Fantasy Baseball Insider - book sample
(random players) - 2017
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2016 |
White Sox |
410 |
57 |
9 |
30 |
10 |
.283 |
.306 |
|
|
Projected |
600 |
73 |
10 |
39 |
18 |
.262 |
|
Andrew Benintendi,
Boston Red Sox, Bats Left, Age 22 – Benintendi
has a sweet line-drive swing and excellent plate discipline. He rose to the
majors quickly and has to be considered one of the top rookie candidates this
year. Of course, opposing pitchers will adjust by throwing him fewer fastballs
(he saw a steady supply last September), scouts think
he should be able to make the adjustment as he did in the minors. He’ll also
hit a bunch of doubles, some of which will eventually carry out of the park. A sleeper.
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2016 |
AAA-AA |
392 |
70 |
9 |
76 |
16 |
.312 |
.378 |
|
2016 |
Red Sox |
105 |
16 |
2 |
14 |
1 |
.295 |
.359 |
|
|
Projected |
475 |
70 |
13 |
71 |
12 |
.271 |
|
Alex Bregman, Houston Astros, Bats Right, Age 23 – Bregman is a sweet swinger with a lot of confidence and
potential. He began is major league career in a 1-for-35 slump but never
doubted himself and hit well the rest of the way. All the
while learning to play third base and left field after getting drafted as a
shortstop. “He has an infectious draw to him,” AJ Hinch
said. “I really like his approach to the game — humble but confident enough. Real baseball player.” Upside = 25+ homers
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2016 |
Minors |
314 |
71 |
20 |
61 |
7 |
.306 |
.400 |
|
2016 |
Astros |
201 |
31 |
8 |
34 |
2 |
.264 |
.314 |
|
|
Projected |
525 |
81 |
20 |
78 |
6 |
.270 |
|
Byron
Buxton, Minnesota
Twins, Bats Right, Age 23 – Buxton has
line drive power, good speed and top defensive ability in center field. But
he struggled initially last year and was sent down to the minors a couple of
times. He has trouble laying
off breaking pitches out of the strike zone. But upon his recall, he fared much
better batting.287 with nine homers in September, looking a lot more confident
against the breaking stuff while improving his patience at the plate. He also
needs to stay healthy having battled injuries the last three seasons. But he is young with a lot of upside. If he
stays healthy and cuts down on the strikeouts, he could be a big sleeper.
Upside = .270 with 25 steals
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2015 |
Twins |
129 |
16 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
.209 |
.250 |
|
2016 |
Twins |
298 |
44 |
10 |
38 |
10 |
.225 |
.284 |
|
|
Projected |
450 |
51 |
15 |
51 |
15 |
.245 |
|
Cheslor Cuthbert, Kansas City Royals, Bats Right,
Age 24 – Cuthbert was being groomed as a super utility guy last spring but,
when Moustakas got hurt in May, he became the
starting third baseman the rest of the way. He hit well for most of the season
but faded down the stretch. He played 1B-2B-3B in 2015 and played a little
outfield in spring training. This spring they are going to give him some time
at second base. But he is an average
defender at best at those positions. He will also DH a lot as the team has an
opening there as well.
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2015 |
Royals |
46 |
6 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
.217 |
.280 |
|
2016 |
Royals |
475 |
49 |
12 |
46 |
2 |
.274 |
.318 |
|
|
Projected |
450 |
45 |
12 |
45 |
2 |
.262 |
|
Jorge Alfaro, Philadelphia
Phillies, Bats Right, Age 24 – Alfaro was one
of the best catching prospects in the minors last year and could take over for
the Phils at some point this year. He has power potential, athleticism and a
strong throwing arm. He has decent speed
and hits the ball to all fields. He needs to refine his strike-zone judgement
and his defense behind the plate. Injuries have hindered his development. He
has also played some 1B-RF. Rebuilding teams should grab him on reserve.
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2016 |
AAA |
404 |
68 |
15 |
67 |
3 |
.285 |
.325 |
|
2016 |
Phillies |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.125 |
.176 |
Javier Báez, Chicago
Cubs, Bats Right, Age 24 – Báez, a second baseman by trade, but will operate as a super utility
guy this year. He has power potential but still has serious contact
issues (227/34 career k/bb ratio). He has 2B-SS-3B eligibility so he has a lot
of value for that and the homers and steals. He missed a month with a finger injury in 2015.
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2014 |
Cubs |
213 |
25 |
9 |
20 |
5 |
.169 |
.227 |
|
2015 |
Cubs |
76 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
.289 |
.325 |
|
2016 |
Cubs |
421 |
50 |
14 |
59 |
12 |
.273 |
.314 |
|
|
Projected |
450 |
51 |
17 |
62 |
12 |
.253 |
|
Michael Conforto, New York Mets, Bats Left, Age 24 – Conforto has power potential as scouts like his advanced
approach at the plate vs. both lefty and righty pitchers. He is also a very
hard worker but struggled terribly last year. “He focused too much on homers
and got pull happy and started dropping his shoulder,” Keith Hernandez
explained. “He’s so strong that he’s going to hit 20 homers without even
trying.” The Mets still likely him and are trying to trade one of their
outfielders to make room for him. He is miscast in center though. Upside = 20+
home runs
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2015 |
Mets |
174 |
30 |
9 |
26 |
0 |
.270 |
.335 |
|
2016 |
Mets |
304 |
38 |
12 |
42 |
2 |
.220 |
.310 |
Adam Frazier,
Pittsburgh Pirates, Bats Left, Age 25 – Frazier is probably the top
candidate to replace Sean Rodriguez as the super utility guy this year. He
played 2B-3B and all three outfield positions last year but only has OF
eligibility for now. He also has a lot of shortstop experience in the minors.
He has good speed and a history of strong plate discipline but he has little
power and needs work defensively in the infield. Grab him late or on reserve
for the speed.
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2016 |
AAA |
261 |
34 |
0 |
22 |
17 |
.333 |
.401 |
|
2016 |
Pirates |
146 |
21 |
2 |
11 |
4 |
.304 |
.356 |
D.J. LeMahieu, Colorado
Rockies, Bats Left, Age 28 – LeMahieu is an
excellent defender at second base with a little pop and a little speed. He
improved his plate discipline again last year that contributed to his NL
batting title as did playing half his games at Coors Field. He hit the ball
hard all over the field, even on the road, so his batting title was not a big
fluke. But this will obviously be his career year and he will likely be way
overpriced in most drafts this year.
|
|
|
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
|
2013 |
Rockies |
404 |
39 |
2 |
28 |
18 |
.280 |
.311 |
|
2014 |
Rockies |
494 |
59 |
5 |
42 |
10 |
.267 |
.315 |
|
2015 |
Rockies |
564 |
85 |
6 |
61 |
23 |
.301 |
.358 |
|
2016 |
Rockies |
552 |
104 |
11 |
66 |
11 |
.348 |
.416 |
|
|
Projected
|
550 |
90 |
8 |
61 |
12 |
.301 |
|
…