In the preseason I projected Dee Gordon to finish this season with 272 points. Those projections included 1.8 home runs, 33.83 RBIs, 71 runs scored and 51 stolen bases. Through 135 games Gordon has 333 points, with 3 home runs, 42 RBIs, 78 runs and 53 stolen bases. Had he not missed about three weeks with a thumb injury those numbers would be even a little better. All told my projections were pretty accurate. So where did the extra 61 points come from? Singles. Dollar dollar bills y’all. I projected 115.75 singles and a .268 batting average. He currently has 157 one-baggers and a .332 average. When asked how he felt about my 272-point projection, Dee responded with “do you like tapes or CDs?”
Price Harper
I’m imagining a cyborg of sorts that hits 45 home runs, drives in 100, has a .333 batting average and wins 20 games while striking out about 225 hitters. He’d be the first pitcher to bat third in the lineup as far back as I can remember. Back when Babe Ruth was a full time pitcher he batted ninth. It wasn’t until he became more of an outfielder that he moved to the cleanup spot. For those interested in the history of pitchers not batting ninth, I found this interesting blog. Bryce Harper currently leads all batters with 555 points. David Price is fifth amongst pitchers with 665 points. Price Harper would have 1220 points. Price is a free agent. I highly doubt he ends up in Washington, but if he did they could begin the scientific process. I believe it would go something like this. Making Price Harper
Place Your Mookie Betts
I wonder what the odds were preseason of Mookie Betts finishing in the top ten in points among outfielders? Can you bet on that on FanDuel? When there is a tie FanDuel do they actually have a duel? If the don’t, they should. For this season I projected 11.41 homers, 53.83 RBIs and 21.53 stolen bases for 338.14 points for Betts. That was expected to be good enough for about 25th in the outfield. So far Mookie has 15 home runs, 71 RBIs and 20 stolen bases for 402 points. I’m thinking 20/20 club in 2016. And I’m also thinking he will be one of my many draft targets next year in points leagues. Mookie Betts 2016 points > Kris Bryant 2016 points. You can betts the house on it!
Re-Encarnacion
I remember when Edwin’s nickname was E5. I also remember when he was just a 20-home run hitter. Then in 2012, about two years after coming to Toronto, he was reborn, hitting 42 home runs and scoring 535 points. Since, he has not hit less than 34 homers and that was in just 128 games. Blue Jays teammate, Joey Bautista, had a similar transformation about a year and half after being traded to Toronto. Joey Bats went from a guy who had never hit 20 home runs in a season to one of the top home run hitters in the last six years. The artist formerly known as E5 currently as 35 knocks, 105 ribbies and 464 points. There must be something in the water in Toronto. Just ask Josh Donaldson who is having a career year with 39 home runs and 120 runs batted in. With 517 points, he trails only Harper and Paul Goldschmidt. I feel something awful for the guys that drink that water in the Mexican league. When you’re sliding into first and you’re feeling something burst…
Best Kemp Secret
Somehow Matt Kemp has 99 RBIs. When did that happen? He is tenth in the Major Leagues. He even has 23 home runs and 11 stolen bases, giving him 363 points. I think that is just who Kemp is. Ever since his monster season back in 2011 where he hit 39 home runs and stole 40 bases (575 points), he has been about a 25/10 player. There’s nothing wrong with that except when you draft him in the 5th round. I didn’t, but that was his ADP.
Good luck to everyone that’s still in it.
It ain’t over till it’s over. -Yogi Berra
