“With my last trick, I will make Paul Simon six feet tall, while throwing a 94 MPH fastball with pinpoint control.” Then Ray Searage waved a fancy-style cape in front of the audience. It didn’t block their gaze, but it was such an exotic-looking garment, they were distracted enough to not notice a six-foot-tall Paul Simon walk onto stage, towering over Art Garfunkel. Simon then threw a brushback pitch while singing Home Plate Bound. Prior, of course, Searage made the seemingly all-over-the-map Juan Nicasio into an ace. Or at least an ace in spring training. Do I believe Nicasio is fixed because of some spring training stats? Actually, yeah, he could be, and is worth a flyer. Last year, he averaged 95 MPH on his fastball, and his undoing was always his control, which Searage has helped other pitchers conquer. Bring Searage your stuff, and he’ll make it work. I added Nicasio into the top 80 starters and gave him the projections of 8-10/3.81/1.33/148 in 165 IP. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in spring training for fantasy baseball:
Roberto Osuna – Named the Blue Jays closer. Damn, I should’ve Malcolm Gladwell Blink’d this one. My first inclination was to expect Osuna to be the closer, then I let Rudy get in my head with all his “Storen can’t do anything but close,” jibber-jabber and I kowtowed. Though, using jibber-jabber and kowtow in the same sentence makes me giggle. That blue period sure ended quick! I updated my top 500 for Osuna and Storen with the role switch. On a related note, Storen couldn’t catch a break with a 8-foot-high mitt and a boombox playing the Electric Boogaloo soundtrack (it makes sense, don’t think about it too long).
Jose Reyes – Charges will be dropped in Reyes’s domestic abuse matter because his wife isn’t cooperating. Ironically, that’s how the charges started too. I’m still not convinced that Trevor Story’s clock isn’t being started early only to be moved into a platoon role or back to the minors. Only other option I see is Reyes is released or waived.
Andrew Miller – Was hit hard on his non-pitching wrist by a comebacker and was sent out for x-rays and a CT scan. Dellin Betances said it was just a bruise and that Miller will laugh about it later. Dellin has an interesting sense of humor. The CT scan revealed a chip fracture in Miller’s wrist. “Well, this is awkward.” That’s Dellin no longer laughing. Miller’ll be visiting a hand specialist, and could be out a while. Or not out at all. Because it’s his glove wrist, maybe he could tough it out. I’m not sure, but I updated them in my rankings and projections, assuming Miller will be out for at least four to six weeks. Obviously, if Miller can’t go, Betances will become the closer until Arold-Rage returns, unless Dellin bangs his hand into a doorjamb for a good laugh.
Aaron Hicks – Some housekeeping to report. My dream of one of the Yankee outfielders getting hurt in the spring didn’t happen (watch, they’ll all get hurt on April 5th), so I moved Aaron Hicks down into the top 100 outfielders. I also moved down Hyun-soo Kim and Rusney Castillo, who combined my autocorrect thinks is Hyundai Disney Princess. The online Fantasy Baseball War Room should be relatively updated too. If you see something off, you can comment here and I’ll try to update it.
Joey Rickard – Made the Opening Day roster for the Orioles, and is the likely starting left fielder while batting ninth. He’s a Rule 5 guy that was released by the Rays. Between Rickard and Goeddel, the Rays could have an entirely better outfield. Or at least different. And, when you’re married, better and different are the same thing. So, Rickard has some speed, very light power and could be a placeholder. I wouldn’t go after him yet in shallower mixed leagues, but I could see him being very valuable in an AL-Only league.
Ian Kennedy – Left yesterday’s game with hamstring tightness. Ham’s from the wrong family; he’s married to Jackie Bovine Kennedy.
Miguel Gonzalez – Released by the Orioles. Tyler Wilson or Mike Wright could be moved into the rotation. Both are old (26) with next-to-no track record, so, knowing the O’s, one of them will get lucky to have a 3.50 ERA thru April and the O’s will send the returning Gausman to the minors.
Jimmy Rollins – Will be the starting shortstop for the White Sox. Before you laugh (or cry for White Sox fans), I bet at some point soon you’re gonna look at your waivers and pick up Rollins.
Trevor Bauer – Moved to the bullpen. This makes sense. If one guy can reach home from the bullpen, it’s Bauer. I updated his projections in my top 100 starters.
James Loney – Didn’t make the team. When he heard the news, he stomped out of the clubhouse and some people were saying he should be called, Bad Attitude, or B.A. Loney.
Logan Morrison – Will platoon with Steve Pearce in Loney’s stead. In internal circles, the platoon is being called, Love Mearce, which sounds super masculine.
