Meeting at the Mound:
“Who you should be reaching for in this year’s fantasy drafts”
It’s almost here. MLB teams are coming up on the close of camps. The “Boys of Summer”, as my father calls ANY baseball player, are setting stage for a very exciting season. Every draft takes on its own characteristics and every league has its teams that reach for their favorite particular players in spots they have no business being drafted in. (Recently saw Nelson Cruz go in the 4th round). I legitimately wanted to laugh out loud, HOWEVER, the same manager drafted Chris Davis in the 3rd round last year and we all know what type of monster season CD went onto enjoy. That particular league was just another example of the difference in EVERY league and EVERY draft. You may be in a keeper league (2, 4, 6 keepers), H2H, rotisserie, etc. Keep ALL factors in mind, but stay focused on YOUR team. Here is a look at guys I’m reaching/targeting come draft day and why.
Rounds 1 – 5:
Ryan Braun – Brewers – OF – I’m a big believer in the concept that most cases of PED use were caused by players wanting to be their best EVERY game. Not, to give their skill level a boost. Having said that, Braun has always raked and my feeling is that he will continue to do so, although his body will be much more sore as the season wears on. I’m not judge and jury, I simply want my fantasy team to dominate and with Carlos Gomez improving and Aramis Ramirez feeling healthy again, Braun is primed to hit the way he always has. Grab him in the first round and if he falls to second, don’t even use the full 2 min you get to decide. Just click the Miami Masher and move on. This Spring he’s hitting: .588 (10/17) with 3 Homeruns and 3 strikeouts.
Bryce Harper – Nationals – OF- Here is the only dilemma I’ve encountered with Harper. IF it’s a brand new keeper league, you may have to reach and take him in the first round. IF your league is just a one and done, hold hope that “Aron Max” will be available in the second round. He will deliver an MVP type season this year but in a keeper situation, his next 3+ years look way too good to NOT make sure you have him. This Spring he’s hitting: 5 hits in 24 at-bats, 1 Homerun with 5 RBI’s, 5 BB’s and 5 strikeouts.
Alex Rios – Rangers – OF – I’ve seen him go second round, all the way down to 6th Round. If he is available in the 3-4-5th round range, grab him. He is showing no wear and tear from last year’s excellent season. Lineup protection all over the place, and freedom to steal means good things are ahead for Ranger fans. In keeper leagues, he may take a round or two fall but don’t get too technical. The guy will produce, and you can sweat next year when it gets here. This Spring he’s hitting: 8 hits on 18 at-bats with 1 Homerun, 4 strikeouts and 3 SB’s.
Jose Fernandez – Marlins – SP – I’m on the soapbox saying this young stud is the best young righty since Dwight Gooden. Big praise but he has done NOTHING to show me otherwise. He kept his team in almost every single game he pitched and he only got better as the season wore on. He may be on another innings limit but I’d take his possible 190 innings of domination over just about any other pitcher not named Kershaw. If you have a later pick in a 12-15 team snake draft, Fernandez is a great wrap around pick after getting an offensive juggernaut. This Spring he’s pitching: 9.2 innings with 8 K’s, 4 BB’s and an ERA of 0.93.
Rounds 5 – 10:
Matt Holliday – Cardinals – OF – Words like durable and productive are used when describing Matt. While drafting him the other day in the 6th round, I described him as the Tim Duncan of baseball. He simply plays everyday and produces all stats without the attention. The “Cardinal Way” at its best with this large fella. This Spring he’s hitting: .391 including 3 Doubles with 7 RBI’s, 3 BB’s and 4 strikeouts.
Pedro Alvarez – Pirates – 3B – He will NOT be Adam Dunn. He will hit over .250 this year and anything over that combined with 35+HR and 100+ RBI’s is a beast in my book. Pirates offensive found quite a rhythm last year and Pedro’s spring is showing the days of his inconsistency are nearing an end. Look for a big year from Big Easy. Could do without his ear under his ball cap but hey, you get me 35/100, wear your hat like Fernando Rodney all I care. Ha! This Spring he’s hitting: 9 hits in 30 at-bats for 2 homeruns, 6 RBI’s and 6 K’s.
Trevor Rosenthal – Cardinals – RP – Well having listed Holliday already, it may seem like I’m a Cardinals homer but in all honesty, I am not. I’m an obvious fan of their organization and Rosenthal is simply another example of the arm factory they have going. I see Kimbrel-esque stats very possible. If your draft had a run on closer for Kimbrel, Chapman, Holland, and Kenley, feel very confident in taking Rosenthal and watching his domination continue from last year’s postseason run. And if in keeper leagues, there is still talk that he could go back to starting upon Motte’s return, which would NOT hurt his value. Rosenthal is a young gun and getting him as 5th closer off the board, could reward you with top level stats. This Spring he’s pitching: 4.0 innings with 5 K’s, 2 BB’s and 1 earned run (his only earned run was a homerun).
Round 10 – 15:
Billy Hamilton – Reds – OF – I’ve seen him go much sooner but for the sake of a good value reach, if Hamilton is still available in 10th round, grab the speedster and hope the bunting practice pays off. I was always taught speed never slumps but this fellow and his crazy legs have been exposed at higher levels of the minors. His spring is encouraging but I wouldn’t reach much sooner than the 9th or 10th round. This Spring he’s hitting: 10 hits in 33 at-bats for a .303 average. He has 6 BB’s, 4 strikeouts and of his 9 SB’s, he hasn’t been caught running yet!
Danny Salazar – Indians – SP – A history of arm trouble has teased the fan base but ending last season on the solid stretch he did and a solid spring to this point is getting Tribe fans anxious to see Salazar and fellow pitcher Corey Kluber over the course of a full season. Salazar will be a 9+ K’s per 9 guy but keeping an eye on walks will be the key to his full success. If you miss on Salazar, Yordano Ventura is a last-pick-in-the-draft type starter that could be right there with Salazar by season’s end. This Spring he’s pitching: Only 1.2 innings of work with 1 earned run, 2 BB’s and 2 K’s.
Jurickson Profar – Rangers – SP – With Fielder coming over, and Rios having the season he had, the pressure is off Profar. His #1 prospect talent will shine. He had a great winter league, he has an everyday job, and he sits in a comfortable spot in a loaded lineup. If you miss on the top tier of second basemen, it may be a good thing because Profar is busting out this season. This Spring he’s hitting: .300 average with 12 hits on 40 at-bats. With 2 Homeruns, he has 11 RBI’s, 3 BB’s and 5 K’s.
Round 15 – 20:
George Springer & Oscar Taveras – Astros/Orioles – OF – Especially for keeper leagues, I clumped them together because mark my words, this is the last spring training that they won’t break with big league team. But each have stat stuffing talent including SB’s. Look for call ups soon and a solid presence in their respective line-ups. So far this Spring, Springer is hitting: 5 hits on 26 at-bats with 8 BB’s and 10 K’s.
Michael Pineda – Yankees – SP – Oh the Jesus Montero/Pineda trade years ago and all its hoopla! Well the Yankees have a strong chance at making it a good deal (rare for Yankees). Pineda is feeling good this spring and the ball is coming out strong. His 6’7 frame gets that ball on the batters quicker than normal and his past success proves his pitching prowess is legit. Don’t go nuts since he still pitches in the AL East, but he could be a great 5th starter on your fantasy roster. So far this Spring, he’s pitching: 4.2 innings of work with 4 hits, 1 BB, 0 earned runs and 9 K’s.
Nick Castellanos – Tigers – 3B – As I’ve stated in previous Legion Reports, Nick is a STICK! He is a candidate for sleeper of the year, but his spring performance is ruining the surprise. He is hungry for the Show and has great hitters around him to continue to push him to his best. Look to get him, no matter who you were able to get for 3B early, because Nick will earn some time on your roster, book it! This Spring, he’s hitting: 17 for 41 with a .415 average, 2 homeruns with 16 RBI’s, 3 K’s and 2 SB’s.
Rounds +20:
Kris Bryant – Cubs – 3B – I know the strong sentiment is that Kris will get a full season’s worth of minor league action but he is 22 and has shown a very strong, mature approach at the few stops he has had since getting drafted. I think the Cubs will be pressured into an earlier than expected call up and folks, the power is REAL. As in real impressive! This Spring, he’s hitting: 2/14 with a .143 average. He has 2 homeruns and 8 K’s.
Yordano Ventura – Royals – SP – In his most recent spring start, he threw three pitches that clocked at 101mph. The Royals should just confirm it and get this stud in the rotation. Danny Duffy is no slouch either but my money lays on Venturi getting fifth spot in rotation. I’m naturally a fan of undersized players, let alone, pitchers but Venturi also has 100+mph heat. One of my new favorites to root for. This Spring, he’s pitching: 9.1 innings of work with 9 K’s, 3 earned runs and 1 walk.
Derek Jeter – Yankees – SS – Do the right thing fellow fantasy enthusiasts and draft Jeter with your last pick. You may have a Yankee homer in your league that drafts him much sooner but the trend has shown Jeter has been going real late if at all. If he is available, grab him and know that good karma is now with you for the season. Tip of the cap from Legion Report to one of the all time classiest ambassadors of baseball. So far this Spring, he’s hitting: .133 average with 4 hits in 30 at-bats witth 8 K’s.
Let us know how your drafts went in the comments below. Who went way too early or way too late in your league?