Kosuke Fukudome

While Fukudome hasn't justified the hype leading up to his 2008 signing, he hasn't been a complete bust, either. Over the last two seasons he's gotten on base at a .371 and .375 clip, respectively, slugged .439 and .421, played decent defense from a corner outfield spot and even spent time in center in 2009. Now in the last year of his deal, there's a decent chance the Cubs move him to open up full-time at-bats for Tyler Colvin, and eventually prospect Brett Jackson. For the time being, he's likely to start in right field, but yield frequently to Colvin. Low double-digit homers and a handful of steals are a good bet.

Fukudome's 2009 was a slight improvement over his rookie year - he boosted his walk rate and on-base percentage (.375) and added a few more doubles to slug .421. That's pretty good for a stellar defensive center fielder, but Fukudome is average at best at the position and will be moved back to right this year where even an on-base heavy .800 OPS is subpar, especially for a player getting $12 million a year. There's also a chance the Cubs sit him against lefties, but his contract and on-base skills assure him 450-plus at-bats so long as he maintains his 2009 level.

Fukudome's first season in the majors started off well enough with an .837 April OPS and stellar defense in right field. But his production declined as the year went on - he posted a meager .217/.314/.326 line in 175 at-bats after the All-Star break and was eventually benched. Heading into 2009, Fukudome's lucrative four-year deal ensures him some at-bats, though with Milton Bradley's arrival, Fukudome will likely get them in center field in the bigger half of a platoon with Reed Johnson. Given that Fukudome managed 10 homers and 12 steals despite his miserable second half and that he will hit in one of the National League's best lineups, he's probably a good gamble on draft day, as he's likely to come cheap.

Fukudome, who started in center field for Japan at the 2006 WBC, won the batting title and MVP honors for Chunichi that season, hitting .351 with 31 homers in 130 games. However, in 2007, he went on the DL in July with an elbow injury and underwent season-ending surgery in August (.294/.443/.520, 13 homers in 81 games). Fukudome is expected to be ready for spring training. He'll remind you somewhat of Ichiro, with better on-base skills but less gap power. (He doesn't run much, averaging less than ten steals a year the last five seasons.) Defensively, he's better suited to play a corner outfield spot, and Cubs are penciling him in as their everyday right fielder after signing him in December.