MARDI GRAS MADNESS: Houston Steelers

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)

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 10^th worst BB/9 among closers.  But when he has everything working properly, he can be near unhittable in the 9^th 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.

More fantasy baseball is available here. 

Check out the rest of the Mardi Gras Madness teams here. 

CATCH!: 2013 Early Pre-Rankings--Catchers

Is this the year that Carlos Ruiz cracks the
Top 10, Catchers' list?
(photo courtesy of Mike McCann's Field of Fotos)

Felipe M

It's only February, but I'll go ahead and release my preliminary rankings at every position, beginning with the catching position.  The list has a deep emphasis on the upcoming, fantasy baseball season. Names highlighted in GREEN indicate players that are currently on my keeper team.  Other different colors will indicate "tier breaks" on the list.

TOP TIER

1.  Buster Posey: Let me count the ways that Posey has become a valuable commodity in baseball:

• The San Francisco Giants seem to always win with him in the lineup.
• Probably the best keeper catcher in any format imaginable
• Quite possibly the best, all-around hitting catcher in the game today.
• And I can go on and on, but we'll have to save that for another day...

2. Yadier Molina: Has always been an above-average defender, but has seen his offensive production increase in terms of batting average, on-base%, and SLG%.

3. Joe Mauer: Like Posey, Mauer was once considered the best, all-around catcher in the game, but age and lack of power production has slightly dropped him from the top spot.  Nevertheless, Mauer is still a good-hitting catcher and is a solid, "safe" pick at the position.

4. Mike Napoli: Injury concerns in the offseason along with decreases in his slash line last season prevented Napoli from one of the top 3 spots.  However, a move to the Boston Red Sox, where he will be permanently situated at 1B and the fact that he can still provide power, put him comfortably in our top 5.

5. Carlos Santana: Santana has had to battle injuries that has sapped some of his ability to produce power and average, but he's still an on-base machine and he's still young enough to prove his prowess.

6.  Miguel Montero: MLB Network has named the Arizona Diamondback catcher the face of the franchise.  He basically has also become the D'backs' best hitter by default as well.  

7.  Matt Wieters: Just like Santana, Wieters, at 26, is young enough to improve on his offensive numbers, but unlike Santana, Wieters' low batting average also comes along with a low, on-base%.  The switch-hitting catcher can still hit for power, but he needs to prove he can contribute in other categories before we move him up on our list.

SECOND TIER

8. Salvador Perez: Seems like every baseball publication has him ranked high, but we warn our readers about this guy: he's only 22 and is far from having fully developed batting skills.  His power production, at this stage of his career, is merely based on potential.  Be cautious.

9. Wilin Rosario: Another, young, power-hitting catcher.  But as we explained on this site already, Rosario comes with a lot of holes in his game including poor plate discipline, low contact rate, and unpolished defensive game.  Just like Perez, many publications have him ranked high, but be cautious of this player.

10. Jesus Montero:  Struggled mightily as the Seattle Mariners' DH, but he's only 23 years-old and Safeco Field will have new, somewhat hitter-friendly dimensions for 2013 so that should help the young hitter as well.  

11. Carlos Ruiz: His advanced age and the fact that he will begin the season on suspension drops him outside the top 10, but Ruiz has been one of the more dependable, steady catchers for the past few years or so and has a reputation for his clutch-hitting.  Having Ruiz along with one of these younger catchers would provide you with insurance at the backstop position.

12. Ryan Doumit: Injuries have been a hindrance to Doumit reaching his full potential.  Despite no real position for Doumit for the Minnesota Twins, he's still projected, by many publications, to reach 500+ at bats.  He can be a cheap source of power, injuries notwithstanding.

13. Jonathan Lucroy: A career year moves Lucroy into a borderline, starting fantasy catcher.  However, as impressive as 2012 was for him, it's hard to envision him posting another .881 OPS in 2013.

14. A.J. Pierzynski: A career year by A.J. gave him the opportunity to sign with the Texas Rangers. Very questionable that he'll hit for that much power again, but playing in Texas gives him the opportunity to come close to reaching those numbers again.

15. Brian McCann: I'm the biggest McCann fan and his biggest apologist.  It's hard to look past the decrease in his numbers last season, but he was battling a nagging shoulder injury.  The Atlanta Braves still have confidence in him and he'll be given every chance to come back at 100%.

THIRD TIER

Here are how the rest of the catchers pan out:

• John Jaso
• Alex Aliva
• A.J. Ellis
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia
• J.P. Arencibia
• Tyler Flowers
• Chris Iannetta
• Russell Martin
• Welington Castillo
• Rob Brantly

And here are a few catchers to keep an eye on this spring:

1. Travis d'Arnaud
2. Wilson Ramos vs Kurt Suzuki-- Suzuki is still ahead of Ramos in the Washington Nationals' depth chart.
3. Mike Zunino

First Base is next!  Who?  Exactly!

For more MLB content, click here. 

For our list of 1B, click here. 

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #45-41

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

45. Alfedo Silverio--OF--Miami Marlins

• 2012 Outlook: "Might get shot at LF, but more of a long-term prospect."
• 2012 Accomplishments: N/A
• Conclusion: Silverio had a pretty chaotic 2012. Last January, he was involved in a car accident that derailed his baseball season as he suffered an array of injuries including a concussion. In May, he underwent Tommy John surgery. Eventually, the Dodgers designated Silverio for assignment in November only to re-sign with the team. Ultimately, he would be picked up by the Marlins in the Rule-5 draft where he has "a moderate chance to stick with the Marlins all year long." He has shown a capability to steal a few bases and hit for a high contact rate, which is his preference to get on base, but will need to show ability to take more walks. 

44. Ryan Lavarnway--C--Boston Red Sox

• 2012 Outlook: "Power/Average combo, might steal Catcher's spot for Boston in 2012."
• 2012 Accomplishments: Named Best Defensive Catcher in International League; Played 46 games for the Red Sox.
• Conclusion: Was completely overmatched by Big League pitching, posting a BB:K of .27. However, that small sample doesn't take away from the fact that he has potential to be a consisten Big League hitter. He has posted a .57 BB:K in his last two seasons in the Minors and has a career .376 on-base%. Power production did dip a bit in 2012, but still managed to display good contact rate. The problem in Boston is that the Red Sox are clogged up at catcher with David Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the roster and Mike Napoli, although will take over 1B, will add a 4th catcher to the mix (if and when both Napoli and the Red Sox finally make the deal official). Because of the team's depth at catcher, Lavarnway has been heavily involved in trade rumors this past offseason. 

43. Taijuan Walker--SP--Seattle Mariners

• 2012 Outlook: "Best long-term prospect in Seattle's system.  He's only 19."
• 2012 Accomplishments: #2 Best Prospect in Mariner's system; #2 Prospect in Southern League.
• Conclusion: The Mariners are very highly committed on Walker's upside and talent. They have all ready warded off trades with other clubs, including one with the Pittsburg Pirates. He has shown struggles with control in the Minors (averaging a BB/9 of 3.6), but did post a K/9 of 8.4 in 2012. Reports indicate that Walker will more than likely get an invitation to Spring Training with the Mariners, but subsequently he will see himself start the year in the Minors.

42. Willin Rosario--C--Colorado Rockies

• 2012 Outlook: "Power hitter, but poor plate discipline."
• 2012 Accomplishments: Played in 117 games for the Rockies; Finished 4th in Rookie of the Year voting; Played in Dominican League
• Conclusion: Rosario's power was on full display in the Majors last season hitting 28 homers, 71 RBIs, and slugging .530. Despite his success, he still has a lot of improvements to make. The Rockies are concerned with his defense and is the primary reason why he went to play in the Dominican League this offseason as he looks to work on his catching skills. He also displayed poor plate discipline (BB:K of .25). His Minor League career saw him post a BB:K of .29, .267 batting average, and an on-base% of .316. Very underwhelming in on-base abilities and contact rate, but proved once again that his calling card is in his power (career .449 SLG% in Minors; 1 homer run every 24 at bats, roughly one dinger per week). He's all ready penciled in as the Rockies' starting catcher in 2013.

41. Jedd Gyorko--3B--San Diego Padres

• 2012 Outlook: "Long-term prospect, has higher ceiling than fellow prospect, James Darnell."
• 2012 Accomplishments: #10 Prospect in Pacific Coast League; #11 Prospect in Texas League
• Conclusion: Unlike fellow farmhand, Darnell, Gyorko will actually be given an opportunity to win a starting job for the Padres in 2013. Even though he's listed as a 3B (played in 223 games at the position in the Minors), his ticket to the Majors will be playing 2B (48 career games in the Minors). He has a career BB:K of .54 and OPS of .913. If he is able to win the Padres' job at 2B, he might benefit and take advantage of the fact that the Padres will be moving in the fences at Petco Park.

Prospects #50-46 are available here.

Prospects #40-36 are available here.