Top 100 Hitters For 2020 Fantasy Baseball: Summer Camp Week 3

At this point I feel a little like a repeating Kevin McCallister, screaming over and over again as I splash the stinging liquid of not stop Covid-19 news against my fantasy baseball face. How are we supposed to keep up? By the time this work is published three more Top 100 players could be struck down, throwing their 60 game season into question. And since all these players are in their home areas for summer camp, when the virus is spiking in that area, particularly Houston, it can throw camp completely out of whack.

As you can probably guess, Yordan Alvarez coming down with the virus and Houston’s cases spiking has slipped Astros batters down. Other individual cases have an effect here and there, and Freddy Freeman is finally having an effect on Braves batters despite coming back. There was also a trade on Thursday that has the smallest effect here. Also, Yasiel Puig doesn’t quite make it. Yup, the virus got him too.

If you are wondering about the particulars of the list a big change was made last week. That includes some park effect fine tuning, and in particular why I have Mike Trout ranked so low. You can find last week’s list here. All that being said, let’s look at some of this week’s movers:

Ronald Acuna Jr. – Dropping him a few, but it’s all about his teammate Freddie Freeman. Yes, Freeman’s back and says he feels great, but if Moncada’s legs feel a little weak (see Moncada at #58 below), Freeman will definitely need time to come up to full strength. In 60 games, without the second best players on his team at full strength, it’s going to hurt his numbers.

Yordan Alvarez – Oh man, this virus just won’t quit. Houston we have a problem.

Alex Bregman, George Springer & Jose Altuve – With the virus ramping up in the Houston area all Astros batters are dropping in the rankings. It already hit Yordan Alvarez, and there are problems getting enough tests, throwing the camp into a bit of chaos.

Ozzie Albies – Same as Acuna, a lack of Freeman at full strength from the get go hurts his value. It’s as simple as maybe he sees fewer pitches to hit. In such a short season, not much time for adjustments.

Charlie Blackmon – Points for successfully navigating the Covid-19 protocols and coming back. He’s in a much better position than Freeman, because he never got that bad.

Austin Meadows – The virus strikes again, gotta downgrade him, the high hopes are dropping.

Freddie Freeman – He’s feeling better but still won’t be ready for opening day probably. I’ve already dropped him in the rankings, who knows what news will come next week.

Yoan Moncada – So he’s feeling better, but the long term effects are really not known. Still reason to be cautious. This doesn’t sound great: “I can tell that I feel my legs are a little tired because of all the time I was inactive…But I think I know my body. I’m going to be ready pretty soon. I won’t need too much time.” It’s a great big guessing game.

Franchy Cordero – Sure, he doesn’t have a starting role, but he hits bombs, and he’s entering the AL/NL Central offensive vortex. The Royals could start Merrifield at 2B and push Nicky Lopez to the bench. That opens an outfield spot or DH for Cordero. Waiting to adjust other Royals until his role is more well established.