There’s no Reyes, Rollins or Hanley on this list of shortstops. This list is guys that can be had later in your drafts if you’ve punted shortstop or are still looking for a middle infielder. Look at this as a supplement to the top 20 shortstops of 2011 fantasy baseball. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, click on the player’s name to read more about them or to see their 2011 projections. I’m going to start this list of targets at the 122 ADP cut off. You say, “Arbitrary!” I say, “Why are you saying arbitrary to a computer screen? No one can hear you.” Anyway, here’s some shortstops to target for 2011 fantasy baseball:
Ian Desmond – I dropped a killer no whammy no whammy…. double whammy! post on you regarding Alcides Escobar and our good friend that neither of us personally know, Ian Desmond. That’s right, I went bi-postal and I’m bi-winning. Liked Desmond last year and he only seemed to disappoint. (Seriously, look at his numbers compared to other shortstops. He wasn’t that bad.) I like him again this year. Don’t fear the Nats. No one else does! Oofa.
Stephen Drew - He was the reason for the 122 ADP cut off. I really like Stephen Drew. I have convinced myself that at the age of 28 he will break out. Possible signs of this: his walk rate last year was (barely) the best of his career, he has speed for 10 steals and the power for 20+ homers and he was once a top ten prospect… Okay, five years ago. But still, he’s 28.
Alcides Escobar – How does a shortstop go from stealing 40+ bases in Triple-A to stealing 10 in the majors? I don’t know and that alone is my reason to think Alcides has to steal more this year. Yes, it is that scientific.
Asdrubal Cabrera – Da ‘drubal! Love him! Okay, I don’t really. He’s okay. But now with the injection of Orlando Cabrera! Yeah, that doesn’t really change things much either. I do like a good ‘drubal when I can get him on the cheap. That’s what she said! Yeah, I don’t think that makes much sense either. Moving on…
Jason Bartlett – It’s true, I don’t like Jason Bartlett. How’s that for the hard sell? But he’s being drafted around 279th overall. Really, he’s that bad? Rhetorical! No, he’s not.
Reid Brignac – There was a study done by the University of Washington that basically says you don’t like what you can’t pronounce. Yeah, that’s a complete lie, but I do think that’s why people love Jay Bruce and dislike Reid Brignac. Okay, that and Brignac is only getting a starting job for the first time this year. You, quibbler!
The top 20 shortstops for 2011 fantasy baseball are a shallow bowl of dung and ranked only ahead of the catchers for depth. All the 2011 fantasy baseball rankings can be found under that thing that says 2011 fantasy baseball rankings. (Don’t worry, one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to link to things a little more seamlessly). Shortstops usually get the short end of the stick when I’m drafting. If I don’t get Hanley, I’ll probably just take a flier on some late round player. Yes, I don’t even really want to mess with Tulo. In leagues that play a middle infielder, then you might need two of these schmohawks. Hopefully, you can grab two decent 2nd basemen and only need one of these guys. As with the other top 20 rankings, I point out where I think tiers start and stop and my projections. Anyway, here’s the top 20 shortstops for 2011 fantasy baseball:
3. Jose Reyes – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Andrus. I call this tier, “These are the last two shortstops you should draft for about eight rounds.” I would not under any circumstances draft a shortstop between Andrus and Desmond unless they fall about six rounds after where I think they should be drafted. As for Reyes, for those thinking Reyes had a poor 2010, consider he was the 3rd best shortstop on ESPN’s Player Rater. Sure, that has its flaws, but who was better? Jeter? Alexei? Elvis? Reyes hit 11 homers and stole 30 bases last year. Not to mention it was in only 133 games so if you filled him in halfway decently from your waiver wire, you had additional stats from his spot. 2011 Projections: 110/12/60/.290/40
4. Elvis Andrus – I already went over my Elvis Andrus fantasy for next year. At 22 years old, he might be still come in under my projections, but he’s capable of a huge fantasy-defining season. I’m willing to take the chance that it happens. 2011 Projections: 95/5/50/.270/45
5. Jimmy Rollins – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Furcal. I call this tier, “Holy crap, the shortstops are really shallow.” Seriously, Rollins is the 5th best shortstop? Rollins has been getting progressively worse the last three seasons and I don’t think he’s suddenly going to turn things around at the age of 32. Yeah, you really should punt at this point. Look at Drew or others later on. A few things on Rollins. In 2006, Rollins had 15 infield hits. That number has gone down every year. His line drive rates have fallen every year since 2008. His ground ball rate last year was a new career high. His speed was at an all-time low last year for his career. You know what happens when a guy gets older and hits the ball on the ground? He gets thrown out at first. 2011 Projections: 85/14/65/.260/20
6. Derek Jeter – So I’ve been watching the first season of Friday Night Lights. Great show. I’d say SPOILER ALERT! but the show’s like seven years old. Anyway, when Riggins was stealing Minka from Street, I kept imagining Street yelling, “So, Jeter, it’s okay to steal a cripple’s girlfriend, but you won’t fight a cripple?!” Maybe it’s just me. As for Jeter — eh, you know what you’re getting by this point. Light power, some steals, good runs. Plus, you can tell your lady friend that you drafted Jeter and watch how much tail you get. Unless you live in Boston. Then put on the Nomar jersey. “I’m dating Charlene, Ma. You gotta get used to it.” I love Mark Wahlberg. 2011 Projections: 105/12/65/.280/15
7. Alexei Ramirez – Here’s one of those borderline guys. If he hits 17-20 homers and steals 15 bases, you’re okay. Shave just a few off either and you have a 15/12 guy, i.e., a guy that steals 2 bases and hits less than 3 homers per month. That grows boring really fast during the course of the season. I don’t mind trading for Alexei on May 1st, but his first month makes his overall stats look just a’ight. BTW, we should have a glossary term for Latin players who don’t play well in the cold weather months. 2011 Projections: 80/17/70/.280/14
8. Rafael Furcal – Last year in only 97 games, he went 8/22, but I wouldn’t prorate that over a full season. Seems to actually play better when he plays an abbreviated season. Maybe because he’s 33 years old. If you’re in a shallow enough league where you can readily replace him when he’s hurt, I’d consider drafting him. In most leagues, I wouldn’t bother. 2011 Projections: 75/8/45/.280/17
9. Stephen Drew – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Escobar. I call this tier, “Okay, grab one quick because they get ugly again real fast.” (Note: All projections in this tier are optimistic, but whatevs.) Feels like we’ve been waiting forever for Drew’s big breakout. At 28 years old in 2011, this is the year. Or so my gut is telling me. He had a solid 2nd half — 11 homers, .281 in 267 ABs and that’s about as much positivity I can muster. He has so many major league ABs, he shouldn’t just explode for an incredible year, but I can’t help think he’s due. Hey, I said it was a gut call more than anything. His 2011 won’t be MVP-worthy, but it could be valuable and at shortstop you gotta take some upside fliers. 2011 Projections: 90/24/70/.275/7
10. Ian Desmond – Could be a cheap version of Alexei Ramirez. I know, that sounds about as enticing as walking in on your grandparents having sex. But if Desmond exceeds expectations and Alexei falls just short and if and but’s were dollar bills I’d be a millionaire. Okay, Desmond’s an upside flier, just go with it. 2011 Projections: 80/15/70/.280/20
11. Alcides Escobar – I already hit you up with an Alcides Escobar fantasy sleeper thing-a-woozie. 2011 Projections: 70/3/40/.275/30
12. Starlin Castro – This is a new tier. This tier goes until Tejada. I call this tier, “And they just got ugly again.” I almost put Castro in the above tier, because he does have yute on his side. In the end, I’m too worried Castro may get drafted as if he has this huge upside. I’d lower my expectations with him. He gets caught stealing way too much and he doesn’t have great power. 2011 Projections: 75/5/55/.305/12
13. Ryan Theriot – Wanna know the problem with the state of shortstops? How about this: Theriot was ranked 18th for 2nd basemen. That about covers it. Went over Theriot’s projections in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2011 fantasy baseball post.
14. Cliff Pennington – What a butt ugly group we have here. Pennington is basically Theriot with a few more steals and homers and a potentially terrible average. Also, he looks good in plaid pants, if that’s a category in your league. 2011 Projections: 60/5/40/.245/30
16. Jhonny Peralta – Member the days when Jhonny and Khalil Greene would go around putting silent H’s in people’s names? Charlos Lee got so mad! Ah, yes, and I have nothing to say about Jhonny Peralta. 2011 Projections: 65/17/80/.255
17. Jason Bartlett – Went over my Bartlett fantasy when the Padres got him. Go there to read the Bartlett blurb. Or Blurblett, if you’re into portmanteaus. 2011 Projections: 80/5/55/.270/17
18. Yunel Escobar – Um… Well… Uh… Wait, why is he being ranked? Oh, because he basically has the same projections as Mike Aviles. Yeah, shortstops are bad this year. Have I mentioned that before? 2011 Projections: 75/10/60/.290/7
19. Omar Infante – Infante’s 2010 reminds me of Zobrist’s 2009 on a much smaller scale. Utility man makes good, news at 11. I’m gonna move on before I bore us both any further. 2011 Projections: 65/5/40/.280/8 ( Note: Only has 19 games at shortstop.)
20. Miguel Tejada - Somewhere Sabean is twirling his mustache thinking about how much he’d love to sign Bartlett in three years. My Tejada projections are assuming he won’t start shooting up again. 2011 Projections: 65/13/75/.275/3
After the top 20 shortstops for 2011 fantasy baseball, there’s a bunch of names, but here’s two that stand out:
Reid Brignac – I just couldn’t end the top 20 shortstops with Miguel Tejada. The Rays have to play Brignac, right? I mean, they can’t let him just keep getting older and not give him a fair shake, can they? Yeah, I don’t know. If they give Brignac an everyday job, his fantasy value will drop him around 10th on this list. Since it’s the shortstops, I’d throw a flier Brignac’s way with or without a job and hope you get lucky and he starts. 2011 Projections: 60/15/75/75/.260/7
Asdrubal Cabrera – Consider Asdrubal above Starlin Castro on this list, but I wanted to highlight him. Gotta throw out 2010 with Asdrubal. He got injured, can’t hold his bad year against him. Plus, a bad year is so amorphous, how are you gonna hold that against anyone? At 25 years old, Asdrubal is still in his prime and can put together a decent season for a MIF — Middle Infielder Flier. 2011 Projections: 80/7/60/.295/20
Seriously, it’s cool and all for fans of the Yankees and Red Sox but doesn’t Bud Selig in his infinitesimal wisdom see that maybe something needs to be done to level out the playing field? It’s all so short-sighted, kinda like how he turned a blind eye to steroids. Diamondbacks give away Reynolds so they can save a few million. Meanwhile, the Red Sox sign Carl Crawford for $142 million with a developing country bonus. If he wins the MVP, they’ll buy him Guatemala. “El Presidente can you steal a base for us?” That’s what they’ll say in Guatemala. I imagine Crawford will hit somewhere in the middle of the Sawx lineup. Like third, for instance. With Ellsbury leading off, Pedroia in the two hole (hehe — two hole) and A-Gon cleanup. There’s flexibility there so it could change. Either way, they’re scoring 7 runs a game. Crawford wasn’t exactly on the Mariners last year for offense. The Rays scored the third most runs just behind the Red Sox. Fenway’s a much gentler lover than the Trop, but Crawford hasn’t exactly ripped the cover off the ball there. 4 homers and a .275 average in 320 ABs. Whatever the case, I think he’s going to be great and do more or less what he did last year. Lots of steals, high-teen power and a solid average. I’ll give him a line of 100/16/110/.305/45. Yeah, it’s solid. Anyway, here’s some more moves and what they mean for fantasy baseball:
Carlos Pena – Chuck P. says Yo! Bum Rush Chicago! Pena is just the guy to get the Cubs over the 102-year hump. Or at least strike out trying. Pena was crazy unlucky with balls batted into play last year. The scary thing is, he’s not much better than a .230 hitter even when he’s not unlucky. Left mouth says, “Sch…” Right mouth says, “…nikes.” Together, “Schnikes.” Would be a decent pairing with an Ichiro or a Sauvignon Blanc. Supposedly, Pena was playing with plantar fasciitis last year, which only sounds like something Mr. Peanut would get. He’s already said he’s recovered from it. That might have caused his ground ball rate to go up. Last year, he pounded balls right into the shift. If he can just get some more lift on his balls (hehe — I said, shift then lift on his balls), then Pena could be in for a nice rebound year. Right now, I’d conservatively give him 70/35/95/.235/3. There’s room for more power though and average can be fluky.
Jason Bartlett – Off to San Diego, or as they call it in San Diego, “Here.” Don’t think this is necessarily the death of Bartlett. His age, his caught stealing percentage and his speed decline, those things might be the death of Bartlett. As for any possibility of a return to the power he showed back in 2009, fahgettabartlett!
Reid Brignac – The door is open for Brignac. Next stop, a sleeper post for him in the coming weeks. You can hardly wait! No, you!
Matt Diaz – Headed to the Pirates. Dye-as is one of my favorites if you can platoon him against lefties only. In most leagues, you won’t want (stutterer!) and/or need Dye-As, which is your deal more than mine, but he does throw some residual soot on someone else…
Garrett Jones – Who is this paging me at 5:46 in the morning? It’s Robot Jones. “Damn, Dye-as wanna stick me for my at-bats.” It’s true, Robot. That’s your warning. Since Jones only hit .220 with six homers in 214 ABs vs. lefties last year, there’s a good chance Robot will be oiling his wheel-feet on the bench against his weaker half. This could kill his value in 12 team mixed leagues.
Dioner Navarro – Signed with the Dodgers. He’ll work a blahtoon with Rod Barajas. Dioner has a softball build without the upper body strength to tap the keg. It’s pretty useless in fantasy.
Craig Kimbrel – Right now, Fredi Gonzalez is saying he’s thinking about using Kimbrel and Venters for closing games. Kimbrel is the righty, so he’d have slightly more value, but I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll hear about this.
Koji Uehara – Will remain with the Orioles and chances are he’ll stay in as the closer, but Gonzalez could make it a Mike G. joint. Will need to monitor this shituation in the spring.
Jeff Francoeur – Frenchy. Royals. Dayton Moore. Off with his head! At 27-years-old, Francoeur could return to his glory days of 2006 when he hit 29 homers with 100+ RBIs, but there is nothing from his last four years that make that seem like anything but a pipe dream.
Jack Cust – Signed with M’s. I see what’s happening here. Last offseason, the M’s made all kinds of signings that had their fans thinking they were the team to beat then they collapsed out of the gate. This offseason, they’re doing crap and hoping it’ll have the inverse effect on the team’s 2011 performance. They’re sneaky up there in the Pacific Northwest. The M’s already have the Golden Glove Milton Bradley where Cust would probably fit, but maybe they lose Bradley. (Member when the M’s fans were excited the team signed Bradley? Yup.) Cust will be 32-years-old for the start of the 2011 season and he looks to be aging quickly. If he hits 25 homers and .260, he’s sneaky valuable in AL-Only leagues. If he hits 17 homers and .240, he’s useless. Cust kayin’.
Nate McLouth – Fredi Gonzalez also said he’s leaning towards McLousy for the starting centerfield job. Very early in the game for guys to be handed starting jobs. We’ll see. But can you say bounce back? Or as they spell it in Korea, “Bow-uns Bak.”
It’s long overdue we turned our attention to the underrepresented side of SAGNOF — the cheap steal. Long ago I realized I like my steals like I like my women, cheap. Sure, there’s girls out there that know which spork to eat their Hamburger Helper with, but real value is found in girls that can have fun in a bar with sawdust on the floor and Jimmy Buffett playing on the jukebox. Now this doesn’t mean I’m turning my nose up at Kate Bosworth if she shows up at my door in a Vera Wang, carrying some takeout foie gras. Same goes for fantasy baseball. Steals is a category I tend to neglect on draft day in March, so it’s necessary to grab them off of waivers. I’m not suggesting you punt steals, because that would put too much pressure on your other categories. (Just like if you neglect getting laid.) It’s also one category you can make up ground in fast, so if you need steals, you need to get grabbing. Now, obviously, not all of these guys will be available in your league and in some other leagues guys like Podsednik, Rajai, etc. will be available. Anyway, here’s some cheap steals that you might find on your waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league:
Cliff Pennington – Has 17 steals on the year and is owned in 10% of ESPN leagues. I kinda wish I owned him for 2 months instead of EverCab. Why can’t EverCab get injured again? Is that too much to ask for? I really enjoyed him while he was in my DL slot.
Jason Bartlett – Hasn’t done much lately steals-wise, but he’s capable of putting together a 7 steal month. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
Coco Crisp – 2nd most steals in the last 30 days. Coco Quik.
Will Venable – 2nd highest on Bill James Speed Score for hitters with at least 250 ABs. The problem is the 250 ABs, i before e, Venable doesn’t play every day.
Lorenzo Cain – My newest favorite player that I don’t own anywhere. Had 21 steals in 62 games in the minors in case you didn’t read this morning’s post. Shame on you, btw.
Peter Bourjos – Not only is he fast, but Scioscia may be a lot of things, but scared of running guys is not one of them. True fact: If Napoli stole 15 bases and hit .240 with zero homers, he’d be playing every day.
Drew Stubbs – The old adage that you can’t steal first has been put to the test by Stubbs. So far; Adage 1, Stubbs 0.
This year in the minors Domonic Brown had a line of 62/19/64/.323/14 and .385/.580/.965. Let’s recap, whoa/wow/nice/yum-yum/don’t mind if I do and yowsers/that’s lovely/yowsersthat’slovely. To break that down for the people who skimmed the first two sentences, he has 20/20 potential with plate discipline. It’s the fantasy baseball equivalent to: “I don’t think this glazed donut can get any better.” “How about we sprinkle bacon on it?” Drool. By my estimation (and Keith Law’s), he’s the number one prospect in the minors. (Desmond Jennings is a close 2nd in my book that was rejected by Simon & Schuster.) Either Werth will be shown the door or Philly fans will kidnap Raul Ibanez and toss him blindfolded into the newly-constructed Octagon in Citizens Flank’s parking lot. Is Domonic Brown more trouble than he’s Werth? No, I don’t think so. Unless we’re talking about spelling his name. I’d grab Brown in 12 team mixed leagues or deeper. In keepers, you should own him already. If you don’t, then now might be a good time. Or now. Or now. Or… You get the point. Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:
Psyche! Before we head into the post, just wanted to say the Commenter and Razzball league standings were updated. Anyway II, onto the Buy/Sell:
BUY
Alex Gordon – Is this the Alex Gordon that was called up three years ago after tearing up the minors only to flame out? Or is this the Alex Gordon that is called up today that just got done ripping up the minors that will finally fulfill his promise? I don’t know. He crushed the minors this year — in 277 ABs, 14 homers, 8 steals, .310 average, .451 OBP and a 1.018 OPS. He can be a 20+ homer, 15 steal guy over the course of a full season if he doesn’t get in his own way and the Royals give him every day ABs. I would take a flyer on him for your corner infidel spot for the chance he finally makes good on the promise. If you’ve heard this story before about Gordon, it’s because you probably have, so don’t drop anyone too valuable.
Chris Johnson - He’s hitting right now and he has some power potential. Plus, if he fails you, you can say, “Chris Johnson meet P. Johnson,” while urinating on your computer screen that’s showing your fantasy team.
Yunel Escobar – Hopefully the hand injury he sustained the other day doesn’t get in the way of the revenge he’s currently seeking on the entire Braves organization.
Starlin Castro – In one league, I’m rocking Luis Castillo in my middle infield. I don’t tell you this because I think you should pickup Castillo or for pity. I want sympathy! Castro started off as a hero to millions then he left all his believers scavenging for scraps. That commie bastard! Now he’s hitting and stealing bases.
Neil Walker – I’m pretty lukewarm on Walker. He looks like Coghlan at MI, which is all right. At least right now, he’s Coghlan when Coghlan’s hitting.
Asdrubal Cabrera – I’d prefer to take an As-Cab to a Walker.
Scott Sizemore – He’s baaack! And doing nothing like when he left. Who knew a meth’d out Tom Sizemore would be the most reliable Sizemore this year? I’d grab Scotty for the chance he can make good on his promise. (He promised me 14/16 in the preseason. He’s lied thus far.)
Ty Wigginton – His ownership numbers are trending down but that’s wrong, I tell ya. Guy gets streaky like your acid wash jeans from the 80s. Unlike the jeans, you don’t have to deny ever owning him.
Jason Bartlett – Welcome back to 103.5 MI-ROQ, where it’s middle infielders all day and night! Bassoon, tire screech, crazy cackling, triangle, cow bell, more cow bell and one last ding. Don’t fahgettaBartlett!
Matt Diaz – Dye-As murders lefties, which is similar to being a lefty killer. Play him against his strong side, sit vs. weak side. Rinse, repeat.
Drew Stubbs – At 13/18 with a .245 average, he’s having a season that a young Krispie Young would’ve admired.
Juan Rivera - I’ll be honest, some of these guys are hard to get excited about. Juan Rivera’s one of those guys. Wait, who was I talking about? See!
Jack Cust – If you don’t know what Cust gives you, go back three places and read Matthew Berry.
Luke Scott - Hard to recommend Scott too highly. He’s currently hitting and he could get you some homers, but he might not play every day. It’s like masturbating to The Golden Girls. It’ll get the job done, but why not switch the channel?
Jordan Zimmermann – I went over J-Z in, like, the last three Buys. Scroll around the site, will be good for pageviews.
Travis Wood – There could be some ups and downs for Wood. Oofa! Thank you, don’t forget to tip your waitresses. He gets the Astros today. Giddy up, Wood. That’s what she said!
Pedro Alvarez – I just went over my Alvarez fantasy. Click through, it’ll save you time because we both know how busy you are.
J.J. Putz – SAGNOF!
Matt Thornton - See 1/8th of an inch above.
Sergio Santos – Nothing comes between me and my Sergio Santos. Except maybe Putz and Thornton. I’d grab them, in the order I’ve listed them.
Chris Perez – We have to assume Wood will take over when he returns. But Perez could have the closer job for the rest of the season if Wood is traded. But II, Making A But Out Of Nothing At All: Even if Wood returns, he’s far from secure.
SELL
Mike Leake – Even Dusty can’t continue to throw Leake as he flies past a reasonable innings limit. Dusty’ll put him in Harang’s uniform then send him back to the mound.
Kris Medlen – I love me some Medlen. We practically grew up together. Or maybe it was just that I owned him in a few fantasy leagues for a few months. Neverthehoo! Medlen’s having his innings limited, it’s hard to own that, unfortunately.
Phil Hughes – The Yankees have limited Hughes to 4 starts in the past month and will probably keep him close to the same workload moving forward. It’s Hughes Rules… Skip him for a start then let him throw a mediocre 5 inning game.
Josh Beckett – Right after he goes against the hapless M’s tonight, you write something like this on your league messageboard, “Now that Beckett is doing great, I have an excess of starters that I want to trade. Will trade everyone but Beckett because I really believe him… Unless someone makes a good offer.” Then you take any offer you get for Beckett. That’s ygolohcysp, baby!
