MARDI GRAS MADNESS: Beer Belly Mashers

Felipe M

I continue to review our league's fantasy baseball team.  Up next is a long time nemesis and the only person I wish "bad luck" for the 2013 season.

But first, take a look at team Texas Sooner's loaded squad if you haven't all ready. 

EAST DIVISION--BEER BELLY MASHERS (out of Kansas City)

BATTING LINEUP

Like: You know your team is in trouble when Dustin Pedroia might be your best power hitter.  No disrespect to Paul Goldschmidt or Andre Ethier, but Pedroia has the track record as a complete hitter, especially with power.  And that’s not saying much.  I’m a fan of Jon Jay’s as his high on-base% makes him useable in fantasy leagues.  I also believe in Eric Hosmer to turn his career around and become the hitter everybody thought he could be, but time is running out for the guy.  Andrelton Simmons is expected to struggle, but if he can streamline the things that made him a successful hitter in the Minors, he can definitely hold his own in the Majors and become a productive player in fantasy leagues.

Dislike: Juan Pierre as a LF is just so wrong.  I’m skeptical of Salvador Perez and I think he could prove to be a bust, but most fantasy “experts” like his prospects for 2013.  I actually liked Matt Carpenter coming into the draft because he would eventually qualify at 2B.  But as a starting 3B?  I’m not buying that.  Dexter Fowler as a DH is giving the frustrating player too much respect.  Even Ethier, as the sole power hitter in the OF is disastrous. 

Look Out For: Wil Myers was picked as the #1 prospect in baseball by many publications.  Whether he plays this season or not is pretty doubtful, but at this point, he’s probably not available in a majority of leagues.  Oscar Taveras finished as the #1 prospect on this site.  Many publications believe he could be the 

1^st prospect to be called up for the Cardinals.

2013 Hitting Projections
Player	Team	Pos	BB/K	AB/K	AB/HR	OBP	SLG	OPS	SB
Salvador Perez	Kansas City	C	0.35	8.58	35.00	0.327	0.435	0.762	0
Eric Hosmer	Kansas City	1B	0.56	6.01	28.87	0.340	0.437	0.777	15
Andrelton Simmons	Atlanta	SS	0.57	8.69	70.27	0.331	0.400	0.731	13
Dexter Fowler	Colorado	CF	0.54	3.69	41.71	0.367	0.445	0.812	15
Paul Goldschmidt	Arizona	1B	0.44	3.59	22.30	0.352	0.482	0.834	13

PITCHING

Like: Unlike their hitting, pitching is where this team will survive in 2013.  Just look at the names: Josh Beckett, Gio Gonzalez, Zack Greinke, Matt Harvey, CC Sabathia, Jeremy Hellickson and even Dan Haren provides the team with a loaded pitching staff.

Dislike: After viewing their lineup, I’m left wondering if it was really necessary to add Jarrod Parker and Wandy Rodriguez to the team.  

Bullpen: Not a good strategy of acquiring shaky closers like Greg Holland, Tom Wilhelmsen, and Jason Grilli when their lineup is so weak and lacking depth.

2013 Pitching Projections
Player	Team	K/BB	K/9	BB/9	H/9	WHIP	HR/A
Jason Grilli	Pittsburgh	2.72	9.87	3.63	6.68	1.15	1.02
Greg Holland	Kansas City	2.60	10.17	3.91	6.52	1.16	0.52
Tom Wilhelmsen	Seattle	2.03	7.73	3.80	7.10	1.21	0.76
Wandy Rodriguez	Pittsburgh	2.47	6.99	2.83	9.64	1.39	0.87
Jarrod Parker	Oakland	2.32	7.73	3.33	8.44	1.31	0.80

Look Out For: I've mentioned Harvey already, but it’s worth noting again that he is definitely a key figure in the Mets’ future and did an admirable job late in 2012.  There’s lots of promise with this kid. 

PREDICTION: Typical Beer Belly team as he’s always a powerhouse in terms of pitching and usually does a great job in complementing that strength with formidable hitters.  Unfortunately, this year, the team is too unbalanced as even this serviceable lineup will not be enough to help this team reach for a championship in 2013.  This team definitely personifies the definition of greed and in the end, it might cost them.

More fantasy baseball is available here.