Fantasy Paid and Trade: Heyward's Power Causing Problems for Braves

Jason Heyward is putting on displays of awesome power in the first week of spring training. In fact, he's launching balls over the right field wall at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. with such regularity that the Braves are probably going to install nets to protect further damage to cars parked outside of the stadium.

Reports from batting practice have Heyward damaging trucks an estimated 440 feet from home plate and smacking into walls with drives some 450 feet from home plate -- with the wind blowing in.

According to David O'Brien, of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the list of damage caused by Heywards' blasts are multiple dents to cars, a video board above the right-center field wall, and a shattered sunroof on the car of, none other than, assistant general manager Bruce Manno.

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Heyward has created a buzz that's transcended Braves camp and spread throughout baseball, with tales of the 20-year-old outfield prospect's hitting exploits becoming the stuff of blog- and Twitter-fueled legend.

As Braves assistant general manager Bruce Manno could attest, this is not myth. This stuff is happening - Manno has an $3,400 estimate for repairs as proof.

That's how much it'll cost to fix a shattered sunroof on the car, which was parked in a small team-officials lot beyond right field Tuesday. Heyward has pulled numerous balls to - and even over – the parking lot this week.

Jeff Schultz, of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, says that Braves' employees are still parking in the landing zone of Heyward's home run shots, believing that lightning can't strike twice. But, they're also installing the nets -- just in case.

Some time in the next few days, nets will be hung to partially protect the cars. Groundskeeper Ed Mangan took all of the measurements Thursday, Wren said.

"We've got balls even clearing this back well," Wren said, pointing to a tall yell concrete wall that's approximately 450 feet from home plate. "The real problem isn't cars being hit in the back. We have balls that are bouncing off the wall and coming back and smashing windhields. [Director of player development] Kurt Kemp has had his windshield smashed twice."

Heyward's average draft position is currently 305.98. Anyone want to wager that this news sends his value skyrocketing?

Other Fantasy Baseball Notes

• Susan Slusser, of the San Francisco Chronicle, says that Jack Cust feels he can steal 10 bases this season because, "No one is paying attention to me". With 20 to 25 home run power it's a shame that Cust's average draft position is a lowly 303.59. If he does get green lighted enough to steal 10 bags, you're really going to be sorry you didn't give Cust more of a draft-day chance.

• Bernardo Fallas, of the Houston Chronicle, thinks that the Astros want Jason Castro to win the starting catchers job this spring, instead of J.R. Towles.

• The Nationals haven't ruled out a chance that Stephen Strasburg will break camp with the team and join the rotation, says FanHouse national baseball writer John Hickey.

• Chris Davis not only fixed his swing, but his mind, when he was sent down to Triple-A last season, says Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News. He's also forming a new bond with new hitting coach Clint Hurdle.