Points Leagues: Oh No You Rendon’t

In recent news, Cody Bellinger still leads all hitters in fantasy points with about 85. I say “about” because it depends on your scoring system. Aside from the fact that he is on pace for 81 home runs, there’s little I can say about Bellinger that would make him any less of a must own, must start player. We all know he’s not going to come close to 81 home runs, but I have a feeling he’s going to pick up quite a few fantasy points trying. Besides, playing the “on pace” game is a very dangerous proposition less than three weeks into the season.

Let’s switch gears and talk about a third baseman that’s been on fire. Not literally. If he was, I suggest a stop, drop and roll. My Kindergarten aged daugher asked me the other day what I would do if I were on fire. I said I’d punch my buddy standing behind me holding the lighter. She was trying to show me that she had learned stop, drop and roll in school that day. Guessed I got my signals crossed. But back to our regularly scheduled programming. The 3B I speak of is Anthony Rendon. You know it really feels like Rendon is under appreciated in points leagues. Year after year he’s a top performer and over the last three he’s averaged about 435 points per season (0.71 PPPA). To attempt to put that into perspective, Bryce Harper has averaged 439 points (0.72 PPPA) over that same span. Rendon has been a top 15 overall hitter. Right now he has about 64 points (1.33 PPPA) and if he can stay on the field all season I think this will be his first 500+ point season and he will finish as the top 3B. Move over Nolan, there’s something leaner! Anyone get that line?

Many have probably forgotten, but Dansby Swanson was the number one overall draft pick back in 2015. He was selected before Alex Bregman, Andrew Benintendi and everyone else drafted that year. While his last two seasons have been mediocre to say the least, it’s worth keeping in mind that he is just 25 years young. What does that mean? It means there’s still a chance he could turn into the player he was expected to be on draft day. I’m not betting the farm on  him, but Dansby is off to a very good start (52 points, 1.15 PPPA) this season and should be owned in more than 75 percent of leagues.

Jason Heyward. Nope. Not buying it. That ship has sailed.

Daniel Vogelbach. I’m not sure what to make of him. Through ten games he’s batting .400 with 8 home runs and 54 points. He’s in the top ten for points and is number two in PPPA (1.42) right behind Trout (1.47). The Mariners as a whole seems to be overachieving, so it’s hard to tell what’s what in Seattle. For now I’d say ride him while’s he’s hot. If you own him and can trade him for something valuable, do it. I find it rather difficult to believe he will finish a top ten first baseman.

In case you were wondering which batter had the best points per plate appearance and couldn’t figure it out based on the previous paragraph, I’ll tell you. It’s Mike Trout. Last week it was Willians Astudillo, but he’s since dropped to thirteen with a 1.08 PPPA.

Alex Gordon is still going strong. Not sure what else to say there except ride the hot hand.

The second highest point scoring 1B is Pete Alonso. I realize it’s only like 13 or so games into the season, but had you told me this is how it would be two weeks ago, I’d have laughed at you. Guess who’d be laughing now. He’s averaging about 1.1 point every time he steps into the batter’s box. I don’t expect him to keep up that pace, but I do think he will end the season a top ten 1B if he continues to get plate appearances.

Here are the top four points per plate appearance hitters.

I know I said I’d look into pitchers this week, but that just not how the cards were played. I’ll see what I can do next week.

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