Here is a list of the top 20 Singles Average hitters from 2005:

Since the MLB average for Singles % is approximately .250, the players listed above are considerably above this average. Many believe that Singles percentage is purely based on chance (percentage of balls hit into play that register as a safely hit single), however our research indicates that there is a subset of players who consistently have a Singles Average above the norm. Players who typically tilt the scale on the positive side (higher than norm Singles %) are frequently players who are speedy and accumulate a sizable amount of infield hits. Included in this group from the list above is:  Willy Taveras, Scott Podsednick, Luis Castillo, Chone Figgins, Ichiro Suzuki. We do not expect these players to see a reversion or regression to the mean in their batting average this year based on this indicator.

However the following players were considerably above their 3 year average in 2005: Adam Kennedy, Alex Rodriguez, Placido Polanco, Johnny "nice year to collect 50+ million" Damon,  Pat Burrell, Sean Casey, & Mark Grudzielanek. At this point you might be wondering, what does this have to do with Fantasy? Well here it is: Since Singles Percentage is the most relevant factor of a player's Batting Average, these players are likely to see a dip in their BA this season. If you're not using our player projections, it's probably a good idea to make note of these guys. (to see more click here)

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the departure of Julio Franco will not leave 1B Adam LaRoche without a platoon partner. Manager Bobby Cox indicated that rookie James Jurries, who clubbed 21 HR with 72 RBI in 106 games at AAA Richmond in 2005 will be given strong consideration.  LaRoche only hit .188 in 48 ABs last year with only 1 HR and 5 RBIs, expecting more than 435 ABs from him this year will be a stretch.

The Miami Herald reports that Manager Joe Girardi plans on batting 3B Miguel Cabrera third in his batting order. Girardi also said the he will not platoon 1B Mike Jacobs with Wes Helms.  We really like Jacobs, and are projecting 26 HRs from him this year in slightly less than 500 ABs. Also with Cabrera expected to see a considerable amount of intentional passes this year, Jacobs could be the beneficiary of additional RBI opportunities.  The only red flag was his high K/AB ratio of 22% last year and similar numbers in the minors. Although he hit over .320 in his last 2 full seasons in the minors, he'll be fortunate to land in the .280s in Dolphins Stadium this year.

The New York Post reports that RHP Victor Zambrano, who was once highly regarded by this reporter, is not assured of a rotation spot in 2006. Both the #4 and #5 slots will be open for competition in Spring Training with Zambrano, Aaron Heilman, Jose Lima, Alay Soler and Yusaku Iriki being the leading candidates. These comments by Randolph are probably more motivational than anything else, the Mets need Zambrano to step up. Zambrano has shown spotty flashes of brilliance over the last few years, but when you consider he's only maintained a WHIP under 1.48 in only one season (1.44 in 2003), you begin to wonder...what were they thinking when they traded him for Kasmir?

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, RHP Gavin Floyd said he fully regained his confidence in November after his first two winter-ball starts for Arecibo in Puerto Rico. In his next four starts he surrendered just two earned runs in 25 innings, his best string of success since he led the Double A Eastern League with a 2.57 ERA in 2004. Floyd credits intense tutorials with Johnny Podres and the fact that he has stopped thinking about mechanics and concentrated on just throwing the ball at the mitt for his renewed confidence and effectiveness. Also, manager Charlie Manuel said he won't use LF Pat Burrell to spell lefty Ryan Howard at first base. Burrell played first base in 58 games as a rookie in 2000 but he told Manuel that he would not feel comfortable playing there again. For now, the plan is to have utility man Alex S. Gonzalez spell Howard against tough lefties. Floyd has sleeper potential written all over him,  he sailed through Single A and Double AA ball before mechanical issues started to plague his delivery. Floyd has similar potential to Barry Zito, as his curveball is explosive and his low to mid nineties fastball can be dominating.

RF Jose Guillen has been in Viera for two weeks now, rehabbing alone, in hopes of being ready for Opening Day, after Nov. 21 surgery for what turned out to be a completely torn labrum which he played through in 2005. Expect a slow start out of the gate, as most position players do not regain full strength for 6-9 months after labrum surgery.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports pitching Coach Larry Rothschild said that RHP Kerry Wood's rehab schedule doesn't put him on course to pitch in the first two weeks of the season. In brighter news, RHP Carlos Zambrano said he wasn't certain how much weight he lost, but guesses ranged from 15 to 20 pounds. ''I did it for my back,'' he said. ''When I have a lot of weight, my back starts bothering me.” The Cubs are keeping an eye on RHP Mark Prior’s elbow and his shoulder but say both are fine. Prior has appeared in only one Cactus League game the last two springs, but Rothschild indicated Friday that Prior would be able to pitch 3-4 games in the exhibition season. We're keeping a close eye on Prior, who has the potential to be the best pitcher in Baseball *if* he's fully healthy. Flashback to 2003 when Prior posted a 1.10 WHIP, 2.43 ERA, and 245 Ks. At only 25 a healthy Prior can still dominate.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, LHP Eric Milton's miserable 2005 season might be traced all the way back to March 2003 when he tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee. After the surgery that followed, Milton wasn't able to do the weight work with his legs that he would have liked to do. As for the Reds’ bullpen situation, rest assured that the dreaded (by fantasy GMs) closer by committee will be used in 2006. These words from 36-year-old RHP David Weathers, who tore the extensor tendon in his right index finger a month ago while playing catch at home, and left the Reds’ complex late Thursday morning with the finger nestled in a small paper cup filled with ice, sum up the situation perfectly..."We've got closer by committee, and I just want to be part of that committee."

RHP Roy Oswalt, a back-to-back 20-game winner and the Most Valuable Player in last year's NLCS win over the St. Louis Cardinals, has been in Florida since Wednesday. He has even thrown five bullpen sessions in recent weeks, including one to the team at Holmes Junior College in Mississippi, where Oswalt played. Early Pitching Rotation Projections by insiderbaseball indicate that “Royo,” as Milo Hamilton affectionately calls this durable warrior, faces a very nice early set of matchups, mostly at home where he is particularly effective.

Manager Ned Yost said it was obvious from watching 2B Rickie Weeks swing the bat during workouts that he has completely recovered from thumb surgery. "You watch Rickie hit and there’s no problem," Yost said. "He's full-go." How many see a young Gary Sheffield in Weeks, we certainly do.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that SS Jack Wilson raised eyebrows around the team's training complex after reporting nearly 20 pounds heavier than his previous playing weight, with every fiber of that being hard muscle that was hard won. When Wilson reported for spring training last season, he was less than two months removed from an emergency appendectomy that caused him to drop from 193 pounds to 172. He might show a bit more pop than in the past, given his new bulk, although he does not sound as if he will make that a priority. "I just want to make sure I'm getting the most out of myself and not letting my performance slip. Last year, I didn't have a chance to use my off-season to get in shape. This year, that's not the case. I'm ready to go." Wilson should bounce back, but unless your in a deep league Wilson is probably off your chart.

LHP Ricardo Rincon will not report until Feb. 25 at the earliest after encountering problems obtaining a visa in his native Mexico. The delay is doubly disconcerting to manager Tony La Russa and pitching Coach Dave Duncan because the veteran Rincon also has committed to play for Mexico in March in the World Baseball Classic. Rincon's tardy arrival coupled with another absence could make the Cardinals more likely to carry three left-handed relievers into the season, Duncan said.

Manager Bob Melvin says that SS Craig Counsell is the favorite to hit leadoff, with 3B Chad Tracy likely to hit third, LF Luis Gonzalez cleanup, and RF Shawn Green fifth. RHP Brandon Webb will be the Opening Day starter. However, Melvin wasn't prepared to say where Russ Ortiz, Miguel Batista or Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez will be slotted in the rotation. Melvin reiterated, though, that RHP Jose Valverde is the closer, saying, "He's certainly did enough to warrant that and I know he's excited about it." Valverde is a sleeper closer. If he's healthy, he's pure gold as his rising fastball is extremely difficult for opposing batters. We are projecting a big year from Valverde despite the Diamondback woes on offense.

Manager Clint Hurdle said Cory Sullivan or Clint Barmes would hit leadoff with the other hitting second, followed by 1B Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, Brad Hawpe, 2B Luis Gonzalez and either Yorvit Torrealba or Danny Ardoin.

Dodgers’ closer, RHP Eric Gagne said there were no ill effects from throwing curveballs Thursday for the first time since his elbow surgery. "I've been throwing two bullpens and maybe three a week during the last month, so I'll keep doing that," he said. "But I'll do some throwing every day. It feels really good, or I wouldn't be able to throw every day." SS Rafael Furcal, recovering from knee surgery, has begun throwing, but still has not run, hit or taken ground balls.   Gagne is of course a player who could pay big dividends if he's back to health. One thing is near certain, he'll never be the dominant reliever that he once was. There was a lot of speculation that Gagne was a steroid user during the height of his dominance. This along with all of the other steroid allegations have never been substantiated. 

There had been speculation that RHP Clay Hensley would get a crack at the rotation, but manager Bruce Bochy seems to have determined that the Texan's chief value right now is in a setup role in front of Scott Linebrink and Trevor Hoffman. "Right now, we're going to prepare to use him out of the bullpen. With Rudy Seanez and Aki Otsuka, very important pitchers in the bullpen, gone, we need some guys to help get to Trevor.”

Head trainer Stan Conte has reinstituted the more aggressive conditioning that served the team well over the eight previous years. Conte now believes the Giants were wrong to restrict RHP Armando Benitez's running last year. The closer had some chronic leg issues, and Mets and Marlins trainers advised Conte to baby Benitez a bit. "We think that may have contributed to his hamstring injury," Conte said. Now, rather than jog from the mound to first base 10 times, Benitez runs at full speed four times.