Milwaukee Brewers
Ryan Braun-MIL-OF: Post PED Suspension
Ryan Braun is out to prove all of his critics wrong in 2014. He wants to prove that he is one of the top players in the game and more importantly, he wants to do it PED free. Braun has been absolutely blistering the baseball in spring training to the tune of a .875 AVG, .900 OBP, and two homeruns in eight at bats. Yes, pitchers are working mostly off their fastball and are not in mid-season form yet, but Braun's success has to ease the fear that many fantasy owners have of post PED Braun. It's early, but Braun looks like he will once again be one of the top fantasy players in 2014.
Milwaukee Brewers 2B Battle:
Rickie Weeks has been the Brewers second baseman since 2007. Weeks was once one of the stars with a bright future for the Brewers. He was a second baseman who could hit for power and steal bases. However, Weeks lost his starting spot late in the season to Scooter Gennett.
Gennett was thought to be the favorite heading into the spring. Gennett does not offer much power or speed, but he makes good contact and plays very solid defense. Weeks comes into camp fighting for a starting spot for the first time since he broke into the league in 2007. Weeks has made a change in batting stance that has allowed him to hold his hands higher. The goal is to make harder and more consistent contact. So far Weeks has impressed the Brewers in the cages and on the field. He has posted a .364 AVG with a homer and five RBI. Weeks could win his starting spot back, with a solid spring.
Cincinnati Reds
Devin Mesoraco-CIN-C: How will he fair as the primary catcher?
Devin Mesoraco has been the Reds top catching prospect for the past couple of years. They have been bringing him along slowly. Now that Ryan Hanigan has left for Tampa Bay, Mesoraco will be the primary catcher for the Reds in 2014. Mesoraco has above average contact rate, an above average strikeout rate, and an average line drive rate, but has a very low .248 BABIP for his career. His advanced metrics suggest that he is due for an increase in batting average for 2014. Couple that with his already decent pop (9 HR's in 323 PA) and you could very well be looking at a .270/15/50 slash line. This wouldn't put him near the top tier catchers, but he could be had late in drafts or as a waiver wire pick-up.
Tony Cingrani-CIN-SP: Will he rebound at an age where most continue to decline?
Tony Cingrani was able to burst onto the scene during the 2013 season. He always had above average strikeout rates in the minor leagues. He started the year in the bullpen and eventually worked his way into the rotation. He hides the ball well and is tough on hitters with his four pitch mix. Cingrani was able to strikeout major league hitters at a rate of 10.32 K/9. Cingrani does not come without flaws. His walk rate of 3.7 BB/9 is higher than you would want, which will put more men on base. This is a dangerous combination for a fly ball pitcher at Great American Ballpark. There is a lot to like about Cingrani, but be wary of his peripheral stats and a slight regression in 2014.
St. Louis Cardinals
Kolton Wong-STL-2B- Is he ready?
The Cardinals believed in Kolton Wong's ability so much so, that they traded away their playoff hero, David Freese. They decided to part ways with Freese and move Matt Carpenter to 3B and insert Wong at 2B. Wong has had a low 12.9 K% and an average 8.3 BB% between AA and AAA. Wong has the ability to control the strike zone and to make consistent contact. His average should be respectable and his ability to steal bases will make him worthy of a late round flier. He will more than likely be league average at a weak position in 2014.
Matt Carpenter-STL-3B: Will he repeat his 2013 success?
Matt Carpenter was able to be in the discussion for the NL MVP last season. He was able to score 126 runs and hit 73 XBH. This included 55 doubles, 7 triples, and 11 homeruns. Not to mention that he also hit .294 and drove in 78 RBI. It is no wonder that the Cardinals are looking to sign him to a six-year contract extension. Carpenter will start out with 2B eligibility and will eventually gain 3B eligibility as well. His peripheral numbers suggest that he could possibly be in line for an increase in HR's due to his average HR distance and batted ball speed.
Around the League
Oscar Taveras-STL-OF
Taveras was able to make his spring debut on Friday. He went 1-3 with a double. He also misplayed a ball in the outfield. It is becoming increasingly likely that he will start the season in the minor leagues. He will be a guy to keep your eye on throughout the season, because once he gets called up, he will provide immediate results.
Billy Hamilton- CIN-OF
Hamilton is hitting .357 in 14 PA so far this spring. He will be starting in CF for the Reds when they break camp and head back up north. He will most likely be hitting leadoff as well. Hamilton spent a large portion of his off-season working on his bunting skills. He cannot bunt himself on base every time, so it will be interesting to see to what level he is able to get on base. Once he gets on, everyone knows he will be taking second and possibly third.
Miguel Gonzalez-PHI-SP
With the recent injury to Cole Hamels, the Phillies are looking for someone to take his place in the rotation to start the season. Miguel Gonzalez was signed late last season out of Cuba. He was projected to be a middle of the rotation starter. He has been a disappointment in Phillies camp so far. This continued yesterday when he gave up four runs and walked two in an inning against the Orioles. He will start the season in the minors and try to increase his velocity and work on adjusting to the major leagues.
Hanley Ramirez- LAD- SS
Ramirez cemented himself at the top of fantasy drafts for the 2014 season with a bounce back 2013 season. In only 336 PA, Ramirez was able to club 20 HR, drive in 57, and steal 10 bases while hitting .345. Ramirez hit his first homer of the spring on Friday. He will more than likely be a first round selection in most drafts, but he does not come without significant injury risk.
Cole Hamels-PHI-SP
Cole Hamels has been shut down for another week after feeling more discomfort in his throwing shoulder. Hamels was believed to be 100% healthy after a spout with bicep tendinitis in November. It will be interesting to see how much time Hamels will miss. The Phillies do not seem overly concerned, but a shoulder injury is not something to mess with a pitcher, especially one as talented as Hamels.
Troy Tulowitzki-COL-SS
Tulowitzki hit two homers on Friday against the Angels in Cactus League play. Tulowitzki remains one of the more imposing offensive players in the game. He also plays a position not typically known for offense. The only downside to Tulo is his history of lower body injuries. Tulowitzki has the skill set to win the NL MVP, all he has to do is stay healthy. Tulo will no longer steal bases like he once did, but he will provide elite power numbers from a shallow position.
Scott Kazmir-OAK-SP
Kazmir was able to revive his career in Cleveland last year. He parlayed that into a 2-yr deal with the Oakland Athletics. Pitching half his games at the Oakland Coliseum is going to help his cause. Kazmir was able to strikeout more than a batter an inning last year for the Indians. His xFIP indicated that Kazmir was unlucky last year and that his ERA should have been in the 3.40 range. Kazmir would be a very solid middle of the rotation starter for your fantasy team. He could be had in the middle rounds of most drafts.
Carlos Santana-CLE- C, 1B, DH
The Indians have been trying Santana at 3B to try to find a way to fix their woes at the position. With the emergence of Yan Gomes behind the plate last season and Santana having played 3B before, it seemed like a legitimate solution. They even sent Santana to winter ball to work on playing the position. The early reports were good, but a report came out yesterday stating that Santana looked very stiff and rigid in the field. If Santana can show that he can handle the position without costing the Indians runs, he might be able to sneak in 3B eligibility in some leagues. At this point I would not bank on Santana being 3B eligible.
Yordano Ventura-KAN-SP
Ventura is one of the Royals top pitching prospects. He routinely hits triple digits with his fastball. Some doubt Ventura's long-term ability as a SP, as he has a slight frame and only stands at 5'11". Ventura is the leading candidate to nail down the final spot in the Royals rotation. Ventura employs a triple digit fastball, a sharp breaking curveball, cutter, and changeup. He has shown the ability to strike batters at a high rate in the minors. To reach his full potential this season, he needs to cut down on the walks.
Tim Lincecum-SF-SP
Lincecum's decline in velocity over the past couple of years has forced him to pitch differently. Lincecum's average fastball velocity was 90mph last year. This is down from 93.6 when he entered the league in 2007. The good news about Lincecum, is that he still manages to rack up healthy strikeout numbers. He has averaged over 190 K's the last two seasons. He also maintains an above average GB rate that supports his xFIP being almost a run lower than his ERA. Lincecum is a solid middle to back of the rotation starter.
