Hitting is contagious. And in a high-scoring offense, heavy
hitters can bring out the best in otherwise average fantasy ball players. One
strategy common strategy is to target players on teams that provide the most opportunities
for Runs and RBI.
Today’s Fantasy Sports Java will take a look into 2 high powered
AL West offenses and break down who you should/shouldn't target in your draft.
We’ll also evaluate when you should pull the trigger on these players or let
them pass on to the next the round. (This is the beginning of a series and we will
continue to analyze powerful lineups leading up to the draft).
Projected Lineup
Trout, Pujols, and Hamilton are the glue that holds this lineup
together. It's no surprise that Trout and Pujols are 1st round picks and
Hamilton would be equally deserve if it weren’t for his health issues. All
three should give you value where they are slotted and if your draft position
allows you to grab one, by all means do so.
Aybar and Kendrick are solid late round selections with Aybar
going in rounds 14-16 and Kendrick anywhere from 18-20. These two are perfect examples of average players who
benefit from the protection of elite hitters. Both Aybar and Kendrick
will be valued higher than other equally-talented hitters in a weaker
lineup. Keep in mind Aybar
will be asked to sacrifice bunt in order to kill the double play when
Pujols is at bat (something the slugger loves to hit into). Though the 2-hole
in the lineup isn't the most coveted spot, the SS position is scarce and Aybar
could be a solid late round pick coming off a career year. Oh and did we mention
that Aybar is batting in front of Pujols, Hamilton, and Trumbo? Because he is.
And imagine the RBI chances Kendrick will get from feasting off the leftovers from
one of the most deadly 3-4-5 combos in the big leagues. Tasty.
Other than the obvious first and second-rounders, the main target in this lineup is Mark Trumbo. Highly
undervalued after a second-half collapse (.227/.271/.359), the 26-year-old will
slide off the boards in the rounds 11-12. Trumbo offers 1B, 3B, and OF
eligibility with massive power at a discounted price. But Trumbo’s potential
is no secret and other fantasy owners will be ready to jump on last season’s
first-half numbers (.307 avg, 22 HR, 57 RBI). Pulling the trigger on Trumbo
a round or two early will pay off big dividends by the end of the 2013 season. Trumbo
is in the meat of a big-time lineup, and will bang out 30+ HR and 100+ RBI
batting behind Pujols and Hamilton.
Final Analysis
The top 5 batters in this lineup are the real deal and with the addition of Hamilton this year, Pujols should return to top form with some of the pressure taken off of him to be the main guy. With loads of protection, everyone in this lineup should benefit. Draft/Target-Trout, Pujols, Hamilton, TRUMBO!!, Aybar
Projected Lineup
Ian Kinsler typically has been a 2nd Round pick the last two seasons, however he has faded back to the 3rd Round after a drop in power last year. He is a solid player, but injury prone at the 2B position which is looking a little thin this year. He is not on the top of my list, but gives owners a source of power and speed so my only recommendation is to draft him in the lower half of the 3rd round if he drops to you. Otherwise, the injury risk is too great to spend a top 3 pick. Elvis Andrus is also at a SS position that is thin this year which drives up his value. Going in Round 6-7 this year he offers speed and batting avg., but I believe that speed and avg. can be bought much later and your 6-7 round pick should be spent more wisely. For example here is a player comparison
Player 1-.293 BA, 68 R, 52 RBI, 5 HR, 30 2B, 7 3B, 35 SB in 155 Games
Player 2-.286 BA, 85 R, 62 RBI, 3 HR, 31 2B, 9 3B, 21 SB in 158 Games
What if I told you Player 1 was Alcides Escobar and available in Rounds 14-16. Player 2 is Elvis Andrus and you are paying an up charge of 7-8 Rounds based on his name brand and the team he plays on.
Berkman is a solid clubhouse addition even though he is a major injury risk. Going in rounds 19-21, he provides late round value if healthy, but that is a major IF. Adrian Beltre is back! Beltre is going in the middle of Round 2 in fantasy drafts and offers a solid value at scarce position. Beltre has some hamstring issues but has been able to get though them and should finish about where he is drafted overall. Nelson Cruz, going in rounds 6-8 can provide some pop to your fantasy lineup, but not without major question marks. Last year was the first year he has played over 130 games finishing at 159. However, he is involved with the recent PED scandal and that might provide some insight as to why Cruz was able to play the entire season. A risky pick, stay away from Cruz if he is off the PED's this year and only draft him if you are in a real bind in Round 7-8
The Catchers
Its looking like a platoon in Arlington, and even though A.J had the best year of his career in Chicago last year, draft him with caution. The 36 year old will split time with Geovanny Soto and unless desperate, there are other solid catching options this year. Not to mention he is also 36 years old.
Ron Washington swears by David Murphy and he will get another full season of playing after batting .304 with 15 HR and 10 SB last year. Murphy isn't on my target list but he is going off the boards in Rounds 20-23 and should offer good enough to stats to jump off the boards where he is at right now. Moreland needs to be on your watch list this season. He has monster power and you should not waste a draft pick on him, watch out for him to bust out this year with a full season of playing time available to him through the departure of Michael Young and Josh Hamilton. Finally Leonys Martin. A top prospect in the Rangers system, he will have more of an opportunity at the beginning of the season than #1 overall prospect Jurickson Profar. He is being drafted in the last rounds of drafts this year, and although I wouldn't recommend spending a pick on him, slot him with Moreland and watch his progress this season.
Final Analysis
The Rangers still have a solid lineup 1 through 9, but with the loss of Josh Hamilton I expect everyone's number to decline slightly. Target/Draft-Adrian Beltre. Watch List-Mitch Moreland, Leonys Martin.
The next edition of High-Powered Lineups will include the Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
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