Time for the fun batters now, no more catchers with boring old stats. Some first baseman in the league are slowly evolving to be 5 tool players which is great for fantasy purposes. You can sacrifice speed in the middle infield if you have a Anthony Rizzo or Paul Goldschmidt holding down first. Unfortunately, there aren't too many guys that are going to help considerably with that, so until then, you'll have to deal with the big brutes who will get you the pop you need.
1. Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)- The 5 tool guy himself. He has what it takes to get you every stat you need, an arguable 1st round 1st pick. Not much else needs to be said about him, expect him to have similar numbers as he has in the past.
2016 Stats: 312/420, 28 HR, 95 RBI 18 SB
2. Miguel Cabrera (DET)- Injuries kept him hobbled last year a little bit and I expect him to unfortunately have a bout on the DL again this year. But when he's healthy, he's the man, so draft him high, just have a serviceable guy you don't have to kill yourself on the draft for on your bench in case of injury (Justin Bour, Lucas Duda).
2016 Stats: 330/400, 27 HR, 100 RBI, 1 SB
3. Anthony Rizzo (CHC)- Similar to Paul Goldschmidt, the guy gets it done all over the field. Unfortunately, he loses a few spots because his average and OBP isn't as good as his predecessors. Expect Rizzo to rake this year on a scary scary Cubs team.
2016 Stats: 270/330, 24 HR, 98 RBI, 12 SB
4. Jose Abreu (CWS)- Abreu saw a bit of a decline last season from his monstrous rookie year with the White Sox. I don't expect him to decline anymore than he did last year, so that seems to be the best sample size we'll get with Abreu. Now that he has a someone else to protect him in the lineup with Todd Frazier, Jose will be a great option to knock plenty out of the park for the Sox.
2016 Stats: 266/320, 31 HR, 101 RBI, 1 SB
5. Chris Davis (BAL)- The good thing about Davis is that he has eligibility in the outfield. If you get lucky enough to pick one of the options before him, you're gonna be all set when it comes to power on your team. Also set with power are the Orioles this season. Adam Jones, Chris Davis, Pedro Alvarez (I know), and a healthy Matt Wieters, should lead to some fun in the outfield grand stands for souvenirs.
2016 Stats: 235/330, 38 HR, 102 RBI, 2 SB
6. Edwin Encarnacion (TOR)- If there's a more underrated guy in the league, I haven't heard of him. Incarnation continues to crush the ball year after year without getting any of the recognition the big names get. On a Blue Jays roster filled with power he will get the job done this season again. He'll settle in as the DH limiting his risk of injury and getting plenty of at bats.
2016 Stats: 270/353, 36 HR, 96 RBI, 4 SB
7. Joey Votto (CIN)- After an injury plagued 2014, Votto showed last year he still knew how to play baseball. He seems to be healthy and ready to go for 2016 so expect him to be the same old Votto on the same old underperforming Reds team (minus Frazier). Homeruns might fall a tad but otherwise he'll be a viable option at 1B.
2016 Stats: 280/332, 23 HR, 85 RBI, 6 SB
8. Adrian Gonzalez (LAD)- Streaky, but reliable. Gonzalez went on an absolute tear in the beginning of the season and fantasy owners were a bit shocked, but were ok reaping the rewards anyway. Gonzalez is a good bet to hit 25+ homers year after year and have a solid average to boot. These 1B are all the same come to think of it, they're pretty much going to be the same guy as they were last season...
2016 Stats: 279/340, 26 HR, 90 RBI, 0 SB
9. Prince Fielder (TEX)- Comeback player of the year last season and man what a streak he went on before the All-Star break. Fielder came back with a vengeance in 2015 and showed the haters he still could crush the baseball. He fell off a little bit towards the end of the year but his numbers were solid as could be. Maybe a slight drop in homers but he'll pick up some RBIs as long as players like Andrus and DeShields can get on base.
2016 Stats: 282/360, 21 HR, 99 RBI, 0 SB
10. Freddie Freeman (ATL)- Not a lot of room for RBIs on this Braves' team in 2016, but he'll still have a decent year at the plate. Freeman always gets on base and has a pretty high average, so that should help contribute to your rosters in a positive fashion. Like I said, not a lot of RBIs, and home runs aren't as many as your typical 1B but still a solid option to man the bag.
2016 Stats: 289/363, 18 HR, 78 RBI, 3 SB
Honorable Mention: Byung-Ho Park (MIN)
Friday, March 11, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
2016 Top 10: Catchers
If you're an avid fantasy baseball player, you know how hard it is to have a good catcher on your team, since there are so few in the league that are actually worth having. In my opinion, wait as long as you can to draft one for these reasons:
1. They don't play everyday- Even the best of catchers play at best 5 of 7 games a week. Fantasy baseball is an everyday game so you need someone in your roster that is ready to go everyday.
2. Usually a one or two tool player- Catchers aren't going to bring a lot of value to your team unless they're an anomaly like Buster Posey. Even the "best" catchers are only going to fetch you one or two main stats and that's about it. No 5 tool guys here.
3. Waste of a draft pick- If you're going to pick a catcher high, it better be Buster Posey. Otherwise, wait until later in the draft so you can fill your team with as much value as possible before you absolutely need to. Catchers always get hurt, so someone will be available in free agency that is serviceable and will provide you some value.
Can you tell I don't like catchers too much? Nothing against them personally, they have the toughest job in the game, but for fantasy purposes, they're quite frustrating.
With that said, here are my rankings:
1. Buster Posey SF (C, 1B)- The good thing about some catchers is they have eligibility for other positions. So with studs like Posey, it wouldn't hurt to draft him high and have another solid catcher on your roster as well. You'll really upset some other fantasy ballers, but it's your team, you're not here to make friends. There's not really much I can say about Posey that you all don't already know, he's a stud, he's healthy, and when Brandon Belt gets hurt (sorry it happens all the time), he'll be in at 1B to keep him even fresher.
2016 Stats: .315/.369, 18 HR, 90 RBI, 2 SB
2. Kyle Schwarber CHI (C, OF)- Schwarber came up last year for the Cubbies at just 22 and showed what a force he's going to be in his career. Unfortunately for him the left field experiment didn't go so hot towards the end of the season, but he's penciled in as the starting LF this season. He should continue to rake with plenty of at bats, assuming he learns how to catch a fly ball. Otherwise, he'll definitely get some at bats wherever possible because he's an absolute monster. Just look at this article:
http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/1359326/autographed-kyle-schwarber-windshield-auctioned
Yeah, he's a machine, I'd draft him high as well. But after him, no more catchers before later rounds (9, 10, 11)!
2016 Stats: .256/.345, 28 HR, 83 RBI, 6 SB
3. Brian McCann NYY (C, 1B)- Honestly, 3,4, and 5 are a toss up and you can feel comfortable with any of these guys in your top 5. I chose McCann pretty much for one reason: the short porch in right field. This will obviously provide him with more chances for homers and RBIs, but I also see him getting some playing time at first this season now that Greg Bird is likely done for the year. He should be able to contribute to an elderly Yankees team in a big way.
2016 Stats: .232/.292, 24 HR, 90 RBI, 0 SB
4. Russell Martin TOR (C)- Martin gets the nod over Salvador Perez because he gets on base more often than Perez. Russ normally starts off the season very slowly but picks it up after the first month or so, so don't lose hope on him too early or you might be disappointed. On a team that is stacked with HR power, you might not see as many RBIs as you would with McCann, but when he's on base, he's likely going to be hit home. I don't expect his power to be what it was last year as he's starting to get up there in age, but I do expect it to still be commendable.
2016 Stats: .245/.320, 17 HR, 63 RBI, 4 SB
5. Salvador Perez KC (C)- Perez has been a pretty reliable catcher the last 3 years, posting very similar numbers in each of those seasons. I don't expect much to change this season since the Royals have the exact same starting lineup they did last year. He'll provide fantasy owners a nice home run, RBI, and average. The only thing he lacks besides stolen bases, is on base percentage. It depends on what your league values statistic wise, but regardless, he's still a top 5 option.
2016 Stats: .260/.285, 18 HR, 72 RBI, 1 SB
6. Travis d'Arnaud NYM (C)- d'Arnaud was poised for a nice season in 2015 before injuries derailed him for the better half of the year. Though the encouraging statistic for 2015 was his power. He had almost 200 fewer plate appearances in 2015 than in 2014 yet hit only one fewer home run, and had the same exact RBIs. It looks like he's figured things out at the plate and is ready to become the Mets' starting catcher again. If he can stay healthy (this is a theme for catchers) he will be a solid producer at a good amount of categories.
2016 Stats: .255/.318, 17 HR, 60 RBI, 1 SB
7. Jonathan Lucroy MIL (C, 1B)- Following two stellar campaigns in 2013 and 2014, Lucroy was quite the disappointment last year. Sure he was injured, but even before that his numbers started to slip. I think Lucroy is a very talented baseball player, and should ultimately move to 1B to preserve his body, but the Brewers blocked that move by acquiring Chris Carter in the offseason. On a team with guys who absolutely cannot get on base (Carter, Villar, Santana), I think Lucroy's RBI numbers will decline this season, considering he plays the full year. Power should stay the same, and I think he will also hit for a decent average, but the Brewers should probably trade him for the sake of his career.
2016 Stats: .280/.340, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 3 SB
8. Devin Mesoraco CIN (C)- Straight outta Punxsutawney, Mesoraco showed flashes of brilliance during the 2014 campaign and was named an all-star that season as well. Fantasy owners were really excited to draft him last year but his body would not allow him to achieve anymore than 51 PA. He's still recovering from a hip injury but he is expected to be in the opening day starting lineup. Assuming he will play all season, I think he can replicate what he did in 2014. The reason he's so far down this list despite my projections is that I don't trust him to stay healthy all year based on last year. Despite that, he's still young enough to be able to be a star in this league, and 2016 could be another breakout campaign.
2016 Stats: .265/.343, 22 HR, 70 RBI, 1 SB
9. Matt Wieters BAL (C)- Another guy with so much promise, with a few great years, but also plagued by injuries the past few seasons. However, Wieters looks to be healthy this year and should be good to go for opening day. In 2011-2013 his numbers were fairly consistent year over year, and should he stay healthy this season, I'd expect him to be back to those days. The Orioles need another big bat in their lineup protecting Adam Jones and Chris Davis, Wieters could be their man if/when he plays the full season.
2016 Stats: .255/.325, 21 HR, 73RBI, 2 SB
10. Yasmani Grandal LAD (C)- Most people have Stephen Vogt in their top 10 catchers, and though I wouldn't be advised to that, I just think Grandal is the better option at this point in their careers. Vogt became a star at age 30, not many players, especially not catchers, are able to sustain that type of production after 30 years old. Grandal showed many improvements last year versus 2014: he cut down on strike outs, increased his OBP, and had one more home run with 20 fewer at bats. I think he stays fairly consistent this season on a Dodgers team that is ready to make another playoff run in 2016.
2016 Stats: .234/.350, 16 HR, 50 RBI, 1 SB
Honorable Mention: Francisco Cervelli
Catcher isn't really a fun position to highlight, so many injuries, and everyone pretty much has the same stats. Again, don't draft a catcher unless you really have to early on (everyone taking catchers early). Let them come to you and they'll provide you with steady production for a cheap cost. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was my boy in 2012!!
1. They don't play everyday- Even the best of catchers play at best 5 of 7 games a week. Fantasy baseball is an everyday game so you need someone in your roster that is ready to go everyday.
2. Usually a one or two tool player- Catchers aren't going to bring a lot of value to your team unless they're an anomaly like Buster Posey. Even the "best" catchers are only going to fetch you one or two main stats and that's about it. No 5 tool guys here.
3. Waste of a draft pick- If you're going to pick a catcher high, it better be Buster Posey. Otherwise, wait until later in the draft so you can fill your team with as much value as possible before you absolutely need to. Catchers always get hurt, so someone will be available in free agency that is serviceable and will provide you some value.
Can you tell I don't like catchers too much? Nothing against them personally, they have the toughest job in the game, but for fantasy purposes, they're quite frustrating.
With that said, here are my rankings:
1. Buster Posey SF (C, 1B)- The good thing about some catchers is they have eligibility for other positions. So with studs like Posey, it wouldn't hurt to draft him high and have another solid catcher on your roster as well. You'll really upset some other fantasy ballers, but it's your team, you're not here to make friends. There's not really much I can say about Posey that you all don't already know, he's a stud, he's healthy, and when Brandon Belt gets hurt (sorry it happens all the time), he'll be in at 1B to keep him even fresher.
2016 Stats: .315/.369, 18 HR, 90 RBI, 2 SB
2. Kyle Schwarber CHI (C, OF)- Schwarber came up last year for the Cubbies at just 22 and showed what a force he's going to be in his career. Unfortunately for him the left field experiment didn't go so hot towards the end of the season, but he's penciled in as the starting LF this season. He should continue to rake with plenty of at bats, assuming he learns how to catch a fly ball. Otherwise, he'll definitely get some at bats wherever possible because he's an absolute monster. Just look at this article:
http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/1359326/autographed-kyle-schwarber-windshield-auctioned
Yeah, he's a machine, I'd draft him high as well. But after him, no more catchers before later rounds (9, 10, 11)!
2016 Stats: .256/.345, 28 HR, 83 RBI, 6 SB
3. Brian McCann NYY (C, 1B)- Honestly, 3,4, and 5 are a toss up and you can feel comfortable with any of these guys in your top 5. I chose McCann pretty much for one reason: the short porch in right field. This will obviously provide him with more chances for homers and RBIs, but I also see him getting some playing time at first this season now that Greg Bird is likely done for the year. He should be able to contribute to an elderly Yankees team in a big way.
2016 Stats: .232/.292, 24 HR, 90 RBI, 0 SB
4. Russell Martin TOR (C)- Martin gets the nod over Salvador Perez because he gets on base more often than Perez. Russ normally starts off the season very slowly but picks it up after the first month or so, so don't lose hope on him too early or you might be disappointed. On a team that is stacked with HR power, you might not see as many RBIs as you would with McCann, but when he's on base, he's likely going to be hit home. I don't expect his power to be what it was last year as he's starting to get up there in age, but I do expect it to still be commendable.
2016 Stats: .245/.320, 17 HR, 63 RBI, 4 SB
5. Salvador Perez KC (C)- Perez has been a pretty reliable catcher the last 3 years, posting very similar numbers in each of those seasons. I don't expect much to change this season since the Royals have the exact same starting lineup they did last year. He'll provide fantasy owners a nice home run, RBI, and average. The only thing he lacks besides stolen bases, is on base percentage. It depends on what your league values statistic wise, but regardless, he's still a top 5 option.
2016 Stats: .260/.285, 18 HR, 72 RBI, 1 SB
6. Travis d'Arnaud NYM (C)- d'Arnaud was poised for a nice season in 2015 before injuries derailed him for the better half of the year. Though the encouraging statistic for 2015 was his power. He had almost 200 fewer plate appearances in 2015 than in 2014 yet hit only one fewer home run, and had the same exact RBIs. It looks like he's figured things out at the plate and is ready to become the Mets' starting catcher again. If he can stay healthy (this is a theme for catchers) he will be a solid producer at a good amount of categories.
2016 Stats: .255/.318, 17 HR, 60 RBI, 1 SB
7. Jonathan Lucroy MIL (C, 1B)- Following two stellar campaigns in 2013 and 2014, Lucroy was quite the disappointment last year. Sure he was injured, but even before that his numbers started to slip. I think Lucroy is a very talented baseball player, and should ultimately move to 1B to preserve his body, but the Brewers blocked that move by acquiring Chris Carter in the offseason. On a team with guys who absolutely cannot get on base (Carter, Villar, Santana), I think Lucroy's RBI numbers will decline this season, considering he plays the full year. Power should stay the same, and I think he will also hit for a decent average, but the Brewers should probably trade him for the sake of his career.
2016 Stats: .280/.340, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 3 SB
8. Devin Mesoraco CIN (C)- Straight outta Punxsutawney, Mesoraco showed flashes of brilliance during the 2014 campaign and was named an all-star that season as well. Fantasy owners were really excited to draft him last year but his body would not allow him to achieve anymore than 51 PA. He's still recovering from a hip injury but he is expected to be in the opening day starting lineup. Assuming he will play all season, I think he can replicate what he did in 2014. The reason he's so far down this list despite my projections is that I don't trust him to stay healthy all year based on last year. Despite that, he's still young enough to be able to be a star in this league, and 2016 could be another breakout campaign.
2016 Stats: .265/.343, 22 HR, 70 RBI, 1 SB
9. Matt Wieters BAL (C)- Another guy with so much promise, with a few great years, but also plagued by injuries the past few seasons. However, Wieters looks to be healthy this year and should be good to go for opening day. In 2011-2013 his numbers were fairly consistent year over year, and should he stay healthy this season, I'd expect him to be back to those days. The Orioles need another big bat in their lineup protecting Adam Jones and Chris Davis, Wieters could be their man if/when he plays the full season.
2016 Stats: .255/.325, 21 HR, 73RBI, 2 SB
10. Yasmani Grandal LAD (C)- Most people have Stephen Vogt in their top 10 catchers, and though I wouldn't be advised to that, I just think Grandal is the better option at this point in their careers. Vogt became a star at age 30, not many players, especially not catchers, are able to sustain that type of production after 30 years old. Grandal showed many improvements last year versus 2014: he cut down on strike outs, increased his OBP, and had one more home run with 20 fewer at bats. I think he stays fairly consistent this season on a Dodgers team that is ready to make another playoff run in 2016.
2016 Stats: .234/.350, 16 HR, 50 RBI, 1 SB
Honorable Mention: Francisco Cervelli
Catcher isn't really a fun position to highlight, so many injuries, and everyone pretty much has the same stats. Again, don't draft a catcher unless you really have to early on (everyone taking catchers early). Let them come to you and they'll provide you with steady production for a cheap cost. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was my boy in 2012!!
Friday, February 26, 2016
2016 Top 10: Relievers
This category is a bit tough to project as each league has different criteria for how their relievers will score points in a given day. My strategy in the past has been to acquire at least one dominant set up guy who will get you some cheap strike outs, a win, or even a save when the main closer is getting rest. This strategy worked great for me last year when I had Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller on my team. The only downfall was that if the Yankees were losing, most likely neither guy would enter the game rendering two spots to be useless for that game. Anyways, it all depends on your style of play and main criteria. For all intents and purposes, I will be highlighting the top 10 closers this season as that seems to be the way most leagues are formed. Enjoy!
1. Jose Mesa (just kidding)
1. Craig Kimbrel (BOS)- I love closers. I think closers obviously play an integral part in protecting the team's lead ultimately to victory. I know other people disagree with me but the "save"is a stat that must be kept because the pitcher is entering the game in a last ditch effort for the offense to win the game. Craig Kimbrel might be the scariest closer in the game, I get nervous just watching him throw against anyone, doesn't even have to be my team. Kimbrel coming over from SD to a Red Sox team that is out for vengeance this year, should have a chance to record many save opportunities. In terms of Kimbrel dominance, last year wasn't his best year, but I just didn't see him having a great year in SD in the first place. The Red Sox seem to be a great fit for him and with Tazawa and Uehara as the set up men, he should be given the chance to shut the game down.
2016 Stats: 44 Saves, 90 Ks, 1.91 ERA
2. Aroldis Chapman (NYY)- I'm always a bit hesitant to rank guys so high when they come to play for any New York team (see Neil Walker when I rank 2B), especially the Yankees. But I also believe there are some guys who are un-phasable, and Chapman is one of them. Playing for a dismal Reds' team last season, Chapman still was able to rack up 33 saves in 36 opportunities. 9th inning chances were plentiful last year with Betances and Miller getting the lions share of the work, so with more chances comes more saves. In 2015, Chapman had his most dominant season since 2012, boasting a 1.63 ERA with 116 Ks. Unless there is a suspension in the beginning of the season, Chapman is the guy to own for the NYY and you will be happy you did.
2016 Stats: 38 Saves, 110 Ks, 2.10 ERA
3. Wade Davis (KC)- Finally getting his shot to be the full time closer in KC, I don't expect Davis to miss a beat after his dominant 2015 campaign. Though his strikeouts were down considerably in 2015, he still was a bonafide stud as a setup man and set the table easily for Greg Holland in the 9th. His ERA & WHIP were insanely low as he only surrendered 7 ERs in 67.1 innings all season, while racking up 8 wins as a reliever. Boasting pretty much the exact same roster as last year, I don't expect any part of the Royals to falter and Davis will see plenty of save opportunities and you can bet he'll convert on them as well.
2016 Stats: 39 Saves, 82Ks, 1.74 ERA
4. Trevor Rosenthal (STL)- Rosenthal is poised to have another successful season in 2016. He quietly racked up 48 saves last season with the Cardinals second only to Mark "The Shark" Melancon. Rosenthal got into a little bit of trouble last season and racked up 4 losses, with 3 blown saves, but more often than not he was able to get the job done. One of the most staggering statistics for Rosenthal was he lowered his ERA from 3.20 in 2014 to 2.10 in 2015, such a resounding drop. I don't expect Rosenthal to falter at all in 2016, look for him to perform very similarly in 2016 as he did in 2015.
2016 Stats: 45 Saves, 85 Ks, 2.20 ERA
5. Jeurys Familia (NYM)- This guy received his opportunity to close partly because of luck, but kept it because he was straight fire. He's lucky because Mejia is a fool, Parnell was hurt then when he came back, he stunk up the joint. But it's all good for Familia! The Mets offense wasn't too potent last year and I don't expect it to be as such this year as well, especially after losing Daniel Murphy to free agency this year. This will keep Mets games very close as we all know how their starting rotation looks this year. Mix that with pitching in a pitcher's park, Familia should have another dominant 2016 campaign as the Metropolitans' closer.
2016 Stats: 42 Saves, 81 Ks, 2.25 ERA
6. Kenley Jansen (LAD)- Jansen has had so much hype surrounding him since he entered the league in 2010. Since then, he's had to battle injuries and closer controversies so his hype has been a bit derailed in the meantime. However, this season should be a nice fresh start for him coming off a dominant end of the 2015 campaign. In his last 10 outings of the season, Jansen only let up 1 ER while racking up 7 saves and no blown saves in that time period. If he can stay healthy and pitch in around 65-70 games this year, I don't see any problems choosing him as a top priority option at the closer position.
2016 Stats: 40 Saves, 90 Ks, 2.40 ERA
7. Ken Giles (HOU)- After the Phillies traded Jonathan Papelbon last year, Giles got his chance to prove himself as the closer. He started out great but it looked like fatigue got the best of him since he never pitched more than 44 innings in the majors before last season (small sample size of 2 years, though). His last few outings saw him surrender 4 ERs in about 10 innings, but what he did as a setup man and in the middle of the season should be the story told about Giles. He reminds me of a Wade Davis type, not a high strike out guy, but has an extremely low ERA and WHIP to match. Playing on a team that should get him the save chances he deserves, this could be the breakout season Giles' fans have been hoping for.
2016 Stats: 33 Saves, 84 Ks, 1.93 ERA
8. Zach Britton (BAL)- One of the first things I look at to determine if a guy will be a dominant closer is his ERA. Since Britton became the O's full time closer in 2014, he has boasted a sub 2.00 ERA ever since. One of the most encouraging stats for Britton was his difference in strike outs from 2014 to 2015; they increased by almost 25% from year to year. The unfortunate thing about Britton from 2014 to 2015 was his WHIP increased as well: hits increased but walks decreased. So there is a lot of good with the bad with Britton, but I still see him as a top-10 closer option for sure.
2016 Stats: 36 Saves, 75 Ks, 2.02 ERA
9. Mark Melancon (PIT)- Despite Melacon's increase in ERA, WHIP, and decrease in strikeouts, he still found a way to get the job done in 2015. He led all of MLB in saves with 51 and only incurred 2 blown saves along the way. Melancon and his nasty sinker ball should be ready to have another similar season in 2016, though I do believe the saves will be down. Hitters are starting to figure him out and his stock might not be as high again as it is now, but he still will be a legit closer this season for the Buccos and will be fine for your team.
2016 Stats: 41 Saves, 65 Ks, 2.35 ERA
10. David Robertson (CWS)- Robertson was supposed to be an absolute stud for the White Sox last season but unfortunately underwhelmed quite a bit. 7 blown saves and an ERA of 3.41 are not what you pay 10 million dollars a year for ($11mm this season). I'm taking a gamble here, but I want to say last year was just a fluke for Robertson. There are some bright spots to talk about with Robertson, however. His walks and WHIP were both down significantly, he just needs to do a better job keeping the ball in the ballpark, he let up 7 HRs in the last two seasons. There's no closer battle to speak of in Chicago, so he'll get his chances, now it's time to convert and bounce back from last season.
2016 Stats: 35 Saves, 90 Ks, 3.20 ERA
Keep it locked for future updates, and as always, I welcome any and all feedback!
Friday, February 12, 2016
2016 Top 10: Starting Pitchers
It's my favorite time of the year. The time when you start looking at the players this year and envisioning them on your roster; or of course cursing them for under performing on your team last year. Either way, I'm going to break down my favorite 10 at each position, then give you a good list of sleepers I think have a chance to bring some value to your teams this year. I don't want to toot my own horn but each year I end up choosing probably the best sleeper, just an example:
2015: Carlos Correa- Snatched him up in the first month of the season, he's going to be such a stud!
2014: Jose Abreu- Drafted in the 19th round, ugh I just love that pick.
2013: Domonic Brown- Had the season of his life that year, but I haven't come close to choosing him since.
2012: Mike Trout- Need I say more?
Call it what you want, but I like to think I have a knack for these things. Anyways, on to your top 10 Starting Pitchers of 2016!
1. Clayton Kershaw- Sure his ERA went up from a 1.77 to a 2.13, for any other pitcher a 2.13 is fantastic. However, talking heads started saying, "oh maybe Kershaw is about to decline." Give me a break. In his final 11 starts of the 2015 regular season, Kershaw surrendered no more than 3 ERs in any game. Whereas his counterparts like Max Scherzer had a few abysmal outings. His strikeouts also sky rocketed between seasons from 239 to 301. I guess the nay sayers added a little extra fuel to the fire.
2016 projections: 2.24 ERA, .89 WHIP, 285 Ks
2. Madison Bumgarner- Everyone was kind of down on him in the 2015 because they compared him to his insane 2014 playoff run. What he did there should not be comparable to any other sample size because like I said, it was insane! It's hard to believe Bumgarner is only 26 years old this season as it seems like he's been around forever. His strikeouts have steadily increased year after year, and I expect them rise again. His 2015 WHIP was the lowest its been in his career as he's significantly been honing in his control and minimizing walks.
2016 projections: 2.92 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 240 Ks
3. David Price- Arguably Price was the best pitcher in the game in the second half of last season. After he was traded to the Blue Jays, he just went to a whole other level, really fun to watch, but painful when you were playing against him. I think Price is going to continue the magic we saw in Toronto as he joins the Red Sox rotation. During his tenure in Toronto, he averaged about 8 Ks per game and had a 2.30 ERA. I think Ks will hover around what we saw in 2015 but look for him to be a consistent dominant force each start.
2016 projections: 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 220 Ks
4. Max Scherzer- Midway through the 2015 season, this guy had everyone's vote for Cy Young. He carried a 1.75 ERA right around the 4th of July and was embarrassing teams left and right (namely, my Pirates). However, after the All Star break, that ERA shot up to a 3.61, almost two full points! He lost some control and his strike outs were down as well. However, his final two starts of the year were astounding, most notably his final one against the Mets: 9 innings pitched, 17(!!) strikeouts, oh and not to mention it was a no-hitter. I look for Scherzer to have another solid campaign with a Nationals team that should make some noise this season.
2016 projections: 2.85 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 250 Ks
5. Zack Greinke- Yes he is getting "older" and yes he is now on a less talented team, but it's really hard to overlook the magic Greinke displayed for the 2015 campaign. He surrendered only 41 ERs all season. That number is just nuts to me. Pair that with a 1.66 ERA and 19 wins to go along with that, he was outstanding. I don't think we see a 1.66 ERA again this season, but I do expect it to hover right around 2.10 if all goes well for Greinke again. Mixed with solid control and a decent amount of strikeouts, he is locked in to be an all around stud for 2016.
2016 projections: 2.10 ERA, .95 WHIP, 195 Ks
6. Jake Arrieta- This guy was the bane of my existence last season. He haunted Pirate's fans on Twitter, on TV, in my dreams...absolutely everywhere. We thought he would just lose it for one game and we'd be able to do something against him....this was never the case. I don't know where he came from or how he was able to do what he did, but the guy clearly figured something out. 1.77 ERA and 236 strikeouts, the guy just exhumed confidence in his goofy wannabe Dan Bilzerian way. The Cubs are going to be a force this season, so I think he's going to have close to 20 wins this season (he had 22 last year). I expect a slight dip in strikeouts and ERA but still going to be dominant.
2016 projections: 2.30 ERA, .90 WHIP, 205 Ks
7. Jacob deGrom- A bit underwhelming when he needed to be overwhelming, and overwhelming when it didn't really matter (the All-Star Game). I have high hope for deGrom this season, he's got great command and high velocity on his fastball. In a frightening Mets' rotation, it's going to be Harvey or deGrom as the ace of the staff, probably Harvey since he's the face of the franchise. I think deGrom has the better stuff and frankly would prefer to face Harvey over him. His IP were down last season due to injury, but he should be healthy and ready to go for 2016.
2016 projections: 2.59 ERA, .97 WHIP, 225 Ks
8. Dallas Keuchel- Keuchel really came out of nowhere for the 2015 season. He went from very subpar 2012-2013 campaigns, to a pretty good 2014 season, and then, well we know what happened in 2015. He racked up 20 wins for an Astros team that also came out of nowhere and lowered his ERA by .50 points. The beginning of 2015 was stellar as he had a .73 ERA in 5 games, though his strikeouts weren't anything special...he still got the job done. Named the starter of the All-Star game, Keuchel finally got his name on the map. I look for another solid 2016 season that should be fairly similar to 2015.
2016 projections: 2.54 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 208 Ks
9. Felix Hernandez- Last season really was not one of the best for Hernandez. His strikeouts were down considerably and his walks were up. Everyone goes through a slump at some point in their career and Felix is just too good to have this happen to him again. I expect a rebound 2016 campaign in a quietly solid Mariners' rotation.
2016- projections: 3.00 ERa, 1.15 WHIP, 220 Ks
10. Jose Hernandez- This is a guy I really want to root for. He looks like he's having so much fun playing baseball, by laughing and joking all the time when he's out there. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued his promising career. 2016 should be a bounce back year for him and I see him contending for the award by the end of the season.
2016 projections: 2.70 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 201 Ks
There ya have it, my top 10 SP for the season. Stay tuned for my other weekly updates, and I'm looking forward to any points you might have based on this list!
2015: Carlos Correa- Snatched him up in the first month of the season, he's going to be such a stud!
2014: Jose Abreu- Drafted in the 19th round, ugh I just love that pick.
2013: Domonic Brown- Had the season of his life that year, but I haven't come close to choosing him since.
2012: Mike Trout- Need I say more?
Call it what you want, but I like to think I have a knack for these things. Anyways, on to your top 10 Starting Pitchers of 2016!
1. Clayton Kershaw- Sure his ERA went up from a 1.77 to a 2.13, for any other pitcher a 2.13 is fantastic. However, talking heads started saying, "oh maybe Kershaw is about to decline." Give me a break. In his final 11 starts of the 2015 regular season, Kershaw surrendered no more than 3 ERs in any game. Whereas his counterparts like Max Scherzer had a few abysmal outings. His strikeouts also sky rocketed between seasons from 239 to 301. I guess the nay sayers added a little extra fuel to the fire.
2016 projections: 2.24 ERA, .89 WHIP, 285 Ks
2. Madison Bumgarner- Everyone was kind of down on him in the 2015 because they compared him to his insane 2014 playoff run. What he did there should not be comparable to any other sample size because like I said, it was insane! It's hard to believe Bumgarner is only 26 years old this season as it seems like he's been around forever. His strikeouts have steadily increased year after year, and I expect them rise again. His 2015 WHIP was the lowest its been in his career as he's significantly been honing in his control and minimizing walks.
2016 projections: 2.92 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 240 Ks
3. David Price- Arguably Price was the best pitcher in the game in the second half of last season. After he was traded to the Blue Jays, he just went to a whole other level, really fun to watch, but painful when you were playing against him. I think Price is going to continue the magic we saw in Toronto as he joins the Red Sox rotation. During his tenure in Toronto, he averaged about 8 Ks per game and had a 2.30 ERA. I think Ks will hover around what we saw in 2015 but look for him to be a consistent dominant force each start.
2016 projections: 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 220 Ks
4. Max Scherzer- Midway through the 2015 season, this guy had everyone's vote for Cy Young. He carried a 1.75 ERA right around the 4th of July and was embarrassing teams left and right (namely, my Pirates). However, after the All Star break, that ERA shot up to a 3.61, almost two full points! He lost some control and his strike outs were down as well. However, his final two starts of the year were astounding, most notably his final one against the Mets: 9 innings pitched, 17(!!) strikeouts, oh and not to mention it was a no-hitter. I look for Scherzer to have another solid campaign with a Nationals team that should make some noise this season.
2016 projections: 2.85 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 250 Ks
5. Zack Greinke- Yes he is getting "older" and yes he is now on a less talented team, but it's really hard to overlook the magic Greinke displayed for the 2015 campaign. He surrendered only 41 ERs all season. That number is just nuts to me. Pair that with a 1.66 ERA and 19 wins to go along with that, he was outstanding. I don't think we see a 1.66 ERA again this season, but I do expect it to hover right around 2.10 if all goes well for Greinke again. Mixed with solid control and a decent amount of strikeouts, he is locked in to be an all around stud for 2016.
2016 projections: 2.10 ERA, .95 WHIP, 195 Ks
6. Jake Arrieta- This guy was the bane of my existence last season. He haunted Pirate's fans on Twitter, on TV, in my dreams...absolutely everywhere. We thought he would just lose it for one game and we'd be able to do something against him....this was never the case. I don't know where he came from or how he was able to do what he did, but the guy clearly figured something out. 1.77 ERA and 236 strikeouts, the guy just exhumed confidence in his goofy wannabe Dan Bilzerian way. The Cubs are going to be a force this season, so I think he's going to have close to 20 wins this season (he had 22 last year). I expect a slight dip in strikeouts and ERA but still going to be dominant.
2016 projections: 2.30 ERA, .90 WHIP, 205 Ks
7. Jacob deGrom- A bit underwhelming when he needed to be overwhelming, and overwhelming when it didn't really matter (the All-Star Game). I have high hope for deGrom this season, he's got great command and high velocity on his fastball. In a frightening Mets' rotation, it's going to be Harvey or deGrom as the ace of the staff, probably Harvey since he's the face of the franchise. I think deGrom has the better stuff and frankly would prefer to face Harvey over him. His IP were down last season due to injury, but he should be healthy and ready to go for 2016.
2016 projections: 2.59 ERA, .97 WHIP, 225 Ks
8. Dallas Keuchel- Keuchel really came out of nowhere for the 2015 season. He went from very subpar 2012-2013 campaigns, to a pretty good 2014 season, and then, well we know what happened in 2015. He racked up 20 wins for an Astros team that also came out of nowhere and lowered his ERA by .50 points. The beginning of 2015 was stellar as he had a .73 ERA in 5 games, though his strikeouts weren't anything special...he still got the job done. Named the starter of the All-Star game, Keuchel finally got his name on the map. I look for another solid 2016 season that should be fairly similar to 2015.
2016 projections: 2.54 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 208 Ks
9. Felix Hernandez- Last season really was not one of the best for Hernandez. His strikeouts were down considerably and his walks were up. Everyone goes through a slump at some point in their career and Felix is just too good to have this happen to him again. I expect a rebound 2016 campaign in a quietly solid Mariners' rotation.
2016- projections: 3.00 ERa, 1.15 WHIP, 220 Ks
10. Jose Hernandez- This is a guy I really want to root for. He looks like he's having so much fun playing baseball, by laughing and joking all the time when he's out there. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued his promising career. 2016 should be a bounce back year for him and I see him contending for the award by the end of the season.
2016 projections: 2.70 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 201 Ks
There ya have it, my top 10 SP for the season. Stay tuned for my other weekly updates, and I'm looking forward to any points you might have based on this list!
Monday, February 8, 2016
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