RESEARCH: Are rookies worth big investments?

Every spring, fantasy managers draft highly touted rookies with high performance expectations. Breakthrough rookie seasons last year by Mike Trout (OF, LAA) and Bryce Harper (OF, WAS) have many owners looking for the next difference-making rookies.

This season, many FAAB budgets have been drained in recent weeks chasing rookies like Jose Fernandez (RHP, MIA), Tony Cingrani (LHP, CIN), Nolan Arenado (3B, COL) and Evan Gattis (C/OF, ATL). The anticipated arrivals of Wil Myers (OF, TB), Mike Zunino (C, SEA), and Oscar Taveras (OF, STL) will spark more FAAB bidding wars.

But how likely are these investments to pay off over the course of the season? This article examines the season-long production by rookie position players over the past...

Almost!

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