Catcher: Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals
Wilson Ramos could be one of the best fantasy baseball catchers in baseball. Not only are very few worthy of being taken ahead of him, but they are being taken extremely early. Buster Posey and Yadier Molina are going to be the top two catchers taken and while they are very good, the drop off from them to Ramos is not that great to have 12-rounds separating the catchers. Ramos will hit for decent average with good power numbers for a catcher. First Base: Matt Adams, St. Louis Cardinals Matt Adams will hit 30 home runs. He will also drop to around the 12-14th round. Adams could be your starting first baseman, that is how good of a season he will have. My guess is he will be drafted as a utility player, but will play like an early round pick. If you're in a keeper/dynasty league, Adams is a great pickup because you will not find him this late next year. Second Base: Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins Dozier hit 18 home runs last year. I do not expect him to hit more than that in 2014; however, I expect his average to be a little better. Dozier was a .298 hitter in the minor leagues and, while you should not put much stock in Spring Training, he is hitting .316 (6-19) so far. Plus, he can steal 15 bases. At a very weak position, Dozier could be a good late option if you miss out on the likes of Cano, Pedroia, and Kipnis. Shortstop: Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta Braves Simmons hit under .250 in 2013. He will hit closer to .270 in 2014. The home runs are real; he will hit between 15-20 home runs. Simmons is known for his defensive brilliance; however, he will emerge as a true offensive shortstop this year as well. Third Base: Will Middlebrooks, Boston Red Sox Middlebrooks struggled so badly in 2013 that he was sent down to the minor leagues. Pre All-Star Game, Middlebrooks hit only .192. Post All-Star break, post minor league stint, he hit .276. If Middlebrooks hits anywhere over .270, the Red Sox and fantasy owners should be thrilled. He is a power hitter. He has 30-40 home run potential. The average is the only thing that could keep him from succeeding, but if he continues his second half, he will be just fine. Outfield: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers Kemp went in the seventh round of my draft. It was not so long ago that he was a first round pick, and the Dodgers' lineup was not as good at that point. If Kemp stays healthy, I see no reason he will not return to close to his 2011 MVP runner-up season form. Starting Pitcher: Jered Weaver Weaver is only one year removed from a 20-win season. He was my preseason pick for 2013 Cy Young. He missed a great deal of time due to injuries, but still posted a 3.27 ERA. The fact that he is going as late as he is in drafts is absurd. He is still only 31 years old and should have a great season. Relief Pitcher: Tommy Hunter, Baltimore Orioles It is tough to predict who will be a sleeper or bust in the closer department. It is such an up-and-down, unpredictable position. Hunter is on a good team, but there is not much competition to take the closer spot. It should be his unless he struggles mightily.
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SAMUEL PERICOLOSam is a graduate of Assumption College where he studied History, Marketing, and Political Science and was a Co-Producer on a weekly sports talk television show. Archives
March 2018
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