[brid autoplay=”true” video=”373879″ player=”10951″ title=”2019 Razzball Draft Kit Shortstops”]
Some of the highlights of this post last year were Tim Anderson, Gleyber Torres, Amed Rosario and Marcus Semien. Then there were guys like Addison Russell and Chad Pinder — or simply Chaddison — and *raspberries lips* So they’re not all winners, but 2nd basemen to target and the shortstops are necessary evils like changing your underwear. Whether you want to or not, it is a good idea to take a flyer on a late middle infielder, and you should still expect to get crapped on. That metaphor was like the yodeling guy in The Price is Right. This is a (legal-in-all-countries-except-Lichtenstein) supplement to the top 20 shortstops for 2019 fantasy baseball. The players listed have a draft rank after 200 on other sites. Click on the player’s name where applicable to read more and see their 2019 projections. Anyway, here’s some shortstops to target for 2019 fantasy baseball:
Jorge Polanco (219 NFBC, 202 ESPN, 225 Yahoo) Completely and utterly off topic, but who was the idiot who put the O key right below the zero key on the keyboard? Or I should say idi0t. That nonsense trips me up 5,000 times a day. Or rather 5,ooo. One other note that’s more on topic but still not about Polanco, I went over Garrett Hampson and others in the 2nd basemen to target post, so don’t ask me why they’re not included again, which is to say that will be the number one question of me. *long breath* So, Polanco reminds me of Joey Wendle, and, if Polanco hits in the top three of the Twins’ lineup, it’s going to be hard for him not to justify at least a top 200 pick. I think even yours truly has under-ranked him.
Chris Taylor (219 NFBC, 232 ESPN, 201 Yahoo) I cheated a little by not including Taylor in the 2nd basemen to target (that’s pronounced tarjay), because I knew this post was going to be super light since so many shortstops also have 2nd base eligibility. I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t mind Chris Taylor, but Dave Roberts and his stupid platoons and, bleh, I’m gonna go take a nap and start a podcast like everyone else.” First off, Taylor played in 155 games last year and had 604 plate appearances. Roberts tends to play Taylor — Playlor? — but I will admit that playing time could be a bit more squeezed for him with Seager healthy. As for that other part, you should start a podcast, everyone has one! Taylor is not an exciting name as he currently stands, but to become very valuable, he needs to hit 17-ish homers (around his projections), steal 17 bags (what he did in 2017) and see an injury to Justin Turner or Pollock (very possible), so Taylor hits in the top third of the lineup.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (302 NFBC, unranked ESPN, unranked Yahoo) As I said earlier this preseason, “Fernando Tatis Jr. was born in 1999. Recently, it was announced Acuña was so young he didn’t know who Mickey Mantle was, well, Tatis Jr. is so young he doesn’t know who Mike Trout is. Tatis’s dad is so young he didn’t even use charcoal as his medium; he used MS Paint. Tatis Jr. looks like an All-Star ready to happen, until the 75th round draft pick, Albert Pujols Jr., comes along and replaces him. Tatis looks damn near perfect. A lanky Machado maybe, a young Hanley possibly. Like something Ryan Brasier would cover, Tatis looks real and spectacular. I’d say the difference him and his pops is the difference between Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr., but Ken Sr. wasn’t that bad. How about this, the difference between Tatises (Tatii?) is the difference between J.D. Martinez and J.D. Martinez Sr. Was there a J.D. Martinez Sr.? No idea, but that’s the point. FTJ is going to be special. Now Fun the Jewels fast! Now Fun the Jewels fast! Now Fun the Jewels fast!” And that’s me quoting me! The only question is how much we see of FTJ this year. Don’t think it’s much, unfortch, but, if I’m wrong, and he’s up early, he’s going to be worth owning in every league.
Hernan Perez (405 NFBC, unranked ESPN, unranked Yahoo) Wow, here’s an exciting name! Hey, shortstops were light on guys after 200 overall, which is worth noting, so I had to pad a little. Truth bomb alert! I almost ranked Hernan Perez about 100 spots earlier, and would if I thought he could get 450+ ABs. I love Hernan Perez if he’s getting at-bats. I don’t love how crowded the Brewers’ lineup is. Well, I do for the guys in the lineup, but not for Hernan.
Didi Gregorius (419 NFBC, unranked ESPN, 255 Yahoo) His ranking is all over the map like an estuary, and there’s a good chance in shallower leagues he’ll be available to stream into your lineup. (Cartographers are like, “I see what you did there, and I like it.) However, if you have DL spots to spare, you could see Didi back by June/July and I’d be shocked if he’s not an everyday player if he’s healthy. So, a pick around 300 now, could yield a top 150 guy two months into the season. That sounds delicious to me; I may just start calling him Chef Boyardidi! Or not. I’m still in committee with myself.
Brendan Rodgers (568 NFBC, unranked ESPN, unranked Yahoo) The Rockies will call up Rodgers as early as June 15th of this year or as late as June 15th, the year after the apocalypse as predicted in the Book of ELA, which is short for Escape from L.A. Rodgers will be known in either scenario as Robo Blastoff 5000, and he will hit more dingers than the Rockies’ mascot, Dinger, dinging his own dong in a Swedish massage parlor. Do you understand me? Am I speaking clearly enough for you? Rodgers will be up soon and hit home runs or he won’t be up for 27 years because the Rockies are dumb. Is that plain enough for you or do you need me to spell it out to you again in hot wings inside a Hooter’s? Am I being clear now?
