Bloomberg Sports Fantasy Baseball 2012 Recap: Second Basemen
Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports
Bloomberg Sports Anchor Rob Shaw and Analyst Alex Burwasser recap the top five second basemen this fantasy season as well as the top three busts.
TOP FIVE PERFORMERS
5. Martin Prado, 2B, Braves
Prior to 2011, Martin Prado had hit over .300 for the Braves in three consecutive years including the last of those in 2010 when he not only made his lone All-Star appearance but even garnered some MVP votes. The success might have gotten to his head because in 2011 he had his worst season batting only .260. The good news is that after this season in 2012, 2011 will just be a blip on the radar because Prado was back to hitting over .300 again while providing some pop for the Braves with ten home runs and 70 RBI. Prado has become very valuable to Atlanta and to fantasy owners as a super-utility player, playing all four infield positions this year.
4. Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds
Ever since becoming a Red in 2006, Brandon Phillips has been the mark of consistency for Cincinnati hitting at least 17 home runs and swiping at least 14 bags in each of his last seven seasons. He also certainly played a key role in helping the Reds win their second NL Central crown in the past three seasons. Though they were not able to exit the Division Series again, it was no fault of Phillips who this postseason against the Giants hit .375. The only place where Phillips struggled this year was with his plate discipline, only drawing 28 walks, negatively affecting his on-base percentage. Hopefully, for him and the Reds this is not a downward trend and he continues to get on-base at a high rate.
3. Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers
One of the most insturmental members of the Rangers team that went to back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011, Ian Kinsler might have had his best year last year when he had his second career 30-30 season (the other being in 2009). However, this season he could not even manage to get to 20-20 with only 19 home runs. That being said, Kinsler is still one of the most productive players at his position given that he scores a ton of runs (105), with players like Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre behind him in the lineup, and he still provides more pop than most for a middle infielder.
2. Aaron Hill, 2B, Diamondbacks
Aaron Hill finally wore out his welcome in Toronto after hitting .225 for them mid-way through the 2011 season. He was soon traded to the desert in Arizona where he regained his stroke finishing the rest of the year hitting .315 and helping lead the Diamondbacks to the NL West title. He did not cool off in 2012 either hitting over .300 with 26 home runs and 85 RBI. Though his home ballpark is very hitter-friendly, Hill was remarkably consistent hitting half his homers at home, and half on the road this year. If he can keep this play up next year at a premium fantasy position like second base, Arizona and fantasy owners alike will certainly not complain.
1. Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
Robinson Cano has really had quite the run for the Yankees over the past three seasons, making the All-Star game in all three years, and finishing in the top six in the MVP vote in 2010 and 2011. This year should see that trend continue given that he ended the season with a career-high 33 home runs while again hitting over .300 at .313 for the AL East champions. Though he still remains a bit vulnerable against southpaws in his career, he remains a very difficult out, his postseason withstanding, and he is still in the prime of his career at 29 years old with no signs of slowing down.
TOP THREE BUSTS
3. Michael Young, 2B, Rangers
2011 may have been the best season of his career when he hit .338 and had 106 RBI for the pennant-winnng Rangers, all while making his seventh all-star game and earning several MVP votes. It seemed at the moment he had beaten Father Time until this year when his batting average dropped to below .280 and his RBI total plummeted to 67, both lows since 2002 for Young. Though he still hit lefties with a force at a .327 clip, he may continue to see a drop in playing time going forward for the Rangers with prospects like Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt being possibly more deserving of his at-bats.
2. Dan Uggla, 2B, Braves
Fantasy owners always knew what they were going to get out of Dan Uggla. He was going to hit you 30 home runs and knock in at least 88 RBI, which he did for five straight years (2007-11) but that was pretty much it. He has very negligible speed and does not hit for a high average at all, batting around .250 over that same span, so it is safe to say he is a one-tool player. However, this season he did not even hit twenty home runs, finishing the year with only 19. Though he surprisingly led the league in walks which helped his on-base percentage, Uggla does not serve much fantasy value if he is not hitting the ball out of the ballpark.
1. Jemile Weeks, 2B, Athletics
Jemile Weeks was high on many people’s draft boards heading into the season given his rookie year in 2011 when he came up for Oakland and hit an impressive .303 (led the team) while swiping 22 bases in 97 games. As anyone who may have drafted him in March knows, he had a rough go of it this year, hitting just .221 and getting benched by Bob Melvin as his team took the baseball world by storm in the second half by winning the AL West. Though he definitely has a definable skill with his speed, recording eight triples for the second year in a row, he will need to get on base more to be a high fantasy draft pick for years to come.
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Bloomberg Sports Fantasy Baseball 2012 Recap: First Basemen
Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports
Bloomberg Sports Anchor Rob Shaw and Analyst Alex Burwasser recap the top five first basemen this fantasy season as well as the top three busts.
TOP FIVE PERFORMERS
5. Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels
In an offseason move that shocked many, Albert Pujols decided to leave St. Louis, his home for a decade where he won two championships, for the bright lights of Los Angeles in Anaheim. To the delight of jilted Cardinals fans, Pujols got off to a rough start for the Angels, even hearing some cat calls in his home park, but he more than made up for it over his final 105 games where he hit .319 with 26 home runs and 86 RBI. You can make a case that he may not be as dominant a hitter as he once was but he still put up his typical 30-HR, 100-RBI season, which always has fantasy value.
4. Billy Butler, 1B, Royals
Billy Butler has always been a very productive hitter throughout his career for the Royals but has consistently flown under the radar because he plays in relative obscurity in Kansas City. However, this year he was the subject of a national controversy when Robinson Cano decided not to pick him for the Home Run Derby in front of his home fans at Kauffman Stadium. Butler took the high road and did the talking with his bat the rest of the year when he finished with 29 home runs and 106 RBI, both career highs, all while hitting above .300 at .313.
3. Prince Fielder, 1B, Tigers
Much like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder moved from the top of the NL Central to the opposite league in the offseason. Fielder signed a massive nine-year contract which left many worrying about the long-term injury risk of signing a man of his size, but his performance in the first year of that deal quieted all the critics when he blasted 30 home runs and knocked in 108 RBI leading the Tigers to their second consecutive AL Central crown. Though Prince has had more powerful years, he hit over .300 for the first time in his career, checking in at a very impressive .313 on the season.
2. Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/3B, Jays
Encarnacion had been a solid player for Toronto since acquiring him from the Reds in 2009, putting up seasons of 20 home runs and a little more than 50 RBI on average in 2010 and 2011. This season, however, he completely obliterated those numbers with 42 home runs and 110 RBI, more in each category than the previous two years combined. In addition, Encarnacion also improved in other categories, setting career highs in stolen bases (13) and walks (84). What makes this rapid improvement all the more impressive is that he did it without Jose Bautista in the lineup who missed about half the year injured. Next year could be very intriguing for the Jays with those two bats healthy and producing in the middle of that lineup.
1. Miguel Cabrera, 1B/3B, Tigers
There really is not much else you can say about the year Miguel Cabrera had for the American League champion Tigers. He was the first Triple Crown winner since 1967 (led the AL in batting average, home runs and RBI) and he did it before the age of 30! In fact, Miguel Cabrera leads all active major leaguers under the age of 30 in hits (1802), home runs (321), and RBI (1123). We are not sure Cabrera is on his way to his second championship ring this year, but it sure looks like he will be on his way to Cooperstown one day.
TOP THREE BUSTS
3. Mark Teixiera, 1B, Yankees
Every year in his career besides his rookie campaign in 2003, Mark Teixiera has had at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI, but not in 2012 when he hit only 24 home runs and knocked in only 84 RBI. Even more alarming for Teixiera is that he has seen his normally stellar batting average drop season after season. A perennial .280, and some years .300, hitter has not reached those numbers since 2009 when he hit .292. The last three seasons he has not hit above .256 including this year when he hit .251 and had a dreadful on-base percentage of .332. For the Yankees, he provides a lot of value with his defense at first base, but for fantasy owners, his value seems to be slipping fast.
2. Gaby Sanchez, 1B, Pirates
At the beginning of the year, many picked the Marlins and their revamped team with the acquisitions of Jose Reyes and Heath Bell among others to possibly win the NL East. Gaby Sanchez was one of the players set to contribute in the middle of that lineup, but much like the entire team, he was a gigantic disappointment. After the first 55 games of the season while hitting just above the Mendoza line at .202, Sanchez was sent down to the minors and subsequently traded to Pittsburgh. Though he fared better for the Pirates than for the Marlins, he still finished the year with a .217 average and only seven home runs, a huge dropoff from back-to-back 19 home run seasons in 2010 and 2011.
1. Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals
During Spring Training, there was a lot of buzz around the Royals that they may be the team on the rise given their farm system and dearth of young talent. One of the centerpieces of this renewed hope was Eric Hosmer, and after his rookie campaign in 2011, it was easy to believe given that he hit .293 with 19 HR and 78 RBI in only 128 games. Much like his team, Hosmer severely underperformed his expectations this year hitting .232 in his first full season in the majors with less home runs (14) and less RBI (60). You would hope that this is just your classic sophomore slump for the third overall pick in the 2008 draft and 2013 is a year he can replicate or even outperform his 2011 numbers.
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Bloomberg Sports Fantasy Baseball 2012 Recap: Catchers
Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports
Bloomberg Sports Anchor Rob Shaw and Analyst Alex Burwasser recap the top five catchers this fantasy season as well as the top three busts.
TOP FIVE FANTASY PERFORMERS
A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox
The 35 year-old never hit more than 18 home runs in his career until this season when he exploded for 27 dingers for the White Sox, who contended in the AL Central all year long until the last week of the season. He also maintained a solid batting average of .278 with 77 RBI. The veteran seems to have new life and now looks like a lock to get the 355 hits he needs for 2,000 in the next two or three seasons.
Wilin Rosario, C, Rockies
The rookie catcher for Colorado impressively led all NL catchers in the power department this year, bashing 28 home runs while adding 71 RBI. Where Rosario really excelled was against southpaws, who he hit to the tune of a .348 batting average and 14 home runs in only 112 AB.
Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals
Yadier Molina is not only the MVP on his Cardinals team this year, he may garner some votes for the MVP of the entire National League. He established career highs across the board with his .315 batting average to go along with 22 home runs and 76 RBI. Even though it is meaningless in the fantasy world, it should be mentioned that Molina is the best defensive catcher in baseball, as well as one of the most durable, and has been for several years for St. Louis.
Joe Mauer, C, Twins
After a year in which he struggled in 2011, Joe Mauer responded in a big way in 2012 by regaining his typical stroke hitting for a great average at .319 with 85 RBI. His .415 on-base percentage is very impressive and right up there with his stellar career average of .406. At 29 years old, Mauer is clearly still in his prime and back to being the franchise player the Twins expect to be in the middle of their order for years to come.
Buster Posey, C, Giants
Buster Posey missed most of last season after a gruesome collision at home plate, and with him out of the lineup and not calling pitches, the Giants struggled. With him healthy in 2012, the Giants cruised to a NL West division title. With his league-leading .336 average, 24 home runs, and 105 RBI, he is clearly the frontrunner for the NL MVP and clearly the number one fantasy catcher this season.
TOP THREE BUSTS
Alex Avila, C, Tigers
Though he provides decent defense and handles a great pitching staff, Avila struggled with the bat this season. He ended the year with ten less home runs (9) and a 47 point drop in batting average all the way down to .243. He did remain valuable in being able to get on base with a respectable .356 on-base percentage.
Brian McCann, C, Braves
The Braves 28 year-old catcher blasted 20 home runs again, but he did at a career worst .230 batting average to go along with a sub-.400 slugging percentage. He did not even start the Braves wild-card game against St. Louis. His years of catching may be taking its toll on his offensive performance.
Geovany Soto, C, Rangers
A very inconsistent player for the Cubs was finally traded to a contender in Texas this season, but the 29 year-old did not do much better in Arlington hitting below the Mendoza line at .198 for the season. He has a good eye at the plate but needs to really improve in all other facets in 2013.
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Bloomberg Sports Ballpark Figures: Pennant Chase Players to Watch
Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports
Bloomberg Sports Anchor Rob Shaw discusses both the American and National League playoff picture as we head towards the last few weeks of the regular season, while highlighting some of the possible key players that may help their team get into October.
Mark Reynolds, 3B, Orioles
He is trying to maintain his hot early start to September where he hit nine home runs and had 17 RBIs in only nine games. Though he still strikes out a ton, Buck Showalter will find a place for him in the lineup because of his prodigious power.
B.J. Upton, OF, Rays
In his all-important contract year, Upton has gotten very hot over his last 30 games up to Wednesday, where he has hit .292 with 12 home runs and 24 RBIs.
Torii Hunter, OF, Angels
At 37 years old, you would think Hunter would be slowing down, but he is having actually a career year hitting .309 with 15 home runs, nine stolen bases, 76 RBIs and 72 runs scored despite missing half of May with an injury. He is trying to hit over .300 for the first time in his career.
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Athletics
After starting out miserably this season with the major league ballclub, Donaldson was sent down to the minors on June 13th where he reaffirmed his potential by hitting .335 with 13 home runs in just 51 games. He quickly earned a call-up back with the A’s where he is now hitting .324 with six home runs and 17 RBIs through 28 games.
Kris Medlen, SP, Braves
This 26 year-old former top prospect missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but has re-emerged this year as one of the Braves best starting pitchers. He has been especially hot as of late, winning seven straight starts since July 31st.
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Bloomberg Sports’ Ballpark Figures: Brett Anderson, Andrew Bailey, Jhoulys Chacin
Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports
Bloomberg Sports Anchor Rob Shaw discusses three playeres to pick up this week for your fantasy baseball team.
Brett Anderson, SP, Athletics
In his 2012 debut, Anderson had a strong performance with 7 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K, and the win. This 24 year-old southpaw had a good 2010 as well, going 7-6 with a 2.80 ERA and 1.19 WHIP
Andrew Bailey, RP, Red Sox
In only six appearances this season, Bailey has gone 4.1 IP, 1 SV, 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP. In his first three years, he has convered 75 of 84 save opportunities. In his career he has a 2.07 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP.
Jhoulys Chacin, SP, Rockies
In his first start since May 1, Chacin went 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K against the Mets. In his second start on Sunday, he went 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K against the Cubs. He had 11 wins last year with a 3.62 ERA and .231 OPP AVG
Players to watch for
Troy Tulowitzki and Lucas Duda are both returning for their respective teams, so look for them to possibly make an impact if you pick them up for your fantasy team.
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Ballpark Figures Fantasy Panic: Perez, Wright, Darvish, Axford
Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports
Bloomberg Sports Anchor Rob Shaw discusses fantasy players on the decline.
Chris Perez, RP, Indians
He has allowed nine runs, five of which were earned, seven hits, and three walks in 1.1 innings in his past two games, leading to back-to-back blown saves. Indians set-up man Vinnie Pestano has not surrendered a run in the past 19 innings pitched, giving him a 1.29 ERA and .94 WHIP on the season. He could be the next closer for the team.
David Wright, 3B, Mets
After hitting .351 in the first half of the season, he has batted .231 since the All-Star break. He had 47 strikeouts in the first half, but already has 29 in the 24 games since the break. His fantasy value is getting lower, but still could bat .300 on the season.
Yu Darvish, SP, Rangers
In his last seven starts, he is 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA. He has 58 strikeouts in 45.1 IP during that stretch, but also has issued 25 walks. The hot Texas summer may be affecting his play in the second half.
John Axford, RP, Brewers
Since June 7, Axford has a 7.03 ERA in 25 games. Prior to this, he had a 3.22 ERA. He is not only giving up walks, but is also getting hit hard. Axford picked up the save on Monday, but it was Jim Henderson who got the save Tuesday night. Henderson throws heat, and has dominated as a closer in the minors this year. Look to him to be a possible new closing option for the Brewers.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Report: Michael McKenry, Grant Balfour, Josh Vitters, and Erik Kratz
Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports
Bloomberg Sports Anchor Rob Shaw breaks down four players who fantasy managers may want to pick up off the waiver wire this week.
Michael McKenry, C, Pirates
The Pirates are trying to stay in contention for the playoffs and they have gotten some help on offense from an unlikely source in McKenry. In 47 games, he’s batting .285 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI. He has eight homers in his last 21 games alone. If you need a catcher and McKenry is available, he is a good pickup, though it’s unlikely that he will sustain these numbers.
Grant Balfour, RP, Athletics
The A’s have had some issues in the bullpen as rookie Ryan Cook has struggled recently. This opens the door for Balfour, who last gave up a run on June 29. He is 2-2 with seven saves, a 2.60 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. The coaching staff has acknowledged that it has to consider moves within the bullpen as the team is in contention, and Balfour is a likely option for the closer role.
Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs
Vitters was the third pick of the 2007 draft, selected ahead of Matt Wieters, Madison Bumgarner and Jason Heyward. The top prospect made his debut for the Cubs on Sunday. In 110 games at Triple-A, he had a .304 average, 17 home runs and 68 RBI.
Erik Kratz, C, Phillies
Kratz played seven years at Triple-A and had a .288 average with 15 homers last season. He’s making the most of his opportunity with the Phillies, batting .379 with four home runs and four doubles in 15 games. Kratz should do well as a backup while Carlos Ruiz is on the disabled list.
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Ballpark Figures: Top Five Fantasy Baseball Players Over the Past Two Weeks
Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports
Bloomberg Sports Anchor Rob Shaw breaks down the five baseball players who have been making a huge fantasy impact over the past two weeks.
5) Alex Rios, OF, White Sox
Rios struggled with the White Sox in 2011, batting just .227. However, he has bounced back this season with a .316 AVG, 18 HR and 67 RBI. In the past two weeks alone, he hit .353 with 14 runs, five home runs, 15 RBI and one stolen base. He is a five-tool talent and his hot streak could continue, especially considering that he plays at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field. Be aware, however, that Rios is known for his inconsistency.
4) Adam LaRoche, 1B, Nationals
Like Rios, LaRoche has struggled with inconsistency. Last year was a disaster for him, as he only played in 43 games and had just a .172 average. He is known for getting hot in the second half of the season and he is living up to that right now. In the past two weeks, LaRoche has a .429 average, 10 runs, seven home runs and 14 RBI.
3) Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers
Gomez is a solid outfielder defensively but is not known for his offense. He hasn’t been able to play every day in the past but he’s been given a chance in Milwaukee and is putting up huge numbers. Over the last two weeks, Gomez is batting .348 with 14 runs, four home runs, 10 RBI and six stolen bases. At 26 years old, he could get a chance to play full time next season.
2) Drew Stubbs, OF, Reds
Stubbs is known to be unpredictable at the plate. He steals a lot of bases and has some power but he kills your batting average. His currently has a .239 season average, but in the last two weeks, he has a .362 average with 17 runs, four homers, 11 RBI and five steals. Stubbs is a streaky hitter, so ride out this hot streak while you can.
1) Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels
Pujols had a slow start to the season but he’s been on fire recently, and it couldn’t come at a better time for the Angels. Over the past two weeks, he has a .365 average, 11 runs, seven home runs, 19 RBI and two stolen bases.
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