2018 Fantasy Shortstop Preview or At Least It’s Safer Than Playing Football

When people think of positions in baseball, the first one that pops to mind is Shortstop. It’s often consider the quarterback of baseball. Other than arguably pitcher, Shortstop is the most iconic baseball position of all. This is where most of the stars in baseball movies play, unless they are on the mound. It’s a spot kids fought over to play when they were younger. Most people consider it a badge of honor.

I really don’t understand why.

Shortstop requires an understanding of baseball beyond other positions. When they say it’s the quarterback of the diamond, they mean it. Shortstops today need to move all over the field to handle modern defensive shifts. They might play on different sides of the diamond if a pull happy lefty comes up. This sounds simple, but seeing grounders and line drives coming out you at a different angle takes some time to getting used to.

Even in your natural position, you’re expected to cover way more ground than other positions. The average third baseman, the defensive pairing on the shortstop’s side of the field, is usually a lumbering fat guy who’s there to hit for power. Obviously, there’s some excellent fielding third baseman, but this is also where Pablo Sandoval plays. Rarely is that going to help the shortstop.

Usually the Shortstop needs to cover a ton of ground. He must have the range to get to baseballs hit deep in the hole (giggity), sometimes covering up to second base and a significant chunk of the third baseman’s area. It’s not enough just to get to field these grounders, they also need a cannon to throw people out. Shortstops will have to throw off-balance, away from their body, or squared up from over 100 feet away to beat hitters sprinting down the line. Not to rip on Sandoval more, but it’s a treat for shortstops when he’s the one waddling down the first base line.

There’s also building chemistry with the second baseman. These are the players who are going to turn double plays. The two need to know who will cover the bag on steal attempts, and know when to lead the other on throws to help turn double plays. A lot of times, it’s the shortstop who needs to catch a toss from second, step on the bag, avoid a takeout slide from someone,* and still throw out the runner.

If a player can’t do all of this, they aren’t a good shortstop. It’s a lot to handle defensively, and we haven’t even begun to talk about offense. In the past, you could get away being a wizard with the glove, but having no offensive skills whatsoever. Ray Ordonez was a fixture on Sportscenter highlights and web gems, but if he hit .220 with three homers in a season, it would have been a monumental success. Yet he was celebrated as a success for years for run prevention.

Nowadays, you need to be able to hit as well as play high-end defense. It’s not enough to be a gold glove caliber fielder. Until last season, when was the last time for heard the name Andrelton Simmons? Have you ever heard of Andrelton Simmons? I mean, his first name should stand out if you did. Simmons was one of, if not the best defensive shortstops in the league but wasn’t much offensively. Therefore, he fell into the also-rans of the position. Now after a good (aka fluke) offensive season, he’s now mentioned.

I wouldn’t want my kid to play shortstop, that’s for sure. I damn sure wouldn’t want him to be a QB though. The position is glorified, but the demands are just too damn high. Parents, do the right thing and teach your kids to pitch lefty. They’ll be millionaires even if they can’t get a lefty batter out. That’s the American dream right there.

In fantasy, shortstops are equally glorified, but for little reason. There are a few short stops that can hit with the best players in the league but after those five (I’m counting Machado) are gone, there’s no rush to take one. Yet people will push their own mother out-of-the-way to draft a short stop. Players draft as if the position gives a 50% boost to their stats. Unfortunately, this is not the case… As for as I know. Did they change the rule?

*Real checking Yahoo, ESPN, and CBS rules break*

It appears they have not changed the rules. That would have been embarrassing.

Remember, the stats from any position count the same. Don’t force a shortstop onto your roster just to cover the position. Where scarcity does matter, it’s not more important than building the best team. If you can get a better player at a more robust position, do it. This is the biggest trap in all of fantasy sports. Remember, stats win you the game. Not reaching for a shitty player because he plays a difficult defensive position.

Now, I’m against taking a top flight SS early, but only if he falls to the right spot. I would have five in the first three rounds. That’s all well and good, but after I wouldn’t take one for another fifty of so picks. I don’t see it playing out that way in the average draft. People will reach to try to fill out the position, believing they can get a decent 1B or OF later. And they may get a serviceable player at that position. But you’ll get a better one in the round they blow a pick on an SS.  And when you take your shortstop, the gap between SS will be less than the gap between your 1B/OF and his.

If you miss out on one of the top five shortstops, you’ll want to shoot for upside. Solid shortstops won’t do all that much for you. Instead, you want a guy who could blow up and possibly get him super late. Fantasy leagues are won through pick up and late round hits. Nailing a star shortstop late is a huge boost, especially if you did well in the other rounds.

Finally, if you play in a keeper or dynasty league, you should shoot to land a prospect at this position. Since it is a weak position, you do want to land an elite player, but you want to land him organically. Taking one of the top prospects at the position is a great move if you can get him for cheap. Remember, the position is overhyped, but you don’t want to throw crap out there. That’s what the Mets did for about six years.

And now for questions at the position.

Where is the talent drop off?

Corey Seager may have yet to live up to his lofty potential, but he’s still clearly in the top-tier of short stops. This makes four you can comfortable draft on draft day, and five when you factor in Manny Macahdo receiving eligibility early in the season. After Seager, there’s plenty of useable players, just each has some flaw that will make you want to puke, but only a bit. That’s not so bad in fantasy baseball.

Who is the pivot player at short?

Trevor Story started his 2016 as a man possessed. His 2017 did not start the same way. He didn’t even look like he belonged in the majors. He did start to put it together in the second half, and the upside is tremendous. He can give a ton of power, a bit of speed, and his average won’t be great, but it should be about .260. The downside is a player without a job, but if you aren’t afraid to shoot for the starts, Story is your guy. He does play in Coors.

What should I look at for in my Shortstop?

I wouldn’t play is safe at Short. After the top five guys, there’s a few hitters who are solid, and then if falls off a clip quick. I don’t see the point is trying to get a plug and play SS if there is no difference between the sixth or sixteenth ranked player. Therefore, I’m looking for a player who has upside in speed or power, depending on team need. Usually, it’ll be speed. If I can find a guy who can do both even better. I don’t worry about average so much with my SS. I’m trying to win the league this way.

Which Shortstops should surprise?

Jean Segura – Often underrated by pundits everywhere, Segura has been an elite hitter when healthy. His biggest issues have been health but most of his injuries have been flukey. This is a likely .300 hitter who can steal 30 bases. He’ll bat at the top of the order for Seattle, so the runs should be plentiful too. My biggest concern is the price tag as people become aware of how good he is.

Orlando Arcia – I have Arcia as a borderline top 10 SS, which is insane compared to everyone else’s ranking. He’s in the low 20s everyone else. That’s probably not good. But I think there’s 20-20 upside here, and in the second half of 2017, he seemed to figure it out. A former elite prospect, he has a great glove, which will keep him in the lineup. If he gets to bat at the top of the order, I think he’ll be a breakout star you can get crazy late in the draft.

Which Shortstops will disappoint?

Elvis Andrus – I don’t think I need to go in too much detail here, but Andrus’ power is solely a result of the juiced balls and luck. If the balls are changed or if Andrus goes back to his normal profile, his value plummets. Now, he’s still useful with his .300 or so average and 25 steals, but don’t expect the power to return. He’s basically a worse version of Segura – Start worthy, but not elite. He’ll be drafted as elite.

Amed Rosario – This hurts, but I’m not ready to sign off on Rosario as a fantasy star quite yet. He has a lot to learn. For example, not every pitch needs to be swung at. Rosario is under the belief that he only gets to see three pitches before he’s out. That’s a problem. There’s 30+ steal potential, but he’ll bat 9^th. That’ behind the frigging pitcher. I think this year will have a lot of growing pains. Expect the breakout in 2019. I hope I’m wrong but the fact he’s struggling with an injury this early in the season isn’t a good sign.

Any Valuable Prospects?

Glayber Torres – The Yankees’ last prized prospect, Torres has a shot at a 20-20 season if he gets called up soon enough. He’ll likely be sent out for a few weeks to keep his service time, and then get called up to the big league team. The biggest issue is that he hasn’t played baseball since his injury in June. There’s also teammates having enormous springs, so the Yankees may wait for him to get acquainted to crushing the minors before getting called up. He will be playing in the majors this season, but it could be closer to July than opening day. When he comes up, he’s a must add.

Franklin Barreto – A pure power play, Barreto has huge power, but not a lot else going for him. In his first crack at the majors, he provided little of anything, and doesn’t look to have a shot at the opening day roster. Better prospects have failed on their first attempt at the majors, so I don’t rule Barreto out at all. He needs to be more patient to survive in the majors. With the proper adjustments, he could provide 30 homers in the majors soon.

Fernando Tatis Jr – A long shot to make the majors this year, Tatis is just 19 and only in double A. Yet he has a combination of patience, power and speed that should make him both a big league and fantasy star. He’s a watch in standard leagues, and a late round stash for keepers. In dynasty, you should have picked him up a year old.

Player’s Guide

A – An Average of .280 or above

OB – On Base Percentage of over .350 or an OBP significantly improving on the batter’s average.

HR – More than 20 Homeruns, or a slugging percentage above .450.

S – More than 20 stolen bases

D – The potential to have an average below .250 or an .OBP below .320

IR – The player is likely to miss time due to injury.

In addition, I will list players who have additional eligibility based on Yahoo’s rankings. These players have slightly increased value, but don’t get carried away. Players ranked will have the same write up on multiple list. Their outlook doesn’t change based on defensive flexibility.

Top of the hill tier

Trea Turner WAS (A,HR, S, IR) – I wanted to rank Turner lower than this, but he’s career in the majors is already pretty crazy. There’s few players of this caliber. Turner’s calling card is speed. In his first 171 games, he already has 79 steals. That’s probably more than teams during the past two seasons. At the pace he’s stolen bases, there’s a real shot at 70-80 steals, and 50 would be the bare minimum in a healthy year (hold that thought). He’s also a good hitter, and should provide a .300 average with his speed. Runs should be plentiful and he won’t be a nothing in homers. He should hit in the teens and in the low to mid-twenties isn’t a stretch. All that’s stopping Turner is his health. He’s struggled with health for the past few seasons, but once he hits the field, he’s been unstoppable. A true fantasy force, Turner could challenge Mike Trout for #1 pick status is things break right. For Turner’s sake, let’s hope it’s not a bone that’s breaking.

Manny Machado BAL (A, HR) –Machado had his worse perceived offense year since his break out. He couldn’t hit his playing weight in the first half, which was concerning until he turned it on in the second. This ranking assumes Machado’s second half is what we’ll get. He’s still only 25, so I expect a full rebound. In his contract year, we might even see 20 steals like 2015, but don’t bank on that. Machado will gain SS eligibility about two weeks into the season, so his value should be sky-high. If you can get a discount in the 2^nd round, consider yourself blessed. (SS)

Carlos Correa HOU (A, OB, HR) – Despite missing nearly two months of action, Correa posted his career best in homers, runs, average and compiled a .941 OPS. This is an elite hitter about to enter his prime. He’s only 23, so there’s actually potential for growth here, which is scary. The only knock on Correa, truly a nitpick, is his lack of steals. Correa only totaled two bases after reaching the teens in consecutive seasons. He’s capable of 20, but it depends if the Astros want to send him.310-35-115-110-20 is in play.

Last of the elite players

Francisco Lindor CLE (A, HR) – Well, that certainly escalated quickly. Never considered much of a power threat, Lindor launched 33 homeruns in route to his best counting stat season. In exchange for the increased power, he lost 30 points of average. The slugging gains raised his OPS though. I don’t think 30 Homers is going to be in Lindor’s repertoire. He seems more of a .300 hitter, with 20-20 potential and great counting stats. Being in the heart of the Indians offense helps. The one thing Lindor has on Correa and Seager is steals – he’ll get at least 15. You can’t count on that from the other two. Maybe Lindor’s power growth is part of his evolution as a player, but let’s hope for 20 and readdress the baseline next season if needed.

Corey Seager LAD (A, OB, HR) – People don’t seem to like Corey Seager? Is it because he’s boring? Is it the consistency? Seager’s biggest flaw is that he bats second and it takes away some RBI chances. Honestly, that’s about it. He doesn’t run, but he’s a 4 category contributor with a surplus of steals and a true .300 hitter. The RBIs are fickle, but there’s no reason they can’t increase. And I’d expect more along the lines of 30 homeruns. If both play to their potential, I see Seager as slightly worse Correa. That’s still really good. I wouldn’t draft him because of his eligibility, but because he’s a good hitter in a good lineup and capable of more than he’s shown.  Boring isn’t a fair label either; there’s still upside. In full disclosure, Seager has an elbow ailment, but it doesn’t seem to have an effect on his opening day availability. If that changes, maybe drop him down a spot, but not too much.

Alex Bregman HOU (S) – There is a ton of hype on Bregman, and I get it. He was a top tier prospect who seemed to come into his own last year. He’s similar to Rendon, another all-around player who will help everywhere, including steals, but won’t dominant any category. Don’t get me wrong, this type of player is essential to fantasy. But I see Bregman ranked in the top 30 in places. That’s projecting a superstar. In normal, one year leagues, I want to see it first before I pay for it. (3B)

Safe-ish tier

Xander Bogaerts BOS (A) – Bogaerts is really the “box of chocolate” type of player. One year, he’ll hit .320 (2015), the next, he might hit more than 20 homeruns (2016), then he might just be a middling, fringe top 10 SS you wasted a 3^rd round pick on (2017). It’s tough to predict what you’ll get form Bogaerts, but he’s in a good lineup and a great park, so he has plenty of value. My view of Bogaerts is his a .280 hitter with the potential for .300, he’s good for double digits homers and great counting stats, but no speed. A lot of his value depends on where he bats. If it’s in the bottom part of the order, he’ll suffer for it. There’s no shame in having Bogaerts as your starting shortstop – just know he’s not the same fantasy juggernaut at the players ranked above him.

Jean Segura SEA (A, S) – I wanted to write off Segura in 2017 but he proved me very, very wrong. He shouldn’t feel too proud. That tends to be an easy thing to do.

Segura is a .300 hitter, proving his Arizona year was no fluke. He has double-digit homer power, but not much more, and will provide solid run total. His best attribute is his speed. No, Segura won’t get on base by walking too much, but he’s a better OBP guy than most speed specialists. Segura has true 30+ steal potential, and the only one you can comfortably start outside of having a top five pick. Segura providing some homers helps his overall potential too – he could get lucky and turn 10 HRs into 16. That makes a big difference. He’s not going to get enough RBIs to be a five category player, but three and a half from your SS is pretty good, and it’s a major plus in three categories. I think you can draft Segura with confidence now. He’s still only 28.

Power Play tier

Trevor Story COL (HR, D) – It was more of a sad story in the first half of the season (get ready to groan a lot). Story couldn’t hit anything, and looked like 2016 was a fable. Then, in the second half, there was a plot twist. Story found his power, and looked like the guy who burst into fantasy stardom in 2016. Will this tale have a happy ending? It depends how you can deal with a potential devastating .230 average. Power is Story’s game, and he’ll sell out for it. He’s not a great OBP guy, and who knows where he’ll hit in the order. But, I think he’s worth it, especially for a team in need of some thunder.

Didi Gregorius NYY (HR) – The Notorious DiDi once again bested his career home run output and had his best statistical season as a pro. He’s raised his homers, average, slugging and RBIs in three straight years. I’m not here to tell you that Didi isn’t solid. What I am worried about is his counting stats. A lot of Gregorius’ 87 RBIs came from batting cleanup. Now, the odds of him sticking in the heart of the order is small. I assume he’ll bat 6th, which reduces his plate appearances, but also his runs. The RBIs will be there but expect a reduced run total. If somehow he sticks in the 4 hole, I think a repeat of last year is likely.

Speed Play tier

Orlando Arcia MIL – Now, he’s a little bit of projection, but Arcia is young and hasn’t built a track record yet. After struggling at the dish for his first 100 games, Arcia figured things out in the second half of 2017. His walk rate is pretty poor, but his average, power and even speed increased. If he can re-create his second half, we’re looking at a fantasy star. He might not wow with power, but a 20-20 season with a .280 average is certainly obtainable, and his draft price is still low. He’s got a good park, and a good lineup, so if he gets a top of the order spot, he might shoot up this ranks next year.

Elvis Andrus TEX (S) – If you look up fluke in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Andrus’ stat line from 2017. His 20 home runs were by far his highest total, and five more than he hit from 2015-2016, both healthy seasons. Andrus is a source for about 25 steals and a decent, if not elite average. His walk rate is middling, and his power was, as Webster’s dictionary defines, a fluke. Do not draft based on last season. If you bank on Andrus’ power, you’ll likely be preparing for fantasy football on June 1^st.

High Ceiling, No Floor tier

Javier Baez CHC (HR, D) – With a few more at bats, Baez might fully break out and be a top five option at the position. As it stands, with slightly less than 500 At Bats, he is a threat for 30 HRs with his raw power. He also contributes double-digit steals and his otherworldly defense keeps him in the lineup, even if Joe Madden plays Ben Zobrist over Baez way too often. His one downside is his strikeouts. Baez strikes out a lot and that caps his average potential. Despite this, and his reluctance to walk, he still hit .273 the past few years so this might not be an issue. The positional flexibility he offers makes him a great add. (2B)

Paul De Jong STL – De Jong’s underlying stats make him look like a potential superstar, but there’s a few red flags to consider. Firstly, he was not a major prospect, and without injuries and underperformance, he wouldn’t have played much at all. Secondly, he has a terrible walk rate, preferring to hack away at junk than take a pitch. There’s regression coming, and a .285 average will be nearly impossible to repeat. It’s not the first time a player surprised though, and prospect status doesn’t mean anything at the major league level. If you draft for the upside, that’s fine, but don’t draft assuming he’ll match his stats. He’s a player to pair with a safe SS or make your MI. He should not be the lone SS on your roster. (2B)

Chris Taylor LAD – There’s a great chance we’ve already seen Chris Taylor’s best season. A player who’s ever been known for any power hit 21 home runs last season. He has 23 CAREER minor league home runs is over 2,000 plate appearances. That’s what we in the industry call a fluke. His .288 average and .354 OBP came out of left field as well. The production looks great, and he’s worth a draft pick just in case, but I woudn’t count on anything but his name floating on the free agent list for months on end. Don’t bank on it. (2B, OF)

Post Hype Sleeper Tier

Addison Russell CHC (D) – Somehow, Russell is just 24 years old, but feels like he’s been in the league since 1998. The growth everyone has predicted for Russell has not arrived. Most of the value he has comes from his counting stats, and those took a tumble last year. His playing time is in jeopardy – Ian Happ could play second and Javier Baez could slide to Short. Both players have shown more offensive potential, even if you factor in Baez’s strikeout rate. Russell is far from a failed prospect; his glove is one of the best in the league, but his time in Chicago is running out. Honestly, a trade might help both sides.

Marcus Semien OAK (D) – Seimen’s best trick was his power from the SS position. He was a good bet for 20+ homers and solid counting stats to go with it. Unfortunately for him, that skill isn’t as valuable as it used to be. With home run totals rising league wide, you need to offer more. Semien’s double digit steals in enticing, but his .300 OBP is not. He’s around a .240 hitter, selling out for power. To make him worth it, he’ll need either more steals, a better average or a ton of homers. If he returned to his 27 HR total in 2016, we could have something here. As it stands, he’s one category short of being little more than a MI option.

Cheaper speed tier

Amed Rosario NYM (S) – Rosario seems to have all the tools Jose Reyes had as a youngster. His best offensive asset is his speed. Rosario is fast, and provided he gets on base, he’ll steal. There is 30+ upside on the bases, which is a leg up on most shortstops. He also has surprising power, and should hit double-digit homeruns. It’s not amazing, but he’s more than a non factor there. The biggest problem Rosario has, like Reyes, is plate discipline. In his 46 games, he only had 3 walks. That’s not strong. He also seems to get pull happy. Rosario had a very high BABIP which won’t repeat, but his speed should keep his batting average floor fairly high. He’s a high upside gamble, but don’t leave the draft without a reliable SS to pair with him. I anticipate there will be growing pains, but the breakout is coming, likely in 2019.

Eduardo Nunez BOS (A, S) – The biggest problem for Nunez is I’m not sure he’ll have a job post April. Currently, he is penciled in to start at 2B as Dustin Pedroia recovers from injury. Nunez will provide some solid averages and great speed, especially for the position. He’d likely steal 30 bases with regular playing time, but that’s going to be an issue come May. He’s not a bad draft pick for a month of production, but don’t draft him without another SS. Nunez does offer positional eligibility which is nice (2B, 3B, OF)

Jose Peraza CIN (S) – Here’s a little post hype sleeper gamesmanship. Last year Peraza was on everybody’s love list. He was supposed to provide average and steals in a game starved for those stats. Then, other than 23 steals, Peraza didn’t do a thing. In fact, even his steals total was only two higher than 2016, in double the at bats. Peraza is only 23, so it’s too early to give up on him. This was his first extended major league season, and he still hit .259. That’s not awful. With some growth, he can be the player we hoped he was last year. Could be a good source for steals, average and runs late (2B)

Career Year tier

Zack Cozart LAA – I’m not trying to pick on Cozart, but you can do better than him. Even in his career year, he only drove in 63 runs. He hit 24 homers, so that’s 39 guys who weren’t himself. The .297 average was great, but well above his career norm of about .255 and the slugging percentage was about 100 points higher too. As far as career years go, it was kind of uninspiring. In a deep league I get it, but even in 12 team leagues that require a middle infielder, he’s a middling option. Truthfully, he serves best as a pick up when he’s hot, and then an immediately drop to the waiver wire when he cools. Ok, maybe I picked on him a little.

Marwin Gonzales HOU – The Astros’ swiss army knife earned five positions of eligibility and a career year in 2017. He hit .303, popped 23 homers and drove in 90 runs. He even stole a few bases to boot. I don’t think we’ll see the same production. Even with this versatility, he still seems like a super sub at best. He might claw his way to 400 at bats, but that’s not guaranteed. Secondly, and probably most importantly, it’s unlikely he repeats his performance. The breakout at 29 years old seems questionable. If he hits like last year, he’ll force himself into an everyday role, but this is a team too deep to assume that he’ll have regular at bats if he regresses at all. Let someone else draft based on last year’s numbers and eligibility. (1B, 2B, 3B, OF)

Fishing for upside Tier

Tim Anderson CWS – Not to be confused with beloved Podcast Guest and Chain Restaurant supporter Tim Anderson (Tim Andercust), Anderson’s career has not gone to plan. Projected as a speed demon, Anderson has had more major league home runs (26) than steals (25) in his 997 major league at bats. His speed is what could make him a fantasy star, but he’s walk rate is pathetic and his average is middling. Before you consider him as anything more than a flier, you need to see improved discipline at the plate. He’s only 24, and the White Sox want him to be their SS of the future, so he’ll have the opportunity. Just hope he puts the ball on the ground and uses his legs instead of lofting fly balls. This is one of the few people who should avoid the fly ball revolution.

Tim Beckham BAL – At 28, Beckham finally lived up to his #1 overall pick status, hitting career high statistics all across the board. I have trouble believe this was anything more than a product of the juiced ball though. He’s never shown this kind of potential at the major league level and while not impossible, 28 is a rare time to breakout. Beckham does have some positives going for him. He plays in Baltimore, a notorious hitter’s park. He also has SS and 2B eligibility, and should earn 3B early into the season. That flexibility is worth a late round flier, but nothing more. I’d want to see a hot April before I buy in. (2B, 3B)

Jorge Polanco MIN – Polanco is another one of those names who feels like he’s been around forever, but last season was only his fourth in the majors and he’s still only 24. On paper, it didn’t seem that impressive, with only 13 homers and 13 steals and a .256 average. However, he picked things up in the second half of the year, and this could have been an adjustment to major league pitchers. He has some sleeper potential, but you don’t want to invest too heavily in him yet. I would make a note of him and see if he takes off early in the season. He’s more of a pick-up than a full-time player.

Troy Tulowitzki TOR (IR) – This is your yearly reminder that Tulo still plays baseball in Toronto. While he continues to get hurt at impressive rates, he’s no longer the force he used to be. Even the dip from Colorado to Toronto proves to sap most of his fantasy juice. I guess this is an example of the stadium making the player. Considering the injuries, saying Tulo is “the body that Coors built” is fitting. There may be some stats to reap here, but even when he’s played he’s been all over the map. If you could promise 140 games, I could see taking a gamble, but you might end up with 80 mediocre ones. Other than one last magical, likely PED aiding season, Tulo’s days as a fantasy starter are over.

Andrelton Simmons LAA – This is another reminder why you don’t pay for career years. Simmons hit .278, and while an empty average is usually in his wheelhouse, he paired it with 19 steals, 14 homers and 77 runs. Those numbers can play, but it’s unlikely to repeat. The Angels will have a better lineup in 2018, so Simmons will drop in the order. The power was, quite honestly, a fluke. He had eight homers in 983 previous at bats. The steals may dip with more hitters in the lineup. Maybe the RBIs stay, but that’s all I expect. Simmons is in the lineup for his glove and any offensive production is a bonus. Do not assume the gains will stay. Draft him as an average balancing MI and nothing else.

Prospects tier

Dansby Swanson ATL (D) – I know, he hurt you. He hurt everyone last year. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Has this taught you yet not to draft prospects too early? No, probably not. You just drafted Ronald Acuna in the 4^th round, didn’t you? For shame.

At this point last year, we were all on Swanson being the next big thing. Then, he wasn’t. Hitting .232 will do that. There wasn’t anything good – low power, bad counting stats, no steals. It wasn’t the building block of the next Derek Jeter to say the least. Still, I wouldn’t write him off just yet. Some prospects take more time to develop and in 38 games in 2016, Swanson hit .302. I wouldn’t draft Swanson, but watch his numbers. If he looks good, snatch him up.

Glayber Torres NYY – Any dream of Torres starting the season with the Yankees after his 2 weeks “seasoning” nonsense seems to be over.  Torres is a 20-20 potential type of player and could easily be a five category contributor. Since the Yankees appear to be ready to win, I expect him up in June. Remember, there could be growing pains, but he’s a top 10 prospect. Expect an inflated cost since he’s in pinstripes.

Franklin Barreto OAK (D) – Barreto’s main sill is power. He provides a lot from the SS position, but his major league debut left a lot to be desired. Barreto is a bit of a free swinger and needs some seasoning. The A’s actually have a good amount of all or nothing power talent, so Barreto might have to wait for his opportunity to fit in with everybody else in this organization. Seriously, the A’s hate batting average. 30 homers would be in play during a full season, but he doesn’t offer much else yet.

Fernando Tatis Jr SD – How many former players have egos big enough to name their children after them… I guess most of them. Tatis a ways away at only 19, but he’s ripping up the minors already. He has the power and speed combo us players crave. He’ll start off in double A and if he tears through that league, who knows? He might see him in September. The Padres are still a couple of years away so they won’t rush the kid, but he might force their hand. In keeper leagues, he should be a target.

*God forbid it’s professional scumbag and asshole Chase Utley, who’d gladly end a shortstops career with a slide directly into his knee.