ESPN

The exhibition season is past its midway point, with the first pitch of the regular season just under two weeks away. Let's take a look at some of the most significant changes in fantasy value due to players' performances this spring:

Value rising

Josh Barfield, 2B, Padres: He's in the midst of a torrid spring, batting .462 (12-for-26) with 12 RBI, and the release of Bobby Hill does seem to indicate that Barfield has effectively won the everyday second base job. He'll probably begin the year in the bottom third of the San Diego lineup and be a solid NL-only second baseman or mixed-league middle infielder, but be prepared for some streakiness. Barfield hasn't drawn a single walk all spring, and if he doesn't learn to be patient, he'll be tested often this season. As I noted last week, I've bumped him up to $2 in mixed leagues, $12 in NL-only formats.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider