There’s flashier guys to cover, I’m looking at you, Carlos Correa; I’m winking in your direction, Byron Buxton, and your missing finger, excuse me, dislocated. But I’m writing rookie outlooks for 2015 fantasy baseball, i.e., I’m focusing on guys that could play the majority of the time in the majors in 2015. I’m not going to write a Buxton outlook saying. “Will be awesome, come back to read more in 2016.” I’m trying to focus on impact players for this coming year. Prospect Mike is around to talk future All-Stars. Unlike Correa and Buxton, Francisco Lindor is in his last stop at the majors. Maybe the Twins push Buxton along and he jumps to the major league club by midseason, assuming he can stay healthy and the Twins can actually have something nice. “Sorry, we don’t have anything in your size.” That’s the cashier at the Everything Nice store after the Twins enter. Wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for Buxton to appear this year. Shoot, he could rip the cover off the ball in spring training and be up sooner than June. Right now, he looks like a September call-up, at best. Same for Correa. With that said (oh, boy, here comes a reversal), I’m not totally sure of Lindor’s path to the majors. A good generalization that is generally good (hey, what do you know?) is a player ends the year in Double-A, starts in Triple-A the following season and is in the majors by June. Or is in Triple-A to end the year and starts the year in the majors the following year. Of course, guys can jump from Double-A or even High-A to the majors, but that’s more the exception than the rule. Lindor, on the other hand (were we even using hands?), played well in Triple-A last year. He really has no place else to go, except the majors or traded to another team. He should’ve been up already, to be quite frank, and don’t call me frank. Why am I even comparing Lindor, Correa and Buxton? Because they’re all the top rookies right now in the minor leagues, and you people demand the best. You demander, you! Anyway, what can we expect of Francisco Lindor for 2015 fantasy baseball?
Up until this year, when I heard Lindor, I expected Billy Butler’s name next. No, not because Butler’s fat and Lindor is truffles. Because of corner infielder questions of “Adam Lind or Billy Butler?” You people really should stop picking on Butler; he will eat you. Now, Lindor has become a hey-sexy-wassup-badonkadonk shortstop prospect. He’ll be 21 years old in November and looks ‘can’t miss’ (which, of course, will mean he misses). In Double-A last year, he had 6 HRs, 25 SBs and a .278 average in 88 games. Then did more of the same in Triple-A. He’s never really hit for an absurd average in the minors, but that feels more about his age than his talent. He doesn’t strike out much and has speed. That usually translates to around a .280 average at worst. He hasn’t done that well in the minors, so I wouldn’t project him for it, but it doesn’t mean he can’t get there. His power isn’t elite, at least not yet. Seven homers with some ease, 10 homers with some breeze. I’m a poet and I’m aware of it! Speed is his weapon, do you have a tampon? Okay, I’m gonna stop rhyming now. Really Lazy Comparison Alert! He looks like a young Jimmy Rollins. Now, about 500 words ago I said I didn’t know about his path to the majors. That’s because a funny thing happened on the way to Progressive Field. Jose Ramirez showed up and performed last year. Possible Scenario Number #1, the Indians push Kipnis to DH, Santana to 1B, Gomes to catch and field both Ramirez and Lindor next April. Possible Scenario Number #2, Ramirez won’t be good in April (or March), Lindor will be called on to replace him. Possible Scenario Number #3, there is no Possible Scenario Number #3. Possible Scenario Number #4, Ramirez will be good, Lindor won’t be up until September call-ups. Two of these four scenarios are positive for Lindor and there’s only really three scenarios. Most likely scenario seems to be a combination of one and two, Lindor is worked into a platoon to start, then outshines Ramirez. For that playing time projection (say 400 ABs), I’ll give him the projections of 51/6/39/.271/22. That’s definitely a starting shortstop in mixed leagues when he has a job, and, while he still a lot of question marks like The Riddler’s stretchy pants, he is worth a flyer late.
You know who a good comp for lindor is?
Alcides Escobar.
And I can’t quite figure out if that’s a compliment or an insult.
@gareth:
Lindor’s got more pop than Escobar. He’s got more pop than Elvis. How about Reyes?
He has more power, I’ll stick with the comparison I made in the post
I come here in the off season, not for the reading, but a chance to soak in that beautiful beautiful mustache!
Drink up my mustache!
Grey!
How are you? You are a poet – I dub thee the Poet Laureate of Razzball.com.
Shit storm in Lebanon made it to AP and Reuters…
Lebanese army kills three men in raid: security sources – Reuters
Clashes in northern Lebanon kill 5, wound others – Associated Press
Fighting shakes Lebanon’s north as army battles Islamists for third day – Reuters
Calm prevails northern Lebanese city after clashes – Associated Press
Lebanon pulled into war with Islamic State group – Associated Press
And when they say North that’s where I am.
1. Haven’t told Cougs and kids yet because I don’t want them to worry but eventually they’ll see it on the news. What should I say?
2. Now more than ever, these articles are SUPER important. Keep up the good work, Kahuna!
Cheers,
Ante
Well, who else would be? Sky is the Link Laureate… Sounds bad but I’m sure you know how to stay safe… 1. Trust me, they’re not trying to kill me. 2. No problem!
OBP keeper – Lindor or Alcantara (a) for 2015 (b) for next 3 yrs (c) Ken Giles over both – Phillies cant stick with Papelbon all next year, can they?
Both over Giles
HAPPY FRIDAYYYYY!!!!!
And to you!
Happy Halloween everybody!
Well, this is awkward…where my image at?!?
I expected more from you… Geez, Sky…
You too!
Hi Grey – I have had Lindor since he was drafted in a dynasty league (no yrs/$) and really hope this kid comes out of the gate solid. Been running Hanley since we started the league and have Alcides as the back up (along with Alcantara who won’t have SS – really wanted him to pan out at 2B). Anyways with the threat of Hanley shifting to 3B and KB coming up and a slew of good 3Bers, do I package youth for another top 10 SS or hang on to what I have and ride out Francisco hopefully being serviceable. The other avail prospects are Mondesi, Crawford and a couple others. Are any of those worth grabbing as well? Sorry to ramble but always like your thoughts and appreciate your time!
Depends what you can package him for… Mondesi could be solid…
Kghhgfggffdxdb rbcfrvddddbvcxcfbgf Cole. S
@de nachos: that was my daughter. She’s quite the aspiring writer.
This is weird, but the was the title of my first novel when I was 6.
@Grey: HA!
@Grey: @Grey: cool, since she’s five…GENIUS!
Let’s see what kind of fantasy sports blog she starts when she’s 12!
@Grey: based on her first comment here alone, fantasy rundown already ranks her ahead of Matthew Pouliot
Ha!
You do realize that if you take that seemingly random sentence, reverse the order of the letters, and find the appropriate word for each letter, you in fact become the master of the universe! Unless… Grey… you’ve… already… done… that!!!
***forgive my unworthy & yet slight staccato homage to Young Frankenstein***
Ha! You…do…not…need…to…apologize…Muahahahahahaha!
@Grey: HA!
@Grey: thank god you don’t have an album because if you played it backwards!
It would be a melodic tour de force!
now that i think of it, it’s not really an homage… more of a comparison… mostly of the beat of the delivery… kinda…
Yes…Dr. Vegan…
@Grey: HA!
All Blacks v USA in 30 minutes – don’t miss it!
On a similar note, I was wearing the shirt you gave me yesterday… And someone asked me if I was excited about the match today…
@Grey: Nice! I bet you can’t wait!
I’m going to toss my mail carrier a football then elbow her in the head just to get even more in the mind set…
@Grey: Don’t forget to yell “Have some of that!” after you’ve clobbered her.
How about, “Have some scrum, you bum!”
@Grey: That’ll probably work in your ‘hood – best not try it in mine…
How about, “Take some of that you non-Kiwi!”
@Grey: That’ll do. Though as we found out at dinner, you never know when or where a New Zealander will pop up…
They’re secretly invading our country, I think.
@Grey: Striking back against years of your cultural imperialism!
@SteveNZ: those bastard Americans, getting you all invested in baseball. Cultural Imperialism.at its finest.
We’ll kill any invaders with obesity!
@Grey: have a coke and a big mac!
Im actually watching this
@J-FOH: I have an All-Blacks wine opener so I’m all in. Did Joe Madden kick out the first Grubber?
Who’s not?
@J-FOH: Yeah, as I mentioned on the Twitter, that was a pretty good demonstration of skill execution level that is the main difference between the All Blacks and the other top teams in world rugby. Also, that our big guys, who aren’t *supposed* to be skillful, really are – very good at catching and passing and good on their feet.
I can’t speak for would-be NFL players obviously, but I would think that the opportunity for a player to be involved in most/all facets of the game from start to finish would be pretty attractive.
The game isn’t always that fun to watch, though. A whistle-happy ref, or a team making a lot of mistakes, or a team intent on stopping the other team from playing can make for a pretty dire spectacle…
@Grey: 74-6. In your face America!
Why do I feel like the All-Blacks facing America is like when the Dream Team beat the world…
@SteveNZ: those were some spectacular players for New Zealand. The Americans were crazy slow. If we could get some of our football players that dont have a shot in hell to make the pros to pick up the rugby game. Might be able to put something better. That game was a straight up clinic.
@Grey: Yeah, I can see why that thought occurred to you. And the game, while hopefully helping give rugby a boost in the US, was a commercial enterprise as much as anything – the All Blacks and the US team have the same sponsor…
@SteveNZ: good tidbit, I saw Rugby as a kid and never hated it, but it was also never something viable to play. The guys I knew that played were a different breed. Strong and crazy but not very good athletes.
Ah… Yeah… So was it obviously going to be that lopsided from the outset?
@Grey: Pretty much.
Yeah, that’s what I figured…
I already miss Hunter Pence
Aw, he misses you too!
@Grey: not like he misses the light switch
Remember, I got no time for bird sex.
@FrankGrimes: Hunter pence can blow me
@Jef with 1 f:
Ha you wish your team the Mess had him!
Lindor or K Seager in a keep forever?
Seager
I miss baseball!!! But i have to say JB does a real nice job on the Basketball side……Yes I play fantasy basketball too.
Yeah, JB’s the bomb dot gov…
@Grey: I used to play basketball, Seth was trying to get me into one with the Razzball peeps, I had to decline. It’s great, because it’s all comes down to minutes, averages and staying on top of the injury report. If it didn’t interfere with baseball I would do it.
@J-FOH: yea you definitely need to leave yourself a little room to rosterbate in basketball..too many days where you don’t have a full line up
@Jef with 1 f: SF’s are a dime a dozen, PG are like CI’s, and centers can be like good counting stat catchers, because those percentages are going to kill you.
I don’t know anything about football, I know less about basketball… But I will say it seems like basketball is closer to baseball for fantasy than football…
@Grey: actually head to head hockey is closest to head to head baseball. Roto basketball is closest to roto baseball but on a very elementary level. I never watched a game and won money
Gotcha… It’s all Greek to me… Bird sex!
@Grey: Hockey was my second favorite to baseball, Football is so damn frustrating
You watch hockey? Strike that, you don’t even watch baseball…
@Grey: I used to back in the 90’s. The strike killed it for me. I enjoy going to a game when I score some free tickets. I will watch the playoffs, playoff hockey is the most intense of all the pro sports.
On a sorta side note, I have listened to more pro baseball in my life than I have watched. I love the XM. Now if we said how much baseball I listen to every year compared to watching it and it would be about 5 to 1.
@J-FOH: same here I was big into hockey in the 90s and lost touch with it since…But hockey is the best sport to watch live…constant action
Yeah, I listen more than I watch too probably but I’m just listening to the game on my iPad…
@Grey: its been my preferred way since a kid. I have many memories of where I was when I heard something, but watching is always harder to recall and very uneventful in the era of constant video replays.
Yeah, agreed
Ok Grey, now for the most important question* you have ever answered:
H2H Points league where guys with high OPS/SB and low strikeouts are king. $300 budget with +$5 inflation per year, no limits.
Prices 2015 costs
Keep 1:
Lindor $6
Correa $6
Baez $11
I’m leaning Lindor/Correa since Baez’s Ks will kill any value he might have. Clearly you have Lindor as the smarter 2015 choice and I agree, but would I be silly to throw back Correa who appears to have gigantic upside?
*not the most important question
Gracias, Amigo
I’d go Lindor