Camargo Draws in Batters Circle
By Thomas Harrigan , MLB.com
Special to Yahoo Sports
Every year, a handful of Leap Training position battles end up having major fantasy ramifications.
In 2019, Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Paddack all entered army camp without a guaranteed spot on the Major League roster. Ultimately, each made the Opening Day squad and became a key part of fantasy lineups.
[ Concoction up: Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for gratis today ]
With that in listen, fantasy managers would exist wise to monitor the seven competitions below.
Houston Astros: Final rotation spot
Chief contenders: Josh James , Framber Valdez , Austin Pruitt
Brad Peacock was expected to be part of this competition, but a nerve issue in his neck has opened the door for either James, Valdez or Pruitt to land Houston'south fifth rotation spot backside Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Lance McCullers Jr., and Jose Urquidy.
While he posted an unimpressive 4.lxx ERA with a v.1 BB/nine mark over 49 appearances (one outset) last season, James as well ranked in the 93rd percentile or better in average fastball velocity, strikeout rate, xwOBA and xSLG, giving the 26-year-erstwhile the most upside of the three competitors. The right-hander has focused on improving his mechanics so he can more than consistently pound the strike zone in 2020.
Prediction
James gets the spot. Although Forrest Whitley (MLB'southward No. xix prospect) should go a shot at some point this flavor, potentially bumping the winner of this competition to the bullpen, the flamethrowing James would be worth a late-circular option in 12-team mixed leagues if he does indeed emerge as the Astros' fifth starter to open 2020.
Atlanta Braves: Third base of operations
Main contenders: Austin Riley , Johan Camargo
The departure of Josh Donaldson every bit a gratuitous agent left Atlanta with an enormous hole at 3rd base of operations, to be filled by either Riley or Camargo. Riley, 22, debuted terminal May and striking .280/.333/.596 with xiv home runs over his first 42 games, but his aggressive arroyo caught up to him. In his final 38 games, Riley posted a .150/.203/.292 batting line with 4 homers, 52 strikeouts and eight walks in 123 plate appearances.
The versatile Camargo was a valuable correspondent for the Braves in 2018, producing 19 homers, an .806 OPS and 3.three FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement, merely he regressed last flavour (seven homers, .663 OPS, -0.five fWAR).
Prediction
Riley does enough during the Grapefruit League schedule to edge Camargo for the starting job. However, the youngster deals with more than inconsistency during the season, making him a fringe option in mixed leagues.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Terminal ii rotation spots
Principal contenders: Zac Gallen , Luke Weaver , Alex Immature , Merrill Kelly
This is perhaps the most interesting boxing on this list, given the promise that Gallen (2.81 ERA, 28.7% Grand-charge per unit) and Weaver (ii.94 ERA, 26.5% K-rate) showed in a express sample size concluding season. Immature was also solid, though his three.56 ERA was backed past a troubling 4.81 FIP, while Kelly delivered 183 1/three league-average innings (101 ERA+).
Unless Gallen struggles considerably this spring, information technology's difficult to imagine that he won't be office of the starting five to begin 2020. Nether normal circumstances, Weaver might besides exist a lock, but he dealt with right elbow problems last twelvemonth, and Arizona could look to limit his innings. Weaver and Young both accept options remaining, simply Kelly cannot be sent to the Minors without his consent.
Prediction
Gallen and Weaver both crack Arizona's season-opening rotation, while Kelly is used in a long-relief role until he's needed as a spot starter, and Immature begins the year in the Minors. Gallen and Weaver should be drafted between the tenth and 15th rounds in 12-team leagues.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Final two rotation spots
Main contenders: Julio Urías , Alex Forest , Jimmy Nelson , Dustin May , Tony Gonsolin
All five of these pitchers could make multiple starts this year, equally the Dodgers have reward of their depth to keep everyone fresh. Over the by iii years, Los Angeles hasn't had a single pitcher make more than thirty starts in a season.
After existence derailed by a left shoulder injury that required surgery, Urías returned terminal flavor to post a 2.49 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings. Although the southpaw debuted all the way dorsum in 2016, he is still just 23 years old and carries notable upside. Wood is back in Los Angeles afterwards a short stint with the Reds that was plagued past a recurring back issue. He'll await to recapture the class he showed over his first vi seasons (iii.29 ERA, 3.36 FIP). Nelson, too, is trying to rebound from injuries. He missed all of 2018 following right shoulder surgery and had a 6.95 ERA in x outings last season, dealing with elbow issues along the mode. May (MLB'southward No. 23 prospect) has the ceiling of a frontline starter, while Gonsolin is another young righty with considerable potential.
Prediction
The Dodgers begin the year with Urías and Wood in the rotation behind Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and David Toll. But May and Gonsolin both get a chance to start at some point. May, in particular, is worth stashing in mixed leagues.
New York Mets: Closer
Principal contenders: Edwin Díaz , Seth Lugo , Justin Wilson
Traded to the Mets following a transcendent 2018 flavour with the Mariners (one.96 ERA, 44.3% K-rate, 57 saves), Díaz was unable to notice his basis during his first twelvemonth in New York. The righty recorded a 5.59 ERA with 15 home runs allowed over 58 innings, losing the closer'south role tardily in the campaign. Just at that place were some positive signs: Díaz finished with a stellar 39% strikeout rate, and he had the largest difference (.067) in MLB (min. 250 batters faced) between his wOBA (.344) and xwOBA (.277), suggesting he was a bit unlucky. Moreover, 13 of the 36 earned runs he permitted came in just three appearances, during which he tallied a combined three outs.
The Mets will requite the 25-twelvemonth-old every chance to cement himself every bit their closer, considering all they gave up to acquire him. If he bounces back, he could be a elevation v fantasy relief option. But if Díaz continues to struggle this spring, the lodge could turn to a ninth-inning commission, as it did last August and September, splitting save chances between Lugo and Wilson. Dellin Betances could likewise be a factor in the closing mix, but the team will probable ease him in after he missed all just one game in 2019.
Prediction
Díaz doesn't quite render to his 2018 heights, but he rebounds and collects 30-plus saves with 100-plus G's and strong ratios. (Steamer and ZiPS both project him for a sub-three.00 ERA and a sub-i.10 WHIP).
Washington Nationals: 3rd base
Main contenders: Carter Kieboom , Asdrúbal Cabrera
To say the least, Kieboom's kickoff Major League experience didn't go well. Subsequently debuting in April, he hit .128/.209/.282 and was sent dorsum to the Minors less than 2 weeks later. Of grade, a sample size of 43 plate appearances isn't enough to judge any histrion, much less a 22-yr-old who ranks 21st on MLB Pipeline'south Top 100 Prospects listing.
[Yahoo Rankings: Overall | C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP ]
The Nationals are giving Kieboom, who posted a .303/.409/.493 slash line in Triple-A last season, a chance to supplant Anthony Rendon at 3rd base. Cabrera, a thirteen-year veteran, was re-signed to provide insurance.
Prediction
Kieboom is named Washington'due south starting 3rd baseman, but with six additional infielders -- Cabrera, Eric Thames, Ryan Zimmerman, Starlin Castro, Howie Kendrick and Trea Turner -- on the 26-human being roster, he receives regular days off. The youngster has average ability and isn't much of a base-stealer at this point, giving him fringe value in mixed leagues.
Chicago White Sox: Second base
Main contenders: Nick Madrigal , Leury García
At 5-foot-seven, 165 pounds, Madrigal (MLB's No. 40 prospect) isn't going to hit for much power, but he is an intriguing player in fantasy circles nonetheless. The 22-twelvemonth-old stole 35 bases in the Minors last season, and he struck out but sixteen times in 532 plate appearances. With his outstanding bat-to-ball skills, Madrigal could exist a perennial .300 hitter.
García could get the opportunity to enter this season as the White Sox starting second baseman, but Madrigal should have that function sooner rather than later.
Prediction
The White Sox send Madrigal to Triple-A at the kickoff of the season, but he earns a promotion before the terminate of April and becomes a viable starting choice in the bulk of fantasy leagues. That frees upwards García to handle a utility part. The 28-year-erstwhile switch-hitter, who recorded a .311/.344/.443 slash line vs. lefties terminal season, ends up drawing the majority of his starts as function of a right-field platoon with Nomar Mazara.
Thomas Harrigan is a reporter for MLB.com.
Listen to the Yahoo Fantasy Baseball Podcast
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/the-top-position-battles-fantasy-baseball-managers-have-to-monitor-234008409.html
0 Response to "Camargo Draws in Batters Circle"
ارسال یک نظر