting them sit. Just this year we have seen them block Hairston and Cintron with Counsell and Clayton. They also traded away Overbay and Durazo.

[kldub4life]

So what are the latest thoughts and developments with Chad Tracy in Arizona?

[Rhody]

Originally Posted by kldub4life

So what are the latest thoughts and developments with Chad Tracy in Arizona?

FWIW, I read that although he is having a good spring, he is no longer going to bat second in the lineup, as originally planned, which is too bad becuase there is a big difference in the amount of runs you will score with LGonz, Glaus and Green behind you and with the Catcher and the Pitcher behind you.

[joncarlos]

Originally Posted by Rhody

FWIW, I read that although he is having a good spring, he is no longer going to bat second in the lineup, as originally planned, which is too bad becuase there is a big difference in the amount of runs you will score with LGonz, Glaus and Green behind you and with the Catcher and the Pitcher behind you.

Yup, I read that too. They're going with Clayton/Counsell in the top 2 spots. I think the catchers will hit 8th, and Tracy 7th behind Green/Glaus/Gonzo and Cruz. I don't know if things will stay that way though.