If you caught the corner edition of this series, then you know what’s going on with the title. If you missed it (shame on you), go and click on that link now… Grey went over his second basemen and shortstops already, so now it’s my turn. Actually, it’s a different turn for a different game… for the most part. These are for the deeper and the desperate. The DDs! Speaking of DDs, have you signed up for an RCL yet? There is still time, so click here to join one or start your own. Okay, now that I got the shameless RCL plug out of the way, are you all ready for 2016? Feeling the burn yet? Selected your draft day spirits? I’ve been stuck in this scout.com for what feels like an eternity with the end still a week away. Anythehoo, let’s get to the players already…
Howie Kendrick 2B (257.20) – Two things hurt Howie last season: A hamstring injury that cost him six weeks down the stretch, and a career low fly ball rate killed any bounce back in the dong department. If he stays healthy, and with new skipper Dave Roberts, a return to stealing bases could be in the cards. I feel safe calling him an 8/8 player with room to build on that… I hope. He’s going to be back at the top of the lineup and a return to the middle of the order (284 PA’s last year), isn’t out of the question either. I usually tend to go more conservative with my MI because there will always be a shiny new one popping their infidel head out of the FA pool. I rostered Brandon Phillips in a few place last year… cust kayin’
Joe Panik 2B (267.85) – Stop yawning! I know, I know, he’s like the Loney of MI, but like Kendrick, he’s set to bat at the top of the order and should top 10 homers this year. Not much speed but runs and batting average should be aplenty. If you took Schoop as your 2nd baseman and punt MI then Panik would be a perfect pairing. He’s a high contact, low K rate hitter who’s evolving batted ball profile leaves some upside. Last year he upped his FB 5.8% while cutting his ground ball rate and also took a huge leap in Hard Hit % going from 23.9 to 30.0. He’s a good role player if you live by roster construction and he should not be overlooked. I’d take him ahead of Kendrick.
Jose Peraza 2B,OF (314.36) – Here is the “IF” player as in if he makes the squad. Actually I think he does and opens the year as a super sub. They love what he’s shown this spring and with talk of Hamilton and Cozart getting rest days should provide enough at bats to keep this interesting. I’m not going to go on and on about him. Enough has been written already and you guys are a sharp bunch so this is really just review here. He steals bases and can easily play his way into an everyday gig by mid-May.
Cesar Hernandez 2B (331.34) – We have the King of SAGNOF and now SAGNOFius Cesar. Hail Cesar! Last year he stole 19 bases at a 79% success rate and is set to bat at the top of the Phillies order in front of Franco. If he can hold his gig and repeat his 8.8% walk rate and .339 OBP then 30 plus steals is a very good possibility. Let me put it this way, if you missed on Delino and have a speed hole on your roster, look for Cesar. He’s had a strong spring and already stolen 6 bases so we know he is healthy and the team is having him run. And for you DFS guys I saw the Phillies are getting their players better grass. That has nothing to do with Cesar, just an interesting article for the DFSers.
Cory Spangenberg 2B (354.40) – Hey look, another 2nd baseman set to bat at the top of the order who can run. This is obviously a deep league play but before you blow him off look at what you’re getting. Dah, nothing really here but maybe a .270 average and 15 steal speed. He has solid minor league totals and with his first full season ahead of us provides some upside gamble for those in 16 and deeper leagues.
Eugenio Suarez SS,OF (276.09) – I went over him here and wrote it while writing it. What did you think, I was going to do Grey here?
Trevor Story SS (302.46) – Here is one that Grey already went over. It looks like he has the job locked up and I’m in the camp of those that thinks Reyes doesn’t play an down inning for the Rockies. Sorry, still caught up in the Broncos Super Bowl victory. Does a 15/15 guy with a highish K-rate interest you. He’s going to be Bryant-lite this year. I can feel it in my nether regions. That’s my Story and I’m sticking to it.
Brad Miller SS,OF (263.24) – Oh Brad! A 10/10 floor with a chance to chip in a few more in the AL east is good enough for me. Damn, I’m really growing a fetish for lefties in that division. He might end up in some platooney tunes but being a lefty gives him the good side of it. A declining contact rate and FB% worries me so I’m hoping a return to his home state, he’s from Orlando, lets him get back to who many of us thought he would be. The shituation in Seattle was bad for him and with his talent a second chance may be what he needs. He falls into a class where the floor 10/10/.260 could easily be 15/15/.275 by season end. The dual eligibility is nice too most especially in Yahoo where he also has 2nd base status.
Wilmer Flores 2B,SS (350.37) – Mr. Water Works is going to be Tres Flores this year. I can’t believe I used to use this stuff on my dome back in the day and by back of the day I mean 94-99. Thank god brands like Suavecito came on the scene. Hey wait, this isn’t suppose to be a male hair products discussion. If you are a believer that David Wright will miss significant time and that Asdrubal Cabrera will not be 100% until June then you need to swoop up Wilmer early. In deep leagues he’ll be used a lot the first two months as the Mets have already said Wright will get regular days off to get him back to 100%. Hey Mets, Wright will never be 100% again, best case scenario he’s 50% or half-Wright. Flores is also the back-up to the Duda so it is conceivable he gets 4 position eligibility and I will curse Sky every time he adds a position. Sky sniped me in the scout draft on Wilmer. It’s my fault because I forgot what a sensitive guy Sky is and he relates to Wilmer.
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