Top Dynasty Keepers: A Royal And Two Snakes

Whether you are a long-time dynasty player or new to the format, it is not too hard to figure out the top players. Everyone will be after those players and you should be able to get your fair share of them.

But the difference between winning and losing is finding the players in the late rounds or off the waiver wire who may have a breakout season. While the baseball season only weeks away, dynasty league owners are gearing up for their drafts or scouring the waiver wire to find possible hidden gems.

The Case

Today we are going to look at three players who could provide a spark to your pitching staff. One of the players in Kansas City Royals starter Brady Singer while the other two – Drey Jameson and Ryne Nelson – are battling for a spot in the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation. Nelson enters the season as the 8th-ranked prospect in the Arizona system while Jameson is ranked 9th.

Singer is the more established player as he is entering his fourth season with the Royals and is coming off a solid season. In fact, he is currently rostered in 85 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Jameson and Nelson, however, are basically being ignored by fantasy owners. Jameson is rostered in only 0.8% of ESPN leagues and 5% of Yahoo leagues and Nelson is rostered in 0.5% of ESPN leagues and 2% of Yahoo leagues. Arizona selected both Jameson and Nelson in the 2019 draft, nabbing Jameson out of Ball State in the first round and Nelson out of Oregon State one round later.

Let’s take a look at the three pitchers.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

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2023 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Rankings: Top 200

March 11, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Keepers, Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Keeper Leagues | 24 Comments

by: Jakkers

If you are starting a team in a new dynasty league, take a look at the position breakdown of the top 200 players, using the main position for utility players except for one, who plays basically any position in the field.

What quickly jumps out is the lack of depth at second base and third base. The second and third base positions alone add up to only one more Top 100 player than the shortstop position. There are some great players at those two positions, but the overall quality lacks compared to shortstop or first base.

When it comes to catchers and relief pitchers, I can tell you right now that there are few of them ranked. There are a lot of good catchers, but many of them will get only 110 or so starts or they are getting up in age, making them less than desired dynasty options.

As for the relivers, I never chase saves (or holds if your league has them). How many players dread chasing Aroldis Chapman last year or a host of other top closers? Meanwhile, five new closer will come out the woodwork this year that you can get in the middle of the season.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Rankings: Players 25-1

March 4, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Keepers, Fantasy Baseball Rankings | 24 Comments

by: Jakkers

After seven weeks of highlighting the top 175 dynasty players, we are finally at the finish line of the 2023 Dynasty Rankings. Today is Christmas and Opening Day merged into one fantastical moment as the final 25 players – the Tier 1 group – are unveiled.

What You Won’t See

When selecting from the top dynasty players, I lean heavily towards hitters. So, in this tier, there are only three pitchers, four if you count an athlete who is out of this world.

You also are going to see a lot of players aged 30 or younger. Of the 25 players in this tier, only two players are older than 30. It’s pretty obvious why, but in case you need it explained – you want the top players for as long as possible, so youth is the obvious choice when building a dynasty team.

What You Will See

While Tier 2 features nine middle infielders, this tier is heavy on outfielders – 10 to be exact. These players don’t just hit homers or for average or just steal bases. These are the five- and four-tool players that lead dynasty teams to championships.

And if you have been asking yourself where the top corner infielders have been during the countdown, well they are here as nine corner infielders grace this tier.

With that said, let’s get on with the 2023 Dynasty Rankings: Players 25-1.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Rankings: Players 50-26

February 25, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Keepers, Fantasy Baseball Rankings | 2 Comments

by: Jakkers

Welcome back to another week of the 2023 Dynasty Rankings. We have turned the corner and we are now racing down the home stretch as the focus this week is on players 50-26 – my Tier 2 group.

This tier is pretty diverse when it comes to the ages of the players and the percentage of pitchers appearing in this tier may surprise you. As you probably know by now, I like hitters more than pitchers.

However, in this tier, I have 10 pitchers. Why are 40 percent of the players in this tier pitchers?

Well, the answer is pretty simple. I don’t trust young pitchers nearly as much as I trust veteran pitchers or even young hitters. When starting a team in a new dynasty league or trying to fill holes in my current dynasty leagues, while I won’t chase pitching, I will look to take a top veteran pitcher over the stud rookie hurler.

Pitching Experience over Youth

As a whole, the pitcher in his mid- to late-20s, or even early 30s, has established his track record compared to a 23-year-old. That young pitcher could be great, but he can also take three to four years to get to that level of greatness, especially with so many major league teams now limiting the number of innings a young pitcher will throw in a season.

I don’t want to reach the playoffs only to have a host of pitchers shut down because they reached an arbitrary innings limit. Thus, of the 10 pitchers you will find in this tier, seven of them are between the ages of 25 and 30. Two are over 30 and one is 24.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Rankings: 100-76

February 11, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Keepers, Fantasy Baseball Rankings | 4 Comments

by: Jakkers

Well, we have made it through the first 100 players in this year’s 2023 Dynasty Rankings. Now, just another 100 more players to go.

This week rankings feature players ranked numbers 100 to 76 – or my Tier 4 players. This group of 25 players features only eight pitchers, seven of which are starters. The group also skews to the under-30 crowd as only 10 of the players in this tier are 30 or over.

Season Slowing Inching Closer

Next week the start of Spring Training is here, which means the real season is just around the corner. But until then, the next month will be about you creating a new team (or teams) in dynasty baseball leagues are continuing to tweak your current team(s).

No matter what you are looking forward to – Spring Training, the regular season, drafts or everything – it is a great time of the year. And since we can’t get enough rankings, let’s get to this edition of the 2023 Dynasty Rankings: 100-76.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Keepers – 125-101

February 4, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Keepers, Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Keeper Leagues | 3 Comments

by: Jakkers

Welcome back to the 2023 Dynasty Keepers. This week we will look at my Tier 5 group – players 125 to 101.

When it comes to putting together your dynasty team, you have to try to stick to your formula as much as possible. I’ve discussed my approach to how I build my dynasty teams, but here is a quick reminder:

Young over old.
Draft the hitter over the pitcher.
Draft the starting pitcher ahead of the closer
Trust your gut

Heading into a draft, figure out what your approach is going to be then stick with it as much as possible. Yes, there are times when you need to be flexible, but in the end just go with your gut instinct. You formulated a plan, so trust your plan and don’t make a panic pick because there is a run at a position,

If your plan is to build a team heavy on relatively unknown but high-ceiling players, then go for it. As the season progresses and you need to fill holes, you can always flip a young player and/or prospects (if you have a league with prospect rosters) for a key veteran.

You want to win right away? Then go heavy with proven veteran players, with the risk that many other teams are filling their rosters with younger players who can be core players for years to come. Three years from now your old players may start their decline and then you’re headed for a rebuild.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Rankings: 150-126

January 28, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Keepers, Fantasy Baseball Rankings | 5 Comments

by: Jakkers

As I was compiling the 2023 Dynasty Rankings: 150-126 this week, the song “The Final Countdown” popped into my head. Then I told myself that, thankfully, this is only third installment of the 2023 Dynasty Rankings!

This week the focus is on the Tier 6 players, a group of players that features a few more established players.

There are nine players listed between the ages of 26-29 and six who are 30 or over. While I love to hoard the younger players as much as possible, a dynasty team still needs some solid veteran players.

Pitchers and Corner Infielders

This tier is also heavy on pitchers and corner infielders. Listed are seven starting pitchers and one closer in addition to seven players who can play first or third base. When it comes to the corner infielders, it just shows how interchangeable the players are once you get past the top five at those positions.

Let’s get to the Rankings!

Enough of the small talk. It’s time to take a look at the 2023 Dynasty Rankings: 150-126.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Top Keepers – Right Fielders

December 31, 2022 | Fantasy Baseball Keepers | 6 Comments

by: Jakkers

Happy New Year! As the calendar gets set to flip to 2023, it means we are that much closer to the start of the baseball season once again. Thank goodness for fantasy baseball, otherwise the winter months would really drag on.

This week we are doing one final look at the 2023 Top Keepers by position as we wrap up with right fielders.

The Power Position

Of the three outfield spots, right field produced the most power in 2022 as the average was 21 homers and 75 RBI with 10 steals to go with a .241/.309/.405 slash line. And Aaron Judge didn’t inflate those numbers. Judge actually started more games in center (74) than right (54) this past season and hit 32 homers while playing in center compared to 19 as a right fielder.

Eleven of the Top 30 ranked players below hit 25 or more homers. But the position also has players who can steal bases as 11 players reached double digits in that category in 2022.

Overall, it is a pretty deep position and one of the more experienced positions in my rankings. Of the 30 ranked players, 12 are 30 years old or older. But there is still a lot of great, young talent – players who are going to be great keepers for years.

So let’s get past the small talk and take dive into the 2023 Top Keepers – Right Fielders.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Top Keepers – Center Fielders

December 24, 2022 | Fantasy Baseball Keepers | 18 Comments

by: Jakkers

Need a nice warm and fuzzy feeling to cheer you up if you are trying to avoid the frigid temperatures outside? How about this – Opening Day is less than 100 days away!

As many of us are waiting for Opening Day and to unwrap gifts and spend time with family, here is an early fantasy baseball present the continuation of our look at the best fantasy keepers by position. This week it is the 2023 Best Keepers – Center Fielders.

The stereotype for center fielders over the years has been a player who doesn’t hit for power but will have a good slash line and steal bases for you. While sometimes stereotypes are incorrect, this one seems to straddle the fence. Let’s look at what the average left fielder, center fielder and right fielder produced at the plate in 2022:

LF: .250/.322/.403 19 homers, 72 RBI, 10 steals
CF: .237/.303/.385 18 homers, 65 RBI, 14 steals
RF: .241/.309/.385 21 homers, 75 RBI, 10 steals

What’s Out There?

In 2022, center fielders as a whole hit less homers and drove in fewer runs than corner outfielders. And they weren’t as good at the plate when it came to their slash line. So the stereotype of being better hitters didn’t prove to be correct. But at least the speed part did. The fact center fielders stole more bases makes sense considering the speed they need to play the position should carry over onto the base paths.

The power numbers are actually somewhat inflated thanks to Aaron Judge playing a chunk of games in center for the Yankees. Judge will likely see more time back in right field in 2023, leaving a possible power void at this position in 2024 outside of Mike Trout and a few other players.

Finding a center fielder who can give you some steals is somewhat easy. Finding the center fielder who can provide consistent power is much harder to find outside of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 players.

But enough of the small talk. Let’s take a look at the 2023 Top Keepers – Center Fielders.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Top Keepers – Left Fielders

December 17, 2022 | Fantasy Baseball Keepers | 12 Comments

by: Jakkers

Hey, if it’s a day that ends in “y” then it is a good talk to talk about fantasy baseball. This week we are shining a light on left fielders in another edition of the 2023 Top Keepers series.

When it comes to left fielders, they are almost like the second basemen of the outfield. Many left fielders also play other positions, whether it is elsewhere in the outfield, DH, or someone in the infield.

Of the 30 ranked players and the five who just missed, only 15 of them appeared in more than 100 games in left. A few more of them would have reach 100 games if they were called up to the big leagues sooner or didn’t suffer through injuries.

The Average Left Fielder

The goal when building a fantasy team is to obviously have the best players at every position. But that is pretty much impossible to do. But an easier goal to reach is to at least have a player who is better than league average at that position. You may think this is easy, but in 16- to 20-team leagues with deep rosters, this goal is a lot harder to achieve than you may think.

So, what does the average left fielder produce?

A slash line of .250/.322/.403
19 home runs
72 RBI
10 stolen bases

If you can start a player who tops the majority of those players, then you are in good shape. And in case you are wondering, the average left fielder has the best overall slash line compared to center fielders and right fielders, while center fielders have the best speed and right fielders the most power.

Decent Depth

Unlike some other positions we have already looked at, like second base, there is relatively good depth in left field. The top players are head and shoulders better than the rest of the group, but there are decent players to be found in Tier 5.

Now, let’s start our dive into the 2023 Top Keepers – Left Fielders edition.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Top Keepers – Third Basemen

December 10, 2022 | Fantasy Baseball Keepers | 7 Comments

by: Jakkers

Welcome back for another edition of 2023 Top Keepers. This week we are going round out the infield as we look at third basemen.

As a whole, this is not an overly deep position. If you have a player who I rank in Tier 1 or 2, be happy. Because after the top 10, the production level drops pretty quickly.

Where is the young talent?

If you are looking for a third baseman to be a long-term anchor on your team, there are only a few players who can really fit that mold. Out of the 30 players ranked in Tiers 1 through 5, 14 of them are 30 or older. I did rank nine players who are 25 or younger, but only four of those players are in my top 10.

The good news is that many of the third basemen listed below do hit for some power. Sixteen players hit more than 20 home runs and another nine hit more than 10. The bad news, however, is that only nine of the ranked players hit better than .270 and only 10 had an OBP above .340.

This all adds up to a group that is largely old and doesn’t hit for a high average or get on base. However, at least they can help with home runs!

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2023 Top Keepers – Shortstops

December 3, 2022 | Fantasy Baseball Keepers | 5 Comments

by: Jakkers

One week ago, I was lamenting the state of the second base position in Major League Baseball and thus fantasy baseball. Outside of a few top players, it is now overrun with utility players and doesn’t have much depth.

This week, however, we talk about one of the deeper positions in baseball. Today we unveil the 2023 Top Keepers – Shortstops edition.

Unlike second base, the shortstop position is populated with highly skilled athletes who can do it all – hit, hit for power, run and field.

The numbers shortstops are putting up support that statement, but so too does this simple fact: last season, 20 players (out of 30 MLB teams) played 100 or more games at short. Another two (Kyle Farmer and Bobby Witt Jr.) appeared in 98 games at the position while a third, Tim Anderson, missed half the season due to injuries. Then there is Fernando Tatis Jr., who we all know missed the entire year.

Unless a team is rebuilding or just doesn’t have a good player at short, it is a spot on the field where managers want to have the same player every day. And more often than not, those players are not glove-first players. Today’s shortstops are expected to hit.

What is Your Preference?

The goal, both in real life and in fantasy, is to get the great all-around shortstop. But if you want to use a utility slot or middle infield slot to boost a specific stat, this is a great position to pick a player from.

Want speed? Ten shortstops stole 20 or more bags this past season. Need power? There were 15 shortstops who walloped 15 or more homers. What about help with your average or on-base percentage? Eight shortstops in these rankings hit .290 or better and another 11 had an OBP over .330.

If your team has a specific need, a number of shortstops would be great keepers. Now, let’s dive in and take a look at the 2023 Top Keepers – Shortstops rankings.

Please, blog, may I have some more?