Jared Chapman (Houston Astros)

astros flag — Astros flag image from Pete Loeser, via fotw.info.

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Hey there, baseball fans and dynasty league enthusiasts, my name is Jared Chapman. I am originally from Homestead, Florida and currently reside in North Carolina. Construction estimator is my day job and now I get to add “writer” to my long list of baseball related hobbies. I’ll be covering the Houston Astros system for Prospects1500 (among other things!) and I’m excited to share my analysis and opinions about prospects and the game I love.

My love for baseball started at the age of 8 when I spotted a box of 1987 Topps baseball cards in the local convenience store. After just one pack, I was hooked and rode my bike back to the store every week determined to pull that Gary Carter card featured on the box top. Not long after I found that card I was suiting up for my first little league game wearing catching gear just like Carter. Growing up in South Florida, we didn’t have an MLB team until I was 14, but I spent my springs taking in Grapefruit League games with my grandfather. He played minor league ball in the St. Louis Browns system until getting drafted into World War II, and his love for the game was infectious for me and my younger brother. It was during those Spring Training trips that I learned to keep score and discovered the magical world of baseball statistics. Today I keep the book at every game I attend and fill my scorebook with ticket stubs and other items from the games. It has become like a baseball journal that chronicles my trips to places like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. My love for baseball and architecture overlap in my love for baseball stadiums and I always plan my vacations around the opportunity to see a new ballpark.

I have been participating in dynasty leagues since 2001 and have been hooked on prospecting ever since landing a still unknown Robinson Cano for a washed up Nomar Garciaparra in that first league. I currently run two salary-style dynasty leagues with deep minor league rosters and I compete in a third league that mimics real life MLB with 30 teams. My goal with this assignment, and any article that I post, is to provide you with analysis and insight on prospects from a distinctly dynasty league centric perspective. I’m always interested in your thoughts and feedback. You can follow me on Twitter at @ChappyisClutch