Josh Anderson

Anderson made a strong impression in a late-season trial with the Braves and could be in the mix for a starting role in 2009. Anderson hit .314 at Triple-A and then was a catalyst at the top of the order for the Braves in September. However, he doesn't draw enough walks or have enough power to hold an everyday job. His speed will make him valuable for fantasy purposes as he's stolen over 40 bases each of the last four seasons. Anderson could compete for the center field job or a platoon role in left field. Even as a reserve, he'll be valuable due to his speed.

Anderson spent most of the year with Triple-A Round Rock, hitting .273/.325/.341 with 17 doubles and 40 steals in 48 tries in 132 games. He earned a September callup and hit .367 with three doubles in 67 at-bats, but was dealt to the Braves for Oscar Villarreal in November. Anderson will back up Mark Kotsay in center field, but could get plenty of at bats. He's got great speed, which will make him valuable even in a reserve role. However, he likely lacks the power and patience at the plate to hold an everyday job.

Anderson hit .308/.349/.385 with 26 doubles and 43 steals in 56 chances at Double-A Corpus Christi in 2006. Plate discipline has always been a problem for him, and that did not change last year, as he struck out 73 times compared to just 27 walks. With the recent departure of Willy Taveras, the Astros could be looking for speed at the top of their order, but Anderson will have to show some progress at Triple-A Round Rock before he gets a chance.

Speed thrills. Anderson is a prospect because he's fast; he does little else with the bat, with embarrassingly little power give his environments. The Astros have a better version of this starting in center field (Willy Taveras), so Anderson's current upside is as a fourth outfielder.

Anderson impressed in a short stint with the Low Single-A Lexington. Anderson hit .326 and stole 48 bases in just 73 games before being promoted to High Single-A Salem. He's a few years away but will be a valuable fantasy asset for his speed if he gets to the majors with Houston.

Anderson was chosen in the fourth round of the 2003 draft based on his ability to hit for average and steal bases. The former Eastern Kentucky standout has blazing speed and has been clocked at 6.4 seconds in the 60-yard dash. The centerfielder’s arm is considered average by major league standards, but the former high school basketball prospect possesses the unusual trait of being truly ambidextrous and can throw equally well with either arm. His mid-round selection is based on scouting reports that feel the lack of power will likely make him a fourth outfielder but the early results in Rookie league were solid. If he can continue to hit and steal at the same pace in the higher levels this might change, particularily in the Astros’ organization where they have little in the way of left-handed leadoff types. The 2004 season should find him at low Single-A Lexington with a promotion to high Single-A a possibility