Chris Dickerson

Dickerson helped the Yankees as a defensive replacement and spare outfielder in 2011, and if he ever does end up having to play for a week or two, he has the speed to be worth a short-term pickup in deep leagues.  He stole four bases in just 50 at-bats in 2011, but did not show the consistent on-base ability (he had an OBP of just .296 in 2011) necessary to merit a larger role. Dickerson may have difficulty hanging on to a big league roster spot this season, as he will turn 30 in April.

The Brewers picked up Dickerson from the Reds late in 2010 and he hit .208/.271/.264 in 25 games for them. He'll come into spring training with a chance to win a utility outfielder spot, while his ability to play all three positions defensively should help him collect a decent number of bats. With Ryan Braun and Corey Hart locked into the corner spots, most of Dickerson's time will likely come while spelling Lorenzo Cain in center.

Dickerson got off to a slow start at the plate and then suffered four injuries (head, back, shoulder, ankle), two of which forced him to the DL. Between that and Dusty Baker's insistence on sticking with Willy Taveras, Dickerson managed only 255 at-bats, but he showed when healthy that he was at least a good on-base threat and a decent defender. It's debatable whether he'll ever hit for power, however, and given that he's penciled in as part of a left-field platoon, that's a bit of a problem.

Dickerson's .410 BABIP inflated his overall numbers in his first taste of the majors, but he also showed some real improvement at Louisville before his callup after the Adam Dunn trade. He offers some stolen base potential and non-zero power, but chances are his batting average will fall dramatically. Depending on what the Reds do before spring training in the outfield, he's set for a starting job.

Dickerson is a toolsy outfielder that has trouble with the strike zone, specifically making contact, after striking out a combined 162 times between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. A high strikeout rate can be tolerable when it comes with good power, but Dickerson's power so far hasn't yet risen to that level. That shortcoming and the Reds' glut of outfielders makes it unlikely that Dickerson will see significant time at the major league level in 2008.

A recent addition to the Reds' 40-man roster, Dickerson offers good on-base skills, solid defense and speed on the basepaths. That said, he didn't hit for average or power at Double-A as a 24-year-old last year, so he's going to have to show some significant gains in 2007 to have any hope of a major league career as a fourth or fifth outfielder.