Rotogod Says: One-Third Mark All-Stars - Fantasy Baseball 2008
Posted by Rotogod on May 29th, 2008
Rotogod here. Today I will be kicking off a three-part series in which I’m going to talk about a very important phase in the fantasy baseball season: the one-third or two month mark of the season. It is at the one-third mark that fantasy owners can begin to more accurately assess players now that their performances are fairly well established. There are still going to be flukes, especially on pitching though so in those cases, fantasy owners must be wary.
However, certain players who were not viewed as big fantasy threats have established themselves as forces (think: Carlos Quentin), while others have flamed out for one reason or other (think: Troy Tulowitzki). For that reason, it is a good time to begin targeting trades to improve areas of need. After all, there are still four more months of play and plenty of time to make a run at a title, the end goal.
In my three part series, I will begin by giving my One-Third Season All-Stars. In the second part, I put together my piece on How to Win Every Trade You Make. I man the master, prepare to learn from the best. Finally, in part three, I will list my Hot Targets piece, which will list some of the players who you should target in trades.
One-Third All-Stars
Catcher
Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves: Some fantasy owners may have forgotten about Brian McCann, following a pedestrian 2007 season in which he hit .270 (18 HR). However, McCann is only two years removed from his monster 2006 season where he hit .333 (24 HR). At this stage, McCann may have established himself as the premier fantasy baseball catching option as he wraps up May hitting .328 with 9 HR and 32 RBI (27 R). McCann has driven in at least 92 runs each of his past two seasons - staggering numbers from the catchers spot - and he looks to do so again in 2008.
Honorable Mention: Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs: 21 R - .302 AVG - 9 HR - 35 RBI
First Base
Lance Berkman, Houston Astros: Lance Berkman was another guy who’s stock dropped a bit following a rough, no-luck season in 2007 where he hit .278 with 34 HR and 102 RBI, but he has come back with a vengeance. To start the 2008 season, Berkman is hitting an unreal .384 with a major league leading 16 HR and 46 RBI (56 R - 10 SB!!!). The only way that Berkman is over-performing is in batting average but the power is very real. My only concern is whether Michael Bourn and Kaz Matsui will get on base often enough in front of Berkman for him to drive in the 120+ runs he is now on track for.
Honorable Mention: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals: 32 R - .360 AVG - 12 HR - 34 RBI. He’s baaaack, but will he hit 40 HR+ ?
Second Base
Chase Utley and Dan Uggla, Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins: I was going to default with Chase Utley, knowing what a monster season he is having, but after a red-hot May, Uggla is every bit as deserving of All-Star Honors. Here the numbers are, for the sake of comparison:
Chase Utley: 41 R -.309 AVG - 16 HR - 43 RBI - 5 SB
Dan Uggla: 40 R - .310 AVG - 16 HR 38 RBI - 2 SB
Utley gets the slight edge, but that may also change in the next two days. Ultimately, Utley players in the better ballpark and will likely wind up with the better numbers.
Third Base
Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves: Batting average is overrated you say? Hitting .400 for two months isn’t. Jones is hitting .418 with 12 HR and 35 RBI (38 R). Chipper hit .422 in April and is hitting .427 in May and over .400 from both sides of the plate. I’m not saying Chipper Jones can keep it up but this is quite a run. Health will be the determinant factor.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers: 25 R - .290 AVG - 13 HR - 37 RBI - 1 SB. I’ll take 10 points of batting average and 4 HR over the 6 SB edge David Wright provides, at present, but it’s a close call for now.
Shortstop
Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins: The Rotogod himself - yes, I actually am Hanley Ramirez writing under a pen name - Ramirez is hitting .297 with 9 HR - 23 RBI - 13 SB - 41 R. He may not drive in 100 runs hitting leadoff, but he will score them and he will have more more plate appearances and stolen base opportunities. Still, this is a tough call between Ramirez and Miguel Tejada who is having a great season in his own right (age be damned!), but I’ll give Hanley the edge with three extra HR and nine extra SB.
Honorable Mention: Miguel Tejada, Houston Astros: 43 R - .332 AVG - 6 HR - 37 RBI - 4 SB.
Outfield
Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers: This guy found Jesus and can absolutely rake. Hamilton is hitting .329 with 13 HR and a major league leading 58 RBI (35 R, 2 SB) and the summer has yet to hit the Ballpark in Arlington. This was a great sleeper pick I missed and I think most people did, but I wish I hadn’t. Who had him?
Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox: What a start for Quentin, hitting .297 with 14 HR and 44 RBI (35 R, 2 SB). The power should continue but I suspect a big fall-off is in the works and he’ll wind up with around the high 20’s in HR rather than the mid to high 30’s.
Ryan Ludwick, St. Louis Cardinals: Alan refused to vote for him, but I will. The third slot in the OF was a tough call but Ludwick, hitting .333 with 13 HR and 38 RBI (31 R - 2 SB). I am not buying it, but he’s an All-Star. At 29 and with his minor league track record, Ludwick can have a solid season, but he has a history of striking out a lot and I suspect that will catch up to him soon.
I hate that most fantasy leagues don’t differentiate outfielders, but whatever, no honorable mention here.
Starting Pitcher
Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds: Volquez has been lights-out, pitching 62 innings with a 1.31 ERA, striking out 76 on his way to winning 7 games (1.21 WHIP). Volquez is getting ground balls and his success, while out of whack (he’s no Bob Gibson), should continue. Still, I would be hard-pressed to predict an ERA under 3.60-3.80 in that ballpark. After all, Aaron Harang has yet to do so.
Honorable Mention: Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians: 66 IP - 1.50 ERA - 54 K - 7 W - 0.88 WHIP.
Relief Pitcher
Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: For relief pitchers, strikeouts and ERA are all important, of course, but their primary purpose is to get the save. K-Rod is leading the pack with 21, with a 2.35 ERA in 23 IP, striking out 21 (1.35 ERA).
Honorable Mention: George Sherrill, Baltimore Orioles: 22.2 IP - 1 W - 17 SV - 19 K - 3.57 ERA - 1.19 WHIP.
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May 29th, 2008 at 5:11 am
Rotogod Says: One-Third Mark All-Stars - Fantasy Baseball 2008
One-Third Mark All-Stars, if you have these guys you obviously are doing well in your league.