ESPN

Are you tired of columns telling you that the smart "pickups" each week are players who already are owned in your league ... and more often than not sold for real money at auction? If you're hardcore, then this is column is for you: real world pickups for deep AL or NL-only leagues.

Ryan Braun, 3B, MIL -- The type of top prospect that's already owned in leagues with even a shallow farm system, Braun should be grabbed immediately in all keeper leagues. His long-term outlook is outstanding. Braun hits for average against all kinds of pitching, has solid plate discipline, offers moderate power, doesn't strike out excessively, and is a skilled basestealer despite below-average speed. The only negative is his defense, but he's merely below-average with the glove, not a Billy Butler-like train wreck. Braun could end up like Butler this year, starting off with a cold streak and getting a ticket back to the minors. But since the Brewers have only Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino at third base, he'll be handed the opportunity to play nearly every day, and it's more likely that he pulls a Hunter Pence and sticks around. Go get this future star and immediate five-category contributor in all formats.

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