Fantasy Baseball 3rd Week of Spring Training (RECAP)

March 25, 2012

Fantasy Baseball 3rd Week of Spring Training (RECAP)

By Muntradamus

 

Third Week of Spring Training is in the books.  Time to reflect from a fantasy baseball perspective.  I am preparing for high stakes baseball leagues, if you read my note you will be ready to dominate your draft.

For all notes from the 3rd week of Spring Training, follow the LINK.

 

DRAFT GUIDE

 

VALUE UP

Francisco Liriano SP TWINS

10 Innings and 11 Ks with no ER.  That is the Liriano we want, and that makes him an intriguing steal on draft day.

Edinson Volquez SP PADRES

Who would of saw two quality starts in one week coming?  He offers enough potential to be a great sleeper in a ball park, and division where runs are scarce.

Craig Kimbrel RP BRAVES

Flawless Week giving up no ER.  He is an elite closer

Adam Jones OF BALTIMORE

Jones was consistently good all week.  He stole a base and hit 3 HRs.  There is no reason to believe that Adam Jones will not take the next step in being the fantasy stud we are waiting for.

Ichiro Suzuki OF SEATTLE

2 HRs in one week for Ichiro is very rare.  The fact he is batting 3rd this season should give him ample RBI opportunities to go along with 30 SBs.  If he can hit 12+ HRs this season, you are getting huge value.

Jonathan Papelbon RP PHILLIES

Flawless week giving up no ER, and racking up Ks.  No reason to believe he will not be elite this season.

Dee Gordon SS DODGERS

All he does is get on base and steal.  8 so far this Spring, with zero in the first week.  The Dodgers are going to run him until the wheels fall off.

Cliff Lee SP PHILLIES

After a start with 6 INN, 7 Ks, 1 ER, there is no reason to believe a down season is coming.  Just tuning up.

Adam Dunn 1B WHITESOX

Dunn continues his successful spring training with 2 mammoth HRs in one game, to go along with 6 RBIs.  He has been a beast all Spring and is worth the flier if he slips.

Lorenzo Cain OF ROYALS

The potential for a fantasy stud is there.  He hit HRs in back-to-back games which is just the beginning of how good he can be.  If he is sitting on your waiver wire, and you have guys like Kubel in front of him.  Take the risk as he could be a superstar.

Kelly Johnson 2B BLUE JAYS

Johnson has been getting on base and knocking in a lot of RBIs.  There is a good chance he bats leadoff this season which could make him one of the league leaders in runs.  Not a whole lot of risk when drafting this guy late.

Kendry Morales 1B ANGELS

Already hit a HR in less than one week of Spring Training.  He also has a multi-hit game to go along with it, which shows he is ready for a big bounce back season.  Do not let him slip too late in your draft.

Zack Cozart SS REDS

If you want a solid SS who will give you good average, decent RBI numbers, and a handful of SBs, do not look any further.  Everytime you see his name in the box score, you will see a multi-hit game.  Great steal for how late he goes.

Jose Reyes SS MARLINS

Jose started to show the kitchen sink this week.  HR, 2 SB in one week is just the beginning of his potential.  The Marlins will give him the green light more often than not, and you can expect an elite season.

Carlos Lee 1B ASTROS

Lee is the only fantasy safe player for Houston this season.  He had a great week racking up a HR and multi RBIs.  The ‘stros will need Lee to get 100 RBIs.

Matt Wieters C ORIOLES

Matt started the week with a HR, and he ended it going 4-4 with a HR and 6 RBIs.  Matt should rank within the top 5 in catchers.

VALUE DOWN

Jonny Venters RP BRAVES

Giving up ERs in every appearance.  The Braves are having him sit for now, I would be worried.

Jeremy Hellickson SP D-RAYS

10 ER in last appearance says you should not put too much hope into him.  It was against the Twins as well.

Edwin Jackson SP NATIONALS

Too many bad starts, inconsistent all spring.  He got rocked giving up 7 ER in last appearance.

Wandy Rodriguez SP ASTROS

No control continues to be a problem.  It was frustrating last season, it looks like the same will happen as he cannot get a quality start in.

Bruce Chen SP ROYALS

10 ER in last appearance has me ready to say.  I will not draft you.  He has been unimpressive for a majority of the Spring.

Anibal Sanchez SP MARLINS

Rough start, should bounce back but has not looked like a pitcher that will jump to the next level.

NOTES:

Mariano Rivera- Still has not given up an ER.

Mark Trumbo- Will be fine this season playing 3rd Base.  Reports are he is comfortable.

Sean Marshall– Will get first crack at closer job for Cinci.  Chapman could replace him soon.

March 25, 2012

8 Comments

  2. Pagan does have 40 SB potential, but Blanco does appear to be a threat coming off the bench. With that being said, I would hold on to the speed if you need it. Cain could hit 20 HRs this season, we do not really know what he can do. Any other options to possibly drop?

  3. I put in a claim for Cain in place of Ryan Doumit. I also have John Mayberry Jr on my bench, but I think he might have some potential. Was just wondering if you thought Cain could have similar value to Pagan.

    Here’s another question for you: the league I’m in has an auction style waiver wire with a $100 budget. I’m desperate for saves (stuffed up that part of the draft) and am looking to add Sean Marshall now that Madson is out. My question is how much money should I bid on him. This is my first time playing fantasy baseball, so I’ll be relying a lot on your advice this season. It’s much appreciated!

  4. I am here to help along the way, I have been playing fantasy baseball since I was in elementary school so I know how it goes.

    Cain is more power, Pagan is more speed. Speed is more rare, so stick with Pagan.

    I like Mayberry Jr. as well, if he plays everyday huge numbers could be expected. Doumit is nothing too special, and that was the right move.

    Try to give up less than 10% of your money for Marshall. He may be the closer short term, but two or three bad appearances in a week and you can be sure they will groom Chapman for the closer job as the starting rotation is stacked in Cinci.

  6. I guess I should also be asking if Sergio Romo or Vinnie Pestano should be dropped for Sean Marshall?

  7. I would drop Romo before Pestano.

    Pestano could open the year as the closer for the Indians until Chris Perez gets back. I think Perez is an overrated closer, and it is very possible Pestano replaces him entirely before the season is over. He has great K potential and an amazing ERA. Two things Perez does not have.

    I would drop Romo for Marshall. He should easily rack up double digit saves and possibly a lot more if he does not blow games consistently. He is a high-end setup man who should be fine as closer. Aroldis Chapman could steal the job at some point, for now it is all Marshall.

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