It wasn't too long that Hank Blalock was one of the best fantasy players in the American League.  The Rangers' third basemen started his career with some flash batting nearly.300 with 29 HR's and 90 RBI's as a rookie in 2003.  Blalock wouldn't sniff .300 again over the next years but he did 57 HR's and drive in 202 runs over the next two years.  Things start going south in 2006 and last season was cut short by injuries.

Blalock got off to a terrible start in '07, but after a terrible April he actually showed some signs of life as he hit the cover off the ball, hitting .345 with 10 extra-base hits in 15 games before being diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He returned for the final month and hit .313 with five homers in 64 at-bats after having a rib removed. The biggest factor to that success could have come from his patience at the plate (15 strikeouts, 14 walks in AB's after May 1).  If Blalock and get back to being able to hit for average and stays the healthy the power numbers will follow.

He's a borderline starting third basemen in larger leagues, but a nice option with terrific upside for your corner infielder slot.

The Rangers beefed up their line-up a bit with the additions of Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley and that will only help Blalock's numbers. If Bradley can stay relatively healthy and provide him quality protection in the five hole and Michael Young continues with his success with getting on base out of the three-hole, Blalock should have nice run production numbers once again as he bats cleanup for Ron Washington's bunch.

It would be nice to see more consistency out of Blalock, particularly against lefties, but if he stay's healthy and continues to show improved discipline at the plate .280 with 30 HR's and 100+ RBI's is not out of the question. Not too shabby for a guy going somewhere between Rounds 15-20 (my 16th Round Pick in GSI Mock Draft).