I’ve already gone over corners and middle infidels [Jay’s Note: I was going to correct this, but it was too funny. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.], and now it’s time to get to my last position player post of the preseason, especially for all you late drafters out there. Trying saying that five times fast:”last position player post of the pre-season, last position player post of the pre-season, last position player post of the pre-season!” Okay, three is enough, no wait, eight is enough… Dick Van Patten… three is company. Why hello there Suzanne Summers circa 1979. That got sideways fast. Speaking of fast, did you catch my late late round loving of Cesar Hernandez? Mark my words, low risk flyer for cheap bags. I wish he was outfield eligible so I can write about him again. Hey wait, I just wrote about him again. Okay, moving on… to my last plug for the RCL commenter leagues. C’mon guys and girls, sign up for one or start a new one, there’s still a little time left. They’re free!
Michael Taylor OF (313.52) – This is one of those “an injury” away situations… sorta. With Jason Werth’s injury history and age, this is a poorly placed blade of grass away from happening. On the for reals, he’s having a solid spring, has made a good impression with Dusty, and with his great defense and cannon arm, he will be a late game replacement. To be relevant, he needs to cut the K-rate and raise the contact rate. There are loads of upside and if you check out his minor league numbers you’ll see a player who could easily be 20/20 with a shot at 25/25 with regular at bats. Draft with a long term look in deep leagues and use as a batty call in the RCL’s until he gets regular at bats.
Jackie Bradley Jr. OF (319.38) – In a RCL, he’s a batty call with the potential to hang around during hot streaks or a 5th outfielder in deeper leagues. Last year he broke out when he batted .276 with 9 home runs, 40 runs and 40 RBI’s over the last two months of the season. But can he do it again? Not sure. Before getting the starting gig he was putting up bupkis, and since he’s been hovering around for a few years, a lot of peeps are writing him off. I’d bet a fist-pack full of nickels (that’s a roll) he even gets hated on in bean town. His plus-defense will keep him playing every day and hopefully a new approach to be more aggressive at the plate pays off. Good to see Chili Davis adding some spice to Jackie Boring Jr. I didn’t want to project this guy but I can’t help it. Expect 18 homeruns with a .250 average *covers head*….as long a he gets 600 AB’s. He’s set to bat 9th which is not a big deal in the AL. I’m sure he will move up when Pedroia hits the DL after sneezing in the shower.
Adam Duvall 1B/OF (463.02) – Welcome to your newest fantasy donkey: the consigliere donkey. This kid had some serious minor league pop and just moved to one of the friendliest hitters park. It looks like he’ll be in an outfield platoon to start the year and if/when, most likely when, Jay Bruce is moved another opening will present itself. They even gave him some reps at 3rd in the case things don’t work out with Suarez. Deep leagues of 16 or greater, take notice if your draft is over and he’s on the wire. Own him to start the year… or batty call him in a RCL. Hint: this is the type of player to batty call on off days. Trust me.
Preston Tucker OF (501.93) – The Samurai will be DH’ing while Oso Blanco is on the shelf. He’s had a solid spring and is getting a chance to show he can be more than his roller coaster rookie season. He has a high ISO, hits lits of flyballs, and has the characteristics of a donkey. He reminds me of Alex Guerrero, you want him around when you know he’s going to get at bats and not when he isn’t. We should call these types rent-a-donkey. I have a feeling he’s going to be a regular off day batty call in RCL’s but most likely a deep deep league player with power upside.
Daniel Nava OF (641.29) – Obviously this is a 20-team league player. He’s won the starting gig, if that’s even possible in the Sciosciapath’s world, and will be on the good side of the platoon. This is where opportunity and a depleted farm system are meeting to find a glimmer of opportunistic hope. The Angels have expressed interest to get a better left fielder but didn’t want to go over the tax threshold and since they have nada in their farm then they are stuck with Nava. I feel like I lost a bet writing about this but I’m doing this so maybe that one reader in that crazy deep league can thank me later when Nada Nava does just enough to be relevant in a 16 teamer for a month. My favorite site for depth charts, Roster Resource, has him batting 2nd and considering his high walk rate and career .358 OBP actually makes sense. Okay, I need to go take a shower after that, I feel dirty.
In case you don’t know, I’ll be writing the SAGNOF report for the coming season. Not really much to say for a primer so I’ll do it here. Keep an eye out for speed and saves from those that aren’t owned in your league. I’ll be guiding you through every opportunity I see and hope we can nail a few. For those that care about my playlist tonight it had my favorite baseball movie song from one of my favorite bands of the 80’s, a killer re-make of an Elvis song, and a song I remember as a kid from riding in the car with my singing grandfather.
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