DO IT FOR THE KIDS

Was it George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde or Dusty Baker who said youth is wasted on the young? Well, here's what I say: Your draft picks are most certainly not wasted on the young. By targeting the players form our 25-and-under studs and sleepers list (ages as of opening day 2008), you'll not only secure a few sure things, but you'll also maximize your chances of scoring a few breakouts, the life force of fantasy. Seroiusly, if you are in any way tempted by the advice of my vet-loving colleague on the previous page, just ask yourself, Who's more likely to have a breakout season in 2008: Jon Lieber or Homer Bailey? Paul LoDuca or J.R. Towles? Lyle Overbay or Joey Votto?

Of course, there's a right way and a wrong way to build around the under-25 set. The wrong way: taking Joba Chamberlain in the second round. (He may be NEXT, but he ain't nearly as Right Now as Jake Peavy or John Lackey.) the right way: Mix in a combination of emerging rookies, such as Clay Buchholz and Evan Longoria, with established stars like Cole Hamels and Prince Fielder. Throw in an alex Gordon or Stephen Drew—guys who've yet to live up to their promise—with sleepers like Daric Barton, Geovany Soto and Jay Bruce, and you're off to the races. (Good luck enforcing curfew.)

Tom DiPace

Cole Hamels has everything you need ... and he's only 24.

STARTER
Stud
Cole Hamels PHI 24
Sleeper
Clay Buchholz BOS 23

CLOSER
Stud
Huston Street OAK 24
Sleeper
Joakim Soria KC 23

CATCHER
Stud
Russell Martin LAD 25
Sleeper
Geovany Soto CHC 25

FIRST BASE
Stud
Prince Fielder MIL 23
Sleeper
Daric Barton OAK 22

SECOND BASE
Stud
B.J. Upton TB 23
Sleeper
Asdrubal Cabrera CLE 22

THIRD BASE
Stud
David Wright NYM 25
Sleeper
Evan Longoria TB 22

SHORTSTOP
Stud
Hanley Ramirez FLA 24
Sleeper
Yunel Escobar ATL 25

OUTFIELD
Stud
Grady Sizemore CLE 25
Sleeper
Jay Bruce CIN 20

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