Dodgers Shortstop - Just One Man
In an announcement that surprised exactly no one, new LA manager Dave Roberts announced this week that Corey Seager would play shortstop exclusively this year. Most scouts eventually expect that as he fills out, Seager will need to move to third, but he should be good to stick at short for the next few years at least. Given the organization does not have a premium prospect at the position, that looks very possible. The Seager hype is already in full swing, but that's what happens when you have a brother with a nine-figure contract who most scouts seem to think is the SECOND best hitter in the family. Seager batted .337/.425/.561 in 113 plate appearances last September, and though we can't realistically expect that over 600 PA's, something in the .290/.350/.470 range with 20 home runs could be his floor. Kike Hernandez will back up Seager.
Dodgers Rotation - Don't Sleep on Alex Wood
Kenta Maeda and the four lefties (Scott Kazmir, Hyun-Jim Ryu, Brett Anderson, and yeah Clayton Kershaw) will form the rotation assuming all are healthy. With Ryu recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, all signs seem to point to his 2016 debut happening more in mid than late-April. He's a bit behind the other pitchers, though there are no red flags yet. Should Ryu open on the disabled list, Alex Wood is the top candidate to take Ryu's turn in the rotation until he's deemed ready. Maeda's elbow is a question mark that led to his contract being laden with unprecedented incentives based on innings pitched, so it's pretty easy to see Wood getting several stints in the rotation.
Giants Rotation - No-hit guy the 6th starter?
Chris Heston and his impressive rookie year that included a no-hitter are currently on the outside looking in, but with the news that Matt Cain needed a cyst removed from his pitching arm merely served to reinforce the need for depth. Between Cain and Jake Peavy (19 starts in 2015), there should be plenty of action for Heston in a starting role this year. Heston finished with a solid 3.95 ERA in 31 starts, but most alarmingly was the first/second half splits in his BB/9 rate: 2.4/4.6. If he can return much close to the 2.4 mark, he can be a Ryan Vogelsong type, but with his lack of "blow you away" type stuff, Heston simply can't afford to miss the plate that frequently.
Giants Closer - No Change
The Giants have no undecided starting position players, so we'll take a quick look at the bullpen. Manager Bruce Bochy has already anointed last year's closer, Santiago Casilla, as his Opening Day closer. Casilla was solid last year, converting 38 of 44 save opportunities to go with a 2.79 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. The WHIP was a bit high for a closer, but lots of that was due to a .307 BABIP that was 96 points above his 2014 mark, so if he can lower that a bit, the WHIP could trend more in the 1.18 range. Casilla allowed just one run in his last 18.2 innings and obviously hopes to carry that forward into 2016. Sergio Romo will yet again be the closer-in-waiting, though Hunter Strickland (96.9 mph average fastball) could eventually be their closer of the future.
Rockies Rotation - Who are these guys?
I know, "who cares?", right? I'm not here to recommend a bunch of Rockies starting pitchers, but it's still worth a few sentences to sort this mess out. Colorado pitchers do have some value on the road and in some DFS formats, so let's see how the rotation shakes out. Jorge De La Rosa is probably the only lock, but I'd expect Chad Bettis and Jon Gray to easily win spots this spring. Then it comes down to the likes of Jordan Lyles, Tyler Chatwood, Chris Rusin, Eddie Butler, and Tyler Matzek for the back end. Eddie Butler was awful last year (even a 1.73 road WHIP), but he's still young and given his prospect pedigree, he's at least worth a look in deep leagues. Bettis had a 1.50 ERA in his final four starts, including two at home (SD, PIT), he's a little interesting. Gray is a former top-five pick who had a 2.95 ERA in four road starts last season, so there could be a streaming possibility with him. At home in four starts? 8.27 ERA. All in all, I wouldn't roster any of these guys in 12-team mixed roto leagues, but they could be usable at times this year in some formats.
Rockies Shortstop - Cloudy at brest
By now you know that SS Jose Reyes was placed on paid administrative leave while the Commissioner's office figures out how long his domestic violence suspension will be. Estimates I've seen have ranged anywhere from 10 games to half the season, so fantasy owners are anxiously awaiting resolution. Regardless, Trevor Story will see plenty of playing time this spring as the situation remains pending. Story hit 20 homers and swiped 22 bases while posting an .868 OPS in 130 minor league games a year ago. His prospect status has been volatile since he entered the system in 2011, but it's certainly up now. If you miss out on all the elite shortstops, grabbing Story and Reyes later in your drafts isn't an awful strategy. Around the League
Wil Venable (OF-CLE) - With Michael Brantley expected to miss the first month of the season, the Indians' outfield is wide open this year, especially. Abraham Almonte was likely going to be one of the starters (at least in April), but Almonte got popped for an 80-game PED suspension on Friday. The candidates for the other two slots aren't exactly Albert Belle and Manny Ramirez types - Rajai Davis, Collin Cowgill, Tyler Naquin, and Venable. Venable hit just .244/.320/.350 with six homers last year, but he also swiped 16 bases, so those of you in AL-only leagues could take a look at Venable. Just don't play him against lefties given his vs. LHP OPS trend the last three years: .833, 506, .377. Ugly.
Kevin Pillar (OF-TOR) - Manager John Gibbons named his leadoff candidates Friday, and they included Pillar and Michael Saunders. Both are less than ideal given their career OBPs - .303 for Pillar and .301 for Saunders. Pillar isn't a great hitter by any means, having hit .278/.312/.399, but he does make good contact (13.5% K%) and Pillar swiped 25 bases. Pillar is an amazing defender, and while those stats don't count in fantasy, but it will help keep him in the lineup on a regular basis. Given the speed, Pillar looks to have the edge to open atop of a lineup loaded with talented hitters.
Starlin Castro (INF-NYY) - I've been burned here before, but I'm liking Castro more and more this year. Friday, the Yankees let it be known that Castro would get some time at third base this spring. In addition to already qualifying at 2B and SS, adding third base only helps fantasy owners. Castro hit just .265/.296/.375 with 11 HR and 5 SB last year, but perhaps the change of scenery will help. Ideally he's turn around his -3.6% BB% significantly, but at this point in his career, he may just be what he appears - a hacker. Still, I do like him as a later round lottery ticket in deeper leagues.
Anibal Sanchez (SP-DET) - Sanchez is currently shut down with right triceps inflammation, but manager Brad Ausmus stated Friday that his Opening Day availability isn't in question. I'll take that with half a grain of salt given that Sanchez has had prior arm issues and triceps inflammation is often a precursor to far more deadly injuries such as Tommy John surgery. Sanchez is coming off an awful 2015 that saw him post a 4.99 ERA and career-worst 1.7 HR/9. His velocity was still good, so if Sanchez can stay healthy and keep the ball in the park, good things can happen. I'm just not that optimistic.
Tim Lincecum (P-FA) - Lincecum was in the news Friday after the news broke that Matt Cain had a cyst removed from his arm and would miss up to two weeks this spring, leaving his Opening Day availability in question. The thought was that Lincecum would perhaps be signed to provide insurance, but nothing is currently imminent. Lincecum is expected to throw for teams in the coming days and should sign sometime in early March. Lincecum was last effective back in 2011, and since his first full year in 2008, he's seen his average fastball velocity crater from 94.1 mph to last year's 87.2 mph. He'll probably wind up in some team's bullpen this year in the hopes he can resurrect his career as an effective reliever.
Kyle Schwarber (C/OF-CHC) - Don't' get me wrong, I love Schwarber's long-term power potential, but I'm getting a bit down on him for 2016. With the shocking return of Dexter Fowler and the signing of Shane Victorino to a minor league deal, the Cubs have an abundance of outfielders. They also have Miguel Montero and David Ross to handle backstop duties. Schwarber hit .246/.355/.487 in 232 at-bats a year ago while fanning in 28.2% of his PA's. The .241 ISO is very real, but so is a .220 BA given his lack of contact ability. Right now, Jorge Soler is penciled in as a 4th OF, but that could change quickly. Schwarber could find himself in Triple-A if there is no trade and he doesn't hit well this spring.
Eugenio Suarez (3B-CIN) - Not to be confused with Eugenio Velez and his "bat", Suarez has actual talent. In fact, Suarez might actually be in line for starting 3B duties following the offseason trade of Todd Frazier. Suarez hit .280/.315/.446 in 372 at-bats last year for the Reds, displaying decent power and an utter lack of plate discipline given his 4.3% BB%. Suarez has some upside at age 24, and for fantasy owners, he qualifies at short and will eventually qualify at third as well. He's not going to be Carlos Correa, but as a bargain bin option, he has appeal.
Sean Doolittle (RP-OAK) - It wasn't quite one of those laughable "Best shape of their life" stories, but manage Bob Melvin this week called the difference between 2015 Doolittle and February 2016 Doolittle "night and day". That's a good sign given Doolittle appeared in just 12 games last year due to shoulder woes, posting a 3.95 ERA and dealing with a drop in velocity and declining control. Chalk that up to injuries, as Doolittle looks to be healthy and a potential closer bargain given his past success. In 2014, Doolittle posted a 12.8 K/9, 1.2 BB/9, and 0.73 WHIP - elite closer numbers.
Taijuan Walker (SP-SEA) - The gloves are off, as Walker will not face an innings limit this year according to the organization. In 169.1 innings last season, Walker posted a 4.56 ERA while notching solid ratios (8.3 K/9, 2.1 BB/9). His velocity was as expected with a 94.3 mph average fastball, but a 1.3 HR/9 did him in at times. Walker offers #2 starter upside and given his age, pedigree, and the fact he recovered well after an 8.74 ERA in his first five 2015 starter, Walker is looking like a solid value pick this year.
A.J. Reed (1B-HOU) - Jonathan Singleton is the early favorite to open as the team' starting first baseman, but don't rule out Reed, their #1 prospect. Reed was noticeably slimmer in camp this year that last, and though we hear those type of "best shape of their lives" stories all the time, it's still a positive sign for a guy who is likely the team's first baseman of the future (and perhaps the present). Reed batted an astounding .340/.432/.612 with 34 home runs in 523 at-bats between High-A and Double-A a year ago, and though some Triple-A seasoning probably wouldn't hurt, he could make the decision interesting with a huge spring. Reed is a great keeper league target and is also worth a look in deeper redraft formats.
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