The shortstops are stacked, yo. They are stacked like Dolly Parton on top of a stack of hotcakes. There is gorge as far as the eye can see. If a young boy happened upon this post, he would see love for the first time, then Norman Rockwell would paint him because it was the essence of Americana, if Norman Rockwell were alive and working as a caricature artist at a carnival. I wanna roll around in these shortstops like I’m Natalie Wood rolling away from a drunk Robert Wagner. Okay, enough hubbub! If you’re just joining us, all the 2017 fantasy baseball rankings are under that link-ma-whosie. With each player is my projections and where I see tiers starting and stopping. Anyway, here’s the top 20 shortstops for 2017 fantasy baseball:
1. Manny Machado – Already went over him in the top 10 for 2017 fantasy baseball.
2. Carlos Correa – Already went over him in the top 20 for 2017 fantasy baseball.
3. Trevor Story – Already went over him in the top 20 for 2017 fantasy baseball.
4. Francisco Lindor – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Seager. I call this tier, “The Trevorending Story.” I kinda mentioned this in the top 20 overall, I don’t see much difference between Story, Lindor, etc. You could extend the top 20 until Seager and I’d be fine with it. One shortstop gives you power, one gives you average, one gives you all five categories but at a lesser rate. They’re all beautiful. If I were starting a new civilization, I’d grab these five shortstops, one rototiller and my Vitamix, and we’d be all set. *realizes I forgot women* Damn, this civilization is going to be short-lived. Let’s just say for the first time I can remember, I can see a scenario where I have two shortstops in the first five rounds. It might be easier to go over what I don’t like. I don’t love Lindor’s lack of huge power or speed. Everything else? *puts fingers to lips* Muah! Nah, kissing everything else isn’t enough. *mimes hourglass figure, takes imaginary hourglass figure to dinner, movie and walks imaginary hourglass figure up to its house* “I had a really nice time, imaginary hourglass figure.” *makes out with imaginary hourglass figure until accidentally falling into doorbell, causing imaginary hourglass figure’s father to come to the door, sheepishly imaginary hourglass figure smiles at me and I dance back to my imaginary Lamborghini* I’m falling in love with an imaginary hourglass figure to show how much I love Lindor. 2017 Projections: 103/17/82/.308/19 in 607 ABs
5. Xander Bogaerts – It feels like every year around July we’re having a discussion about how Bogaerts is headed for the top 20 the next year, and then we get to the next year and he’s not in the top 20. Partially due to his 1st half being better than his 2nd half and partially due his lack of huge speed and power. Lindor and Bogaerts are a coin flip with a double-headed coin, and the head on the coin is Bazooka Joe, because I traded in 15,000 Bazooka comics for this coin. Bogaerts’ offense will likely be better, Bogaerts has a bit more power, but Lindor has bigger steal upside by a lot. We’re talking 25+ steal upside for Lindor vs. 10 to 13 steal speed for Bogaerts. 2017 Projections: 107/22/94/.304/11 in 614 ABs
6. Corey Seager – Can I be straight with you? That sounds like a spoken word intro to a Frank Ocean song, “Baby, can I be straight with you?” Any hoo! I was thisclose to labeling Seager a schmohawk this year and dropping him into a tier I didn’t want. He’s a 25 homer guy with very little speed who had a huge BABIP last year that led to a .308 average. If he kicks out a .300 BABIP, he could hit .275. .275 with 25 homers and little speed is not a top five round draft pick. What stopped me was, he’s 22 years old, was top 13 in the majors for line drives, top 14 for Hard Contact and seems to be a .320 BABIP guy more than a .300 one, so more like a .305 hitter vs. a .275 hitter. Also, his power is more likely to grow. I think he might be overdrafted, and I’m not sure I’ll be getting him ranking him this low, but I can’t say I won’t take him if he’s available. Grey Albright: Landscape Architect, “He Has The Best Hedges.” 2017 Projections: 96/28/85/.298/3 in 610 ABs
7. Jonathan Villar – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Segura. I call this tier, “Go see what I said in the top 20 2nd basemen post.” As for Villar, already went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
8. Jean Segura – Already went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
9. Addison Russell – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Anderson. I call this tier, “Shortstops give me, like, five boners.” Okay, there’s a chance I draft a shortstop, MI that is a shortstop and then a utility man that’s a shortstop. Yes, three shortstops on one fantasy team. I will likely be remembered for SAGNOF or my handsome mustache, but I should be remembered for urging people to draft from strong positions, rather than conventional wisdom telling people to draft scarce positions. Drafting scarce positions is just about the stupidest fantasy advice. (Granted, I needed spellcheck to spell stupidest, so there’s that.) Do you draft a catcher who is good for 25 homers because the next catcher can only hit 15 or do you draft a 30/15 shortstop even though there’s five shortstops that can hit 30/15? You draft the shortstop, because if you’re the one schmohawk in your league without a good shortstop, you’re screwed six ways to Sunday, and, no, you can’t assume The Young Pope will be the one screwing you. If you draft a lousy catcher, then you and nine-tenths of the league have a terrible catcher. You can deal with that. As for Russell, already gave you my Addison Russell sleeper. Psyche! I should’ve, because I think he’s going to be huge value this year. I need to write like fifteen more sleeper posts (mostly pitchers), but I prolly won’t have time. To stick with only Cubs, I haven’t the foggiest why everyone wants Baez instead Russell. At the age of 22, Russell had 21 homers and five steals and plays every day. That’s right, this one is Addison, but that other one moonlights as a player. Do players suddenly peak at 22? Rhetorical! Of course, they don’t! He’s a 25-homer, 7-steal guy with a .255 average. With upside! “With upside” is my fortune cookie “in bed.” 2017 Projections: 77/25/92/.257/7 in 569 ABs
10. Marcus Semien – He doesn’t hit a ton of line drives. If you hear ‘Semien with the frozen rope,’ you’re more likely watching Eskimo porn than an A’s game. His HR/FB% was high for him, and the homers he did hit didn’t travel very far. Semien goes deep, but not far enough to, um, well… Sorry, pregnant pause. He’s still good for 25/10/.240 and that’s nothing to sneeze at, speaking of which, that’s Semien, not mucus. 2017 Projections: 70/25/78/.241/10 in 555 ABs
11. Jose Peraza – Already went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
12. Brad Miller – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
13. Tim Anderson – Already gave you my Tim Anderson sleeper. It was written in the back of my jeep while I swung an episode. 2017 Projections: 75/14/63/.277/25 in 603 ABs
14. Aledmys Diaz – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Alcides. I call this tier, “A case of the mehs.” My enthusiasm for shortstops fell off a big cliff after Anderson. Honestly, I can figure out a reason to like any of the guys in this tier. Andrus and Alcides are just steals, but they are steals, there’s a place for that on some teams and Diaz is young and looks like a .300 hitter, but if you’re getting an erection for longer than two minutes after drafting one of these guys, I’d call a doctor. Could you also please record your conversation? I’d love to hear it. “Yeah, so, I drafted Alcides Escobar and now I have an erection.” That’s you on the phone. As for Aledmys, meh. He has The Superfluous H breathing down his neck for playing time, and he reminds me a bit of Martin Prado. Call him Approximartin Prado. 2017 Projections: 83/18/70/.298/6 in 544 ABs
15. Elvis Andrus – If you can work up a ton of hate towards Andrus, you need a new hobby. Doode’s about as meh as they come. He’s mehrrific. 2017 Projections: 68/7/71/.286/25 in 511 ABs
16. Alcides Escobar – He’s the Royals’ Elvis. Yahoo Answers says that’s Cliff Richard. Hunh. 2017 Projections: 83/6/48/.268/21 in 591 ABs
17. Eduardo Nunez – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Gyorko. I call this tier, “Drinking the Haterade.” I just got done saying if you hate Andrus, you have too much time on your hands, but I got much hate for these next few guys. And I have a lot of time on my hands. With my mind on my money and my money on my mind. Nunez’s 1st half: 12 HRs, 22 SBs and .321. Nunez’s previous three years combined: 11 HRs, 27 SBs and .263. He had the 6th worst line drive rate in the major leagues last year, and the 21st highest ground ball rate. If he hits .265+ and 12 homers next year, it’s going to be with a high BABIP, a juiced ball and the Giants putting their fences on Segways so they move them in every time Nunez hits. 2017 Projections: 64/10/72/.259/30 in 518 ABs
18. Troy Tulowitzki – If you don’t know I hate Tulo, you’ve just started reading Razzball. Welcome, young, prematurely balding man! I prefer elastic waistband pants too! I agree, your wood-paneled, Mom’s basement looks comfy! No, you don’t need to fish out Doritos from between the cracks of your sofa on account of me! I brought my own. 2017 Projections: 62/22/74/.248/1 in 485 ABs
19. Javier Baez – Already went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
20. Jedd Gyorko – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
21. Orlando Arcia – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Owings. I call this tier, “Ostrich excitement.” By the tier name I mean, these players are easy to get excited about on the surface, but if you pull your head out of the sand, you realize you’re likely going to pick up and drop all of them multiple times in shallower leagues and they will go through growing pains. RIP Alan Thicke. As for Arcia, he’s currently penciled into the two hole and should play every day. *head out of sand* Brewers have a few options for shortstop, and Arcia is a tough month of March away from starting the year in the minors. 2017 Projections: 69/9/51/.261/21 in 509 ABs
22. Dansby Swanson – I already gave you my Dansby Swanson fantasy. It was written while I was dabbing. 2017 Projections: 71/9/44/.267/19 in 556 ABs
23. Didi Gregorius – Last year, The Gregorius D.I.D. went 20/7/.276. That’s close to a top 15 shortstop. I see some shortstops tonight that should be having my baby, bay-bee. *head out of sand* If he has modest declines, it becomes 16/5/.260, which is a barely top 25 shortstop with no heat, no wonder why Christmas missed us. 2017 Projections: 63/15/71/.268/7 in 550 ABs
24. Jorge Polanco – He’s batting 2nd! He stole 18 bases in Double-A in only three-quarters of a season! *head out of sand* It’s batting 2nd for the Twins and Eduardo Escobar could steal at least twenty games at short. Polanco stole 18 bases while being caught ten times in Double-A. In Double-A, they don’t even throw to second on steal attempts, they simply start a stopwatch, wait to see if the runner gets to second in ten seconds, then call out the baserunner if he’s not there yet. 2017 Projections: 69/10/44/.286/8 in 518 ABs
25. Chris Owings – I see 12-homer power in Triple-A and 21 steals last year, and I get all jacked up for Owings! *head out of sand* He’s batting eighth, never walks and has a total of 15 homers in 377 major leagues games. 2017 Projections: 58/8/61/.255/.251/18 in 489 ABs
26. Asdrubal Cabrera – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Espinosa. I call this tier, “You get what you pay for. So, hey, at least you didn’t pay much!” In 2011, Asdrubal hit 25 homers. Then he didn’t look good for four years. In 2016, he hit 23 homers. Early dibs on drafting Asdrubal in 2021! 2017 Projections: 61/17/64/.259/6 in 508 ABs
27. Brandon Crawford – I will say that Crawford is a fine real world player, which sounds like a compliment, but that’s the biggest slap in the face from a fantasy baseball person. You’re good in the real world is like, “Yeah, she’s got a good personality.” 2017 Projections: 70/15/81/.271/7 in 523 ABs
28. Matt Duffy – I struggled with who I wanted to rank first, Cozart or Duffy. By struggled I mean, I sneezed and more spray landed on Duffy’s name, so he won. 2017 Projections: 62/9/68/.264/10 in 517 ABs
29. Zack Cozart – The Reds are a good illustration of my point in Addison Russell’s blurb. Stock up on mediocre middle infielders and your team is not going to be good. (Though, the Reds also have a poor pitching staff, weak catcher, pretty bleh outfield and their closer was a starter last year this time.) 2017 Projections: 71/17/54/.258/5 in 487 ABs
30. Danny Espinosa – Already went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
31. J.P. Crawford – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Saladino. I call this tier, “Appreciate the upside gamble, no relation to Rudy Gamble.” In redraft leagues, you might not get anything from any of these players in April. Dot dot dot. Or May. Dot dot dot. Or all season, but a flyer on upside isn’t so bad when you can just grab a guy like Galvis, Cozart, etc. off waivers. In deeper leagues, I’d go with the next tier before this one, because you need ABs. As for Crawford, I already gave you my J.P. Crawford fantasy. It was written while leaving a voicemail about how you look like A.C. Green. 2017 Projections: 28/3/16/.261/7 in 220 ABs
32. Jose Reyes – Mets said they will try Reyes in the outfield in the spring to see if they can get him in the lineup more. They said they’re optimistic because he’s good with his hands. His wife never said that about him. 2017 Projections: 51/10/29/.271/17 in 374 ABs
33. Tyler Saladino – Already went over him in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
34. Freddy Galvis – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until the end of the list. I call this tier, “That these guys have starting jobs makes every ‘Dennis Quaid has a dream to play major league baseball at the age of 56’ movie feel realistic.” By the tier name I mean, these guys have no business having a starting job, and, if there’s any justice, they won’t by the end of the year. As for Galvis, when kids talk about the juiced ball era of 2016, they’re going to say, “Freddy Galvis had 20 homers and 17 steals.” Those kids won’t have friends. 2017 Projections: 37/7/44/.229/9 in 340 ABs
35. Jurickson Profar – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball.
36. Jose Iglesias – Some defensive specialists in this tier, so if you play in a league with defensive metrics, please, get out of that league. The errors category is lame. 2017 Projections: 55/5/44/.266/9 in 502 ABs
37. Andrelton Simmons – When you hear someone say, “Andrelton Simmons is out of this world,” they’re referring to his resemblance to an alien, not his extraordinary bat. And Andrelton’s WAR is referring to his personal fight to get everyone to drink with their index finger. 2017 Projections: 54/7/59/.262/7 in 527 ABs
38. Luis Sardinas – Sardinas packs steals tightly into his statline like… Hmm, I can’t think of anything that is packed tightly that would make sense for Sardinas. 2017 Projections: 40/3/37/.235/14 in 475 ABs
39. Nick Ahmed – I’m seeing conflicting reports on who will be the Diamondbacks’ starting shortstop. Some sources say Owings, some sources say Ahmed, some sources say Ketel Marte will take over at some point, some sources say Licensed to Ill is a five-mic album, but I’ve never been a fan of the Beasties. I mean, Paul Revere is a’ight and but I can’t listen to their albums all the way through. 2017 Projections: 51/8/44/.229/10 in 440 ABs
40. Jordy Mercer – If Jordy, full name Jordache, doesn’t dress up every Halloween with a horse’s head like the Jordache logo, then opportunity lost! 2017 Projections: 57/10/54/.246/2 in 508 ABs
41. Adeiny Hechavarria – In a full season last year, he hit 3 homers and stole one base while batting .236. He is a Hechavarria terrible player! 2017 Projections: 51/5/49/.255/3 in 512 ABs
42. J.J. Hardy – Here’s a Hardy Boy mystery for you: why don’t the Orioles replace Hardy? It’s a solid story, if you can ignore the obvious ripoffs like when Hardy moves in with Alfredo Gryffindor. 2017 Projections: 48/7/52/.249 in 502 ABs
Hi Grey,
Dynasty Team:
i have Lindor , Villar (will be my 3B) and Dansby
looking to trade Swanson for a SP
one is offering Roark + 1minor prospect : fair or i can get better?
Keeper team: i had Desmond for years – still eligible or not in Y! ?
i may be able to get Addison (his owner has Manny , Story already! and Tulo !!)
Brad Miller and Tim Anderson should be kept by owners…
RIP Yordano
Nick
@Nick: I think it’s fair, I’d try for better… Desmond played OF last year will play 1B this year… RIP Yordano
When Trea Turner gets SS eligibility, where would he fit on this list?
@Tim: According to top 20, just before Correa.
@Tim: What Copperhead said
This is the deepest SS class I can remember.
Also, kudos for putting Story ahead of Lindor, Xander, and Seager . . . pretty sure every other site refuses to do so. Story carries a little more risk, maybe, but has way more upside that any of those 3. And, not to knock the AVG skills of Lindor, Xander, and Seager . . . but I feel like an AVG-first guy is a lot easier to find in the late rounds than someone with a potentially elite pop/speed combo (even your David Peralta sleeper could end up hitting .290).
Anywho, speaking of ex-SS, which side do you like in these two keeper league trades?
A. $30 Kershaw and $6 Khris VS $20 Kluber and $9 Desmond
B. Kershaw, Khris, and $10 Dahl VS $9 Desmond $19 Strasburg and $23 Blackmon
C. From the winning sides of these two trades, which do you like best?
Thanks!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?:
There was a time when ARod, Garciaparra and Tejada and to a lesser extent Jeter were complete separators from the rest of the league. If you had one of the top 3, you had a tremendous advantage over your league. Jeter gave you a slightly smaller advantage.
This class is much deeper – top 9 are all great – so you won’t separate yourself from most your league by having one…but you better have one. You don’t want to be one of the three teams in a 12-teamer without one.
@Hawk: Yea, like Grey said, you could easily have a SS for MI and UTL too. I can definitely see myself in a snake redraft having no qualms about drafting Manny/Story/Villar in the early rounds . . . though I’d probably prefer to take a top 4 1B in round 1 then go MI in round 2 or 3 . . . particularly since people are taking Xander, Seager and Lindor about a round or two in front of Story.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Agreed, stacked, yo! A. Kluber
@Grey: Thanks! My 1 redraft league is Yahoo, who I’m sure will have some hilarious ranks for SS. I feel like this set of rounds 1-5 picks could easily be repeated every time regardless of pick number . . . maybe even sneaking in an OF or SP in the middle:
Rizzo, Story, Villar, Desmond, Odor
Sign me up for that anytime!
Agreed!
@Grey: I’ve been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and I can’t recall a year where MI is as deep as it is while only having 4 or 5 first baseman you’d feel comfortable drafting!
Yeah, it’s screwy
Hi Grey; thanks for your work!
Re 12 team 5×5 keeper league. 15 players kept forever with one infield and one utility spot.
Am I better off trading away Segura on name value and keeping T Anderson for similar actual value?
Do you see much bigger upside for Anderson going forward or is he essentially the same player as Segura?
Or just keep both and trade away kipnis instead? :)
@Goldirocks: You can probably trade Kipnis if you’re going on name value and what try him first if it’s a keeper. But you should trade whoever nets you the biggest return out of those three.
@Cram It:
Ya – Makes sense to me. Thx
@Goldirocks: Agree with Cram
Baez or Kepler?
@Alex: Kepler
holy crap, reyes must be REALLY bad SS D now (and 2B) to somehow losing playing time to assdrible.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo:
It’s probably more about keeping Reyes healthy than ability.
@Hawk: no, depth charts has him and wilmer as bench players both behind assdrible
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: depth charts currently went out about 3 minutes ago though.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: Asdrubal had a good year last year, but if he’s awful in April, Reyes and him could become a time share
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: I guess I assumed Reyes was going to play 3B most of the year anyway.
With David Wright there, he prolly will
“Tulowitzki: 62/22/74/.248/1 in 485 ABs”
485 ABs for Tulo might be the gutsiest call on this whole list. Dude’s got a history of “Nearly 500 AB one season, 360 the next”. Had 492 last year and he’s not getting younger.
@Hawk: Not to mention their DH slot is locked up with twinkle toes Kendrys Morales to get AB on days that he’s too banged up to play SS.
@Hawk: Ha
Doesn’t Jose Ramirez have 2B/SS? You’re only ranking him as a 3B?
@Cram It: Started 3 games at SS last year
position eligibility post said he had 117 at 3B, 48 in OF, but it can’t be right that he had less than 10 at SS and/or 2B i’d think. didn’t notice that that seemed odd back during that post.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: 9 at second, 5 at short. Depends on league.
@Copperhead Road: ok, so both in yahoo, neither in espn.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: wow, his ADP in espn vs yahoo this year should be a HUGE difference from this.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: Who?
@Grey: jose ram. meant to answer cram section.
I think Russell is my man to target here unless I get a shot at Machado/Correa. He’s too talented and surrounded by too many good players to not create a lot of value and continue to improve at the plate. He’ll certainly have enough opportunities to put guys across. I think this year, he’s just as valuable as Odor.
@Tweak: Agreed, I like Russell a lot
Grey!!!
Great post. These are getting more and more bright like watching the movie Sunshine (2007)…and seeing the sun in the movie for the first time
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448134/…
a. So, am with Ben Carson for his mission in Farchana, USA! The guy is super cool and also really humble. I’m humbled to be his chaperone!
b. I agree with Cram above. Get someone really good at 3B (like Torenado) and 2B (like one of your top 4) and then go sneaky and draft Jose Ramirez for SS! That’ll be my plan for the infield.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: c. won’t work in espn leagues.
@Grey: Grey!!!
a. In CBS H2H, Ramirez qualifies at all infield positions like Gyorko! Did a quick mock with the robot yesterday (first one of the year) in CBS land, killed it! Drafted Yordano after I head the news, tragic!
b. Yeah, Ben Carson is really kind. Also didn’t know he had Scottish/Irish ancestry. Was chit-chatting with him today. His surname is McMillan. When his ancestors got to Ellis Island, they dropped the ‘a’ of MacMillan and became McMillan. Crazy, right?
c. Also, didn’t know Ben Carson was so light-skinned! He had to use a load of sunscreen today before going out into the Chadian sun. But yeah, taking so much slack from Donald Drumpf and then getting shunned for the post of Surgeon General. Pitiful!
Cheers,
Ante
A. Ah…Gotcha… Yeah, shame about Yordano B. Why didn’t they drop all of their A’s? C. Fun fact: pitiful is Pit Bull’s brother
@Grey: Grey!!
In other news, I bought a fitbit Flex when I went home.
a. First I saw the price in the duty free shop in Punta Cana. The price? 200$!! I said that’s pretty steep!
b. Then, we traveled to Munich on our way to Croatia. I saw a fitbit Flex in the Munich airport duty free. The price? 100 Euro, or roughly 105$. Still too steep!
c. Then I was in a sports story with my wife looking to buy flip flops for my buddy Alex who works with me in Farchana, USA. What do I see? Fitbit Flex of course. And the price? 60$ on sale down from 110$!! So I bought it. Fitbit is great, you should get one if you have 60$ to blow. It’s tracks everything for you and sends you a weekly health report on calories input and calories output (based on steps taken and heartbeat, etc.). It doesn’t measure blood pressure but it’s pretty accurate.
d. Lastly, I had a funny story to relay from the Punta Cana, DR. So, I’m in the all-you-can-eat buffet at the Majestic Colonial for supper waiting for my wife to arrive. I see our usual person who is a server in that part of the restaurant (Cándido, who is shorter than Herve Villechaize!!) and…
Cándido: ‘How are you, my friend?’
Me: ‘Fine. I am waiting for my president.’ (That is, I’m waiting for my wife.)
Cándido: ‘Ah. Ok, my friend. Just a minute!’
Me: ‘Ok?’
Four minutes later….
Cándido: ‘Here you are, my friend! One glass of ‘El presidente’ draft beer!’
Me:’Cándido, thank you! But I don’t drink beer. You misunderstood. I am waiting for my president – aka my wife – not my ‘El presidente’ draft beer! Moreover, I never drink beer because it gives me gas!
Cándido:’So, you don’t want this beer, my friend?’
Me: ‘No, I’m sorry don Cándido! It was a mistake!
Cándido: ‘Ah, next time say you are waiting for your Queen or your flower but not your president!!!’
So, every time he’d pass by after the incident I would mention ‘El presdiente’ and he’d crack up and all of us would crack up. Then I shared the joke with his colleagues and they also got a crack out of it!
Cheers,
Ante
I really don’t know how much they go for usually…. $60 seems damn cheap though… Ha, you should’ve told him your wife’s name was Corona, that would’ve really confused the crap out of him…
@Grey: Grey!!
Haha! Yes, I’ve been waiting 20 minutes for my Corona (to put on her makeup and get dressed in 4 outfits before choosing the correct one!
Cheers,
Ante
“Do you want lime for your Corona?” “No, she doesn’t have scurvy.”
@Ante GALIC: A. I think he’d call you his angel with the poverbs B. Jose Ramirez isn’t a SS
@Ante GALIC: tell Ben he’d be a perfect addition to razzball. That man handled insult after insult from trump and is still his friend. Total razzer material.
Alright, Grandmaster- I have started to narrow this down. And by “narrow this down” I mean I only have to change my mind 45 more times before I am locked-in. 10-team roto keeper, OPS instead of AVG, holds/saves, and quality starts instead of wins. I keep 8. Here is what I have so far:
Keeping:
Rizzo – $36
Miggy – $35
Odor – $19
Darvish – $11
Verlander – $8
Jose Ramirez- $5
Mazara – $5
Who should my final keeper be, or should I change any of the above out for the following players:
Springer: $35
Addie Russ: $15
Hanley; $8
V. Velasquez: $5
Robbie Ray: $5
I figure Hanley is the smart play here, but just wondering if someone else might see something I don’t. Thanks!
@Burningbridges247: Defer to the Grandmaster, but maybe Springer and Hanley over JoRam and Mazara? Probably depends on how much salary you want available in your draft, but Springer and Hanley should each out perform JoRam and Mazara, especially if it’s OPS not AVG.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: I like Springer a lot. I just thought that price was a bit steep. This is our first year of keepers, so it is hard to tell what the auction will hold. For what I expect Maz to do, $5 is a steal, and I would have the option of keeping him next year at $10 to boot. I like the versatility of Ramirez, and I think the $5 is a value. We shall see what the Mustached One believes shortly.
@Burningbridges247: Hanley
@Grey: I like Russell a lot, as well. What are your thoughts on dropping Jose Ramirez and adding Russell for the extra $10? Thanks as always.
Nah
Just so all is clear, are these the actual rankings or the Alternative rankings?
@Ned Shakeshaft: Huh?
@Grey: he’s referencing the new trumpism of alternative news and alternative facts. Kelly Ann Conway used the term alternative facts the other day….seriously
Thanks, Wolf!
@Grey: that’s the most insulting thing you have beer said to anyone ever and I’ve been with you drinking
Thanks, Anderson Cooper?
@Grey: I’m more bill maher…if you know what I mean
I don’t
@Grey: I’m going to puff puff pass this off
You’re stoned?
Surprised to see Diaz so low. He slugged .500+ last year, has a great walk rate – and is slated to bat 5th this year (with some nice OBP bats in front of him, like Fowler, Piscotty and Carpenter). I think the injury he sustained last year has him flying under the radar – like Story.
Thoughts? Thanks!!!!!
@Joe: He’s slated to bat fifth until Jhonny is playing every other game in his place
Jhonny’s ss playing days are finished. 3b is his new home. Plus the chess playing genius Mike Matheny will insist on playing Gyrko there on Diaz’s days off. And Diaz will be hitting hitting higher in that lineup, 2nd or 3rd.
Could be, guess we’ll see
We shall and I can’t wait to. I’m jonesing for baseball something fierce.
We all are!
@cromulencepersonified: you were probably kidding about the matheny comment, but he’s the ONLY manager of the last 3 years that literally his bullpen would be better off if somebody THREW A DART AND RANDOMLY picked which RP to use in which situation, this was proven by baseball prospectus. a monkey, having flash cards of each name of his bullpen would have done better throwing a dart (assuming it hit one name at a time) at RP names than matheny does at bullpen usage. he’s reverse big-head bochy. i will call him thick-neck booby.
Happy Monday Grey!
I’ll apologize ahead of time on the lengthy one:
Got a keeper/ dynasty question for ya in my 12-team, weekly scoring (unique scoring league):
can only keep 3 players (originally drafter after the 5th round) & only lose 1rd per year (e.x. Player A drafted in 14th rd = 13th rd keeper this year, 12th next year, etc..). There is no, IF, MI, CI, UTL, just actual positions & a single “DH” (3x OF, not 5).
This league is much more reliant on Power (settings below):
1B 1
2B 2
3B 3
BB 1
HBP 1
HR 5
IB 1
R 1
RBI 1
SB 1.5
My question is I have 4 players I can keep, but only 3 slots:
Turner – no brainer
Correa
Lindor
Gary Sanzhez
My initial thought was to throw Sanchez back into the pool and try to get him again, but does having 2x SS (1 w/o much power) and only 1 DH slot handcuffing me too much?
@DancinHomer: Throw back Sanchez
Baby’s mama started watching your black mirror show. I passed out early so didn’t watch it. To quote her “that show is fucked up…but I’m going to watch it again”
It’s one of the best shows of the last few years… You two couldn’t finish The Wire though, so I’m not sure if you’ll like Black Mirror
@Grey: it’s to not that I didn’t finish, it’s just I don’t have the time. You know, working people, people with kids..wait you wouldn’t know that
Yeah, no one with kids or a job has ever watched it, you got it
@Grey: I wish I lived in your interpretive reality. All jokes aside I’m working through season 1 still. Hopefully by opening day I got it done
No joke, you’re right, no one with kids or a job has ever watched The Wire, you nailed that logic
@Grey: I wish I lived in your small contrived world
That sounds like the saddest Disney ride
Kinda surprises me Ketel Marte isn’t one of your sleepers much less not on the list at all. Obviously there’s the playing time issue but if he’s healthy (which I heard most experts blame last year on) he could crack the lineup & has some tools, no?
He’s slotted into the minors right now
@Clint: he’s the nearly hidden reason why drurrrry is ranked low.
I just got alerts saying andrelton, xander, profar, schoop, and Didi to all play for the Netherlands in the wbc. Where are they all going to play?
Your boxer shorts?
@Grey: that doesn’t even make sense. Come again?
Ha
Thanks for a morning laugh (with a side of enlightenment) as always.
Unrelated to today’s post, but, which side do you prefer in a dynasty league: Josh Bell or Kenta Maeda?
Im leaning towards win-now with the team. I presently have Votto at 1B (who seems to be the future of Bell).
Thanks.
Thanks! Maeda
Grey, above you mentioned Turner would be above Correa in the rankings. Would you actually draft him over Correa though in a 12-team NFBC league?
https://razzball.com/top-20-for-2017-fantasy-baseball/
Matt Duffy should be a deep league darling. Going into last year he was a solid floor player that was hurt by injuries. Of those bottom guys he has the highest floor and should return a higher batting average than projected by steamers. You won’t consider him in a 12 but in a 16 he should be penciled in as a starter fo show.
Yeah, stereotypical deep league play… Low ceiling, solid floor
I ended last year with a some nice pick ups that turned into a hand full of your top 20 in my 15 team roto keeper league. I get to keep two of Rizzo, Trea Turner, Starling Marte, and Odor. Plus I also have Bogaerts who is probably in your top 24. If I go by your rankings I’m keeping Rizzo and Turner.
Unless for statistical reasons you would sway another way?
See no problem with Rizzo and Turner
Glad to see you a little down on Seager – makes me feel just a pinch better after losing him in a keep forever league.
How early is too early to reach for Russell? With the top 6 all kept in my league, if I miss on Addison I’ll be F’d in my A.
Top 70
Grey, It’s a 12 team H2h with hitting categories of R, H, HR, RBI, AVG, OPS, SB and pitching categories of W, S, H, K, ERA, WHIP and QS. In can keep three of the following players.
Kris Bryant (1B, 3B, OF)
Carlos Correa (SS)
Jake Lamb (3B)
Starling Marte (OF)
Trea Turner (2B, OF)
Max Scherzer (SP)
Noah Syndergaard (SP)
Your thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
Kris Bryant (1B, 3B, OF)
Carlos Correa (SS)
Turner
Yo Grey, keeper question:
Can keep 3 of the 4: Gary Sanchez, Bregman, Benintendi, or Boegarts. Boegarts will cost me a 7th round pick, the rest went undrafted last year so will cost a ~20th round pick.
Really looking forward to another year. Thx!
Not Bregman… Or not Sanchez, coin flip
the coin says dump Bregman. thanks for the reply!
No problem!
Hey Grey,
As usual, great stuff. In a 8 team H2H points based Dynasty league where we keep 10. My 10 are Goldschmidt, Machado, Story, Sano, JD Martinez, Moncada, Giolito, Strasburg, Aaron Sanchez and Glasnow. Was offered Bregman for Strasburg. Thoughts? Is it a toss-up?
Thanks
Thanks! I’d take it
Thanks Grey,
What position’s will Bregman be eligible for in ESPN leagues?
3B
hey grey, 16 team h2h dynasty. 6×6 with ops. Lost Ortiz, looking to pick up another bat. Right now I start Wilson ramos (susac will fill in), hosmer, kipnis, correa, Bryant, Stanton, marte, Blackmon, beltre, cruz, with jose Ramirez, Brantley, sean rodriguez on the bench. Beltran is on the block. Would you trade for him if had to give up a 2nd round pick (31st overall) or Dylan cease?
How many keepers are there? What is 31st overall pick mean?
@Grey: dynasty so it’s just the prospect draft (prospects not owned-each team owns 15, 2016 draftees, intl signings). 2nd to last pick in the 2nd round, so 2.15
I’d give up the pick then
How is 77/25/92/.257/7 ranked 17 spots ahead of 70/15/81/.271/7 ?
Crawford has a potential platoon happening… Russell has upside, Crawford doesn’t… More than numbers go into the rankings
@Grey: Grey, with all respect, this response more about me than you. For me, it should be ALL about the numbers. If Russell has upside, numbers should reflect that. If Crawford doesn’t, numbers should reflect that. If Crawford facing platoon, numbers should reflect that.
I am one eye blind…all I see are numbers… :-)
Gotcha
I think Diaz wins the job at SS just due to defense. Not to mention he’s a better hitter overall than the Superfluous H now-a-days.
This means I can get a 20/.300 guy at SS super late. Basically, the projection for Corey Seager last year, and Seager was drafted well before Diaz is projected this year.
Your projections for Seager preseason last year: 81/19/63/.284/8 (#3 SS preseason)
Your projections for Diaz preseason this year: 83/18/70/.298/6 (#13 SS)
And that’s me quoting you! (oh wait… that doesn’t apply here…) My how much difference a season makes!
My point is, Diaz, from a value standpoint, could be the #5-7 SS if you assume the guys with dual eligibility are going to be slotted as 2Bs more often than not. If Diaz is drafting after the 60-70 overall range, there’s some definite value to be had there. Not a meh in my book.
Yeah, you might get some value… You might also get to July and see you have 8 HRs and .281 from Diaz and not even wait around to see if he ever meets your preseason hopes
@CMUTimmah: Are you logicizing that since Seager went from Gray’s predictions to 20/.300, that Diaz must also?
@Cram It: It’s hard to compare a projection from last year to one this year because so many guys far outpaced their projections last year. If the power numbers from last year are real then 18 HRs isn’t that great. To wait that long is assuming a projection of 18 means it’ll really be 25. That might have worked last year but my guess is Grey bumped everyone a bit assuming HR powr is here to stay.
Hi Grey,
16-man ESPN league, we keep 22 out of 28 players. Keepers are due next week.
I’m being offered Aaron Sánchez and Zack Cozart for Adam Eaton and Jonathan Schoop. Yay or nay?
Nay
Hey gray dynasty league 12 team 20 keepers
Would you deal Stephen strasburg and a 4th round pick for Aaron Nola, Lance McCullers and a 1st round pick?
Stras is my ace but I certainly could use the depth.
I have at the moment:
Strasburg, sonny gray, Blake snell, Jameson taillon, Collin mchugh, Trevor Bauer, Adam Conley
Yeah, bit risky though
Scheduling question:
Are you planning to go through all of the outfielders before doing your pitching projections? Or do your predictions come out whenever the swami spirit moves you?
I’m trying to figure out which positions deserve more of my own research before my keeper deadlines.
Thanks again.
3B, all OFs, then SPs
Ep in my Jeep, Christmas missed us, Beasties, AC Green. I get it, make enough hip hop references where i’m forced to comment so you can Shirley brag. Well done. Go ahead, let’s have it…
She led her team to a Restaurant Wars victory, is there any chance she doesn’t make the final two? Sheldon was first choice for other team, good sign, but one dish and…. Did he want his kid to take that stew to the prom with all of those corsages?
@Grey: Haha! What the hell was that flowery garnish about?! Dude, I knew from the start of that episode that it was bad news. You can tell by who they highlight and the editing that Shirley’s squad was money in the bank. I get that stank face girl is garbage, but Katsuji picking Tesar for his team? You can’t be clashing during restaurant wars! How the hell did Tesar not go home? Fake crab pimento cheese?! Couldn’t expidite. Exec chef and didn’t cook or plate a damn thing. Baffling. I mean c’mon though, Southern Belle and they make tamales and a weird stew, fake crab, and little scoop of sorbet. Least Southern meal of all time.
All of that, and stank face girl was still awful! The judges were like, “Well, that pasta is rubbery and black, and I’m not sure it’s not tar.” Was surprised Tesar stayed, he doesn’t really bring anything and Katsuiji at least was comic relief, even if his restaurant here in LA is so effin bad
@Grey: Yeah I can’t help but think about how awful you say his restaurant it when he does well on the show, but like you said, at least he brings some pizzazz. And people liked his tongue dish, it’s not like he tried to do 3 dishes and they were all bad. Tesar did absolutely nothing well the whole challenge and is on the bottom more often than not, he’s gotta go…i’ll tell you what got under my skin more than anything, when the judges show up and Padma needs to say “We have a reservation for Lakshmi” Aaaaaalright Padma, we get it.
Reservation comment was the worst! Another asinine comment, “I hope the food is casual like these benches.” Both teams were given benches… You really want bench food? Go to the bleachers of a stadium…
@Grey: I feel like they used to do more showing them shopping for decor for the restaurants. They just kinda chose a name and made a menu this time. Couldn’t even really see much of the setup, I wouldnt know there was benches if they didnt mention it.
I love Southern Belle’s tamales!
^^Something you’d never hear
@Grey: No better way to mask fake crab than in a fake pimento cheese dish with no cheese!
As soon as the seafood counter guy said, “We don’t have fresh crab” I knew it was over
Hey Grey, I am in a 12 team dynasty league with 20 keepers. I am not positive on my team and I was wondering what your opinion is of it.
c Wilson Contreras
1b Chris Davis
2b Jonathan Schoop
3b Adrian Beltre
ss Jonathan Villar
of Mike Trout
of Bryce Harper
of Byron Buxton
utility Alex Bregman
utility Hanley Ramirez
Sp Clayton Kershaw
SP Stephen Strasburg
Sp Zack Greinke
Sp Jon Gray
Sp Dylan Bundy
Sp Garrett Richards
Rp Ken Giles
Bench Zack Wheeler
Bench Lewis Brinson
Bench Sean Manaea
or i can keep orlando arcia over wheeler or manaea
And play Arcia where?
Looks weak on AVG and speed… Pitching looks strong than hitting, but have real question marks about some of your SPs
I think Seager drives in 100+ with 30 bombs. I get the hate, though, as the .270 is realistic and he can’t run.
Like the Lindor > Bogaerts call.
I hear ya, Seager’s a tricky one b/c there is no speed to fall back on for value
@Grey:
Maybe he can throw up a year like Machado last season…
Or throw up on Machado
“Your comment is awaiting moderation.” Why do I see this when I post? This something new?
I don’t know why it’s doing it with your comment… It’s happening with a few people… You should log in and see if it’s still a problem… Or try a different name to see if that’s the problem…. Not sure, though
@Simply Fred: it’s been going on for last couple of months , at least 6 or so weeks.
logged in…testing
@Simply Fred: logging in didn’t solve it. not a big deal to me.
Weird… Maybe try a different name, like “Simply Fred!”
Not sure
testing new name
don’t worry man. would rather have you focused on base-a-ball!
Okay, now try Fred In Moderation again
testing
Ha, yeah, I’m not sure what the problem is… A few people have this problem and my web person is trying to figure out why… I’ve tried Googling “Approved Comments Keep Going into moderation on WordPress” and I can’t find anything….
Let’s keep this in perspective…laugh as we test!
hey grey I am in a 12 team dynasty league. This is my lineup, and you please let me know your opinions. We keep 20 guys.
1b. Rizzo
2b. Odor
SS. Correa
3b. Machado
C. Gary Sanchez
OF. Mookie Betts
OF. Adam Eaton
OF. Empty
Util. Daniel Murphy
Util. Empty
NA. JP Crawford
NA. Brendan Rodgers
NA. Victor Robles
SP. Chris sale
SP. Carlos carrasco
SP. Julio Teheran
SP. Anthony desclafani
SP. Vincent Velasquez
SP. Jose de Leon
SP. Jose berrios
RP. AJ Ramos
RP. Sam dyson
I have an offer on the table to get billy hamilton for jose de leon and a first round pick. What do you think about that as well, shouldI do it??
Thank you I really value your opinion.
I’d take Hamilton, team looks pretty balanced, solid pitching and hitting… You should contend as it is
hey grey, stephen piscotty and a first round pick for jd martinez?
Works for me
On the clock in a 30 team 5×5 dynasty slow draft. Took Rizzo in the 1st. Rank these 3 available OF for my Round 2 pick: Pollock, JD Martinez, and Giancarlo… Thanks!!
Stanton, JD
@Grey: thanks! Given the dynasty format, would either Mazara or Yelich change that order?
I like them a lot
just saw the film Silence, very intense and very well done. it is right up there with all the current films i have seen.
Agreed, saw it with a Marty Q&A — what?!: https://twitter.com/Razzball/status/806536145853030400
@Grey: good one
Need help with my dynasty team. I have plenty of middle infielders (odor, kinsler, russell, t. anderson, rodgers and Rosario). Looking to deal kinsler for some pitching. Can you give me a list of 3 or 4 guys that you think I could reasonably get?
Duffy?
Grey-old school 4×4 Avg, HR, RBI, SB. Would you keep a $2 Rosario over a$27 K Davis? Thanks
Eddie Rosario? Meh
And do you like Rosario in general? Not sure what to make of him this year
Not especially
@Jp: 4th OF written all over him.
@Montezuma’s Revenge…right now: real life 4th OF if that wasn’t clear.
Grey, i got 12 pick in espn 12 team league. I think Harper and Turner could fall to me. I think Harper/Turner will be there . Any prob taking both ? I didnt think them being on same team mattered.
@Cohen: sorry i didnt edit that better
Hey Grey – in a keep 7 league where you’re already spending $90 on three guys (all first rounders), do you like a $6 Khris or $24 Polanco as your final keeper?
Thanks!
Hey Grey, wanted to get your opinion on xBABIP. Is it a tool you use or do you rely more on projection systems?
Regards to shortstop rankings, I think it is pretty interesting for the #2-7 SS
Player – BABIP – xBABIP – Difference
Corey Seager 0.355 0.350 0.005 (2% IFFB rate is Vottoian)
Francisco Lindor 0.324 0.318 0.006
Carlos Correa 0.328 0.337 -0.009
Trevor Story 0.343 0.337 0.006 (45% hard hit rate!)
Jonathan Villar 0.373 0.336 0.037
Xander Bogaerts 0.335 0.293 0.042 (will make that 0.304 AVG you are predicting very hard)
Hey Grey – standard 5×5 roto auction league – which side do you prefer:
J. Donaldson ($21) for F. Lindor ($12) and S. Piscotty ($13)
Killed it
Thanks!
Hello mr grey. I was just wandering how you would rank your shortstops over the next 5 plus years? I feel Seager might be a sneaky 30 plus homer homer guy, lots of power.