minors draft fantasy question

by rlwhite on May 13, 2011 8:41 AM EDT

How would you rank the following guys for fantasy 5x5, and where would you slot in pitchers?

Anthony Rendon

Gerrit Cole

Leonys Martin - We include Cubans in our amateur draft.

Bubba Starling

Swihart - Perhaps a gamble this high, but a great bat at C is a big asset in fantasy.

Lindor - I know BA and other experts rank him close behind Starling, but I think a lot of it is defense and I'm doubting the bat plays for fantasy 5x5. BA projected 10-15 HR in the more recent optimistic reports, and I don't think he's a major threat to steal either.

I'm rebuilding and need impact bats, and I'll sprinkle in ace-potential pitching where it's best-player-available. Other than that Cole has led the pitchers most of the season, I'm finding it very hard to distinguish and rank the pitchers, and I wonder if Cole's struggles should send him back into the pack.

Is there anyone else that should enter the discussion for slots 3 and 4 overall?

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I'd put Trevor Bauer in that mix as well.

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by Kerm on May 13, 2011 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

Springer

If your looking for impact bats, I’d probably have Rendon/Starling/Springer as my Top 3.

I know you’re high on Swihart, but if talking strictly about the bat I like the upside of the other 3 guys a bit better. I don’t know enough about Martin to make an educated judgment. For fantasy purposes, Mahtook looks pretty interesting with his power/speed numbers, but I don’t think the scouting reports match his output this season.

by killa on May 13, 2011 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

Everything I hear about Springer points to huge questions about his plate discipline.

There’s not much information out about Martin, but he’s supposed to be a speedster close to ML ready. The impression I get is a .300 avg / 50 SB peak.

All I have on Swihart is a relatively high ranking from BA with notes that he has “a great bat and improving defense.” My being “high” on Swihart is solely based on fantasy baseball, and both times I have mentioned Swihart have been in that context.

Here’s the highest position players from BA’s midseason draft ranking, with their position in the overall ranking and my own notes:

1. Rendon
6. Starling
7. Lindor – As I noted earlier, their ranking is based more on defense than offense and he doesn’t profile well for fantasy.
10. Springer – As I noted, there are significant plate discipline questions.
16. Jackie Bradley – BA notes that his tools are above-average across the board but not elite.
18. Swihart – BA notes that he has a great bat and improving defense at C.
19. Mahtook – BA notes that he has solid all-around tools.

To me, for fantasy purposes, position scarcity would bump Swihart above Bradley since offensive catchers are even more valuable in fantasy than real life, while Lindor and Springer drop to the fringe of the discussion. I’d be reluctant to take Swihart at 4 overall based on an 18 ranking, of course, but that puts him 3rd as a hitter in a draft that’s dominated by pitchers. If there’s something I’m missing, please let me know.

Perhaps Bradley and/or Mahtook deserve more of a look. Still, an offensive C has more fantasy value than a 20/20 OFer.

by rlwhite on May 13, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

A bit of a concern (Springer)

But he’s made huge strides making contact this year and still showing power. The pitch recognition is still a bit on the raw side, but the bat speed and athleticism gives him a ceiling that you can just dream on. I definitely think he’s the third best position player in this draft.

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by Jeff Reese on May 13, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Saying Springer has "questions about his plate discipline" probably overstates it.

He has some holes in his swing that will likely lead to K problems against pros… but not really “plate discipline” problems. He’s actually pretty patient (24:28 BB:K in 48 games this year. 60:70 last year). He just takes a huge cut and has holes in his swing. He does have problems with good breaking balls. There will be Ks… but there will be a good amount of walks, too. He’s not a true hacker who swings at everything, he’s just a pull hitter who takes a big cut so you can beat him with good offspeed and breaking stuff and you can bust him up and in. Despite what you might read, he has actually made some progress this season in toning down his swing in pitcher’s counts, though its still a big cut even then. I saw him tonight (video and report will be up this week) and he actually went the other way for a single with a toned down inside out swing.

I don’t think you can characterize his season and his BB:K numbers with that power (10 HR, .685 SLG) as anything other than impressive given the new bats (and the adjustment time he took for that + slow start + cold weather). But yeah… most of the time when he swings he’s thinking “700 FEET!” I still would be more than happy to have my favorite team bet on this kid. The important thing to remember here is that he’s a super toosly, very athletic centerfielder. Its okay for an athlete like this to have some questions about the bat.

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by alskor on May 14, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Ranking

1. Anthony Rendon
2. Gerrit Cole
3. Bubba Starling
4. Leonys Martin

With the possibility of Purke at #4 if gets a clean bill of health. Also, 2012 is the year many see Yu Darvish making the jump to the MLB. I think he’d be #1 if that became true.

by Havok1517 on May 13, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions