Or should I say dawgs? Does that further solidify my unc status?
Junior Caminero was out on the trading block in my home league, and the deal I made was put through exactly seven days ago.
He’s been fine: .423 with 7 HR, 8 R, and 15 RBI, easily placing him tops at third base for the last week.
But there’s more. Jose Ramirez stans, close the browser. Caminero is now easily the top 3B for fantasy, and at age 22 looks poised to keep the spot for the next decade. He’s a lock to be drafted top ten next season, and is fourth overall in the projections going forward on our site.
At the midway point of the season, Caminero is on pace for 44 HR, 98 RBI, 104 R, and a tidy .932 OPS. That’s first round in any league, any format, and shuts up people who doubted his stats based on a minor league park. Congrats if he’s on your team.
Speaking of minor league parks, and new top ranked players……
Nick Kurtz is also going to be a first round pick next year, and I’d take him second overall after a certain 2-way star in a draft. After 81 games (and a slow start), his pace is 38 HR, 108 R, 128 RBI, and 14 steals. 14 steals! That’s like adding a layer of frosting to an already frosted cake. As much as I am loyal to the Blue Jays 1B, gotta put Kurtz first (yes, partly cuz Grey, you know, my boss, put that in the comments last week).
It’s a rare, extremely fun ride to own these guys in fantasy as they become first round staples. Enjoy the ride! These are the success stories that make the game worth it.
Couple things of note in the ROS rankings:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. still projects by Rudy to be 12 overall for the rest of the season. I’m still holding out hope that July will bring the nuclear streak, and the nerdy computer agrees.
Miguel Vargas is still up there in the rankings, both season and ROS. 10 steals help offset the batting average risk, and don’t move him. He’s for real too. I had a dynasty league fold where I had him locked in cheap, and I’m mad.
Pete Alonsohas his season batting average up to .252 after getting one hit per three at bats for a week. Nerdy computers tell me that’s a .333 batting average. It was a matter of time and comfort for the Polar Bear, getting adjusted to his new climate and global warming, lack of ice and habitat, etc. The full season projections have 34 HR, 93 R, and 103 RBI, which is exactly what you signed up for. Enjoy it, much like a polar bear in salmon season (is that accurate? Or is that grizzlies? No idea)
Kazuma Okamoto just might be streaky. Every time I check on the Rater, he’s either top or bottom ten. He’s hot now, hitting .381 with three dingers his last seven days. You probably missed it if you benched him, and now he’ll go cold.
In my TGFBI team, I took Aaron Judge first overall because I know myself, and drafting a two-way guy where I’d have to switch people around that often is not a skill I have. (Also, seventh place! Not bad given Judge this year and my failed “Cub pitchers are going to be cheap aces” strategies) You probably read that lack of moving players skill and think “Paul Goldschmidt is kinda in a platoon, so this writer doesn’t have him anywhere.”
You’re correct! The platoon and being 38 is a combo I don’t enjoy.
Stats were accurate on Monday at 1:50 when I submitted. It’s going to be 78, sunny, with a 5-10 mph wind at the Outer Banks tomorrow, and I must go.
Thanks for reading! Anybody else have a number one that is different? Drop it below in the comments!
