2018 Fantasy Baseball Keeper Rankings

1. Excellent work, thanks Kerry!

2. Our first season keeping 2 players (lose that draft position from where they were drafted in 2017). It’s a 12-team head to head categories league. the drafting order will be determined after keepers are decided. who would you guys consider my best choices for my 2 keeper ?
   -Altuve costs me my #1
   -Correa my #2
   -G.Sanchez my #5

   Thanks !
   George

   • @George: For me it’s gotta be Altuve and Correa.

3. Awesome stuff!!

   12 team 5×5 Roto… forever keep 10 + 10 Farm/Stash…

   Just offered His Gallo, Cespedes, Austin Hays for my Dozier.. What’ya think? Thank you as always

   • @D Landis: Yea I’d accept that.

4. Good read ty so much

5. great job Kerry thanks

6. I can’t decide on who to keep between Hoskins and Benintendi, so I’m thinking of trading both of them for an obvious upgrade. It’s a 12 team league, 6 x 6 each category (OBP and SLG), keep 3 forever (the players’ are kept in the first 3 rounds, no matter what).

   My first two keepers are Correa and Rizzo. Would you keep Hoskins or Benintendi? Is trading both of them for JD Martinez too much?

   • @JCM: too much. I’m pretty high on both hoskins and Benintendi.
     I’d keep Benintendi and see if you can shop hoskins for a pick to someone.

     • @Kerry Klug: Can I ask why you would pick Benintendi over Hoskins? I get the steals aspect of it, especially since I won’t be getting too many from Correa and Rizzo anyway, but I’m starting to think that Hoskins is a 5 category stud in my 6×6 league.

       Thanks.

       • @JCM: Benintendi had a great debut year as a 23 year old and has 25/25 potential with a TON of runs. I really like both — but Benintendi’s speed sets him above.

7. No Albies???

   • @Randy: was surprised by this as well…

   • @himom: @Randy: he’s definitely 101. I want to see what he’s capable of over a full season. I think he could end up pretty high on this list with a good season. I really like him.

8. 10 team mixed and my hitters are trout, lindor, arenado, benintendi with no year restrictions so this gave me a little chub

9. godley or taillon in a dynasty?

   • @himom: Taillon for me. I’m not super high on Godley… I might be alone on that.

10. I’m wondering how you think your approach to dynasty rankings differs from Tristan Cockroft’s at ESPN. My league has used his lists as gospel for a few years but I see significant disparity in some players, such as my boy Buxton.

    • @Adrian: You should be taking advantage of your leaguemates and pretending T-Cock doesn’t exist. Razz is your bible now!

    • @Adrian: I would steer as far clear of Cockroft’s rankings as you possibly can because they, well, they suck. He might be knowledgeable, but that is definitely not his area of expertise.

      • @Heathcliff Slocumb: my biggest concern with Cockcroft is his conservativeness with youth. I understand you don’t want to dive in on a guy after one good season, but I was holding on to Domingo Santana, Gallo, and Olson as potential trade bait for a higher caliber keeper. Cockcroft has them at 106, 94, and 101 respectively, which seemed kinda meh especially for Santana. I liked the bullishness of this list.

        • @Adrian: also I’m in 5×5 OBP

        • @Adrian: Don’t concern yourself with his rankings. Its that simple. You have the advantage if your leaguemates use his rankings. Its classic zig/zag 101.

          • @knucks: it could have value to know a list if he KNOWS others value it.

11. How much higher would you push Gallo up if your league uses OBP and SLG instead of AVG?

    • @knucks: quite significantly. Maybe around 41-50

12. what do i do with ohtani (batter) in my dynasty? had to draft both..would it be ok to cut him for any of these guys listed

    Gattis, C Hernandez, Glassnow, cotton, Soto, Triston mckenzie, Greene, Trammell, Collins

    thanks

    • @slimbo: cut no. I’d stand pat. Maybe see if anyone else is willing to trade for him.

13. In deep dynasties, who do you like better, Juan Minaya or Kyle Gibson?

    • @Anodyne: Juan Minaya. Not close.

      • @Kerry Klug: Sweet! Appreciate the decisive answer!

14. Does AF stand for as fuck?

15. Need to make cuts on my dynasty league team: 12 tm, 27 kept (basically we’re dumping players that were carried last year in 3 DL spots and 1 NA spot). So need to cut four of these six: Jose Martinez, Pedroia, Kepler, E Rodriguez, J Nelson, Corbin. I’m deep in pitching; no aces, but Paxton, Wood, Castillo, Berrios, Duffy, Hendricks, A Reyes, Godley, W Buehler – any of whom I think would disappear in a heartbeat if thrown back in the pool to eat up our 1300 IP max). I’m thin in the OF, so leaning toward keeping Kepler. Thoughts on which four should be the dumpees?

    • @dprat: Pedroia Martinez ERod and Corbin if you’re committed to Kepler.

16. Great list thanks!

    14-team h2h, keep 9

    Trade away Benintendi/Keuchel (or Quintana) for Machado? Not planning to keep either SP (will go back in the draft pool otherwise). Or should I just keep Benintendi (late round keeper vs early round Machado).

    Other keepers: Stanton, Harper, Arendo, Trea, Abreu, Kershaw, Thor, Benintendi, (T Beckham, Puig, Segura, Keuchel or Quintana)

    Also, any specific reason Puig didn’t make the cut? He’s heading into his year 28 season and is projected at a WAR over 3 in one of the best lineups in the NL. Too much personality risk?

    Thanks again

    • @Steve: I always tend to keep the later round keepers to free up my picks but machado is pretty special… I’d grab him if you could. However… He’s hell bent on being a SS going forward so you might have a logjam at that position with trea.
      Puig is another guy who just missed. Young but volatile. I actually think he’s settled into a normal American ball player life. With another solid season he will be here next year.

17. In my 14 team keeper league I have Merrifield,Happ and Story. What do you think about them?

    • @Ciwa: I have them: Whit, Happ, Story.
      Whit: nice sb, decent HR. But yuck to that lineup
      Happ: great power but how many ABs?
      Story: that 2017 average is legit. And Brendan Rodgers is knocking on the door.

18. Hey Kerry,
    15 team obp slg K/9 QS keep 11
    My keepers right now are:
    Gallo Odor Devers Schwarber Puig Torres
    Sale Bauer Castillo Osuna

    Would you move Castillo for Berrios and Krush?
    Also how early would you take Vlad Jr in the draft…maybe round 2 ?

    • @Nightpandas: Keeper league better grab Vlad #1

      • @Mike L: Also if you need extra OF that trade is fair I think Berrios will be better

    • @Nightpandas: Yea I like that trade a lot.
      Depending on who’s available Vlad will be one of the first 5 players taken.

19. Standard 12-team 5×5 $260 auction league…

    My potential keepers are all stacked together on your list; please help me decide as I can only keep ONE of the following!

    Elvis $13
    Murphy $20
    Upton $21
    Carrasco $22

    • @LeftCoastYankee: I’d go with Elvis despite what my most recent article says…$13 opens up a lot more opportunities with your $$$

20. Really enjoyed this article, thanks!

    One guy I’m interested in why he missed the list was Travis Shaw. Ive been waiting for him to get a full time job and he finally did and put up Rizzo esque numbers. He’s younger too. Thoughts on him? Just not a believer?

    • @Dan: I like Shaw but we need to see it for a second season.

21. Value wise carrasco

22. Keeper league where you give up round drafted to keep for next season. Need to pick seven of the following.
    Arenado (round 1); Corey seager (round 2); Freedie Freeman (3); benintendi (9); Jose Ramirez (18); bellinger (23); severino (last round); hoskins (last round); devers (last round). I’d appreciate any advice

    • @Ballin:
      Can you keep all three guys in the last round or just 1 of them?
      Because if no — I’d keep Devers and Severino.
      If you can: I’d throw back Seager and Ramirez.

23. what side in a dynasty

    starling marte
    or
    odor and 1 of bauer or paxton (would be getting this side)

    • @Swick:

      Young Swick?

    • @Swick:
      I like Marte actually.

24. Great article! Question – 10 team Standard H2H with 4 keepers and I don’t know what to do. Trout, Arenado, Goldschmidt and Bellinger are my current keepers but I have Kershaw. Am I making the wrong choice letting him go for Bellinger or Goldschmidt?

    • @John:
      I’d throw back Bellinger if you can.

25. we keep 3 hitters for as long as we want, no penalties.. my first 2 are trea & correa… I have to pick from bregman and benintendi for my next to. Who would you pick I’m leaning bregman because of the third base eligibility

    thank you and great write up

    • @nathan:
      For me its Bregman.

26. Hi. We are a progressive keeper league. I am starting the season with
    G Sanchez
    M Betts
    G Stanton
    C Bellinger
    A Judge
    C Carrasco
    C Archer
    I will have my first pick in the 8th round. I know you can’t give me specific picks, but what position should I look to

    Thanks
    Craig

    • @Craig:
      best available middle infielder.

27. Great list! Trying to decide my first pick in a keeper league.. Pick 3rd and best available are Buxton, Hosmer, Cruz, Murphy, Ohtani, Acuna, Yoan.. Probably putting them in about that order for who I want this year. Tend to lean towards proven guys even though it’s a keeper. If Buxton isn’t there do I go young or stick with the reliable vets?
    Thanks!

    • @Kevin:
      Without knowing who you’re keeping I’d go Buxton first and then go young.
      Not high on Hosmer this year, Cruz will fall, Murphy has been falling in drafts.

28. Thanks for the list!

    Benintendi at number 11 seems really high tho … 20/15 .280 ?

    • @Slappy Jack: I’m thinking 22/22/.290 with 100 runs and 80 RBI with the potential for more. And he’s only 23 so you can hang on to him for at least a decade in most keeper leagues.

29. So I’m trying to decide whether to keep Rhys Hoskins versus Yu Darvish, your 40 and 41 ranked guys.

    Most I’ve talked to have counseled Rhys (this is in a keep-forever-four guys league, no inflation or anything like that). As he significantly younger, has great power, and seems to have less injury risk.

    I guess I’m looking for a bit more color on why you have Darvish above Hoskins (realizing they are literally as close as they can be).

    • @Pine Tar Incident: You know, your question made me reexamine my rankings — because I DO like Hoskins over Darvish. I would flip flop them and maybe move up Hoskins a bit too. Read the little blurb i wrote about him in the rankings — he’s got a safe plate discipline floor and should have a lot of Phillies on base ahead of him.

      • @Kerry Klug: Appreciate the reply, Hoskins it is! Thanks man.

30. Thanks for the super helpful list!
    Keeper question/ (6×6 OBP, SLG, QS instead of Wins)
    We get to keep up to 6 players. I have:
    Freeman, Rizzo, Lindor, J-Ramirez, Kershaw, Donaldson, MadBum.
    I thinking of keeping those first 5 but struggling with Madbum or Donaldson.
    What do y’all think? Both have their risks and rewards.

    • @Austin:
      I’ve been in 5 drafts this weekend and grabbed MadBum in 3 of them. I’m pretty high on him this year.

31. Roto League (5×5) (OBP instead of AVG)

    5 Keepers with 12 years total (you do not have to use all 12 years) to hand contracts out:

    Current Players on contract whom I will keep:
    Betts 2 years
    Buxton 2 years
    Rendon 1 year

    Players I have to choose TWO from to keep and give a contract to:

    Jonathan Schoop
    Michael Conforto
    Ian Happ
    James Taillon
    Blake Treinen

    NOTE: I have the second pick in the draft. Players coming off contract and are in the draft this year

    Mike Trout ( I assume he will go #1)
    Jose Altuve
    Goldschmidt
    Freddie Freeman
    Machado
    Blackmon

    Just wondering what two you would go with to keep taking into account who you think I should draft at #2 assuming Trout goes #1

    • @ALB:
      I’d go…Ian Happ 3 years and James Taillon for 2.
      Normally I’d say Schoop as well — but with your #2 pick you’re grabbing Altuve.

32. Thanks Kerry!

    I use this list every year and it always has served me well.
    I just keep drafting players off this list weather I need them or not until they are all gone.
    3 championships and one loss in the championship game in 4 years in a 12 team 8 player keeper forever.
    Going to wait on Vlad Jr this year though.

33. Awesome list as always! No senzel tho?

    • @Brian Bushman:
      Senzel is another guy who is around the 101 range. Don’t know when/how he’ll do in the bigs. He might struggle in his first year up like some guys do. A lot of upward mobility though.

34. What would your strategy be for a keeper league that does contracts. You can keep a player you drafted in the auction the year before for the same value the following year but each additional year you keep them, you have to increase their price by $5 for hitters and $4 for pitchers. The max contract length is 5 years.

    This is the 2nd year of doing this and other guys in my league have signed almost everyone to long 5 year deals which limits the player pool in the auction. One guy has every “young stud” signed to 5 years even without a track record. My strategy has been to not sign that many long term deals and just pick proven guys out of the auction for cheap. Example A: Ozuna went for $1 last year and now I can keep him for $1 in 2018 and I signed him to a 3 year deal so his contract the following years are $6 and $11.

    Any recommendations on how many years to sign a guy like Ozuna that go super cheap? I feel like a lot of guys are going to have some terrible contracts once it’s all said and done and dropping them they forfeit or have to payout 50% of the remaining contract if they drop them.

    • @Amolnar: For me this type of thing all comes down to age. Ages 27-29 are typically a player’s prime so if you can sign a younger guy through these years — I’d spend the extra money/years.
      If someone is turning 29-30 — I’d aim for less years because the decline is going to start setting in.
      The problem with signing every young stud for 5 years is that they might not pan out until year 5 OR — they won’t reach their peak until after that contract.

35. need to keep two guys,
    Stanton can be kept this year in the 2nd round then next year 1st round and year after that in the 1st round,
    Bryant can be kept this year in the 3rd but then cant be kept again
    Machado can be kept this year in the 4th but then cant be kept again
    Hoskins can be kept this year in the 10th, then 9th, then 8th
    Buxton can be kept this year in the 15th, then 14th, then 13th

    • @Paul:
      I’m always the type of guy who keeps deeper value so I’d go with Hoskins & Buxton.
      Stanton’s length of contract and his potential in NY is enticing though…
      I’d lean Stanton + Hoskins

36. 12 team mixed keeper with 3 year fixed contracts (draft round is the cost), daily lineups, 5 bench spots and we can keep up to 8. Here’s what I’m keeping so far(draft round, years left on contract in parentheses):
    Betts(1,1)
    Strasburg (3,2)
    Darvish (5,1)
    Judge(24,2)
    Gordon (25,1)
    Bregman (26,1)
    Hoskins (27,2)

    With those keepers set, unsure about the last keeper spot. I can keep:
    Moncada (16, 2)
    Marwin Gonzalez (28, 2)

    Marwin is incredibly useful in a daily league because he is eligible everywhere except P. Is this worth throwing back Moncada?

    • We have a very similar league and I would say Moncada is the more valuable keeper for the next two years.

    • @JoeBoo: I like Moncada more. Even with marwin’s discount.

37. Great read! Thank you for your hard work. Got a late start to my research for this years season. Having a hard time deciding my final keeper in a 12 team h2h ops and qs are extra cats.

    I’m already keeping Bryant lindor benentendi Khris Davis Robinson cano and verlander. I’m writing between Paxton McCullers and berrios.

    I was on the berrios train and he burned me his first year. I added him late in the year as a flier. McCullers is nasty but is he going to be the same as Paxton. Ace talent with poor health.

    Thank you in advance!!

    • @Dunder Mifflin: I reallllly like Berrios this year and going forward.

38. 12 team H2H: R, HR, RBI, NSB, OBP, SLG & IP, ERA, WHIP, SV, QS, K/9. Keep 6 in the round they were drafted. Judge, Bryant, Conforto, Mazara and Faria all in the 15-19 rounds. Keep one more from J. Nelson, Dickerson, Souza Jr., or LeMehieu in the 20th or E. Diaz 5th? I’m leaning towards Nelson (have two DL slots to stash him) or LeMehieu even though I don’t think LeMehieu is all that sexy of a keeper.

    • @DaveHuffJr: I like LeMahieu in the 20th. Him + Judge make a nice pair.

39. I’m the defending champ in a 10-team league where each team gets to select 6 keepers from year to year. It’s a 6×6, h2h, roto league with 6th categories of OPS and holds for hitting and pitching, respectively.

    My current keepers are Nolan Arenado, Carlos Correa, Kris Bryant, Cody Bellinger, and Clayton Kershaw.

    Who do you like out of the following options for my final spot? Jose Abreu, Rhys Hoskins, Byron Buxton, Ronald Acuna, Jacob deGrom, and Shohei Ohtani

    With my strong offensive group of keepers, would it make sense to gamble on Acuna’s massive upside? Or is a player like Abreu or Hoskins safer?

    • With that being said, I was recently offered a trade of my Jacob deGrom and Anthony Rendon for his George Springer. Would he jump to the front of the pack as the best option compared to what I have now?

40. Can only keep 5 of Abreu, Cruz, Dozier, Springer, J. Turner, Judge, Andrus. Please help

    • @Jay Boopers: Judge. Springer. Abreu. Dozier. Turner.

41. Having trouble in 10-team pts for my last keeper selection, ave betts,lindor,ramirez,yelich, and strasburg lined up it comes down to a battle between Abreu and Hoskins for like last spot.

    • @FUZZIEDEE: I’d go with Hoskins.

42. Keeper league:
    My options heading into 2018:
    -trea
    -arenado
    -Benintendi
    -Gary Sanchez
    -rizzo
    -Thor

    Weighing possibility of keeping Syndergaard over rizzo (have owned rizzo for 3+ Years and love the dude), but forsee thor being better than rizzo after 2019 like you and will likely be drafted before I can reclaim him. Thoughts on which way I should lean?

    • @Peteraz: I’d go with thor since you are looking really solid offensively. SPOILER ALERT: in the 2018 predictions article thats coming later this month thor is going to be my pick for NL Cy Young

43. I own both Schoop and Moncado in a 10 team, 5 player keeper league. points based, head to head match up’s. weekly lock.

    According to your rankings above, my current keepers should be the following
    Bryce Harper
    Charlie Blackmon
    Yoan Moncado
    Starling Marte
    Jacob DeGrom

    Keep in mind i’m also own Schoop and Hosmer and was considering keeping over both Marte and Moncado before i read the above. My question is, why such a disparity between Moncado and Schoop and is going with 3 keeper OF’s smart?

    thanks in advance for your insight.

    • @Richie Suess: 2017 could be Schoop’s career year and is just a power threat. while Moncada has a lot of room to grow into his power & speed threat.
      I don’t mind 3 OFs — it frees you up to focus on other positions.

44. Hi,
    12-team H2H points league. Our league plays 2 games per week (Mon-Thur and Fri-Sun) and we use 5 SP per game, so SP are highly valued in this league. We can keep 8 players every year without surrendering draft pick or anything, and my top 6 is already set. For the last 2 I’m debating between the following players: Jon Gray, David Price, Miggy Cabrera, Ryan Braun, Greg Bird, Lorenzo Cain, DJ LeMahieu. FYI my top 6 includes 4 hitters (Trea Turner, Stanton, Gary Sanchez, Yelich) and 2 starters (Strasburg and Keuchel). Any advise on who to keep in these last 2 spots??
    Thanks!

    • @David: I’d go with Price if SP is valued and probably Bird. You already have 3 OF so that counts out Braun/Cain. LeMahieu doesn’t hit for enough power or steal enough bases to keep and Miggy is an unknown at this point but won’t be what he once was. It’s too early to trust gray for me.

45. First time reader, appreciate your insight. I’m in a head to head category league and we kept 9 from last year. Mine are Correra, JD Martinez, Bryant, Posey, Gordon, Donaldson, Ozuna, Bum, and Ray.
    In draft should I focus first on getting a 1b, CF or Closer?

    Thanks

    • @Foulball: It’s hard to say without knowing who is available. Were keepers already announced?
      My first inclination is to say 1B. 1B is surprisingly shallow and sad once you get past the top 12ish.

46. Hey guys, just inherited a team in a keeper league, 11 team Roto:

    Runs, HR, RBI, AVG, SB

    ERA, WHIP, Quality Starts, Saves/Holds, K

    Can keep 3 guys, values are as follows…who would you keep?

    Álex Cláudio Tex – RP  1
    Brandon Belt SF – 1B,OF  4
    Corey Kluber Cle – SP  45
    David Price Bos – SP,RP  30
    Dexter Fowler StL – OF  8
    DJ LeMahieu Col – 2B  1
    Drew Pomeranz Bos – SP  3
    Dustin Pedroia Bos – 2B  6
    Eduardo Núñez Bos – 2B,3B,SS,OF  5
    Edwin Díaz Sea – RP  14
    Ervin Santana Min – SP  1
    Eugenio Suárez Cin – 3B  3
    Fernando Rodney Min – RP  1
    Jeurys Familia NYM – RP  6
    Jonathan Lucroy Col – C  14
    Kole Calhoun LAA – OF  3
    Mike Moustakas KC – 3B  4
    Nicholas Castellanos Det – 3B,OF  1
    Nolan Arenado Col – 3B  58
    Rajai Davis Cle – OF  1
    Rick Porcello Bos – SP  1
    Starlin Castro Mia – 2B  1
    Wade Davis Col – RP  18
    Xander Bogaerts Bos – SS  35
    Yoenis Céspedes NYM – OF  38
    Zack Greinke Ari – SP  16

    • @SDub88: Arenado, Nunez, and LeMahieu I guess. This is definitely going to be a rebuilding year for you. Even Arenado at 58 is too expensive…but there really isn’t much else to keep.

47. I need to keep one of Ian Happ or Yoan Moncada .

    14 team Roto league where you keep 2 outfielders, 2 Infielders and 2 pitchers. Can keep them indefinitely. Other keepers are Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant in OF and Manny Machado INF, plus Scherzer and Carrasco Pitchers.

    Need 1 more infielder either Moncada or Happ.

    • @Sam: I’d keep Moncada based on potential. Although check on Javier Baez’s injury as your keeper announce date approaches to see if Happ has that job locked up….he has 30 HR upside while Moncada has 25/25 potential in the future.

48. These are the stats for the above Moncada or Happ Keeper ???

    R
    HR
    RBI
    SB
    BB
    Assists
    FPCT
    AVG

49. Thank you for this comprehensive list. Will help my tremendously in my draft.

    I am in a 8 keeper league (first 8 picks), and plan on keeping Trout, Stanton, Bellinger, Degrom. Deciding next four between Hoskins, Boegarts, Buxton, Ohtani (yes, available as free agent before draft and I grabbed him), Contrares, Hosmer, Cole, Segura.

50. Im in a keep 10 guys with the option of keeping 12. My roster is below. Who would you suggest I keep ?
    C posey
    1b votto
    2b schoop
    3b rendon
    Ss Bregman
    Of jd Martinez
    Of
    Of
    Util encarcion
    Sp sale, c. Martinez, Nola

    Extras: bogaerts, Rosario, Olsen, conforto , odor

    Thanks for your help

51. Standard (except OBP not AVG) 12-team 5×5 $260 auction league

    Four keepers allowed per year, but a player can only be kept for 3 years

    I am keeping Bellinger and Severino. Need to pick two from:

    Francisco Lindor $23
    JD Martinez $21
    Justin Verlander $14
    Robbie Ray $6
    Byron Buxton $5

    Thanks in advance

52. a.reyes behind a few SP is nutzo. it’s TJ. it’s not a shoulder thing.

    where you read that vlad is first with the 80? not saying it’s common but hardish to believe anybody has a higher than bryant got a few years back. or trout maybe had.

53. 10 team H2H league.

    R, HR, TB, RBI, K, SB, OBP

    IP, QS, SV, ERA, WHIP, K/9, K/BB

    Can keep up to 10 of

    Bellinger
    Altuve
    Albies
    Shaw
    Hoskins
    Buxton
    Devers
    Ian Happ
    Rosario
    Acuna
    Severino
    Felipe Rivero
    Castillo
    Berrios

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