Reynolds' bad rap

Everyone knows Mark Reynolds is extremely strikeout prone. He owns the three highest totals for strikeouts in a single season, including last year's record-smashing 223. Many fantasy baseball managers let that slide in 2009 because Reynolds performed in breakout fashion, walloping 44 home runs and still managing a slash line of .260/.349/.543, respectable numbers for most power hitters even in spite of the ridiculous whiff numbers.

This year, Reynolds has still managed decent power numbers with 51 extra base hits, but his sky-high strikeout numbers and plummeting batting average have reduced him to marginal fantasy starter rather than the power force he appeared to be in 2009. Reynolds is in jeopardy of a record-setting year of futility in potentially becoming the first every-day player to have a higher strikeout total than batting average (currently 206 K total and .199 average) for the season. His BABIP of .322 for his career is a bit on the high side in terms of good luck. This year's BABIP is .255, which is highly unlucky.

Fantasy Impact: Reynolds goes from a guy who looks like a perennial keeper in your typical keeper league to back in the draft heap for 2011. The good news is that BABIP should come up more in line of his career numbers moving forward, as his high strikeout numbers had never produced a batting average below .239. Bringing Reynolds BABIP back toward the norm leaves a would-be .224 average for this season and he would produce at a .236 clip in 2010 at his career BABIP. That's below Reynlods .243 career batting average, which means last season is still looking like a career year rather than a harbinger of future success. Reynolds simply slipped back to the pack in 2010, despite his 32 home runs leading the third base position. If your league keeps between five and six keepers, he's on the fringe for 2011.

Pablo's for real

Pablo Sandoval continues to rake to the point that he can be considered a baby Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder at this point in his young career. Like Pujols and Fielder, Sandoval is hitting a ton at a young age, upping his average to .334 with a 3-4, two run, two RBI effort in a 10-6 Giants win over the Astros. Sandoval knocked his 32nd double to go along with 17 home runs, and he's just about to turn 23 next week.

Fantasy Impact: The portly Sandoval doesn't run the bases very well (4 SB in 6 attempts), nor does he have much patience (22 BB in 386 AB), but he does hit exceptionally well. He poses an interesting dilemma as the trade deadline looms in most fantasy leagues: is the young player good enough to acquire and keep for an even better campaign next season, or is he playing a bit above his head? Well, just like Pujols, his minor league numbers look a lot like his Major League marks. That means your only worry with Sandoval is injury. He's going to be a major star.