One super quick word about the top 20 2nd basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball and all the 2020 fantasy baseball rankings, each ranking appears insanely long and it is, but I imagine in a lot of leagues guys won’t have eligibility, because I’m using the extremely lax Yahoo position eligibility. Without further ado because this post is longer than the combined length of the Gutenberg Bible and Steve Guttenberg’s IMDB page, I mention where tiers start and stop and all projections are mine and cannot be reproduced without the express written consent of Major League–Damn, I’m being told by Major League Baseball I did not have express written consent to use their warning. It was expressly written for them. You guys! Anyway, here’s the top 20 2nd basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball:
ALL PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON 60 GAMES PLAYED, DUE TO COVID-19. BE SAFE OUT THERE!
1. Gleyber Torres – This is the first tier. This tier goes from here until Villar. I call this tier, “Zesting the dry skin on your heel.” By the tier name, zesting is used to elevate a dish, so it’s real fancy. Zesting dry skin on your foot is nasty. So, this tier makes like you’re doing something fancy, but it’s just gross. First time I can remember a position, besides catcher, that didn’t have one guy in the top 20 overall. The top top 2nd basemen, for the lack of a better word, suck. I want no part of any of this first tier. Thankfully, there’s plenty of guys later to draft. Anticipating this, I wrote quite a few 2nd basemen sleepers who will be mentioned later. As for Torres, maybe the Yankees will play the Orioles in a 37-inning three-day extra inning game, and Gleyber will get an extra 12 homers in one game to pad his stats. I got burned last year writing a schmohawk post on Torres, so I won’t go down that road again. I also can’t trust him. He is not elite in any underlying category. His xSLG of .497 was the same as Evan Longoria. His xBA of .262 was same as Travis d’Arnaud. His Launch Angle is very extreme, which produces a ton of fly balls. That’s not bad in today’s game. Not gonna start calling him Josh Phegleyber and write him off as a 25-homer, .240 hitter, but I think he’s closer to that than his 38 HRs, .278 previous season. He did lower his Ks, and fly balls do equal homers with Manfred blowing juice between the seams of baseballs, but, yeah, I just can’t get on board. There’s cheaper power and some sexy sleepers later. 2020 Projections: 33/12/35/.264/2 in 204 ABs
2. Jose Altuve – Was very close to putting Altuve number one and Gleyber 2nd, but Altuve came up just–Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it– Just short. AHHH! “Hello, Father, I have a confession to make.” “Go ahead, son.” “I’d like to confess to never skipping an opportunity to mock Altuve’s height.” “Okay, say three Hail Marys.” “Three Hail Marys? Shouldn’t I do three short passes while Altuve sits in a pocket?” “Now say five Hail Marys.” “Tough, but fair.” Altuve continues to hit for power every year, even if he’s too short to ride the Mad Hatter Teacups, but last year was kinda obscene. He had a 32.5% fly ball rate and 23.3% HR/FB. His career HR/FB is under 10% after seven seasons. If he falls back to earth, it won’t be a far trip, but he could end up a 15-homer, 7-steal guy. That’s not good. As for the whole cheating scandal and buzzers under Altuve’s shirt and the like, it doesn’t matter. People have been stealing signs as runners on 2nd since the 1880’s. A hitter can know what’s coming and still be totally lost on a pitch. 2020 Projections: 30/8/34/.303/3 in 216 ABs
Sending this to my dry cleaner to see if this crease is normal, will report findings pic.twitter.com/lU6DicFL8S
— Razzball (@Razzball) January 16, 2020
3. Jonathan Villar – As I said when he was acquired by the Marlins, “I was driving the Villar bus hard last year. I wrote a sleeper post about him; told everyone to draft him; started a move on dot org petition to get him to hit leadoff and have 700+ plate appearances. It all worked! You people drafting him in the top 25 overall have literally lost your mind. Go to the nearest library, because that’s only place I know left with a Lost & Found and ask them if you can look into their cardboard box of lost notebooks and mittens for your brain. The Marlins is about as good a landing spot as you’re gonna find for him. He won’t be challenged for playing time. It’ll also dip his runs and RBIs a hair. Speaking of hares, Villar’s fast, right? Well…I think I’m going to have to write a Villar schmohawk post, so I won’t go too deep into the weeds here, but I’ll leave you with this. He ranked 182nd overall in sprint speed, about the same as Mike Tauchman. Um, WUT.” And that’s me quoting me! 2020 Projections: 31/6/25/.257/11 in 209 ABs
4. Ketel Marte – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Moistasskiss. I call this tier, “EarthGang.” They are my new favorite group. They sound like Outkast pre-Stankonia. Mirrorland album is just ridiculous, and ridiculous is good in this example. This tier gets me as pumped up as EarthGang. As for Marte, he had a better sprint speed than Villar. Marte made adjustments to his swing year over year. His Launch Angle went from an ugly 5.7 to 11.5, and he was top 15 overall for xBA. He absolutely killed fastballs — .349 and 19 homers. He’s always had great plate discipline and bat control. His minuscule 7.8% Swinging Strike rate coupled with a 83.6% Contact percentage are beautiful. The big question mark will be if he can hold his newfound 19% HR/FB. I think he can, and be a top 20 hitter overall next year. For full disclosure, I nearly had Marte in the above tier of guys I didn’t want because any time a guy goes from a 14-homer guy to a 32-homer guy it raises red flags, but the more I dug in on Ketel, the more he seduced me. Perhaps I’m just drunk. 2020 Projections: 35/10/29/.308/3 in 221 ABs
5. Ozzie Albies – He just turned 23 years old in January. I knew he was young, but that still stopped me. In the last two years, his stats are: 24/14 and 24/15 with a career average of .279. I’m not going to project the huge uptick in power, but it has to be in the range of possible outcomes. An at least 10% chance he goes 32/20/.280, right? Considering he just signed a 17-year contract for $57,000 and a new Cybertruck what an absolute bargain the Braves got. 2020 Projections: 38/9/29/.291/6 in 232 ABs
6. Keston Hiura – Another guy who has a legit chance to be a top 20 hitter overall next year. See, 2nd base isn’t as busted as it seemed at first. You just have to hang back for a round or four. Would’ve put Hiura even higher if it wasn’t for some risk. Speaking of which, don’t be the person who says to me, “I don’t understand why you have this guy above this other guy when the 2nd guy clearly has better projected stats. What gives, you insanely handsome mustachioed man?” There’s more than just stats that go into ranking. The chances they will actually reach their projections is a good first thing to keep in mind. Yes, Keston’s or Ketel’s or Albies’s or a bunch of guys might seem better than Altuve’s projections, but Altuve has been doing this for so many years that Altuve’s safer (which might be why he needs to sit in a safety seat in a car). As for Keston, in a half a season, he went 19/9/.303. *staggering around like Redd Foxx, clutching my heart* It’s too beautiful for words! If you combine his Triple-A and major league stats, he went 38/16/.315. Okay, I’m going to take a dip in the Arctic Ocean to cool off. I mean, woo-boy, you the greatest hitter of our generation? (I still use my college ID from 20 years ago for discounts, so I am in his generation.) The concerns: His 30.7 K% meant he needed a .400+ BABIP to hit .300+; his sprint speed was around 300th overall about the same as the two-steals-in-a-good-year Travis d’Arnaud, and his xBA was .266. He did hit the ball hard (50% Hard Hit) and 13.9 Barrel%. Hard not to have some concern about him, but I also want him on my teams for that absolutely gorge upside. 2020 Projections: 30/10/34/.264/4 in 211 ABs
7. Max Muncy – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
8. Mike Moustakas – Here’s what I said when he signed with the Reds, “Signed with the Reds. The Reds love them some infielders. Allow me to list: VanMeter, Galvis, Votto, Eugenio, Kyle Farmer, and now Moistasskiss. That’s six, after releasing Jose Peraza, and not counting Psycho Killer, who sees the occasional start at 1st base. VanMeter could see some time in the outfield, though the Reds have six of them too. Cincy is resurrecting the Big Red Machine, only this time it is just the actual size. *chisels statue of Aristides holding globe on his shoulders* That’s Aristides, the Punisher. Sorry, my lack of knowledge about Greek mythology will always be my Achilles’ heel. Any hoo! Moistasskiss is about as locked into production as you can find. He’s basically the Reds’ Eugenio but at 2nd base.” And that’s me quoting me! 2020 Projections: 29/13/33/.252/1 in 211 ABs
9. DJ LeMahieu – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until McNeil. I call this tier, “Slutty Fungi.” By the tier name I mean, you think it’s a good idea to dress up on Halloween in a slutty costume to be the Slutty Fun Guy, but then everyone asks you if you’re Slutty Fungi, and it backfires horribly. That’s this tier. They seem like a good idea but they’re moist spores. As for LeMahieu, already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball..
10. Eduardo Escobar – Colombia University aka Escobar.Edu does hit a lot of fly balls, so that’s good for his power, but 35 homers like he did last year? I’d ask what drugs you’re on, but it’s obvious when talking about Escobar. 2020 Projections: 29/10/35/.264/1 in 211 ABs
11. Whit Merrifield – Honestly, I didn’t think very hard about whether I would draft LeMahieu or Merrifield first, or if I wanna open a bar named Merrifield’s with a DJ. Since I’m avoiding this entire tier, I just chucked them up in the rankings. I don’t want either, so makes no difference if I’m ranking this way or flip-flopped or am drafting while wearing flip-flops. All irrelevant. As for Merrifield, all I’ll say if you want to find a guy I’m avoiding, find a guy who lost half of his steals, just turned 31, needs 600+ ABs to get his stats and has a career 7.7% HR/FB. That is the new blech. 2020 Projections: 34/5/26/.305/6 in 226 ABs
12. Jeff McNeil – Was one of the bigger proponents of drafting McNeil last year, but even in my wildest dreams, which involve Giancarlo in a whipped cream bikini, I didn’t expect McNeil’s previous season. And, if he did have that season, I would’ve guessed Mets fans would’ve nicknamed him McNails, so was wrong on that too. 2020 Projections: 38/7/26/.306/2 in 218 ABs
13. Cavan Biggio – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Newman. I call this tier, “Telling people you’re a professional soccer player.” If you tell anyone in the U.S. you’re a professional soccer player, no one will know, and you’ll be able to get reservations at the hardest restaurants to get into, girls interested in you, guys wanting to be your friend, and without having to be in shape or get kicked in the shins. It’s the perfect scenario. Pro athlete perks without pro athlete hard work. That’s this tier. Get perks of upside without having to draft them that high. As for Biggio, went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
14. Scott Kingery – Here’s my Scott Kingery sleeper. It was written at an airport while saying I was going to Tallahussy. 2020 Projections: 30/8/26/.271/9 in 216 ABs
15. Danny Santana – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
16. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – Already gave you my Lourdes Gurriel Jr. sleeper. It was co-written by Siri. 2020 Projections: 29/10/31/.252/3 in 211 ABs
17. Tommy Edman – Already gave you my Tommy Edman sleeper. It was after realizing Billie Eilish was born after 9/11. 2020 Projections: 32/5/21/.284/10 in 210 ABs
18. Brandon Lowe – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
19. Michael Chavis – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
20. Ryan McMahon – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
21. Ian Happ – Already gave you my Ian Happ sleeper. It was after five gin and tonics. 2020 Projections: 23/9/26/.266/2 in 169 ABs
22. Kolten Wong – No foolsies, I nearly wrote a Wong sleeper post too. I looked at this Wong hard–um, with great interest. Don’t tell me there’s no 2nd basemen to draft. There’s a shizzton! Just not the ones other people are drafting with the high-price tags. There’s no price tag on Wong, which is also what a male escort screams in the back of a police cruiser. What ultimately stopped me from writing a sleeper on Wong was his upside wasn’t that sexy — that’s what she said derisively. 2020 Projections: 29/3/24/.282/6 in 191 ABs
23. Kevin Newman – Yup, I looked at Newman for a sleeper post too. Again, I liked him like Wong — not in a gay way, not that there’s anything wrong with that — but Newman’s fly balls were kinda bleh and I worried he’d end back as a 5-homer guy like he seemed in the minors, i.e., Hello Newman, just not Hello Newman. 2020 Projections: 29/3/23/.289/7 in 195 ABs
24. Rougned Odor – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Urias. I call this tier, “Never say never.” Tier name will become obvious by end of the blurb. As for Odor, bit surprised by some of the smart people who I’ve seen talk about drafting Odor late. You’d think they would’ve paid attention to the lesson I learned season after season after season after season. Odor is a poor April away from the Rangers benching or releasing him. Oddly enough, releasing Odor is very similar to playing Odor. They both stink. His power/speed are still alluring, so never say never to drafting him. (HAHA, I can’t quit him!) 2020 Projections: 23/9/26/.212/3 in 182 ABs
25. Jonathan Schoop – When he signed with the Tigers, I said, “Well, there’s gonna be a new Tigers team leader in homers in 2020. Their team leader last year, the always sexy, gender fluid, Bra-Dix, was DFA’d. Of course, Brandon Dixon led the team with *stifles laugh* 15 homers.” And that’s me quoting me! 2020 Projections: 23/9/26/.241 in 192 ABs
26. Garrett Hampson – Full disclosure alert! I wrote a Garrett Hampson sleeper. Not last year, I mean this year. Was going to publish it in December, and then, out of nowhere, like Ben Franklin at a key store, I saw a flash of light and realized Bud Black is never playing Hampson. I see so many people drafting Hampson early like he’s going to get 500 ABs, and, well, good luck to you, I’d draft him, but not at his current price. If the Rockies trade Arenado and Hampson is projected for the Opening Day lineup (which he isn’t!), then I’ll move him up. 2020 Projections: 19/4/16/.251/6 in 113 ABs
27. Jurickson Profar – Here’s what I said this offseason, “(Profar was) traded to the Padres for Austin Allen, who sounds like a furniture, and we know what kind of person shops at the Jurickson store. Me. There was a reason why I drafted Profar in multiple leagues last year, but, after he burned me badly last year, how many times am I going to the well before I’m the one they use to restock the shelves at the Jurickson store? Hard to say. If I’m the Padres, I’d *pinkie to mouth* Profar Urias, but here we are. Don’t think Profar’s too old to bounce back from his dreadful 2019, where he hit .218, but dude might want to consider no longer hitting 27-foot pop-ups to 2nd base and dribblers to 1st.” And that’s me quoting me! 2020 Projections: 20/7/22/.231/3 in 164 ABs
28. Tommy La Stella – Last year in one of the strangest twists, Tommy revealed the “La” in his last name stands for Launch Angle, hitting 16 homers in a half a season, and .295 without luck. Enter stage right: His archenemy, Joe Maddon, who benched him for four years. Maddon, in his best Batman villain voice, “Launch Angle, you’re grounded.” Snap! Never say never because La Stella’s power could be for real. 2020 Projections: 23/6/25/.291 in 173 ABs
29. Starlin Castro – Signed with the Nats as they made a clean break from Zimmerman for Castro, because they are anti-semites and Communists and I don’t believe Zimmerman is actually Jewish or Castro is a Fidel, but here we are. Castro sees a little boost in lineup, but it’s not gonna do him any favors that everyone is better than him and he’ll be hitting 7th or 8th every game. Yadios Molina! (I was saving that for when Yadier retired, but let’s be honest that shizz ain’t ever happening.) 2020 Projections: 20/9/25/.266/1 in 211 ABs
30. Nick Madrigal – Already gave you my Nick Madrigal fantasy. It had it going on like Stacy’s Mom. 2020 Projections: 19/1/8/.293/8 in 120 ABs
31. Nick Solak – Already gave you my Nick Solak fantasy. Since I wrote that, the Rangers signed Todd Frazier, and crowded their infield. Ya know, if there weren’t a team as awful with rookies as the Rockies, the Rangers would be talked a lot more about how awful they are. UPDATE: Moved up due to Willie Calhoun’s broken jaw and upped his projections. No matter who the Rangers lose, there’s a sexy guy stepping in to fill the space. *sees Todd Frazier penciled into cleanup* Don’t even think about it, Rangers! UPDATE II: Calhoun will be healthy by the time for 2020 season, but Solak looks like he could still sneak in 300 ABs, playing all over the field, so I’m leaving him here. 2020 Projections: 26/8/22/.268/3 in 180 ABs
32. Mauricio Dubon – Could see Gabe Kapler, between burpees, anointing Dubon the leadoff hitter. Could also see him hitting 8th and Gabe Kapler just applying ointment to his already-tanned abs. 2020 Projections: 26/4/20/.276/5 in 190 ABs
33. Isan Diaz – His Steamer Projections are pretty, uh, pretty. In Triple-A last year, he went 26/5/.305 and made me excited for a Marlins rookie for the 1st time since *thinking for a few hours* Hanley? Jo-Fer? Oh, man, that just made me sad. Okay, moving on before I start bawling into this bag of Takis. *barely holding it together* I don’t want to soak my Takis! Diaz has real strikeout concerns, but he could be a late flyer in deep leagues that pays dividends. 2020 Projections: 22/8/25/.235/2 in 189 ABs
34. Luis Urias – Here’s what I said this offseason, “Went the other way in the monster Grisham trade. Or maybe it was that I was drinking a Monster energy drink when I heard about it. It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for Urias to breakout (that goes for Julio too), but Luis is still only 22 years old (Julio’s only 23). It is debatable if Urias’s 19 homers in a half a season of Triple-A was real and will translate or was Superball-aided. Urias is one of those guys where I don’t even know what to project him for. He could anywhere from 25/7/.290 to 4/2/.210 and demoted by May. Or doesn’t even make the team. Be interested in seeing what he can do. Guess you can say I’m very *pinkie to mouth* Urias. Going to the Brewers won’t hurt him, unless Counsell suddenly finds an affinity for Orlando Arcia. The eye test tells me Urias will be a 17/7/.260 major leaguer, but, again, he’s young and who knows. You should be skeptical of people crazy excited about Urias now. He still has not done anything in the majors.” And that’s me quoting me! UPDATE: Urias has a broken hamate bone, so I updated his projections. I added 25 homers! Broken hamate bone? Sign me up! Right? I mean, Olson last year broke his hamate bone and hit a home run in every game thereafter. No? Okay. So, I saw some sites saying Urias would need six to eight weeks to recover. That sounds pessimistic. Maybe four to six weeks, which still lets him open the season as the Brewers’ shortstop or at least return after a week or two. I’ve changed his projections a tad, but I still don’t see Arcia as the starter. UPDATE II: With the delayed season, Urias should be fully recovered in time for the season, which season is the real question. 2020 Projections: 16/5/18/.262/2 in 178 ABs
35. Robinson Cano – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Moran. I call this tier, “If you’re wearing sweatpants and drafting from this tier, people are going to assume you’ve given up on life.” The tier name is self-explanatory. As for Cano, I’m looking forward to the thinkpieces in the winters of 2023-28 about how Cano would be a Hall of Famer with his 3,000 hits if he wasn’t busted for PEDs. Not looking forward to anything else about him. 2020 Projections: 23/6/24/.251 in 172 ABs
36. Hanser Alberto – I just briefly glimpsed a headline from a fantasy baseball ‘pert about how Hanser’s breakout last year and whether it could continue. That made me squint. I had forgot Hanser breakout last year. Hanser to goodness mistake, I guess. So, I look at his player page. He went 12/4/.305 in 524 ABs. As you can imagine, that made me squint further. 2020 Projections: 27/5/18/.293/1 in 199 ABs
37. Luis Arraez – In almost 525 ABs, he’s projected for around five homers and five steals. That’s a strong case for a loud, sustained cackle. And, with the Donaldson signing, I’m not sure he sees that many at-bats. Still cackling! 2020 Projections: 19/1/13/.319/1 in 157 ABs
38. Niko Goodrum – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
39. David Fletcher – This guy retaught me a lesson last year. I never pay for batting average, but I got cute last year with Fletcher, assuming (correctly) the Angels had no leadoff hitter so Fletcher would act as their number one (he did, mostly). But even with a .307 average out of the leadoff spot, and .290 overall, holy schnikes, he was painful to own. Don’t pay for average-only hitters. I’m farting in Arraez’s general direction too. 2020 Projections: 29/2/20/.288/3 in 200 ABs
40. Asdrubal Cabrera – Signed with the Nats to play 3rd and Kieboom goes Carter’s fantasy value this year. Asdrubal is like Ryan Zimmerman with a Latin flair. I will call him Mentirosa Zimmerman. 2020 Projections: 24/6/26/.258/1 in 174 ABs
41. Cesar Hernandez – I will say this of this tier. For AL or NL-Only leagues, this tier is fine if you’re looking for a warm body. One thing Cesar has going for him is he’s warm, which is why he wears a toga. 2020 Projections: 26/6/23/.271/4 in 219 ABs
42. Franklin Barreto – This was how I projected Barreto: Ooh…he’s projected to start at 2nd base. Wow, he has 15-homer power and some speed. Holy Criss Angel, he might hit .160. 2020 Projections: 17/6/19/.218/2 in 120 ABs
43. Dee Gordon – He went from the 12th best sprint speed in the majors to 103rd. That, over-the-internet friends, is a teachable moment. 2020 Projections: 15/1/10/.254/7 in 131 ABs
44. Freddy Galvis – If anyone is pushing a VanMeter, Kyle Farmer or Phillip Ervin playing time narrative too hard, I want you to keep in mind that seemingly without any coercion the Reds picked up Galvis’s contract. 2020 Projections: 321/6/23/.250/2 in 201 ABs
45. Chris Taylor – I don’t think I’ve ever give any manager credit, but I will say this of Dave Roberts, which is kind of a compliment, he figures out how to get a lot of players 400+ ABs. When you’re disparaging managers for ten years that passes as a compliment. 2020 Projections: 19/5/21/.252/3 in 150 ABs
46. Gavin Lux – Already gave you my Gavin Lux fantasy. It was written while being told I need kids for permission to enter Chuck E. Cheese. UPDATE: Will start year at alternate camp. 2020 Projections: 11/4/11/.251/1 in 149 ABs
47. Adam Frazier – I was talking about this the other day with Jose Martinez and how it was crazy how some players miss an entire career because they’re on the wrong team. Frazier’s the flip side of that coin. He’s managed to have a career on the Pirates. If he was on a big-market team, he’d make Clint Frazier’s major league playing time thus far seem vast. 2020 Projections: 22/4/21/.277/2 in 191 ABs
48. Howie Kendrick – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
49. Jose Peraza – Here’s my Jose Peraza sleeper. It was buried in a post about the Kluber trade. Since I wrote that, however, Moreland signed with the Red Sox, and now there’s, uh, less land for Peraza to play. 2020 Projections: 14/2/11/.272/6 in 117 ABs
50. Brian Dozier – Signed by the Padres. Dozier, The Human Hammock, has hit 20+ homers every year since 2014, and now I’m concerned about the Padres’ everyday 2nd base job. Dozier is not my *pinkie to mouth* Profarence. UPDATE: Released. 2020 Projections: 15/6/17/.234/1 in 101 ABs
51. Austin Nola – Already went over him in the top 20 catchers for 2020 fantasy baseball.
52. Shed Long – If the Mariners have any sense, they’ll start Shed Long over Dee Gordon from now until Dee Gordon is DFA’d. Hey, not saying Shed Long is great. He sounds like he could be found at Lowe’s and he won’t be as good as any of the Rays’ Lowes, but at least there’s some mystery to Shed Long. Okay, now I’m starting a True Crime podcast called The Mystery in Shed Long. Please subscribe to my Patreon. 2020 Projections: 18/4/20/.238/3 in 113 ABs
53. Colin Moran – David Bote should get traded to the Pirates. He’d fit in perfectly, as it feels like every Pirates hitter could have 200 ABs or 550 ABs and hit under 15 homers. 2020 Projections: 18/5/25/.277 in 166 ABs
54. Enrique Hernandez – This is the last tier. This tier goes until the end of the list. I call this tier, “Wow, I can’t believe you ranked that guy.” As for Kiké, remember when he homered twice in the 1st game of the year and Donkey Teeth said on the podcast he thought Enrique could hit 30 homers. Damn it, that still makes me laugh. 2020 Projections: 14/4/15/.246 in 124 ABs
55. Jason Kipnis – Signed with the Cubs. Not sure any good moves have happened in the last two weeks since I finished my 2020 fantasy baseball rankings that have helped anyone’s value. What does Kipnis do to Hoerner? Doesn’t make me hoerny, I’ll tell ya that. Is David Bote out of the picture? Is Descalso in the picture? Am I just singing Picture by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow? I demand answers! 2020 Projections: 10/5/13/.237/2 in 103 ABs
56. Joey Wendle – He’s not a poor man’s top middle infielder. He’s a homeless man’s middle infielder. Go ahead, Mr. Wendle! 2020 Projections: 10/3/11/.247/3 in 101 ABs
57. David Bote – One of those guys who could have 550 ABs or 175 ABs while getting 10-13 HRs and less than 55 RBIs either way. It’s pretty amazing, tee bee aitch. 2020 Projections: 18/5/19/.252/1 in 121 ABs
58. Brendan Rodgers – He said he’s on track to be ready for Spring Training, after having shoulder surgery, and Bud Black said, “What’s the rush?” 2020 Projections: 13/3/11/.268/1 in 90 ABs
59. Ty France – A bit of a Profar hedge here, and, of course, the only good hedges in France are at Versailles. Damn, these cultured probiotics I’m taking are working! 2020 Projections: 11/4/16/.240 in 77 ABs
60. Sheldon Neuse – This is a Barreto hedge. Neuse’s Triple-A stats 27/3/.317 are muy sweetness, but has some swing-and-miss tendencies. The A’s are a smart organization so I have to wonder why Neuse is 25 and still without real MLB playing time. That could be irrelevant though if Barreto starts cold and Neuse looks good in the spring. I’m intrigued, y’all! 2020 Projections: 13/3/11/.242/1 in 62 ABs
61. Eric Sogard – Here’s what I said this offseason, “Signed with the Brewers. Eric Sogard and Craig Counsell *insert Spiderman pointing at himself meme*. Mentioned this on the Winter Meetings podcast, but will repeat now for lack of more interesting shizz. Last year the Yankees signed DJ LeMahieu with no place to play him. People were like, “So dumb, they have Andjuar and Voit and where the hell is LeMahieu playing?” So, yes, I am saying Sogard will now be top five vote-getter for the NL MVP. No, I’m not saying that! It’s the same idea, though. Sogard doesn’t really have a place to play, and the Brewers now have twelve infielders.” And that’s me quoting me! 2020 Projections: 20/4/16/.274/2 in 134 ABs
62. Josh VanMeter – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2020 fantasy baseball.
63. Luis Rengifo – I like to draft Rengifo just so I can drop him while saying, “More like RenGTFOH.” 2020 Projections: 10/2/8/.236/2 in 102 ABs
64. Nicky Lopez – True story alert! In a hazy memory chamber of my brain, I faintly recall Nicky Lopez being someone who had some interest this past year, so I looked at his numbers (2 HRs, 1 SB, .240 in 103 games) and I did a spit-take of my pamplemousse La Croix. Hey, Nicky Lopez, you owe me a new monitor. 2020 Projections: 17/1/19/.266/3 in 149 ABs
Lindor, Lauer and Lux for Acuna, Fried, Deivi
I’d be getting the former.
Trying to light up the fantasy hot stove with this deal.
Acuna
Held firm on the Acuna offer.
What about – Lindor, Reynolds, Nate Jones, Lux for Bieber, Fried and Matt Manning?
I’d be getting Lindor package.
Standard Fantrax 12 team 5×5 roto…..I have Moustakas at 2nd…….have been offered Keston Huira for closers Kirby Yates & Alex Colome…….I have other less-popular closers, ,….SAGNOF sez take the deal……your thoughts?
Take Keston
Grey, I’m have Torres as a potential keeper in my OBP league. Standard cats after that. I certainly don’t think he will put up the same numbers as last year, but I can keep him for $25. I am on the fence about it. Thoughts?
Take questions to my newest post
Hey Grey! Which pair do you like best in a standard keeper league?
Your favorite 2 of $19 Olson, $10 Pham, $6 Kepler, $4 Edman or Hampson
Or
$27 Freeman or Harper + $4 JD Davis
Or
$9 Albies + $9 Aquino or $5 Laureano
(Meant to mention – these are all the final offers I got for my $19 JDM.)
There’s positives to all three — Albies, Laureano, feels safest and upsidey
Thanks!
No problem
Ugh, flakey owners are the worst – Albies guy took his offer off the table when I said it was good to go – does that happen in pert leagues too?
Anyway, what’s your favorite of the remaining 2 offers actually out there? Here’s a reminder of the options:
$19 Olson, $10 Pham, $6 Kepler, $4 Edman or Hampson
Or
$27 Freeman or Harper + $4 JD Davis
Yeah, happens all the time… freeman, JD
So frustrating! At least it’s not just my league haha. Have a good one and thanks!
Grey
Got an offer of Soto and C Seager for my Tatis Kopech and Wheeler in a 15 team keep 11 that counts It has obp slg r h rbi sb and k as batting cats.
My other pitchers that I could keep are Paddock Ohtani Gore Gallen
Which side ya like?
Hmm, seems fair, I’d go Soto
Grey! I was looking at prospect itch’s breakdown of the angels and was curious at what point you would be looking at drafting Adell/unwilling to let him fall any further? Current FP avg adp says 222?! FT more reasonable at 158.
I’ll go over him in my rankings
Morning Grey,
Keeping Soto, Judge, Machado, Hiura, Correa, Eloy and Luzardo in a 16 team 5×5 league.
Im taking 2 SPs first in the draft and will end up with some combination of Morton, Nola, Darvish, Corbin, Woodruff, Kershaw, Paxton.
Should I target more pitching early on, or should I fill out the rest of my lineup and attack pitching later? What do you think of my team’s outlook heading into the season?
Thanks! Great content as always
Answered above
Hey Grey,
16 Team Keeper League, I have Soto, Judge, Machado, Hiura, Correa, Eloy, and Luzardo.
Going to take SPs in the first two rounds, so I’ll have some combination of Morton, Nola, Darvish, Paxton, Woodruff, Corbin, or Kershaw.
Should I be looking to target more starters early, or is that enough firepower to fill out the rest of my lineup and wait on pitching? What do you think about that potential roster outlook heading into the season?
Thanks! Great content as always
So, you’ll have Luzardo, Darvish and Corbin? That’s a solid top 3 for a staff — You have a foundation, you need to fill out your team then
Hey Grey,
In a 16 team keeper league, going into the season with Soto, Judge, Eloy, Hiura, Machado, Correa as my hitters and Luzardo as my only pitcher. Going to take the best SPs available with my first two picks, looking like I’ll have some combination of Morton, Nola, Darvish, Corbin, Woodruff, and Paxton. Should I emphasize more pitching after taking two of those guys, or fill out my hitters and round out my pitching staff later? Do you think I’ll have enough pitching to compete?
Thanks! Great content as usual.
Morning Grey,
Wheeler and Lamet side or Bauer side?
K/9 qs keeper league
Morning! Lamet
Hey Grey, great stuff as always! I’ve got a trade offer on the table in a 12 team roto keeper league. My Luis Patino, Isan Diaz, and 1st rd pick in minors draft for Darvish($10, but $20 next yr) and LeMahieu($4). We have 10 minors slots and a 1st rd pick generally nets a very nice asset. Patino when called up would be $3. What say you?
Thanks! I’d take Yu
I just traded rizzo for ketel marte in my 5×5 roto forever keeper league with no picks attached. Thoughts on ketel over the next few years compared to rizzo. Yahoo elig.
I like it!
In a 12 team roto auction, would you trade:
Luzardo $10 for 2 years
Domingo $2 for 2 years
Will Smith $10 for 2 years—the catcher
FOR His:
Trevor Story $51 for 2 years
Thank you for all your work. Reading your writeups are the best remedy for the winter blues. Wait…the second best.
Thanks! I’d take Story
Nice stuff, Grey. I look forward to more random shots being directed at Travis D’Arnaud in other players’ blurbs!
Haha, No problem!
Another trade offer
I trade:
Kyle Seager
Avasail Garcia
Justus Sheffield
I receive:
Jesus Luzardo
I am ok with the bats, but is Sheff too much?
thoughts..
Luzardo side
Done deal! thanks
No problem
Rizzo says his ankle feels “90%” – not great for best shape of my life season!
That’s “at best 90% shape of my life”
Ruhroh Raggy… now Jack McDowell is throwing La Russa under the bus. The God of Signgate/Buzzergate demands more sacrifices!
Haha, yeah, every player is prolly like, “Of course there’s cheating!”
This is a tougher question before seeing anything from spring training, but are there any prospects this year that come to mind who are not being drafted/being drafted very late and could alter the fantasy landscape? (A la tatis and alonso 2019)
I draft Art Warren in one league but the process of drafting him ruins him for this answer
I dig it. Curious your opinion on the “strategy” of “combining ace relievers to get 5+ innings of cy young level pitching per week”. Seen it called different things – Carlos marmol cheat code, delosh betader (aka Dellin Betances/josh hader). Any legitimacy to this heavy reliance on RP over SP in h2h cats leagues?
One name I came across while looking into this is another RP – James karinchak. Control might not be there all the time but a 20 k/9 Is cool.
Depends on the league, and league minimums, but I could see it work if you’re against the right opponent
Fair enough. I don’t want to pigeon hole myself into only being able to beat one type of opponent.
If you were building a roster how would you distribute sp/rp? 2SP spots, 2rp spots, 5P spots. 3 bench spots total. 10 inning min. per matchup. 8 cats: w, qs, k, hr allowed, svhd, whip, era, and k/9
2, 2, 5 works for me — Usually go 2, 3, 4
Hi Grey hope the winter is treating you good. Real early keeper question for you. I know you favor Moncada so which keeper suites you. 8 team espn roto. Moncada $16. Blackmon $16 or Freeman $28 thanks
Good to see you, Uncle Ernie!
Freeman
Thank you sir
No problem
Farting at Arraez wasn’t very nice. But it was funny as hell. Hahahhahahahahaaha!!!!!
Hehe
Musgrove and Stroman are both sleepers. You like one over the other? Thank you.
I’ve been planning to keep my $29 Yordan as my last keeper in my 12 team keep forever league ($260 budget, $3 inflation). As reference, last year Yelich was drafted for $47, Marte for $39, AJ Pollock for $22.
Anyway, my opinion on Yordan hasn’t changed (I love him), but I’m wondering if I might be able to draft him back for basically the same price as his $29 keeper tag. Two related questions:
1. Would you keep any of the below guys over the $29 Yordan?
$11 Maeda
$9 Brantley
$4 Gio Urshela or Stella or C. Vazquez or D Murphy (barf)
$4 Seth Lugo (not sure what you think of him for 2020)
2. Related, I can likely trade my $19 JDM for one of the following 2:1 returns, the idea being that I’d keep the second piece over the $29 Yordan (and then I would compete to redraft Yordan in the auction). Do you like either of the below packages for that purpose?
(Option A) a $4 JD Davis + either a $27 Freeman or $27 Harper.
(Option B) 2 of the following guys: $9 Albies; $9 Aquino; $5 Laureano; $3 Sano
Thanks again!
1. Your other options aren’t that interesting
2. JDM for JD and Freeman or Albies and Laureano (or Aquino) seem like no brainers
Thanks! And re: 2 you would keep JD, Laureano, or Aquino at those prices over the $29 Yordan?
So you’d trade for two but only keep one? Laureano
Sorry for confusion – I’d trade JDM for 2 guys, keep both the guys I acquired, and not keep $29 Alvarez instead.
So it’s basically – do I say no to both offers and keep JDM ($19) and Yordan ($29),
or . . . trade JDM, let Yordan go to FA, and instead keep the pair acquired by trade (like the pair of Harper/JDavis or Albies/Laureano)
Gotcha, yeah, Albies/Laureano
wouldn’t drop Yordan. Only non cheater on Astros. Just hope he gets 10 games in the o.f.
You might also see what you can get in a trade if you include Alvarez. Someone might have a hardon for him and give you something juicy.
Hearing alot of good things about Evan White but you seem to be rather lowish on him.
Trying to determine why?
He’s projected for 20/3/.250 by Fangraphs, so that takes me out of the equation… That’s barely ownable in 15 team leagues as a corner man
IMO Evan White’s best tools are his defense, which is said to be elite. His offense is still developing, but he could certainly take a step forward.
It will be quite the Bote race for the Cubs 2B job
I’ll see myself out now.
Is Happ a potential at 2B actually? First I’ve heard of this
Happ played 13 games at 2B last year along with 3B, OF, and even 1B. depending on league site he could play most your positions this year.
Yea I only play in 20 game min so that’s why I asked.
Haha, that’s a regatta
Happ is currently CF
Which side?
Muncy for E Rosario and R McMahon
Rosario
I could see Altuve putting up career numbers to discredit him being a cheat, but just wonder if this whole thing blows up with several players being suspended. Sign stealing has been goin on forever, but this is way way different. Will monitor but inclined to steer clear of “Stros hitters at this point.
Meh, that’s anecdotal — I guess it could happen, and Giancarlo can play in 162 games bc he wants to prove people wrong and Mike Leake will K 250 guys because he wants to prove guys wrong etc.
This was outright cheating !!! Can’t compare it with what players see with their own eyes w/out use of in game technology. Buzzers under jerseys ? Banging on drums…..good thing Giamatti or Kenesaw Mountain Landis weren’t commissioner.
I’d vacate their Championship, and leave it vacant. Yankees got screwed worse than Dodgers did (lost all games in Houston). Would take mvp away from Altuve, and give it to Judge; same as I would have taken it away from Braun, and given it to Kemp.
Definitely would have suspended Altuve, Bregman, and Springer.
Total joke. Manfred ‘s a wuss.
Agree with 183414
Fire them into the sun! All the cheaters!
Grey what’s up man. Exciting time of year. Haven’t commented in a while but I’ve been here reading all your posts! All great stuff, so thank you! I also love having you weigh in on keeper decisions if you would.
Out of these players you have to assign one a 3 year contract to keep for the next 3 years, a 2 year contract and a 1 year contract. who would you assign to each term?
Ohtani, Eloy, Hiura, Meadows, Corbin…I was thinking; 3-Eloy, 2-Hiura, 1-Corbin… agree or would you switch it up?
Thanks! Good to see you!
So you have to throw back Ohtani and Meadows? If this league is shallow, I’d go Meadows 1 over Corbin — other two seem fine
Unrelated to the topic at hand, but what do you think of Donaldson for Odorizzi in a 6×6 OPS/ QS league? Would be saving some salary and also have Bryant at 3B, who I prefer.
While entertaining the trade offer I noticed that Steamer prefers Donaldson over Bryant. Instinctively that doesn’t feel right to me, but I’m not sure how much name value I’m giving Bryant, whether he still deserves that, and how much I’m discounting Donaldson for his age. Obviously the numbers in the model support what I’m seeing on the screen, but I think that’s a fun example of the limitations of a numerical model for predicting baseball.
I’d take Donaldson
The Irishman is so long and generic mob movie but it’s nice to see the big names in there. Wife and I cannot seem to finish it.
I am just starting to get excited about FBB this year. Won’t be doing the RCL I couldn’t keep up with the daily stuff and lost focus. Maybe an NFBC, how is that? Drafting 50 rounds seems like a pain and massive roll of the dice for later in the season.
What was favorite part of the Europe trip? Did any gypsy women rob you or Cougs? Did you get to see anyone urinate on the street?
We finished it, but the last 45 mins were boring
You should do NFBC with us, we put leagues together in Feb. It’s fun, and it’s easy managing it during the years
I vomited in the street, but didn’t see any urinating… london we saw friends — in paris we stayed in 6th arrond. and did nonstop tourist things — subway strike was happening, so had to walk everywhere, did about 25,000 steps/day…. highlights: did a tour where a local showed us around a farmer’s market, took us to cheese and charcuterie shops — was a great 4 hours — also did a 4 hour chocolate tour — we basically did 25,000/day while eating
ok I will look out for the NFBC stuff.
Been to Paris a couple times, I remember walking into The Louvre and not knowing wtf was going on. I was a teenager and clueless. Only that night looking through pamphlets (pre-internet days) did I realize we were at some famous museum.
That food poisoning story had me feeling sorry for you man. I hate vomiting fucking hate hate hate it. You prob popped a little in your underpants too but don’t wanna tell us. Kisses.
PC
Would’ve been better…I wish I pooped my pants!
I’m in a 12-team H2H league where we keep 6 players…2 of which have to be pitchers. My pitching isn’t very good, so I’m not crazy about my options other than Paddack. Question is, should I trade my 3rd round pick for Greinke? I see him rated as a top 20 pitcher in some places, but I want to ask your thoughts. I don’t like losing a 3rd round pick, but I do have 2 1st rounders and a 2nd still. I’m thinking Greinke might be better than anything I can draft since 24 pitchers are already off the board, but if you see a dropoff coming, I’d like to know. Thanks!
So that’s 72 players off the board, and a third round pick is around 110th overall? That’s good for Greinke
Just got the same offer with Eduardo Rodriguez instead of Greinke. Your preference? Thanks again and have a great weekend, Grey!
Ed-Rod, pretty close tho
I’m Hiura for this.
footnote: man yesterday was quite the day for MLB. boy, that escalated quickly. They best leave my boy Trout outta their mouth.
No one comes for Trout… What do you think about the sign stealing?
Haha, how much time you got? I got a lot of thoughts. Posted a few on my newly christened razzy twitter account (shameless plug), @CoolwhipRB.
That said, i was surprised to see Bregmann finish with comparable WAR to Trout. That’s just not something that happens (in my mind). sure he played a lot of SS yadda yadda, juiced balls yadda yadda. And i’ve always had doubts about Altuve consistently covering the plate with an open stance in the back half of the box. I’ve debated him a long time with my college roommate back and forth… he always defended his skill, I always claimed that the bottom was going to drop and he’d be exposed, luck would fail, something. IDK, Logically I couldn’t explain it in baseball plate discipline terms, how most MLB pitchers couldn’t pick him apart with his approach… now here we are… very likely could just be confirmation bias.
As to it as a whole, I’m glad this out in the open now (Jessica’s take btw was worst of all time lol… was she raised in a federal pen? “snitches get stitches, get yours while i get mine, and don’t hate on my hustle” is basically what she condoning), I think the punishment should be harsher. Pete Rose gets banned and blacklisted for betting, but an entire organization allegedly “steals” its way to a Championship (and another championship series), and the best record in the history of baseball over a 3 year period… and basically they just lose draft picks for 2 years, com’on bruh. Manfred needs to put his purse down and take his belt off. You are only going to discourage this if the potential punishment outweighs the potential gain.
that said, as a whole i agree with you about stealing signs has been a thing since the game has existed with runners on, etc. However I do have a huge problem with non-players and organizational involvement using extra-human means to assist in such. Its no different than the organization giving their team steroids and falsifying test data to cover it. Using tools outside of the human competition itself to enhance your advantage on the field of play.
Yeah, I think we’re pretty close… I think it’s wrong, but I also don’t think it’s suddenly a new thing… Is pine tar cheating? Yes. Is Gaylord Perry in the HOF? Yup
Totally agree. For the record, i don’t care if players on the field “steal signs”. Why do catchers cover their mouth with glove during convos, and why do they throw fingers? to conceal their strategy. If the naked eye can see through your ruse, and if you can’t tell that they are telling your signs to their guy with different signs, that’s on you. Players and coaches use signs to tell their guys when to steal etc, pitchers and basemen figure it out sometimes. Is that cheating? of course not. so i don’t think runners figuring stuff out is cheating either. If you are broadcasting its your failure. Just the extra-human, extra-player means is my issue.
Yeah, that makes sense to me… It’s a fine line, and banging trash cans after video feed sending you info seems over the line, but I doubt any players are completely clean — aside from Trout, of course!
of course! btw… the La Stella blurb actually made me LOL. well played.
Ha, thanks!
Bravo, standing ovation!!
Wow, you’re a harsher hardliner than me… Honestly, I think everyone steals signs…Been going on since the game was invented… Were their means too forgone? Perhaps, but unless someone shows me that Altuve was a .500 hitter at home on changeups and .100 on road, I don’t know… I’m out on Bregman and Altuve this year, so it won’t affect me either way for fantasy, but I don’t blame them… I do think Fiers was in the right, and you have to expose nonsense, but that doesn’t mean the next guy on 2nd base stealing signs won’t be wrong, while still be within unwritten rules
Interesting little sideline nugget to all of this is that apparently 9 pitchers were cut from their teams after a terrible outing against the Astros in 2017.
Those nine people phoned their congrats to Fiers
What’s going to happen is altuve will naturally regress and I can see someone like altuve falling off a cliff becasue if his stature once his skills slip a little. So Altuve will naturally regress and people will be like “see he cheated”!
I wouldn’t touch altuve this year even at a huge discount
Because of* his stature
Yeah, pretty much exactly what i
*I expect
Cavan Biggio really is a nice player I’m sleeping on him ty for ranking him where you did. He already had a 26 hr 20 sb season in the minors and last year he looked solid nearly an 800 ops with power and speed. Got the pedigree, expect him to develop nicely. Could be a 30/30 guy
Yup!
I told everyone last year that Mr Wendle’s a bum.
People need to start listening to you, Zeus
Hello Grey,
After grabbing Marte off the wire in late April along with Olson whom I mentioned in your Top 11-20(21) post, I was able to ride to a championship. You said grabbing Olson in the 3rd this year would not be a stretch. With Marte’s NFBC ADP at roughly 44 right now I’m seriously thinking Marte in the 2nd, Olson in the 3rd to go with best available in the first. Yummy right?
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Ketel? Yes, yummy… Starling, not yummy
Haha yes, K. Marte. Sorry for any confusion. Thanks again!
Mike Moustakis over the last 3 years over 48 at bats hit .208 with 2 total homers in Great American, his now home ballpark. Grain of salt.
Meh, not too worried
Yeah small sample I just checked for fun. That said I could see him hitting like .238 this year.
Working on the tiers sheet for 2020, which I’ve handed over to HotRod the last few years to help him put together the Excel War Room.
If there is interest in having read-only access to Grey’s tiers on a sheet, I’ll make it a shared doc on Google Sheets.
Whatever we’ve done in past, has worked for me… Prefer people were on the site, of course
True true, good point
Thanks, for doing it tho, people seem to enjoy it
Received these two trade offers this morning.
I trade Gore and Wander and I get back, DeGrom
I trade Lourdes ,Willie C and Laureano and I get back Clevinger
What does Grey say?
Wander could be a top 10 guy overall for a dozen years
Laureano side
Thank you, I agree on both, just wanted to hear it from you!
No problem!
I understand that you and most “experts” have Wander reaching the bigs no earlier than sept., likely in 2021, but since I won’t be drafting him in any 12 teamer, I drafted him @581 (39th round) in my 1 and only Draft Champions.
Then I peaked at some players who contributed at the age of 19.
Soto, Machado, Gooden, Renteria, Mantle, Ott, Feller, Harper, Cobb, King Felix, Big Train….
If he’s as good as they say, and the Rays are in contention, win now mode, not there are h.o.f.’s in his way.
Whatever. 39th round.
Yeah, it’s worth a flyer that late vs. the Chad Greens of the world
Where is Javier Baez? Is he not 2b eligible somehow??
How many games did he play at 2B last year?
Let’s see… carry the 1, divided by 3.14… exactly zero games played/started at 2B in 2019. ;-)
Ha
Does Peraza have serious competition for 2B in Boston or is the job basically his? Seems like there could be significant draft day value right there.
That’s why I wrote a sleeper post for him
Will Berti play enough to get enough AB’s to justify a trade offer I received.
Berti ($1 this year (option to guarantee 2 years at $11 after this year – 16 team mixed)
for Lourdes Gurriel ($11 next two years – and I’m a Jays fan)
I feel like getting the Steals would be beneficial ( it’s a lot easier to find power). Need help taking my bias out of this…
I like Lourdes much better.
Agree with MP, Gurriel is around 150th overall, Berti is borderline ownable in 12 teamers right now due to ABs
Thanks Grey! I’m a bit surprised at how low Muncy is here and in 1B ranks. I’m in OBP, so that bumps him up a bit, but the projections seems to hate him too. Last two years he’s slashed 256/381/545, but Steamer projects him for 241/355/467. Your projection of 265 avg seems more likely, which would mean OBP near 385. So two questions (1) Any idea why the projections are so down on him and (2) How high would you bump him in OBP? Thanks Grey!
1. That I can’t answer..
2. He’s an elite walk guy, even if the AVG falls, he’s going to walk
BTW, surprised to hear you say I’m low on Muncy, I thought I was high on him and I like him a lot, see: https://razzball.com/top-20-1st-basemen-for-2020-fantasy-baseball/
That’s fair. My OBP side probably influenced me. He still feels like the unsexy pick that outperforms the guys you have in front of him (Abreu, Keston, etc.). And if Roberts ever figures it out and gives him 600 PA, you have significant upside
Yup
I’ve been in an OBP league forevs, and Muncy is definitely higher in OBP… example: for most this last year he hovered around top 50 value, so take that for whats it worth.
5 Keepers.. I have Lindor, JD, Sale, and Mondesi locked. Do I keep Whit as my 5th or throw him back, and try to pick up some scraps. Would probably have Keston, Machado, Eloy to choose from? OPS league too so nervous I don’t have enough pop with both Mondesi and Whit. Thanks
Id want Machado.
Forget Whit
I feel like everyone after Altuve is a schmohawk. Granted, a schmohawk in 2020 is a 25 HR/.270 guy, but still, they’re all the same. Soooooo…..Odor late it is!
Odor is still only 25, power and speed. He hit .271 one year and while he prolly never hit that again, I think he can hit at least in the .240 range..
Ha, exactly!!
Altuve’s big (small?) problem is his skill set w/out steals is readily available… Can find 25/.285 from a bunch of places
Albies, Hiura and Muncy are schmohawks at 2B? Are you insane? I’d rather have any of them OVER Altuve. If you haven’t noticed, Altuve’s numbers have slowly gone into decline recently.
Hey Grey,
While you are not high on Villar, in a keeper league where you can keep up to 5 guys 2 rounds prior to last year, without knowing other potentials, would you keep him in 8th round (drafted in 10th, dropped and I nabbed for free) in a 10 team team h2h league. 8 x8 using K, BB, XBH as extra 3 offensive. About where overall in top 100 do you have him? Thanks!
Villar is great in the 8th — Biggio is around top 100 cutoff so you can backtrack to see Villar is well within it
Keeper league no restrictions. Which side?
Judge and Villar or Bryant and Hiura?
Close, but I’d go with Bryant and Hiura
It is close… Hiura/Bryant seems right
Have been looking forward to this post to confirm my opinion of my dynasty team that’s accumulated Biggio, Newman, and Hampson- as well as Senzel who I didn’t realize only played one game at 2B last year in the (numerically) Big Red Machine.
I do love that middle tier of promising and cheap. I expect to have a lot of those guys filling up utility spots in my leagues this year, and hoping one of them hits it big.
Definitely, Matty!
Gray, keeper question. Forever keeper league, keep six players yearly, no $ assigned to them. Pick six out of the following:
Freeman, Albies, Story, Machado, Betts, Strasburg, Bieber, L. Castillo
I’m torn between Machado and the pitchers.
No Stras, no Castillio
Meh, I’m fine either way on an SP or Machado there… How man teams in your league? Might help answer
Grey, you’re the man, but Alex Wood said the exact opposite of what you claimed in the Altuve blurb.
Alex Wood
@Awood45
I would rather face a player that was taking steroids than face a player that knew every pitch that was coming.
Grey must watch a lot of CNN.
Just. No.
Yes, Jake Tapper dictated this entire post to me
I heard from Vince Coleman’s nephew that Alex Wood uses small amounts of pancake batter to put a little extra movement on his off speed pitches. MLB is off the chain. And to think they won’t let Pete Rose in the HOF!
Alex Wood’s neighbors and informants of Alex Wood need to be a full preseason long thing now
Yeah, my bad… This is why I’m not a reporter, removed the quote…
Alex wood quote is backwards .
Alex Wood
@Awood45
I would rather face a player that was taking steroids than face a player that knew every pitch that was coming.
Just thought I should point it out. Love the sleeper tier. Looking forward to tomorrow and 3rd base rankings. Cheers.
I heard from Delino DeShields Sr’s neighbor that Alex Wood lines his jersey with bacon grease so that his smell will attract bears who will then scare off hitters. It’s a complicated scheme that needs investigating MLB! And to think that Pete Rose is sitting on the sidelines of the HOF…
Delino DeShields Sr. only turds, so his offspring comes out the same way
3B would be Monday, Lord knows our man needs his weekend rest!
This is why I’m not a reporter, my bad, removed the quote…
Shortstops are on Monday
That first tier is sure generating a lot of “buzz”
HA!
Grey or anyone, are these trade offers fair?
Forever keeper league (roto, 6×6):
1. Freeman, Pederson, Eaton, Lucchesi, Trammell FOR Kelenic, Gore, Swanson, Marquez
2. Hendricks, Lucchesi, Pederson, B. Lowe, Adames, Trammell FOR Bohm, E. Jimenez, Y. Diaz
Thanks!
1. Freeman side
2. Hendricks side
1. Agree with MP
2. Eloy
You got that Alex Wood quote backwards. I can’t tell if you meant to do that or not so I figured I’d mention it.
This is why I’m not a reporter, my bad, removed it…
I think you might have the Alex Wood quote backwards in the Altuve blurb
This is why I’m not a reporter, my bad, removed it…
Those initial tiers really hit the nail on the head! Gimmie some of those tasty sleepers all day!
Great point about La Stella and his nemesis – though we definitely also have the possibility Maddon says mea culpa + turns him into La Zobrist…full PT and eligibility all over.
(Btw, these posts are now perfectly timed with the overnight bottle for our newborn – DAGNOF (diapers ain’t got no face))
LOL, La Zobrist. Congrats on the newborn!
Thanks, MP!
Sleepers, jeepers, peepers!
I hope so on Stella, but I don’t see how he has everyday playing time rn
Congrats on diaper duty! Cougs is out of town and Ted is getting sick all over the house, do they make doggie diapers?
Thanks! Haha – you know what they say, any diaper’s a doggie diaper if it fits!
Haha
My thinking is that between 2B platoon with fletch + 1B when Pujols is DHing instead of Ohtani, he’ll get 500 ABs+. Unless he starts slow or loses his blackmail on Maddon.
Pujols is really wild card — is he really benched? If so, then La Stella is in good shape
I think Pujols stays but will DH more than we think (and Ohtani will get not as many ABs as some think). Maybe something like . . .
against RHP, La Stella is at 2b, pujols 1b, ohtani DH
against LHP, ohtani sits, fletch at 2b, pujols dh, stella 1b?
Then you have whenever Ohtani pitches too…
In the end, there’s likely enough ABs to go around for all since Ohtani isn’t getting more than 420 ABs
The Angels really have tons of unknowns and playing time to split. Now that Rendon is the man, there is little to no room for Thaiss, Fletcher, La Stella there. Too bad for Thaiss as he reportedly really figured out 3B in winter ball. He definitely gets some looks in ANA this year. Maddon really, really likes Fletcher. He’s gone so far as to call him a potential future all-star 2B, so I think Rengifo and La Stella suffer. We all know Pujols must play, per Arte and his money and “brand”, so it doesn’t look that good for anyone else at 1B. Maybe Thaiss platoons at times if he has a good spring and makes club. Walsh seems to be another casualty. Wards only shot is 5th OF or 3rd catcher.
Yeah, that all tracks… La Stella is ranked around the last round flyer area of a 12 teamer for me, which seems fine…Figure a platoon guy for last round, or UTIL guy with risk… FWIW, Rudy has him for 350 ABs and I have 468, so I might be a bit too high
Sounds like eppler and Maddon are on different pages in regards to ohtani usage. Maddon open to letting him hit even when he pitches.
“Why wouldn’t you?” Maddon said. “That’s another 50 at-bats a year that you’re going to get out of the guy that you wouldn’t get otherwise. Wouldn’t the fans dig on that?”
https://www.mlb.com/news/joe-maddon-open-to-shohei-ohtani-hitting-when-he-pitches
Interesting… Maddon being aggressive would be fun with Ohtani
Agreed. I’m bummed – this will probably be the last year that ohtani isn’t a guaranteed 1st-3rd rounder (in leagues where you can use him as both a hitter/pitcher) but I’m still out because the price is too high for someone that is coming back from TJ. People are way overestimating his innings I think.
Yeah, it’s easy to get sucked in on his upside
Maybe in daily leagues, but not weekly.
Agreed
The reason that is unlikely to happen often is that Ohtani will be on some kind of pitch limit and if you forego DH It lasts the whole game. So if he pitches 4 2/3 every time after he leaves game his spot comes up they have to PH (unless he plays the field in a double switch).
True, good point
I m not sure how 468 happens without injuries, but you never know. I think Fletch will indeed start at 2B and hit leadoff most days.
Yeah, I might be overestimating… I’m assuming a tad bit too much
Dave! *high five*
Yeah i’m with you on those points. I’m thinking 3B is off the table for 145+ games, Rendon has only played 155+ once, so theres that, but i wouldn’t hold my breathe. Fletcher likely penciled in for same at 2B, proven himself to be prototypical leadoff man, hopefully he can steal some more. i think only shot at regular time is if Pujols loses significant time to injury and then it will likely be shared with Thaiss. On top of the fact Maddon is really intrigued with Ohtani, and has even said he’s even open to forfeiting DH on days that Ohtani pitches to let him hit more. The crumbs could be few and far between.
Shizz always happens tho… No one thought LeMahieu could get 110 games last year, now no one thinks Andujar can get ABs
Ohtani hitting for himself only works if he’s not on pitch count IMO. Maybe 2021 is more realistic for that.
Que Onda, Coolio?