I will stop berating Grey’s over-zealous rankings and try to sway you on some position battles. My skills of persuasion are top notch; every player I think will win the battle will magically have 600 plate appearances or throw 200 innings. I will be focusing on the AL, in a three part series, starting with the sexy AL East today. I won’t be discussing sexy names like Manny Machado, Jose Bautista or Mookie Betts C.C. Sabathia. But first! We need to discuss a very important matter. I watched two videos where a young YouTuber, we’ll call him Jug, was creating a resume and performing a mock interview to apply for a very generic entry-level job coming that you would apply for coming out of college. A little context, Jug is a 20-something year old, recent college grad who has been making YouTube videos to support himself the past 1-2 years. As he is creating his resume and performing the mock interview he sounds like the most ignorant human being ever created. In the interview he talks about the size of his Johnson and how he’s had a threesome before. Inappropriate in all regards and a real embarrassment to the parenting he received and the institutions he attended for schooling. It is very possible the videos and his entire life is scripted but if this isn’t the case then I fear for the youth of today.
Baltimore Orioles
We have a trio of platooning here at the 3rd OF spot and DH, Nolan Reimold, Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez. Obviously Alvarez cannot field, probably worse than Hanley, so against lefties I expect Reimold and Trumbo to play while versus righties I expect Alvarez to always be in the lineup. Trumbo is a terrible outfielder, but as the trio of him, Chris Davis and Alvarez exist, adjustments need to be made. I would definitely take Trumbo and Alvarez ahead of Reimold as they both should project to have more at bats and their power potential is much higher. Id project 500, 425 and 250 plate appearances for Trumbo, Alvarez and Reimold Respectively. BUT make sure to play the matchups and prepare for platooning.
Boston Red Sox
Rusney Castillo vs. Chris Young
This will end up being Castillo getting the starting nod and being forced to prove he can be an everyday major league and contribute. Chris young is a good bet to poach at bats from both Castillo and Bradley Jr as neither are sure things. Super utility man Brock Holt will steal some at bats from both of them.
Pablo Sandoval vs. Food
Any position that sees an opening will give Brock Holt all the more value. Holt can play 7 positions on the field at an above average level and give you a very solid bat as well. The only thing standing in his way from the starting 3B ranking is Top Chef hot dog eating contestant. I wouldn draft Sandoval with a contingency plan or backup. Holt amassed 450 at bats both of the last 2 season playing every position.
Joe Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Henry Owens, Roenis Elias, Stephen Wright
I personally think Joe Kelly is total trash and would not draft him in a 46 team league. He is locked in as the SP4 with Rodriguez’s injury. I expect him to stay in the rotation unless the the Red Sox decide to actually use their brains and take a look at his stats and realize how bad he really is. With Hanley and the cookie monster in the infield I can only expect terrible things. Owens, Elias and Wright are fighting for the 5th spot while Rodriguez is out and I would expect Wright to win it but no matter what happens it’s short lived unless there is other injuries. Pretty much when Clay Buccholz gets hurt the battle resumes!
New York Yankees
Due date of first outfield injury vs. Aaron Hicks
Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury will miss at least 60 combines games this season. That I guarantee. Then I see A-Rod at 1B and envision at least 300 plate appearances for Hicks with opportunity for regular at bats with an injury to any of these 3 old men. I can see a sneaky 15-15 play late in drafts here.
Aroldis Chapman vs. Andrew Miller vs. Dellin Betances
These are three of the best arms in baseball. Take a moment to enjoy them. Now, with Chapman’s suspension, Miller gets a bump, Chapman likely resumes the closer role after the suspension leading to Miller and Betances getting rogue saves here and there. Betances is actually my favorite of the bunch but for some reason they don’t want him to be their #1 guy.
Tampa Bay Rays
Kevin Kiermaier vs. Desmond Jennings vs. Steven Souza
I think it’s time for the Rays to move on from Jennings. He’s been a bust and I expect them to slowly move away from him. Kiermaier I like as a potential OF3/4 guy because he offers good a good speed power combo. Jennings vs Souza is a toss up, I dislike them both, but would lean towards Jennings early on and as he continues to disappoint move to Souza or potentially even Mikie Mahtook.
Logan Morrison vs. Steve Pearce
I expect this to be a platoon from the get go and would really avoid them both in most non-deep league teams. I’d start considering them around picks 250-300. Both are power guys that have underachieved their entire careers. Look at the lefty righty matchups.
Catcher
Hank Conger is the only one I’d consider unless you’re in a 2 catcher league. He provides a bit of power but the entire situation is a mess right now and I would not go near it. Curt Casali and Rene Rivera are the other names you should know but avoid unless you need 2 catchers.
Toronto Blue Jays
Aaron Sanchez vs. Drew Hutchison
Aaron Sanchez is filthy, if he can become consistent and maintain his stamina I could see him being very valuable at his current ADP’s. Hutchinson I almost feel is a lost cause and it would really be terrible if they wasted Sanchez’s arm now. I think the Jays will give Hutchison the crack but I disagree with it completely.
Drew Storen vs. Roberto Osuna
This one is a toss up right now. Some people say Storen, some say Osuna. Foolish to guess at this stage to be honest. You don’t want to be foolish do you? I’ve also heard rumblings that they might want to shift Osuna to a starter long term; he is just 21 so this thought is only natural. I would guess Storen gets the nod as the closer but I wouldn’t be surprised if Osuna won it or even if they shared the role.
Till next time folks!
