Felipe M
We continue on our reviews for our fantasy baseball league, Mardi Gras Madness. Please take some time to read about the Texas Power Drinkers.
Next up is yet another team that hails from the largest state in the continental U.S.
WEST DIVISION--Houston Steelers (guessing from Houston, TX)
Look Out For: Reports out of Spring Training are mostly positive for Wilin Rosario, who needed to show improvements in his swing and defense coming into this season. If his improvements are legit, he can be a real steal at the position. Time is running out for Dustin Ackley, who at one point in his young career was bestowed as the next Chase Utley at his position. Clearly, it’s a make or break year for Ackley as he’s had very little success during his time in the Majors. And as down as I was about Lorenzo Cain during the offseason, he had a very successful spring where he was putting a pounding on the ball. Cain has been hyped up since making it to the Royals. If Cain can live up to that hype, this team is looking pretty good for 2013.
Look Out For: There’s a few candidates that make the list here: TylerSkaggs is part of a trio of young, pitching prospects that will be forever linked to each other (Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole are the other pitchers). In stunning fashion, Jose Fernandez did indeed make the Big League club as the Marlins, because of injuries, had no choice, but to add him to the rotation. Fernandez is the top prospect in the organization, per Baseball Prospectus. Shelby Miller belongs on this list of young hurlers as well, but I’m really high on Miller’s ability.
We continue on our reviews for our fantasy baseball league, Mardi Gras Madness. Please take some time to read about the Texas Power Drinkers.
Next up is yet another team that hails from the largest state in the continental U.S.
WEST DIVISION--Houston Steelers (guessing from Houston, TX)
BATTING LINEUP
Like: Joey Votto
is one of my personal favorite players.
I traded Votto to this team a few years ago for Ian
Kinsler as I was looking for somebody at 2B to replace Chase Utley. Tough trade to
perform, but one that I felt I needed to do (I guessed it worked since I was
the league runner-up last season). One
of the most dangerous hitters in the Majors, he is truly a fun player to watch
at the plate. And most of you know, by
now, that Evan Longoria is one of my
favorite players at 3B. Both Votto and Longoria will have to carry this team on
offense for the majority of 2013.
Dislike: Josh
Rutledge should not be starting in any Big League ballclub. Don’t be fooled by most “experts” who
declared his 2012 campaign as a “breakout year.” Terrible plate discipline and a .306 on-base%
does not make for a formidable fantasy player. And as much as I like Josh Reddick’s tenacity as a player, he
is simply not a starting OF in fantasy right now. The same can be said about Hunter Pence, who depends more on luck
and hustle than actual skill. Finally, Dayan Viciedo has the tools to be a really
good hitter in the Majors, but outside of power, he has shown very little of
anything else. He’s had a really good
spring so far, but it remains to be seen if he can streamline that success into
the regular season. Viciedo should be
given a wait-and-see approach instead of being this team’s starting DH.
2013
Hitting Projections
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Team
|
Pos
|
BB/K
|
AB/K
|
AB/HR
|
OBP
|
SLG
|
OPS
|
SB
|
Josh Reddick
|
Oakland
|
RF
|
0.38
|
4.38
|
22.60
|
0.314
|
0.458
|
0.773
|
8
|
Hunter Pence
|
San Francisco
|
RF
|
0.41
|
4.74
|
28.50
|
0.330
|
0.436
|
0.767
|
8
|
Dayan Viciedo
|
White Sox
|
LF
|
0.28
|
4.49
|
22.19
|
0.321
|
0.451
|
0.772
|
1
|
Look Out For: Reports out of Spring Training are mostly positive for Wilin Rosario, who needed to show improvements in his swing and defense coming into this season. If his improvements are legit, he can be a real steal at the position. Time is running out for Dustin Ackley, who at one point in his young career was bestowed as the next Chase Utley at his position. Clearly, it’s a make or break year for Ackley as he’s had very little success during his time in the Majors. And as down as I was about Lorenzo Cain during the offseason, he had a very successful spring where he was putting a pounding on the ball. Cain has been hyped up since making it to the Royals. If Cain can live up to that hype, this team is looking pretty good for 2013.
Bench: There is
no bench to speak of as the Steelers have overstocked on pitching.
PITCHING
Like: I’m a huge
fan of Yu Darvish as I thought he
should have been given the privilege to start Opening Day this season. Also on the staff is Clayton Kershaw. Another lefty on the staff is Jonathon Niese who is the Mets’
#1 starter. And if Yovani Gallardo can continue to drop his BB/9, then
this team is looking like an intimidating foursome. That’s not all, however: Jaime Garcia, Shelby Miller, Hyun-Jin Ryu provides this squad with
good depth as well.
Dislike: Just not
a big fan of Trevor Cahill as his
pitch-to-contact style is marred by a high WHIP. Instead of wasting a roster spot for Cahill,
the team could’ve added depth to their batting lineup.
Bullpen: He was
ready to start the season after the WBC,
but Fernando Rodney does have a few
concerns, mainly the 10th worst BB/9 among closers. But when he has everything working properly,
he can be near unhittable in the 9th inning. Also coming out of the bullpen is Aroldis Chapman and his 100mph
fastball.
2013 Pitching Projections
|
|||||||
Player
|
Team
|
K/BB
|
K/9
|
BB/9
|
H/9
|
WHIP
|
HR/9
|
Jon Niese
|
Mets
|
3.63
|
6.65
|
1.83
|
9.21
|
1.23
|
0.81
|
Yovani Gallardo
|
Milwaukee
|
2.90
|
9.18
|
3.16
|
7.93
|
1.23
|
1.11
|
Juan Nicasio
|
Colorado
|
3.24
|
8.13
|
2.51
|
8.62
|
1.24
|
1.15
|
Jose Quintana
|
White Sox
|
1.90
|
5.79
|
3.05
|
9.47
|
1.39
|
1.00
|
Look Out For: There’s a few candidates that make the list here: TylerSkaggs is part of a trio of young, pitching prospects that will be forever linked to each other (Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole are the other pitchers). In stunning fashion, Jose Fernandez did indeed make the Big League club as the Marlins, because of injuries, had no choice, but to add him to the rotation. Fernandez is the top prospect in the organization, per Baseball Prospectus. Shelby Miller belongs on this list of young hurlers as well, but I’m really high on Miller’s ability.
Also worth watching is Juan Nicasio as many think that he’ll be able to pitch like he did
in 2011—if not, better. Finally, Jose Quintana may not be the pitcher
who we think he is as many publications are really high on this SP. Quintana, projected to be a mediocre pitcher
in 2013, has impressed many with his spring performance and have cited his
minor league numbers as a sign of hope.
PREDICTION: The
pitching might be good enough to help this team make a playoff push, but the
lack of depth in their batting lineup might be this team’s ultimate doom in
2013. I just don’t understand the need
to stockpile with 13 pitchers when it looks like 9 or 10 pitchers would
suffice. They are depending on too many
gambles on offense and that’s just not the way to build a winner.
