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Four years ago, well before Joba Chamberlain, Philip Hughes and Ian Kennedy, catcher Dioner Navarro was the top prospect in the New York Yankees farm system. After hitting .341 in 208 Double-A at-bats, the 20-year-old backstop was considered the heir apparent to Jorge Posada behind the plate at Yankee Stadium.
Like many Yankees prospects of the early-2000s, Navarro was shipped away in a trade for veteran help before he could make an impact in the Bronx.
After moving west to Los Angeles in a three-team trade that sent Randy Johnson to the Yankees, Navarro showed promise in his first year as a Dodger, hitting .273 in 176 big league at-bats.
The Dodgers sent Navarro back to the American League East on June 27, 2006 as he was dealt to Tampa Bay for catcher Toby Hall and pitcher Mark Hendrickson.
Not surprisingly, Navarro faded into oblivion as a member of the Rays, hitting a very mediocre .244-4-20 in 193 post-trade at-bats.
Unfortunately for Navarro and the Rays, the backstop started 2007 like he ended 2006, hitting .177 with a home run, 13 RBI and 16 runs scored in 209 pre-All-Star Game at-bats. Things weren`t looking any better after the 23-year-old hit .203 in July.
Then, something clicked...
Almost out of nowhere, Navarro hit .281 with three home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs scored in August. Lucky month, right? Not exactly since he nearly matched or bettered each of those numbers in September, hitting .306-3-10 with 16 runs scored. Overall, the Tampa receiver posted a .285-8-31-30 post-All-Star line.
Obviously, the Rays weren`t playing in many important August and September games, but it`s hard to overlook the second-half numbers of the one-time top prospect. Since he`s been around for a while, it`s easy to forget that Navarro is still only 24 years of age; there is still plenty of time left for him to live up to the hype and become a legit major league -- and fantasy -- catching option.
With an ADP of 327.01, Navarro currently ranks as the 25th catcher in Mock Draft Central`s Average Draft Position data. Twenty-fifth may seem high until one realizes that he has only been selected in 12.3 percent of ADP eligible mocks.
Can Navarro follow the lead of Brandon Phillips and Carlos Pena, and become this season`s long forgotten top prospect who becomes a productive fantasy contributor?
If August and September weren`t a fluke: yes.
If August and September was a fluke: Greg Zaun will always be available on waivers.
Like many Yankees prospects of the early-2000s, Navarro was shipped away in a trade for veteran help before he could make an impact in the Bronx.
After moving west to Los Angeles in a three-team trade that sent Randy Johnson to the Yankees, Navarro showed promise in his first year as a Dodger, hitting .273 in 176 big league at-bats.
The Dodgers sent Navarro back to the American League East on June 27, 2006 as he was dealt to Tampa Bay for catcher Toby Hall and pitcher Mark Hendrickson.
Not surprisingly, Navarro faded into oblivion as a member of the Rays, hitting a very mediocre .244-4-20 in 193 post-trade at-bats.
Unfortunately for Navarro and the Rays, the backstop started 2007 like he ended 2006, hitting .177 with a home run, 13 RBI and 16 runs scored in 209 pre-All-Star Game at-bats. Things weren`t looking any better after the 23-year-old hit .203 in July.
Then, something clicked...
Almost out of nowhere, Navarro hit .281 with three home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs scored in August. Lucky month, right? Not exactly since he nearly matched or bettered each of those numbers in September, hitting .306-3-10 with 16 runs scored. Overall, the Tampa receiver posted a .285-8-31-30 post-All-Star line.
Obviously, the Rays weren`t playing in many important August and September games, but it`s hard to overlook the second-half numbers of the one-time top prospect. Since he`s been around for a while, it`s easy to forget that Navarro is still only 24 years of age; there is still plenty of time left for him to live up to the hype and become a legit major league -- and fantasy -- catching option.
With an ADP of 327.01, Navarro currently ranks as the 25th catcher in Mock Draft Central`s Average Draft Position data. Twenty-fifth may seem high until one realizes that he has only been selected in 12.3 percent of ADP eligible mocks.
Can Navarro follow the lead of Brandon Phillips and Carlos Pena, and become this season`s long forgotten top prospect who becomes a productive fantasy contributor?
If August and September weren`t a fluke: yes.
If August and September was a fluke: Greg Zaun will always be available on waivers.
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