Per Brian McTaggert of the MLB.com, the Houston Astros and second baseman Jose Altuve have agreed to an extension.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, it is a four-year deal that runs from 2014 through 2017 worth $12.5 million. In addition, the club has options for 2018 ($6 million) and 2019 ($6.5 million).
Eligible for arbitration next year, Altuve would have been eligible for free agency after the 2016 season.
Going into the season, the Astros had a payroll of approximately $22 million with starting pitcher Bud Norris its highest-paid player with a salary of $3 million.
Altuve leads the team in batting average (.280) and stolen bases (21) with 36 runs scored, three home runs and 28 runs batted in.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
MLB Announces N.L. All-Stars
Major League Baseball has just announced the starters, pitchers and
reserves for both leagues for the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, which will be
played on Tuesday, July 16th.
Here are the National League starters:
Here are the NL pitchers:
[Here are the A.L. All-Stars.]
Here are the National League starters:
- C: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
- 1B: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
- 2B: Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds
- SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
- 3B: David Wright, New York Mets
- OF: Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals
- OF: Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
- OF: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Here are the NL pitchers:
- LHP: Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
- LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
- LHP: Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks
- RHP: Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins
- RHP: Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates
- RHP: Matt Harvey, New York Mets
- LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angleles Dodgers
- RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
- LHP: Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies
- LHP: Jeff Locke, Pittsburgh Pirates
- RHP: Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
- LHP: Travis Wood, Chicago Cubs
- RHP: Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals
- C: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
- 1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
- 1B: Allen Craig, St. Louis Cardinals
- 2B: Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
- 2B: Marco Scutaro, San Francisco Giants
- SS: Everth Cabrera, San Diego Padres
- SS: Jean Segura, Milwaukee Brewers
- 3B: Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Pirates
- OF: Domonic Brown, Philadelphia Phillies
- OF: Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies
- OF: Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers
- OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals
- Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
- Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Hunter Pence, San Francisco Giants
- Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
[Here are the A.L. All-Stars.]
MLB announces A.L. All-Stars
Major League Baseball has just announced the starters, pitchers and reserves for both leagues for the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 16th.
Here are the American League starters:
Here are the AL pitchers:
** Denotes injury replacement.
[Here are the N.L. All-Stars.]
Here are the American League starters:
- C: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
- 1B: Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles
- 2B: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
- SS: J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles
- 3B: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
- OF: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
- OF: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
- OF: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
- DH: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
Here are the AL pitchers:
- * RHP: Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox
- LHP: Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays
- ** RHP: Bartolo Colon, Oakland A's
- * RHP: Jesse Crain, Chicago White Sox
- RHP: Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
- RHP: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
- RHP: Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners
- RHP: Justin Masterson, Cleveland Indians
- RHP: Joe Nathan, Texas Rangers
- ** LHP: Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins
- RHP: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
- LHP: Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
- RHP: Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers
- RHP: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
** Denotes injury replacement.
- C: Jason Castro, Houston Astros
- C: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
- 1B: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers
- 2B: Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians
- 2B: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
- 2B: Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays
- SS: Jhonny Peralta: Detroit Tigers
- 3B: Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
- OF: Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers
- OF: Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
- OF: Torii Hunter, Detroit Tigers
- DH: Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays
- Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers
- Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays
- David Robertson, New York Yankees
- Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers
- Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox
[Here are the N.L. All-Stars.]
Phillies place Ryan Howard on 15-day DL
Earlier today, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was a late scratch from tonight's lineup due to soreness in his left knee.
Now the Phillies have placed Howard on the 15-day disabled list, the team announced via Twitter.
With Howard out of the lineup, Laynce Nix will play first base and hit seventh against the Braves tonight.
To take Howard's roster spot, the Phillies have called up Darren Ruf, who is expected to join the club at some point during tonight's game.
On the season, Howard is hitting .266 with 11 home runs and 43 runs batted in. Howard is tied for second on the team in homers with Chase Utley and is second in RBI, trailing Domonic Brown in both categories.
Now the Phillies have placed Howard on the 15-day disabled list, the team announced via Twitter.
With Howard out of the lineup, Laynce Nix will play first base and hit seventh against the Braves tonight.
To take Howard's roster spot, the Phillies have called up Darren Ruf, who is expected to join the club at some point during tonight's game.
On the season, Howard is hitting .266 with 11 home runs and 43 runs batted in. Howard is tied for second on the team in homers with Chase Utley and is second in RBI, trailing Domonic Brown in both categories.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Ryan Braun (thumb) leaves today's game early
Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun left today's game against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning due to right thumb soreness, the team tweeted.
For Braun, it's not a new injury as he sat out Wednesday's game due to thumb soreness as well.
“We’ve got to figure out what to do there,” Roenicke said (before today's game), per beat writer Adam McCalvey. “We’ve got to start going in the right direction with him, and sometimes it’s not. … I’m hoping we don’t have to [place him on the disabled list], but we start making gains and he says, ‘Yeah, I feel really good today,’ and then all of a sudden it’s a bad day and a setback.
“We keep going this back and forth. He’s out there playing, hitting third for us, and I expect the Braun that I’ve seen for the last two years, and he’s not the same. He’s still getting hits, he’s still helping us win games, but he’s not that guy that can carry a team like I know he can.”
Before leaving the game, Braun was 0-for-1 with a strike out.
Through 57 games, Braun is hitting . with nine home runs, 36 runs batted in, 30 runs scored and four stolen bases.
For Braun, it's not a new injury as he sat out Wednesday's game due to thumb soreness as well.
“We’ve got to figure out what to do there,” Roenicke said (before today's game), per beat writer Adam McCalvey. “We’ve got to start going in the right direction with him, and sometimes it’s not. … I’m hoping we don’t have to [place him on the disabled list], but we start making gains and he says, ‘Yeah, I feel really good today,’ and then all of a sudden it’s a bad day and a setback.
“We keep going this back and forth. He’s out there playing, hitting third for us, and I expect the Braun that I’ve seen for the last two years, and he’s not the same. He’s still getting hits, he’s still helping us win games, but he’s not that guy that can carry a team like I know he can.”
Before leaving the game, Braun was 0-for-1 with a strike out.
Through 57 games, Braun is hitting . with nine home runs, 36 runs batted in, 30 runs scored and four stolen bases.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Bryce Harper to visit Dr. James Andrews
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday, but that appears to be the longest of long shots at the moment.
Per Amanda Comak of the Washington Times, Harper will visit noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday.
Comak also tweeted that "Harper did some running in the pool today and his knee still swelled so the#nats want to see what Andrews sees and says."
"#Nats still insist Harper's injury is bursitis, not worse. Surgery to remove bursa sac would be last resort, would add several weeks to ...," CSN Washington's Mark Zuckerman tweeted.
In 44 games, Harper is hitting .287 with 12 home runs and 23 runs batted in.
Per Amanda Comak of the Washington Times, Harper will visit noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday.
Comak also tweeted that "Harper did some running in the pool today and his knee still swelled so the
"#Nats still insist Harper's injury is bursitis, not worse. Surgery to remove bursa sac would be last resort, would add several weeks to ...," CSN Washington's Mark Zuckerman tweeted.
In 44 games, Harper is hitting .287 with 12 home runs and 23 runs batted in.
2013 MLB Mock Draft Database Updated
Only hours from the start of the 2013 MLB Draft, we have updated our mock draft database.
Based on the mocks updated within the past four days, 11 of the 12 mock drafts in our database have a pitcher going first overall. Seven of those 11 have it being Oklahoma's Jonathan Gray and four of them have Stanford's Mark Appel going first overall.
The one exception is Anthony Witrado of The Sporting News, who has the Astros selecting North Carolina third baseman Colin Moran.
If the majority of mocks are correct and it's a pitcher that goes first overall, the success rate of pitchers selected first overall has not been great.
Here's a chart from Baseball Reference of pitchers selected No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft since 1970:
Again, you can view our updated mock draft database here.
Based on the mocks updated within the past four days, 11 of the 12 mock drafts in our database have a pitcher going first overall. Seven of those 11 have it being Oklahoma's Jonathan Gray and four of them have Stanford's Mark Appel going first overall.
The one exception is Anthony Witrado of The Sporting News, who has the Astros selecting North Carolina third baseman Colin Moran.
If the majority of mocks are correct and it's a pitcher that goes first overall, the success rate of pitchers selected first overall has not been great.
Here's a chart from Baseball Reference of pitchers selected No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft since 1970:
| Year | Rnd | RdPck | Tm | Pos | WAR | G | W | L | SV | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 1 | Pirates | Gerrit Cole (minors) | RHP | |||||||
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | Nationals | Stephen Strasburg (minors) | RHP | 7.0 | 57 | 24 | 15 | 2.85 | 1.08 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | Devil Rays | David Price (minors) | LHP | 15.1 | 134 | 62 | 35 | 3.29 | 1.19 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 | 1 | Royals | Luke Hochevar (minors) | RHP | 0.8 | 148 | 38 | 60 | 5.33 | 1.39 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 | Pirates | Bryan Bullington (minors) | RHP | -0.2 | 26 | 1 | 9 | 5.62 | 1.58 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 1 | Tigers | Matt Anderson (minors) | RHP | -0.5 | 257 | 15 | 7 | 5.19 | 1.58 | 26 |
| 1996 | 1 | 1 | Pirates | Kris Benson (minors) | RHP | 13.0 | 206 | 70 | 75 | 4.42 | 1.39 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 1 | Mets | Paul Wilson (minors) | RHP | 2.2 | 170 | 40 | 58 | 4.86 | 1.45 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 1 | Yankees | Brien Taylor (minors) | LHP | |||||||
| 1989 | 1 | 1 | Orioles | Ben McDonald (minors) | RHP | 20.9 | 211 | 78 | 70 | 3.91 | 1.26 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 1 | Padres | Andy Benes (minors) | RHP | 31.7 | 403 | 155 | 139 | 3.97 | 1.31 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 | Twins | Tim Belcher (minors) | RHP | 26.2 | 394 | 146 | 140 | 4.16 | 1.34 | 5 |
| 1981 | 1 | 1 | Mariners | Mike Moore (minors) | RHP | 28.5 | 450 | 161 | 176 | 4.39 | 1.42 | 2 |
| 1976 | 1 | 1 | Astros | Floyd Bannister (minors) | LHP | 26.9 | 431 | 134 | 143 | 4.06 | 1.33 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 1 | Rangers | David Clyde (minors) | LHP | 0.7 | 84 | 18 | 33 | 4.63 | 1.53 | 0 |
Again, you can view our updated mock draft database here.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Bryce Harper not in lineup on Monday
Earlier this month, Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper had a face-first collision with the outfield wall at Dodgers Stadium.
Since then, Harper (knee) has missed several games and he left last night's game against the Phillies early after aggravating the injury.
It's something that Harper expects to deal with all season.
“It probably won’t get better until the offseason,” he said, per James Watson of the Washington Post. “I just have to deal with the pain and try to keep in there every day and see what happens.”
According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Harper is not in today's lineup against the Orioles.
Kilgore went on to tweet that Harper passed an MRI, but he was diagnosed with bursitis in his knee and he may return as a designated hitter during the series with the Orioles.
Harper is currently hitting .287 with 12 home runs and 23 runs batted in.
Since then, Harper (knee) has missed several games and he left last night's game against the Phillies early after aggravating the injury.
It's something that Harper expects to deal with all season.
“It probably won’t get better until the offseason,” he said, per James Watson of the Washington Post. “I just have to deal with the pain and try to keep in there every day and see what happens.”
According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Harper is not in today's lineup against the Orioles.
Kilgore went on to tweet that Harper passed an MRI, but he was diagnosed with bursitis in his knee and he may return as a designated hitter during the series with the Orioles.
Harper is currently hitting .287 with 12 home runs and 23 runs batted in.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Join one of our upcoming FanDuel leagues
The MLB and fantasy baseball season is long.
And if someone on your fantasy team suffers an injury, the season can seem even longer. Much longer.
One of the ways to break up the long season is to participate in daily fantasy leagues, which is something we highly recommend.
If interested, you can join one of our daily fantasy leagues at FanDuel that we have set up over the next few days:
FanDuel's leagues are based on salary caps (i.e., there is not a draft). My three leagues above are set up for five teams, entry is $5 and winner takes all.
Good luck!
And if someone on your fantasy team suffers an injury, the season can seem even longer. Much longer.
One of the ways to break up the long season is to participate in daily fantasy leagues, which is something we highly recommend.
If interested, you can join one of our daily fantasy leagues at FanDuel that we have set up over the next few days:
FanDuel's leagues are based on salary caps (i.e., there is not a draft). My three leagues above are set up for five teams, entry is $5 and winner takes all.
Good luck!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Zack Greinke fractures collarbone in bench-clearing brawl
San Diego's Carlos Quentin took offense to being hit by a pitch (and some comments) from Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke in last night's game, which led to a broken left collarbone for Greinke.
When Quentin charged the mound, Greinke lowered his (left) shoulder and that's likely when the injury occurred during what resulted into a benches-clearing brawl.
“That’s just stupid, that’s what it is,” [Dodgers manager Don] Mattingly told reporters, per Steve Dilbeck of the L.A. Times. “He should not play a game until Zack can pitch.
“He caused the whole thing. Nothing happens if he goes to first base. That’s zero understanding of the game of baseball. He’s not throwing at him 3-2 in a 2-1 game.”
After the game, Matt Kemp and Quentin nearly got into it in the parking lot, but the two were separated by Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Over the past two seasons, no player was hit more than Quentin: 2011 (23 HBPs) and 2012 (17).
These two teams will play again starting Monday in Los Angeles.
When Quentin charged the mound, Greinke lowered his (left) shoulder and that's likely when the injury occurred during what resulted into a benches-clearing brawl.
“That’s just stupid, that’s what it is,” [Dodgers manager Don] Mattingly told reporters, per Steve Dilbeck of the L.A. Times. “He should not play a game until Zack can pitch.
“He caused the whole thing. Nothing happens if he goes to first base. That’s zero understanding of the game of baseball. He’s not throwing at him 3-2 in a 2-1 game.”
After the game, Matt Kemp and Quentin nearly got into it in the parking lot, but the two were separated by Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Over the past two seasons, no player was hit more than Quentin: 2011 (23 HBPs) and 2012 (17).
These two teams will play again starting Monday in Los Angeles.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Jered Weaver out 4-6 weeks with broken elbow
The Angels have placed ace Jered Weaver on the 15-day disabled list, but he will miss at least the next four weeks (and possibly more) with a non-displaced fracture in his left elbow, per Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times.
Initially the injury sustained on Sunday was believed to be a strain, but further tests revealed the fracture.
Per DiGiovanna, the Angels will likely move Garrett Richards into the rotation and they have called up Dane De La Rosa.
Weaver, who compiled a 38-13 record over the past two seasons, has an 4.91 ERA with six strikeouts and six walks in 11 innings this season.
Initially the injury sustained on Sunday was believed to be a strain, but further tests revealed the fracture.
Per DiGiovanna, the Angels will likely move Garrett Richards into the rotation and they have called up Dane De La Rosa.
Weaver, who compiled a 38-13 record over the past two seasons, has an 4.91 ERA with six strikeouts and six walks in 11 innings this season.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Jose Fernandez makes Marlins' Opening Day roster
Earlier in the month, the Miami Marlins sent their top prospect down to minors and it seemed unlikely that he would be on the team's Opening Day roster.
“I’ve been expecting it the last two weeks. I’m 20 years old. I can’t be upset. I can’t. It’s not a secret. I knew I was going to get sent down. I was waiting for it," Hernandez said when sent down to the minors, per Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
“I know I’ve got to get ready for my [minor-league] season. I want to get my routine going. I knew they made the right call.”
Well, now it's time to get ready for the major-league season.
With injuries to pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez, 20-year-old prospect Jose Fernandez will begin the season on the big-league roster.
Per Spencer, Fernandez will make his big-league debut on Sunday against the Mets.
Hernandez is the No. 5 prospect on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, No. 16 on Keith Law's Top 100 Prospects and No. 6 in Jonathan Mayo's prospect rankings for MLB.com.
“I’ve been expecting it the last two weeks. I’m 20 years old. I can’t be upset. I can’t. It’s not a secret. I knew I was going to get sent down. I was waiting for it," Hernandez said when sent down to the minors, per Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
“I know I’ve got to get ready for my [minor-league] season. I want to get my routine going. I knew they made the right call.”
Well, now it's time to get ready for the major-league season.
With injuries to pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez, 20-year-old prospect Jose Fernandez will begin the season on the big-league roster.
Per Spencer, Fernandez will make his big-league debut on Sunday against the Mets.
Hernandez is the No. 5 prospect on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, No. 16 on Keith Law's Top 100 Prospects and No. 6 in Jonathan Mayo's prospect rankings for MLB.com.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Adam Eaton to miss 6-8 weeks with UCL sprain
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Adam Eaton will miss the next six to eight weeks with a left elbow UCL sprain, according to the team.
Expected to be the team's leadoff hitter, Eaton was hitting the ball really well this spring with his .390 average over 20 games.
"You know that I will work my butt off to get back in there," he tweeted. "It will be sooner than later."
Eaton is No. 73 on Baseball America's list of top 100 prospects and was No. 1 on Keith Law's list of Top 20 Impact Prospects for 2013.
Expected to be the team's leadoff hitter, Eaton was hitting the ball really well this spring with his .390 average over 20 games.
"You know that I will work my butt off to get back in there," he tweeted. "It will be sooner than later."
Eaton is No. 73 on Baseball America's list of top 100 prospects and was No. 1 on Keith Law's list of Top 20 Impact Prospects for 2013.
2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - Top 50 Outfielders
In the vast majority of fantasy baseball drafts this season, the first player selected is going to be an outfielder. While that much is certain, the specific outfielder that goes first overall is much less of a lock.
Although Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera could make a strong argument that he should be the first overall pick, the decision for most fantasy owners will come down to Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun or Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.
That said, it's like choosing between a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. In other words, there's not really a wrong choice.
As the unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year, Trout finished second in the AL MVP voting behind Cabrera, the first triple-crown winner of my lifetime. Not only did Trout get six of the 28 first-place votes over the triple-crown winner, he began the season in the minor leagues.
Despite playing his first 20 games of 2012 in the minors, the 20-year-old (now 21) made the most of his opportunity once he was called up. Trout hit .326 with 30 home runs and 49 stolen bases in only 139 games. In addition, he scored 129 runs and finished with 83 runs battted in.
Imagine what his stat line would have been had he started the year in Anaheim.
Adding in his minor league numbers, his 2012 totals over both levels were 150 runs scored, 31 home runs, 96 runs batted in and 55 stolen bases.
Like Trout, Braun is a player that will help fantasy owners in all five roto categories and both players had 30/30 seasons in 2012. Trout had a 30/50 season; Braun actually had a 40/30 season.
In fact, Braun has back-to-back 30/30 seasons under his belt.
Since being called up in 2007, Braun has hit above .300 in all but one season (.285 in 2008) and .319 or better in four of those six seasons. In addition, Braun has scored more than 100 runs in four consecutive seasons and driven in more than 100 runs in each of the past five seasons.
Perhaps he won't steal 30-plus bases for a third consecutive year, but Braun is a lock for a line of .300/100/30/100/20 with upside in all five of those categories.
Can CarGo Go For More than 145 Games?
In addition to Braun and Trout, several outfielders should go in the first round of drafts including Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.
The glass-half-full view with CarGo is that he has three consecutive 20/20 seasons despite playing 145 games or less in each of those seasons.
Of course, the glass-half-empty view is that he has averaged only 135.7 games per year over the past three years.
If healthy (or close to healthy) for a full season, Gonzalez can post a monster stat line. Back in 2010 with 145 games played, he posted a career-best line of .336/111/34/117/26.
As a career .299 hitter, a lot would have to go right for him to approach the .336 average he had that season, but he certainly has a shot of repeating his production in the counting statistics if he can set a new career high in games played.
Onward and Heyward
After a disappointing and injury-plagued (shoulder) sophomore season in 2011, Atlanta Braves rightfielder Jason Heyward had a breakout season last year.
Not only did he play a career-high 158 games, but the J-Hey Kid set career highs in hits (158), home runs (27), runs scored (93), runs batted in (82) and stolen bases (21).
Heyward is expected to move to second (from third) in the batting order this year so it's likely that he scores a few more runs but drives in the same or maybe fewer runs.
Only 23 years old and as a former top prospect, Heyward should continue to improve his overall game and fantasy production.
A Teenager No More
At only 19 years old, Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2012.
Like Trout, Harper made his big league debut last season on April 28th and for the (not quite) full season, he hit 22 home runs and stole 18 bases. In addition, he finished fifth in the league in runs scored (98).
Harper carries positive momentum with him as he enters his second season.
In his final 12 regular-season games last year, he hit .415 with three home runs, eight runs batted, 11 runs scored and five steals. In 19 games this spring, Harper is hitting .396 with three home runs, eight runs, 12 runs batted in and two steals.
While we may be a season or two away from the day that Harper becomes a perennial MVP candidate, he has all the physical tools and virtually unlimited potential. With Trout's monster season as a 20-year-old last year, maybe we're not as far away as some would think.
Here are my top 50 fantasy outfielders (based on Yahoo! eligibility):
1. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
2. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
3. Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
6. Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
7. Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Angels
8. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
9. Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves
10. Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
11. Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves
12. Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers
13. Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals
14. Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox
15. Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
16. Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
17. Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
18. Allen Craig, St. Louis Cardinals
19. Yoennis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics
20. Shin-Soo Choo, Cincinnati Reds
21. Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays
22. B.J. Upton, Atlanta Braves
23. Alex Rios, Chicago White Sox
24. Michael Bourn, Cleveland Indians
25. Desmond Jennings, Tampa Bay Rays
26. Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees
27. Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals
28. Melky Cabrera, Toronto Blue Jays
29. Mark Trumbo, Los Angeles Angels
30. Austin Jackson, Detroit Tigers
31. Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles
32. Martin Prado, Arizona Diamondbacks
33. Carl Crawford, Los Angeles Dodgers
34. Shane Victorino, Boston Red Sox
35. Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers
36. Hunter Pence, San Francisco Giants
37. Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers
38. Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers
39. Josh Willingham, Minnesota Twins
40. Ichiro Suzuki, New York Yankees
41. Ben Revere, Philadelphia Phillies
42. Mike Morse, Seattle Mariners
43. Norichika Aoki, Milwaukee Brewers
44. Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies
45. Alejandro De Aza, Chicago White Sox
46. Angel Pagan, San Francisco Giants
47. Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox
48. Nick Swisher, Cleveland Indians
49. Dexter Fowler, Colorado Rockies
50. Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
For a second opinion, check out Duncan Sanford's outfielder rankings. (Or view our consensus third basemen rankings here.)
Other positions: C - 1B - 2B - 3B - SS - OF - SP - RP
To keep track of our updates, follow us on Twitter @EDSBaseball, LIKE us on Facebook and/or add us to your Google+ circle.
Although Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera could make a strong argument that he should be the first overall pick, the decision for most fantasy owners will come down to Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun or Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.
That said, it's like choosing between a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. In other words, there's not really a wrong choice.
As the unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year, Trout finished second in the AL MVP voting behind Cabrera, the first triple-crown winner of my lifetime. Not only did Trout get six of the 28 first-place votes over the triple-crown winner, he began the season in the minor leagues.
Despite playing his first 20 games of 2012 in the minors, the 20-year-old (now 21) made the most of his opportunity once he was called up. Trout hit .326 with 30 home runs and 49 stolen bases in only 139 games. In addition, he scored 129 runs and finished with 83 runs battted in.
Imagine what his stat line would have been had he started the year in Anaheim.
Adding in his minor league numbers, his 2012 totals over both levels were 150 runs scored, 31 home runs, 96 runs batted in and 55 stolen bases.
Like Trout, Braun is a player that will help fantasy owners in all five roto categories and both players had 30/30 seasons in 2012. Trout had a 30/50 season; Braun actually had a 40/30 season.
In fact, Braun has back-to-back 30/30 seasons under his belt.
Since being called up in 2007, Braun has hit above .300 in all but one season (.285 in 2008) and .319 or better in four of those six seasons. In addition, Braun has scored more than 100 runs in four consecutive seasons and driven in more than 100 runs in each of the past five seasons.
Perhaps he won't steal 30-plus bases for a third consecutive year, but Braun is a lock for a line of .300/100/30/100/20 with upside in all five of those categories.
Can CarGo Go For More than 145 Games?
In addition to Braun and Trout, several outfielders should go in the first round of drafts including Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.
The glass-half-full view with CarGo is that he has three consecutive 20/20 seasons despite playing 145 games or less in each of those seasons.
Of course, the glass-half-empty view is that he has averaged only 135.7 games per year over the past three years.
If healthy (or close to healthy) for a full season, Gonzalez can post a monster stat line. Back in 2010 with 145 games played, he posted a career-best line of .336/111/34/117/26.
As a career .299 hitter, a lot would have to go right for him to approach the .336 average he had that season, but he certainly has a shot of repeating his production in the counting statistics if he can set a new career high in games played.
Onward and Heyward
After a disappointing and injury-plagued (shoulder) sophomore season in 2011, Atlanta Braves rightfielder Jason Heyward had a breakout season last year.
Not only did he play a career-high 158 games, but the J-Hey Kid set career highs in hits (158), home runs (27), runs scored (93), runs batted in (82) and stolen bases (21).
Heyward is expected to move to second (from third) in the batting order this year so it's likely that he scores a few more runs but drives in the same or maybe fewer runs.
Only 23 years old and as a former top prospect, Heyward should continue to improve his overall game and fantasy production.
A Teenager No More
At only 19 years old, Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2012.
Like Trout, Harper made his big league debut last season on April 28th and for the (not quite) full season, he hit 22 home runs and stole 18 bases. In addition, he finished fifth in the league in runs scored (98).
Harper carries positive momentum with him as he enters his second season.
In his final 12 regular-season games last year, he hit .415 with three home runs, eight runs batted, 11 runs scored and five steals. In 19 games this spring, Harper is hitting .396 with three home runs, eight runs, 12 runs batted in and two steals.
While we may be a season or two away from the day that Harper becomes a perennial MVP candidate, he has all the physical tools and virtually unlimited potential. With Trout's monster season as a 20-year-old last year, maybe we're not as far away as some would think.
Here are my top 50 fantasy outfielders (based on Yahoo! eligibility):
1. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
2. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
3. Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
6. Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
7. Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Angels
8. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
9. Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves
10. Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
11. Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves
12. Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers
13. Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals
14. Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox
15. Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
16. Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
17. Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
18. Allen Craig, St. Louis Cardinals
19. Yoennis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics
20. Shin-Soo Choo, Cincinnati Reds
21. Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays
22. B.J. Upton, Atlanta Braves
23. Alex Rios, Chicago White Sox
24. Michael Bourn, Cleveland Indians
25. Desmond Jennings, Tampa Bay Rays
26. Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees
27. Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals
28. Melky Cabrera, Toronto Blue Jays
29. Mark Trumbo, Los Angeles Angels
30. Austin Jackson, Detroit Tigers
31. Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles
32. Martin Prado, Arizona Diamondbacks
33. Carl Crawford, Los Angeles Dodgers
34. Shane Victorino, Boston Red Sox
35. Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers
36. Hunter Pence, San Francisco Giants
37. Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers
38. Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers
39. Josh Willingham, Minnesota Twins
40. Ichiro Suzuki, New York Yankees
41. Ben Revere, Philadelphia Phillies
42. Mike Morse, Seattle Mariners
43. Norichika Aoki, Milwaukee Brewers
44. Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies
45. Alejandro De Aza, Chicago White Sox
46. Angel Pagan, San Francisco Giants
47. Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox
48. Nick Swisher, Cleveland Indians
49. Dexter Fowler, Colorado Rockies
50. Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
For a second opinion, check out Duncan Sanford's outfielder rankings. (Or view our consensus third basemen rankings here.)
Other positions: C - 1B - 2B - 3B - SS - OF - SP - RP
To keep track of our updates, follow us on Twitter @EDSBaseball, LIKE us on Facebook and/or add us to your Google+ circle.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Hanley Ramirez (thumb) to miss eight weeks
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez injured his right thumb in the World Baseball Classic and was sent for an MRI yesterday.
The results were not good.
"The MRI on Hanley Ramirez's right thumb indicates that the ligament that stabilizes the thumb was torn," the team's statement said, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. ". . . Dr. Steve Shin, a sports medicine hand specialist at Kerlan Jobe, will perform the surgery. Hanley will have the thumb immobilized for three weeks and is expected to return to competition in approximately eight weeks."
Eligible as both a shortstop and third baseman in fantasy leagues, I have lowered Ramirez in both of my rankings.
View my rankings here: Shortstop rankings - Third Base rankings
The results were not good.
"The MRI on Hanley Ramirez's right thumb indicates that the ligament that stabilizes the thumb was torn," the team's statement said, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. ". . . Dr. Steve Shin, a sports medicine hand specialist at Kerlan Jobe, will perform the surgery. Hanley will have the thumb immobilized for three weeks and is expected to return to competition in approximately eight weeks."
Eligible as both a shortstop and third baseman in fantasy leagues, I have lowered Ramirez in both of my rankings.
View my rankings here: Shortstop rankings - Third Base rankings
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)