Showing posts with label Ian Kinsler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ian Kinsler. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - Second Base

            For the first time since we’ve been posting fantasy baseball draft content, I’m ready to declare second base as a relatively deep position. It’s not necessarily a great talent boom that put us in this place, but in the post-steroids era, the tenth best fantasy second basemen won’t be that far off in terms of value from the first. Position scarcity fanatics would often have their middle infields filled early in drafts, but even with that mindset it makes sense to wait on second base. 2B is arguably the least stressful fantasy spot to fill this season.

Tier-1 = The Name Brands 

R.Cano, SEA
A.Rendon, WAS
J.Altuve, HOU

            Cano begrudgingly maintains the top spot on this list, even though Altuve was the top ranked fantasy second baseman a year ago and Rendon is the best five category producer. Seattle’s off-season additions give logical reasons to believe Cano will put up better counting stats during his second year in a Mariners uniform. Altuve is a likely regression candidate, but even if his batting average drops 50 points there is higher run potential leading off for an improved Astros club. All three of these guys are great picks in the second round.

Tier-2 = Store Brands? 

D.Gordon, MIA
I.Kinsler, DET

            We almost put these players in their own tiers, but ultimately they are both undervalued commodities. The fantasy community appears to be taking Gordon’s speed for granted (ESPN has him ranked as the ninth best second baseman), but the bottom line is he can single-handedly carry you in stolen bases. Kinsler is no longer a 20-20 machine, but 30 combined homers and steals still have value.

Tier-3 = MOOKIE! and Some Other People

J.Kipnis, CLE
M.Betts, BOS OF
B.Dozier, MIN
K.Wong, STL
D.Pedroia, BOS

            This group carries the highest risk-reward factor of any of the tiers at second base for a variety of reasons. Jason Kipnis hasn’t been reliable since the first half of the 2013 season, but a return to health could mean he delivers top-20 value again. Mookie Betts isn’t eligible at second in most leagues, and isn’t likely to get any starts there this season, so plan accordingly if you’re in a keeper league. Brian Dozier is the most likely person in this group to hit below the Mendoza Line, and aside from going bonkers in last year’s postseason Wong hasn’t shown enough consistency. Dustin Pedroia is the biggest stay away for me in this tier. He doesn’t rack up steals or homers anymore, and is value is completely tied to whether or not he can maintain a spot in the top third of the Red Sox lineup. He’s essentially taken on the role Derek Jeter did in fantasy for the better part of the last decade.

Tier-4 = Not Horrendous Options

N.Walker, PIT
B.Zobrist, OAK
J.Harrison, PIT 3B-OF
D.Murphy, NYM
H.Kendrick, LAD

            Josh Harrison stands out as a guy you want to have on your bench with his multi-position flexibility. Howie Kendrick could be a better version of Dustin Pedroia if he gets to hit first or second for the Dodgers.

Tier-5 = Upside Baby! 

J.Baez, CHC SS
B.Lawrie, OAK

            You shouldn’t rely on either Baez or Lawrie to be your starting second baseman, but don’t like them be un-owned at the end of your draft or auction. Baez posted a historically inept 42% strikeout rate after getting the call to the big leagues, but there is no middle infielder with as much power as him. If he can bat .250 over a full season, he will eclipse 35 homers. Lawrie has been a bust for years, and looks like the kind of player that magically turns into an All-Star after Billy Beane signs him.

Tier-6 = Bench/Waiver Wire Guys

C.Utley, PHI
A.Cabrera, TB
J.Gyorko, SD
M.Prado, MIA 3B-OF
B.Phillips, CIN
A.Alcantara, CHC
A.Hill, ARI

            Gyorko has the most upside here (he’s a homeless man’s Baez in terms of power potential), while Prado’s versatility is as valuable in fantasy as it is in real life.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

2014 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Final Rosters

            Due to the early regular season games being played in Australia, most of you should be drafting (or bidding on) players within the next week. To that end, we want to publish the entire 2014 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft here today. We’ll highlight some interesting picks from rounds we didn’t previously cover for each team.

PO
1
C
Y.Molina, STL (8-80)
1B
E.Hosmer, KC (6-60)
2B
J.Kipnis, CLE (3-21)
3B
M.Cabrera, DET (1-1) 1B
SS
A.Simmons, ATL (14-140)
OF
S.Choo, TEX (4-40)
OF
H.Pence, SF (7-61)
OF
J.Werth, WAS (10-100)
UT
A.Soriano, NYY (13-121) OF
UT
C.Headley, SD (17-161) 3B
SP
Y.Darvish, TEX (2-20)
SP
C.Sale, CHW (5-41)
RP
K.Uehara, BOS (9-81)
RP
D.Robertson, NYY (12-120)
P
M.Tanaka, NYY (11-101) SP
P
T.Cingrani, CIN (15-141) SP
P
B.Parnell, NYM (16-160) RP
BN
A.Cashner, SD (18-180) SP
BN
C.Yelich, MIA, (19-181) OF
BN
J.Villar, HOU (20-200) SS
BN
J.Samardzija, CHC (21-201) SP
BN
K.Wong, STL (22-220) 2B
BN
T.Hunter, BAL (23-221) RP
BN
T.Ross, SD (24-240) SP-RP
BN
N.Markakis, BAL (25-241) OF

            Waiting on the outfield was the right move here, as Hunter Pence and Jayson Werth are both capable of delivering top-50 value. Expecting Alfonso Soriano to repeat his second half performance from last year over a full season is unrealistic, but round 13 isn’t a bad spot to make a low-risk wager. Chase Headley is only two years removed from a 2012 campaign where he delivered top-20 value, and is well worth a late round pick. Jeff Samardzija is one of the cheapest sources of elite strikeout totals in fantasy.

PO
2
C
W.Rosario, COL (12-119)
1B
E.Encarnacion, TOR (2-19) 3B
2B
M.Carpenter, STL (6-59) 3B
3B
J.Donaldson, OAK (8-79)
SS
A.Cabrera, CLE (13-122)
OF
M.Trout, LAA (1-2)
OF
Y.Puig, LAD (3-22)
OF
A.Rios, TEX (5-42)
UT
A.Rizzo, CHC (15-142) 1B
UT
J.Profar, TEX (16-159) 2B-3B-SS
SP
D.Price, TB (4-39)
SP
G.Cole, PIT (7-62)
RP
S.Romo, SF (10-99)
RP
J.Henderson, MIL (14-139)
P
M.Minor, ATL (9-82) SP
P
A.Cobb, TB (11-102) SP
P
C.Crawford, LAD (17-162) OF
BN
B.Buxton, MIN (18-179) OF
BN
B.Beachy, ATL (19-182) SP
BN
J.Soria, TEX (20-199) RP
BN
J.Parker, OAK (21-202) SP
BN
R.Howard, PHI (22-219) 1B
BN
D.Fister, WAS (23-222) SP
BN
B.Upton, ATL (24-239) OF
BN
J.Peavy, BOS (25-242) SP

            Normally we don’t recommend making selections based on expected run production, but Matt Carpenter is an exception. This roster is loaded with young talent that has the potential to breakout. We wouldn’t be shocked to see Rizzo or Profar make a leap, and Byron Buxton will be the most anticipated mid-season call-up of the year. One of the Cole-Minor-Cobb trio should make the jump to ace status in 2014, with our money on Gerrit Cole establishing himself as the ace of the Pirates staff.

PO
3
C
S.Perez, KC (14-138)
1B
P.Goldschmidt, ARI (1-3)
2B
J.Altuve, HOU (9-83)
3B
D.Wright, NYM (2-18)
SS
E.Cabrera, SD (12-118)
OF
G.Stanton, MIA (3-23)
OF
B.Hamilton, CIN (6-58)
OF
S.Victorino, BOS (10-98)
UT
A.Gordon, KC (11-103) OF
UT
V.Martinez, DET (16-158) 1B
SP
M.Bumgarner, SF (4-38)
SP
Z.Greinke, LAD (5-43)
RP
K.Jansen, LAD (7-63)
RP
N.Feliz, TEX (15-143)
P
J.Shields, KC (8-78) SP
P
K.Medlen, ATL (13-123) SP
P
N.Jones, CHW (17-163) RP
BN
J.Crain, HOU (18-178) RP
BN
J.Lowrie, OAK (19-183) 2B-SS
BN
M.Estrada, MIL (20-198) SP
BN
W.Middlebrooks, BOS (21-203) 3B
BN
M.Brantley, CLE (22-218) OF
BN
C.Wilson, TEX (23-223) SP
BN
S.Kazmir, OAK (24-238) SP
BN
C.Carter, HOU (25-243) 1B-OF

            If Billy Hamilton steals 80 bases, but does nothing else, will that be worth a sixth round pick? In redraft leagues, my gut says no. Victor Martinez is an interesting buy-low candidate, as he is poised to hit behind Miguel Cabrera. Neftali Feliz was one of the ten best closers in the game before an attempt to become a starting pitcher followed by Tommy John surgery. He isn’t a lock to hold off Joakim Soria for the gig, but if he returns to his old form, round 15 is a major discount for what his upside is. Marco Estrada was a disaster in the first half last year, but a repeat of his second half performance would catapult him into a top-20 starting pitcher. Chris Carter will hit .260 with 50 home runs one year, and round 25 is the perfect time to see if this year is it. Kris Medlen was picked long before his elbow troubles became public, so leave him off of your draft boards.

PO
4
C
B.McCann, NYY (11-104)
1B
J.Votto, CIN (2-17)
2B
R.Cano, SEA (1-4)
3B
E.Longoria, TB (3-24)
SS
J.Segura, MIL (4-37)
OF
M.Kemp, LAD (6-57)
OF
J.Hamilton, LAA (9-84)
OF
M.Cuddyer, COL (12-117) 1B
UT
J.Abreu, CHW (14-137) 1B
UT
L.Martin, TEX (15-144) OF
SP
C.Hamels, PHI (5-44)
SP
G.Gonzalez, WAS (7-64)
RP
G.Holland, KC (8-77)
RP
A.Reed, ARI (13-124)
P
M.Cain, SF (10-97) SP
P
J.Veras, CHC (16-157) RP
P
A.Burnett, PHI (17-164) SP
BN
J.Masterson, CLE (18-177) SP
BN
M.Franco, PHI (19-184) 3B
BN
J.Benoit, SD (20-197) RP
BN
J.Baez, CHC (21-204) SS
BN
A.De Aza, CHW (22-217) OF
BN
E.Santana, KC (23-224) SP
BN
K.Johnson, NYY (24-237) 2B-3B-OF
BN
A.Griffin, OAK (25-244) SP

            It’s becoming harder to remember that Matt Kemp was once the most valuable player in fantasy. Josh Hamilton joins Kemp on this roster, giving Team 4 two outfielder that have previously delivered top-5 value. Javier Baez is the top shortstop in the minor leagues, and should hit Wrigley Field at some point this season.

PO
5
C
J.Castro, HOU (17-165)
1B
C.Davis, BAL (1-5)
2B
I.Kinsler, DET (7-65)
3B
P.Alvarez, PIT (9-85)
SS
S.Castro, CHC (10-96)
OF
J.Ellsbury, NYY (2-16)
OF
J.Bruce, CIN (5-45)
OF
M.Holliday, STL (8-76)
UT
B.Butler, KC (12-116) 1B
UT
B.Revere, PHI (16-156) OF
SP
S.Strasburg, WAS (3-25)
SP
F.Hernandez, SEA (4-36)
RP
A.Chapman, CIN (6-56)
RP
C.Janssen, TOR (14-136)
P
S.Miller, STL (11-105) SP
P
J.Weaver, LAA (13-125) SP
P
J.Johnson, OAK (15-145) RP
BN
X.Bogaerts, BOS (18-176) 3B-SS
BN
D.Murphy, NYM (19-185) 1B-2B
BN
R.Dickey, TOR (20-196) SP
BN
N.Aoki, MIL (21-205) OF
BN
Y.Gallardo, MIL (22-216) SP
BN
G.Springer, HOU (23-225) OF
BN
L.Gregerson, OAK (24-236) RP
BN
R.Nolasco, MIN (25-245) SP

           I’d be doing back flips if I could land Ian Kinsler in round 7. Even if the power numbers are own, he’s set up very well as the table setter for Miguel Cabrera. Ben Revere quietly was pretty productive while healthy for the Phillies, and could deliver 45 steals if he can suit up for 150 games. Xander Bogaerts provides a high ceiling to go with eligibility at two premium positions.

PO
6
C
M.Weiters, BAL (15-146)
1B
F.Freeman, ATL (3-26)
2B
B.Phillips, CIN (9-86)
3B
A.Beltre, TEX (2-15)
SS
E.Andrus, TEX (8-75)
OF
B.Harper, WAS (1-6)
OF
S.Marte, PIT (5-46)
OF
J.Heyward, ATL (7-66)
UT
M.Adams, STL (12-115) 1B
UT
M.Prado, ARI (14-135) 2B-3B-OF
SP
C.Lee, PHI (4-35)
SP
A.Sanchez, DET (6-55)
RP
G.Perkins, MIN (10-95)
RP
J.Grilli, PIT (11-106)
P
J.Cueto, CIN (13-126) SP
P
H.Kuroda, NYY (16-155) SP
P
H.Street, SD (17-166) RP
BN
N.Cruz, BAL (18-175) OF
BN
C.Buchholz, BOS (19-186) SP
BN
J.Rollins, PHI (20-195) SS
BN
M.Melancon, PIT (21-206) RP
BN
B.Moss, OAK (22-215) 1B-OF
BN
C.Crisp, OAK (23-226) OF
BN
D.Haren, LAD (24-235) SP
BN
I.Kennedy, SD (25-246) SP

           A few years ago Jason Heyward and Matt Wieters were hailed as the future superstars of the game. While Heyward has had moments when healthy, both of these guys feel like they are entering the post-hype sleeper category. Matt Adams is arguably the most intriguing late round power bat.

PO
7
C
C.Santana, CLE (8-74) 1B
1B
A.Craig, STL (5-47) OF
2B
B.Lawrie, TOR (11-107) 3B
3B
A.Ramirez, MIL (12-114)
SS
J.Reyes, TOR (4-34)
OF
C.Gonzalez, COL (1-7)
OF
A.Jones, BAL (2-14)
OF
D.Brown, PHI (9-87)
UT
D.Ortiz, BOS (10-94) 1B
UT
H.Kendrick, LAA (17-167) 2B
SP
M.Scherzer, DET (3-27)
SP
M.Latos, CIN (7-67)
RP
C.Kimbrel, ATL (6-54)
RP
G.Balfour, TB (13-127)
P
J.Lester, BOS (14-134) SP
P
E.Frieri, LAA (15-147) RP
P
S.Gray, OAK (16-154) SP
BN
J.Hardy, BAL (18-174) SS
BN
T.Walker, SEA (19-187) SP
BN
M.Bourn, CLE (20-194) OF
BN
D.Fowler, HOU (21-207) OF
BN
C.Archer, TB (22-214) SP
BN
T.Clippard, WAS (23-227) RP
BN
K.Davis, MIL (24-234) OF
BN
U.Jimenez, BAL (25-247) SP

            On paper, this looks like a team that could log more games lost to the disabled list than total home runs. Sonny Gray, Tajuan Walker, and Chris Archer are all intriguing young starters with the talent to deliver good to excellent strike out totals.

PO
8
C
J.Lucroy, MIL (16-153) 1B
1B
A.Gonzalez, LAD (7-68)
2B
A.Hill, ARI (12-113)
3B
R.Zimmerman, WAS (6-53)
SS
T.Tulowitzki, COL (2-13)
OF
A.McCutchen, PIT (1-8)
OF
C.Gomez, MIL (3-28)
OF
J.Upton, ATL (4-33)
UT
M.Machado, BAL (11-108) 3B
UT
C.Granderson, NYM (15-148) OF
SP
J.Verlander, DET (5-48)
SP
J.Zimmerman, WAS (8-73)
RP
T.Rosenthal, STL (9-88)
RP
J.Papelbon, PHI (13-128)
P
M.Moore, TB (10-93) SP
P
D.Salazar, CLE (14-133) SP
P
J.Axford, CLE (17-168) RP
BN
B.Belt, SF (18-173) 1B
BN
J.Peralta, STL (19-188) SS
BN
J.Johnson, SD (20-193) SP
BN
A.Rendon, WAS (21-208) 2B-3B
BN
P.Corbin, ARI (22-213) SP
BN
T.Hunter, DET (23-228) OF
BN
Z.Wheeler, NYM (24-233) SP
BN
R.Davis, DET (25-248) OF

            It’s hard to imagine that Manny Machado can take a step forward statistically after recovering from such a horrific leg injury, which makes the odds of a full-blown breakout happening this year unlikely. Advanced numbers love Danny Salazar this year, and he has the look of the pitcher most likely to deliver a Matt Harvey-esque breakout. Curtis Granderson seems like a guy that will either hit 35 home runs, or deliver little to no value at all. Anything earlier than round 10 is too high a price for me.

PO
9
C
B.Posey, SF (5-49) 1B
1B
P.Fielder, TEX (2-12)
2B
B.Zobrist, TB (8-72) SS-OF
3B
K.Seager, STL (12-112)
SS
I.Desmond, WAS (6-52)
OF
R.Braun, MIL (1-9)
OF
J.Bautista, TOR (3-29)
OF
C.Beltran, NYY (10-92)
UT
D.Jennings, TB (13-129) OF
UT
C.Utley, PHI (16-152) 2B
SP
J.Fernandez, MIA (4-32)
SP
H.Iwakuma, SEA (7-69)
RP
R.Soriano, WAS (14-132)
RP
S.Cishek, MIA (15-149)
P
J.Teharan, ATL (9-89) SP
P
H.Bailey, CIN (11-109) SP
P
L.Hawkins, COL (17-169) RP
BN
N.Arenado, COL (18-172) 3B
BN
M.Garza, MIL (19-189) SP
BN
M.Teixiera, NYY (20-192) 1B
BN
A.Eaton, CHW (21-209) OF
BN
F.Liriano, PIT (22-212) SP
BN
E.Young, NYM (23-229) OF
BN
H.Bell, TB (24-232) RP
BN
T.Wood, CHC (25-249) SP

             Fearless prediction…Carlos Beltran will deliver top-40 value on a per-game basis. Your guess on how many games he plays is as good as mine. There are a lot of young pitchers that need to take a step forward in order to make this rotation viable. Iwakuma will miss most of April, so he’s probably better suited to be taken around Round 10 or 11.

PO
10
C
J.Mauer, MIN (7-70) 1B
1B
A.Pujols, LAA (6-51)
2B
D.Pedroia, BOS (3-30)
3B
P.Sandoval, SF (9-90)
SS
H.Ramirez, LAD (2-11)
OF
W.Myers, TB (5-50)
OF
Y.Cespedes, OAK (8-71)
OF
M.Trumbo, ARI (11-110) 1B
UT
B.Gardner, NYY (14-131) OF
UT
J.Gyorko, SD (15-150) 2B-3B
SP
C.Kershaw, LAD (1-10)
SP
A.Wainwright, STL (4-31)
RP
J.Nathan, DET (10-91)
RP
F.Rodney, SEA (16-151)
P
M.Wacha, STL (12-111) SP-RP
P
H.Ryu, LAD (13-130) SP
P
A.Ramirez, CHW (17-170) SS
BN
R.Brothers, COL (18-171) RP
BN
C.Tillman, BAL (19-190) SP
BN
O.Tavares, STL (20-191) OF
BN
C.Sabathia, NYY (21-210) SP
BN
N.Cotts, TEX (22-211) RP
BN
W.Venable, SD (23-230) OF
BN
L.Lynn, STL (24-231) SP
BN
N.Castellanos, DET (25-250) 3B-OF

            Is Albert Pujols really done? If he adapts to a DH role, I think there is still some production left in his bat. Joe Mauer has his best chance to duplicate his MVP season now that he’s free from catching duties. Keep the loss of catcher eligibility in mind if you’re building a keeper team. C.C. Sabathia will go much earlier than round 21 in your draft, but just know that I will need to see him return to his previous form before using a mid-round pick on him.