Robby Hammock

Hammock's versatility will keep providing him with opportunities to find work for a few more years, but Miguel Montero and Chris Snyder did a nice job behind the plate for the D-Backs last season and he's not going to hold more than a bench role. Consider him to be a serviceable midseason stopgap for one of your catcher spots should regular at-bats temporarily open up for him.

With Johnny Estrada gone, Hammock could be back in line for a job, especially if Miguel Montero scuffles and leaves things in Chris Snyder's hands. Hammock has some power and plays enough defense to stay behind the plate, though he can also play third and the outfield. Good endgame play in deeper leagues.

Hammock missed almost all of 2005 after surgery on a torn labrum in his shoulder. His last really healthy season was 2003, when he put up good numbers. We'll see if someone remembers that in the spring and gives Hammock a chance to win a utility role.

A knee injury and resulting surgery bothered Hammock all year, and he then underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in early February. He likely won't see action until June or thereabouts.

Hammock was another one of those pleasant rookie surprises last year, playing all over the place (17 games in the outfield, 16 at third base, 36 as a catcher) before settling in behind the plate down the stretch last September. Hammock will likely hit well enough to get the majority of work behind the plate for the D-Backs this year, but he's nowhere near as good as Rod Barajas defensively, plus the D-Backs don't think he's strong enough to catch every day, so he might still get a start a week or so at either right field or third base. Still, after the first half-dozen or so catchers are gone in your NL draft, Hammock may provide as much value as any other backstop left on the board.

Hammock hit .290 with 11 homers in 122 games at Double-A in 2002, then struggled a little after the Diamondbacks sent him to the AFL (.241-3-15 in 28 games). He was drafted as a catcher, but the D-Backs played him all over the place last year; counting the AFL, he caught 71 games, played 57 in the outfield, and another 16 at third base. Hammock turns 26 in May; he hits well enough with decent plate discipline, but he needs to find a position before he becomes a DH for life.