2019 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Congratulations on landing the first pick. Your reward is Trout, a super-duper-star who is somehow getting better. The Angels stud set career highs in walk rate (20.1%), OBP (.460), wOBA (.447), and wRC+ (191) during his seventh season. He has cleared a .300 batting average in each of the last three years and averaged 33.6 homers per season after popping 39 in 2018. The floor and ceiling remain sky-high despite missing time over the past two years.

It may be tempting to snag Betts with the 1st pick over Trout, after the ridiculous season he just put together, but remember that he is just one year removed from batting .264 with 24 homers. There is a chance Betts outproduces Trout, but that isn't a risk you should gamble on.

Drafters know what they're getting in Arenado, who has batted no lower than .287 with at least 37 homers and 110 RBI in the last four years. He has played all but 16 games in those four seasons, making him a durable beacon of consistency worthy of a first-round selection. He signed an extension during the offseason, so investors no longer need to worry about a midseason trade removing him from Coors Field. A lack of steals is an unfortunate, but acceptable tradeoff for locking in bankable production at every other category.

Martinez is a rare first-round hitter who rarely runs, but he'll make up for it in every other spot. While the 31-year-old probably won't win another batting title at .330, he's a .307 hitter since 2014's breakout who has exceeded .300 in three straight years. He boasts an MLB-high .655 slugging percentage in the past two seasons with 88 long balls. Last season, he placed within the 97th percentile or better in exit velocity, hard-hit%, xAVG, xSLG, and xWOBA. Hitting in the middle of Boston's lineup also makes him a strong bet to drive in and score over 100 runs. Limited fielding reps helped him stay healthy, but he played enough OF (25 games) to maintain fantasy eligibility, making him a strong four-category star.

A second-half slump removed Ramirez from the AL MVP and No. 1 pick conversations. Don't punish him too severely for the .218 batting average after the All-Star break, as the 26-year-old infielder still tallied 39 homers, 34 steals and 26 more walks (106) than strikeouts (80). Given his excellent plate approach and career 88.0% contact rate, his average should improve from .270 closer to his .285 career norm if he curtails last year's pop-up woes (13.0%). After giving everyone a late scare in spring with a knee injury, he's expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Looking for 18 wins, 220 innings and nearly 300 strikeouts? You can virtually lock it in with Scherzer. Not only that, be he has a 0.975 WHIP over the past six seasons. That is downright unfair. Don't hesitate to grab him late in the 1st round this year.

Fantasy owners may have been disappointed with Turner's performance last year, but he still averages 20 HR, 56 SB and 106 runs with a .289 average per 162 games. Only Rickey Henderson and Joe Morgan have matched those totals over a full season. Turner is an extraordinary fantasy baseball asset and well worth a top 15 pick

There is no denying that Yelich was a first round value in 2018 and perhaps even the #1 fantasy asset thanks to a .326 average with 36 homers, 22 steals and 110+ runs and RBIs. These numbers blew away his career marks, however, so projection models all have him regressing to a high-end second round value this year

Acuna met the seismic hype, and then some, by hitting .293/.366/.552 with 26 homers and 16 steals in 111 sizzling rookie games. He flaunted his MVP ceiling by posting a .429 wOBA and 19 of those long balls after the All-Star break. Challenging Mike Trout as baseball's best player is a real ceiling he could reach as soon as 2019. Before drafting him accordingly, beware a 25.3 K% and 74.6% contact rate sending his average backyard in his age-21 season. He may also run less often in the leadoff role.

There are a handful of starting pitchers that stand out above the rest, but Sale and Scherzer may belong in a tier of their own at this point. Sale posted an unfathomable 0.861 WHIP last season and 13.5 K/9. As long as he returns to health, we could be looking at a 340 Ks

deGrom was magical in 2018 and while there is a chance that continues into this season, we have to remember that the two prior seasons, he carried a 3.32 ERA with just 382 Ks and 22 wins. While that makes for a useful pitcher, the risk of him returning to that leaves him below Sale and Scherzer's tier

Harper may have posted just a .249 batting average in 2018, but the rest of his fantasy production was tremendous, plus his underlying metrics indicate the average returning closer to the .270 mark in 2019. His fantasy value improved when he signed with Philly because their ballpark is great for lefties, but he is still just a 2nd round pick.

It can be easy to be discouraged by Altuve "only" batting .316 with limited power and steals, but the injury seemed to influence his performance much more than most realize. You can expect a return to his 20 homer, 30 steal, 110 runs season with a batting average north of .330

Judge had a down year in 2018 which means his OPS was merely .919. If he can get back to playing 150 games this year, fantasy owners can bank on 45 homers, 110 runs and 100 RBIs. That may have you ready to grab him in the first round, but he comes with more injury risk than anyone else in the top 20

Bregman had 83 extra-base hits last season to go with 105 runs and 103 RBIs despite being just 24 years old. Chances are high that his fantasy value continues to trend north. With that said, he is currently recovering from elbow surgery so be sure to keep an eye on his progress before picking him up in the 1st round this spring.

Regardless of what you think about Machado, he has been a reliable force of nature the last few years and likely hasn't even come into his prime yet. The landing spot in San Diego isn't quite what you would think, as it has actually been a top half of the league ballpark for right-handed hitters since they moved their fences in. So don't hesitate to snag him at the end of the first round, as he seems destined for another 35+ homer, 90+ RBI, 90+ run season

You can snag Story in the late second, or even third round despite the fact that he outproduced top-five pick, Francisco Lindor in BA, SB, RBI and was just one behind him in homers. There is more risk with Story, but his 2018 campaign was among the all-time greats for fantasy shortstops

After obliterating pitchers in 2017, Stanton cooled off in a big way last year, striking out 211 times and hitting just .266 with 38 homers. There is upside for 60+ bombs this year, but believe it or not, he has only hit 40 or more once his entire career

Goldschmidt was incredible over his last 100 games, posting a .334/.424/.608 line. You may think his stats will take a big hit moving out of Chase Field, but with the humidor in place, it was actually among the worst park for hitters last season. In St. Louis, he should continue his run of 30+ homers, 95+ runs and a .290+ batting average

First basemen isn't as deep as it once was so commodities like Freeman are well worth investing in toward the middle of the third round. He is a lock for 90 runs, 90 RBIs and a .300 batting average each year and that type of player doesn't grow on trees

Verlander may be turning 36 years old soon, but his velocity is still as impressive as ever and he 2018 was actually his best K% (34.8%, second best 28.1%) of his career while his BB% (4.4%) was his lowest. Don't avoid him because of his age. He is rocking better than ever before

While Blackmon wasn't the number one fantasy asset like in 2017, he still knocked 29 homers, led the league in runs and batted .291, and don't forget, that was a down year. If that is his floor, fantasy owners are getting a steal in the late 2nd round.

Baez was excellent last year, hitting 34 homers with 21 steals, 101 runs and a league-leading 111 RBIs. While he is surely a star, every projection model sees those numbers regressing in 2019, especially his batting average which was propped up by a .347 BABIP

Originally expected to return from a calf injury in early April, Lindor suffered an ankle ailment while rehabbing. There's now no timetable for his recovery, and it's increasingly hard to see Cleveland letting him run once back on the diamond. Investors have little choice but to wait and hope for the best, but they shouldn't expect him to return first-round value.

You can look at Cole's 3.50 second half ERA and assume he got worse over the season, but all the underlying numbers suggest he was actually better. Don't shy away from him because of a false fear of his risk. Rather, expect another 250+ strikeouts with plenty of wins and excellent ratios

Benintendi is a spectacular real life player, but in fantasy, he was extremely similar to Jean Segura who happens to be going five rounds later. The arrow is pointing up for Benintendi, but not enough to warrant a top 30 draft pick

Each of the past five years, Kluber has given fantasy owners 200 innings while compiling 1,228 strikeouts. In four of those five seasons, he has provided 18 or more wins. If you draft him in the second round, you can be certain to get a true ace

Bryant missed 60 games last year and had his least efficient season of his career by quite a bit. There is some risk in drafting Bryant in the 3rd round, but he also comes with 40 homer upside, a batting average near .300 and both 100+ runs and RBIs

Soto was every bit as good as top-ten pick, Alex Bregman per plate appearance last season, but is going 20 picks later. Keep in mind, he accomplished that as a teenager. Don't hesitate to reach an entire round to grab him before he progresses even more

Nola took another major leap forward last year, and while he may never be a 300 or even 250 strikeout guy like the handful of pitchers being drafted above him, 220+ with a sub 1.00 WHIP and 2.50 ERA will certainly warrant a third round pick

Rizzo took a major step backwards in the first half last year, but his final line of 25 homers, 101 RBIs and a .283 batting average ended up being about as good as his average season. We were drafting him in the 3rd round last year so don't hesitate to scoop him up for a discount this season

Snell may have posted the single greatest second half of any pitcher in the last 50 years with a 1.17 ERA, .155 BAA and 12.7 K/9. There is a chance he finishes as the #1 fantasy pitcher this season, but both Scherzer and Sale are safer bets because of their sustained reliability

Marte bounced back from his 2017 suspension season with another big year. He stolen 33 bases, knocked 20 homers and batted a quality .277. While he may not swipe 45 bags anymore, that power/speed combo makes him well worth a fourth round pick in standard leagues

Although Cleveland doesn't pay him like it, Carrasco has been a true ace for five straight years, posting a sparkling 3.27 ERA with 193 Ks per season in that time. There is more upside with a pitcher like Syndergaard or Strasburg, but Carrasco's floor makes him one of the top 15 pitchers in this year's fantasy drafts

Prior to an injury in the second half, Bauer was among the top pitchers in baseball. He still struck out 221 batters in 175 innings, but with health, those numbers could easily climb to 270 in 215 innings

Although his slugging percentage dropped from .618 to .496, Hoskins still popped 34 homers in his first full season. Boasting MLB's highest fly-ball rate (51.7%) and launch angle (22.6°) of all qualified hitters, drafters can expect more of the same. Yet it will come at the cost of batting average, and he'll only offer a handful of steals when pitchers aren't looking. Last year's 48th-ranked hitter on ESPN's Player Rater probably needs 40-plus homers to validate his hefty cost. At least he'll get plenty of RBI opportunities hitting alongside Bryce Harper.

Every single season, fantasy owners draft Rendon in the fourth or fifth round and every single year he outproduces that draft value. 2018 was no different, as he hit .308 with 24 homers, 92 RBIs and 88 runs scored in just 136 games. Don't make the mistake of letting him slip by you in the fourth again this season

Looking for 40 homers? Draft Davis and write it in ink. He has knocked 133 over the last three seasons with 335 RBIs in that time. The floor is as high as you'll find in the first five rounds but the batting average is almost certainly going to be around .250 again

With the Royals not expected to compete in 2019, there is little doubt that Merrifield will surpass 40 stolen bases again. He doesn't have much in the way of power, nor will he score a load of runs in this offense, but the batting average should end up around .300 once again

Thor has elite stuff without a doubt, but the numbers haven't quite made it to the top tier of pitchers. Rather, he has just one season with 170 strikeouts and has yet to win 15 games. You may argue that a Cy Young is right around the corner, but we've been saying that for three years now and it is starting to look like we have another Strasburg on our hands

Last year was a major disappointment for Bellinger owners after he hit 39 homers in just 132 rookie games in 2017. He still managed to hit 25 bombs with 14 steals, however, so the floor is plenty high. At just 23 years old, we clearly haven't seen the best of Bellinger so don't be surprised if he breaks out for 50 bombs this year or next

Xander has been around for so long that it is easy to forget he is still just 26 years old. Although there have been periods of disappointment in the past, Bogaerts still has averaged 15 homers, 91 runs, 84 RBIs and a .295 BA over the last four seasons. Add in that 2018 was his best yet and we may be looking at another big step forward this season

Correa has missed a significant chunk of time in each of the past two seasons, and while he struggled in 2018, don't forget that he is still just 24 years old and one year removed from being the MVP front-runner prior to his injury. There is major upside here and he may prove to be a league winner

Springer is one of a handful of stars who started off their season with a rough patch. He started to turn in around in the second half before his injury, but only enough to get his final line to 22 homers and a .265 batting average. If he can stay healthy, Springer might lead the AL in runs scored along with plenty of homers and RBIs, but the speed has essentially disappeared

After tearing through the minors, Buehler pitcher pretty well for the Dodgers in the first half. Then a flip switched and he proceeded to become one of the top pitchers in baseball over the second half, posting a 2.03 ERA with 92 Ks and just a .165 BA allowed in 80 innings. Draft him accordingly

Few people could have foreseen the impact Mondesi would make down the stretch last season, finishing as a top-five overall hitter in standard roto/categories leagues from August 1 on. His plate discipline left a lot to be desired, but his 14 HRs and 32 SBs in 75 games led a lot of fantasy managers to the championship circle. If you believe most of the projection systems, he's due for a 20-40 kind of season in 2019, production that would again place him right alongside the very best roto options in the game. His limited track record makes him a risk-reward pick, but his skills are very real and his current sixth-round draft cost is very reasonable.

Votto did not return second round value or even close to it last year, but his ADP should be around the fifth this year. You can expect his batting average to bounceback above .300, and don't forget that he had 94 HRs in the previous three years before his 12 in 2018

In the first half last year, Suarez was sensational, hitting 19 homers with 71 RBIs while batting .312. The second half wasn't as pretty, so we may see him take a step back in 2019, but you can still bank on 30+ homers and around 100 RBIs with a decent batting average

Albies got off to a torrid start in his first full season in the Big Leagues, hitting nine home runs in April and heading into the All Star break with 20 HRs and nine steals. He struggled mightily in the second half of the season, but still finished as a top-three second basemen in standard 5x5 formats. There are some concerns that the Braves' acquisition of Josh Donaldson could push Albies down towards the bottom half of the lineup, hurting his counting stats and ability to steal bases, but it's also possible he'll stick in one of the first two lineup spots. Regardless, Albies has already proven he has 20-20 potential and should even be able to improve a bit on last season's .261 batting average.

It might not feel sexy drafting Segura, but you can expect a .300+ batting average and 20+ steals for the fourth consecutive season from him. If he finally plays a full season, we may be looking at a 20/30 year with a .310 batting average which would make Segura a top 25 fantasy asset

Cain didn't experience the power growth that many were expecting when he moved from Kansas City to Milwaukee, and his fantasy value was somewhat lessened by an absurdly low RBI count (38). But he did hit north of .300 for the fourth time in five seasons and collected a career-high 30 stolen bases. It's probably time to accept that he is not going to be a 20 HR guy, but he doesn't need to be one to be a top-50 hitter in standard 5x5 leagues. And he could be even better than that if everything clicks and he goes .300-15-30 with over 100 runs scored.

Forget the groundhog seeing his shadow; there's no better sign of spring's arrival than seeing Cruz get drafted criminally late. After merely clobbering 37 homers-his lowest tally since 2013-the stud DH has a consensus ADP outside of the top 100. That's an absurdly low price for a dependably elite slugger who finished in the 98th percentile of hard-hit rate, exit velocity, xwOBA, and xSLG. Despite logging a .282 xBA for the third straight year, his actual average dropped from .287 and .288 to .256. Even if he merely splits the difference and reverts to .270, he'd be a better version of Rhys Hoskins going multiple rounds later. So what if he doesn't have a position? Were you planning on leaving a utility spot empty?

Since Abreu joined the league, he is fifth in the majors with 288 RBIs and #1 among that group with a .295 batting average. As you know, he provides plenty of homers and runs as well. It may not feel interesting to draft Abreu, but with first base more shallow than years past, he is an excellent 6th round pick

Paxton has posted back-to-back seasons with an excellent strikeout rate and WHIP, but his ERA grew by nearly a run last year thanks to a spike in his home run rate. Under normal circumstances that could be chalked up to an outlier season, but Paxton is moving to a much more homer-friendly home park this season so it is possible the long ball issue could linger. Last season's 160 1/3 innings also represented a career-high for Paxton, who is not exactly known for his durability. Expect him to be quite good when he's on the mound, but don't expect more than about 150 innings and an ERA in the mid-3.00s.

Puig was a steady-if-unspectacular performer over his last two seasons in Los Angeles, settling in as a player who could hit around .265 while approaching 30 HRs and 15 SBs. He'll get a nice ballpark upgrade in his new home of Cincinnati, Ohio, and there is some belief that he will also benefit from being away from the distractions of LA, but it is hard to justify drastically raising our expectations for Puig until we see some evidence of it on the field. Don't overrate him, but he's certainly worth considering at his current ADP of 91.3.

Despite playing 34 fewer games than Andrew Benintendi over the last two seasons, Pham has outplayed him from a fantasy perspective. Pham is being drafted four rounds later and is coming off one of the best second-halfs in the MLB

The Mets acquired Diaz to serve as their new closer, and he should be one of the first two closers off the board in all fantasy leagues following his dominant 2018 in Seattle.

Murphy's overall stat line wasn't all that impressive last year, but once he was healthy in the second half, he returned to hittin .315 with a 25 HR pace. Move that to Coors Field and we may be looking at the NL Batting Champion with plenty of homers, RBI and runs. Be mindful that he rarely plays a full season, but when he is on the field we are looking at a top 30 fantasy asset

There is a lot of appeal in drafting an upside pitcher like Strasburg, but keep in mind that he averages just 145 innings over the last four years. Even with an excellent strikeout rate, that comes to just 174 Ks per season. The ratios will likely be golden again, but know that there is plenty of risk in spending a 5th or 6th round pick on him this year

Corbin was an absolute monster last season, striking out 246 batters with a 1.05 WHIP and 3.15 ERA. Granted, those ratios are likely to jump, perhaps even half a run in ERA, but he should also add considerably to his 11 wins from 2018 now that he is in Washington

Rosario produced nearly identical stat lines in 2017 and 2018, suggesting he is a pretty safe bet to produce around 25 HRs, 10 SBs, and a batting average in the .290 range. He may lack the upside of some of the other names coming off the board around pick 80, but if you're looking for a steady across-the-board contributor, don't hesitate to call Rosario's name.

Ozuna's massive 2017 season seemed destined to go down as an outlier, and that's exactly what happened as he experienced a major drop-off in every offensive category last season. A shoulder injury reportedly impacted his performance last year, but the fact remains that Ozuna now has three full seasons where he has hit exactly 23 home runs with a batting average between .265 and .280 and 75-90 RBIs. That's the player we should expect in 2019, not the one that went .312-37-124 in 2017.

It can be easy to forget that as a rookie in 2016, Seager was not only the rookie of the year, but an MVP finalist. He was plenty useful in 2017 fantasy baseball too, but missed most of 2018 with Tommy John surgery and hip surgery. He should be ready to roll by opening day so while there is some risk, consider that he is still just 24 so we may not have seen his best yet

Flaherty was absurdly good last season as a rookie and seemed to improve as the year went on, striking out 95 in 76 second half innings. With that said, his walk rate climbed to a dangerous 3.52 per nine innings by seasons end. He has the upside to strike out 240 batters, but there is some risk here as well

Nobody is doubting Guerrero's skills. Especially not Steamer, as the typically pessimistic projection system has the 19-year-old batting .306/.368/.511 with 22 homers in 550 plate appearances. Toronto's teenage prodigy has nothing left to prove in the minors after collectively batting .381/.437/.636 in Double-A and Triple-A. The problem is opportunity, with the Blue Jays almost certain to hold baseball's top prospect back for service-time manipulation. Since he was never going to make the Opening Day roster, supporters shouldn't get cold feet because of an oblique injury that guarantees a delay to his anticipated arrival. With Ronald Acuna's sensational debut fresh in everyone's mind, there's still little chance of snagging Vlad Jr. at a discount. Don't bite so soon in re-drafts, but it'll get tougher to resist if he lasts to the late fifth or sixth round.

Greinke's age is now 35 and he did have a rough season three years ago, but besides then, he has been phenomenal since 2009. Expect plenty more of the same in 2019 with excellent ratios, about 15 wins and around 200 strikeouts. This makes him a top 20 starting pitcher for 2019 fantasy leagues

If you look at Taillon's second half, it may seem as though he broke out into an ace, but the underlying metrics tell a different story. Rather, he was propped up by a great deal of BABIP and HR/FB ratio luck. Most likely, he will continue to pitch like a good #3 this season for Pittsburgh.

Realmuto's .277 batting average with 21 homers and 74 RBIs doesn't seem all that impressive, but the fact of the matter is that he blew the rest of the catcher scene away with those numbers. Realmuto is as safe as it comes at the position and should produce far above the lousy replacement level once again. This is especially true now that he has been traded to a great hitter's ballpark in Philly. Don't hesitate to reach for him so you don't get stuck with an awful catcher

Haniger built on his impressive 2017 debut with the Mariners in 2018, producing a .285/90/26/93/8 roto line that ranked 10th among outfielders. The power and speed numbers look completely sustainable for Haniger, but his batting average could be due for a bit of regression and it may be challenging to produce 90+ runs and RBIs again in a rebuilding Mariners lineup. Haniger is unlikely to be a bust, but last season's numbers are probably closer to his ceiling than his floor.

Treinen was simply phenomenal for Oakland last season, and he enters 2019 neck-and-neck with Edwin Diaz for the title of fantasy's number one closer.

Over the last five years, Carpenter has a remarkable 468 walks, which obviously has contributed to his 483 runs. In that time, his power has steadily improved, all the way to 36 homers last year, and while that total may not be repeatable, 30 homers with 100 runs makes him well worth a sixth round pick in 2019 fantasy leagues

Torres is a former elite prospect who is coming off an excellent rookie season in New York. He strikes out a bit too much at this stage of his career to be a reliable asset in batting average, but he won't kill you there and should be able to match or exceed last season's 24 home runs while also chipping in 5-10 steals and solid run and RBI totals. At just 22 years old, there's also a chance that Torres takes a big step forward this year and jumps into the upper echelon at the position, but his fifth-round ADP means you'll be paying for that upside if you draft him.

After dominating in a smaller 2017 sample size, Clevinger took it up another notch in 2018, this time with 200 innings of proof. He might not win 16 games or strikeout 240 batters like some of the top tier aces, but his ratios and 200 Ks put him firmly in the 6th-8th rounds of this season's drafts

Jansen has been so good for so long that you might automatically assume him to be the top closer once again in 2019, but last year, he was nowhere close to it. Rather, his ERA plummeted to 3.01 with "just" 82 Ks. You can still grab him among the top tier, but you shouldn't even be considering taking him in the first five or six rounds.

There's no doubt that Castellanos is a solid fantasy option, but last season's .298 batting average looks due for quite a bit of regression, he doesn't run, and his run production numbers could also take a hit as the Tigers enter into a full-on rebuild. There are better outfielders available at his late-seventh round ADP.

Berrios' 2018 season was pretty similar to 2017. He made some strides in strikeout rate and WHIP, but it didn't help his ERA much thanks to a spike in home runs allowed. Berrios is a good but not great strikeout pitcher and his walk rate is just ok, so he'll need to make further improvements to live up to the hype he had as a prospect. That could certainly happen in his age-24 season, but it isn't guaranteed.

For the first time in a decade, there is quite a bit of risk with drafting Kershaw. He hasn't pitched 180 innings since 2015 and saw his strikeout rate plummet from 10.4 to 8.6 per nine innings. You can bank on top-notch ratios, but because of the innings a low strikeout totals and a potential shoulder injury, Kershaw has fallen into the third-tier of fantasy pitchers this year.

After hitting .265 with 16 HRs in 279 at-bats in 2017, Aguilar got the chance to be a full-time player in 2018, and took advantage to the sweet tune of a .274/80/35/108 line that made him a top-three first baseman in standard 5x5 roto leagues. Aguilar is a zero on the base paths and he strikes out too much to be of much help in batting average, either, but the power is very real and his run production numbers should continue to be excellent in a loaded lineup and great home park. Call Aguilar a HR/RBI specialist if you must, but at least recognize that he is one of the better HR/RBI specialists in the game.

How why are you willing to take a guy who batted .186 last season? Turns out the answer is pretty high for Sanchez, who's challenging J.T. Realmuto as the top catcher off the board. He did, after all, hit .284/.354/.568 in 754 prior MLB plate appearances. A groin injury also hampered his production, and he additionally underwent offseason shoulder surgery. He struggled mightily against breaking balls, but actually deposited more walks without significant contact declines. The average could easily rise back to .250 with around 30 long balls, but is that enough to justify an investment around pick 60? Catcher is worse than usual, but that's still too steep in one-catcher formats.

Aroldis Chapman was his typical dominant self last season and enters 2019 as the clear closer in the Bronx. This shapes up as arguably the best bullpen in baseball, however, so the Yankees will have no shortage of potential replacements should Chapman struggle or get hurt.

There is plenty of reason to be excited about David Dahl, as his upside is a true five-category contributor. With that said, he has been among the most injury-prone players in baseball so even 400 plate appearances is no guarantee.

We've seen enough of Conforto by now to know that the hype was overblown. Sure, he has had some extremely promising stretches, but over a full year of health in 2018, he wasn't as good as Randal Grichuk who is going over 100 picks later because of the difference in name value.

Turner has played more than 130 games just once in his eight-year career, but he's been consistently excellent when he's on the field. If you pro-rate his stats over a full season, you are typically looking at 25 home runs and 90 RBIs. Most importantly, with a batting average of at least .312 in three of the last five seasons, Turner is on the very short list of players who are capable of winning the batting title. His value gets a big boost in leagues with daily lineups and/or multiple DL spots -- he is highly underrated in those formats.

A Cy Young Award contender though June, Severino imploded with a 5.20 ERA over the final three months. That inconsistency is perilous for a staff headliner, but he still finished 2018 with a 3.39 ERA, 2.95 FIP, and 220 strikeouts. Despite his start-by-start inconsistency, he has delivered on a macro level in consecutive seasons. However, he will miss at least all of April with a shoulder injury, Previously a viable top-10 candidate, he's now too risky to draft as a top-25 starter.

Gallo has reached 40 HRs in each of his two full Major League seasons, and will enter 2019 as one of the best pure power hitters in the game. Unfortunately, that power comes attached to a .203 career batting average, meaning that fantasy owners who draft Gallo in standard 5x5 formats will need to either punt batting average or make a concerted effort to offset the damage he'll do there. Whether you draft Gallo or not is largely a matter of roster construction, but expect him to finish right around the top-100 players in terms of overall fantasy value. He does walk quite a bit, giving him a major boost in OBP formats.

Erratic over the course of a season, Upton is consistent on a year-to-year basis. Even if he never lived out Ken Griffey Jr. comparisons, the outfielder has logged over 600 plate appearances in each of the last eight seasons with at least 30 homers in the last three. A rise in ground balls and fall in fly balls, however, puts that streak in jeopardy. So does a toe injury that will likely send him to the IL to start 2019. That's a big blow since stability was a major driving force in drafting Upton.

Pollock was a fantasy monster in 2015, but then an elbow injury cost him almost the entire 2016 season and he hasn't been quite the same player since. A 20-20 season is in the realm of possibility here, and Pollock should score plenty of runs atop the Dodgers lineup as long as he can stay healthy. Just don't reach too early while dreaming of 2015.

Shaw has back to back seasons with 30 homers, and while his batting average may linger in the .240's again, that type of power is difficult to come by after pick 100, especially for someone who qualifies as a second basemen in most leagues.

The Indians let Andrew Miller and Cody Allen walk in free agency, clearing the path for Brad Hand to serve as the team's clear-cut closer this season. At age 28, Hand has put together three straight seasons with an ERA under 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.11 or better, and his already impressive K/9 rate grew to 13.25 last season. Hand didn't experience any drop-off after moving from San Diego to Cleveland, and with little in the way of competition, he is fully capable of being one of the very best closers in fantasy baseball this year.

McCutchen's strikeout rate has grown and his batting averaged has dipped over the last few seasons, but he has continued to be a very reliable source of 20+ homers, 10+ SBs, and solid run and RBI totals. Now, at age 32, he is finally set to play a full season in a hitter's park while surrounded by a potent lineup. McCutchen's numbers may fluctuate a bit based on where he ends up hitting in the lineup, but it's not unreasonable to expect his power and run production numbers to trend upward a bit in the best hitting environment of his long career.

Myers will play the outfield in San Diego this year, but will carry over third base eligibility from last season, making him one of the very few options for speed at 3B. He averaged 29 home runs and 24 stolen bases between 2016 and 2017, and was on pace to again go 20-20 last year if not for missing nearly half the season due to a host of different injuries. You can't expect Myers to do much better than his .253 career batting average, but his combination of power and speed makes him a sneaky contender to finish as a top-12 third baseman in roto/categories leagues if he can stay healthy.

Wheeler has had struggles staying on the field but even if we can get 120 innings of the way he pitched to close the season, he would prove well worth a mid-round pick's investment. He may be the breakout ace that no one in the industry seems to be talking about this year.

While it may be appealing to draft incredible real-life players, there is a major difference between fringe AL MVP candidate and top 80 fantasy baseball player. Chapman's defensive prowess doesn't transfer over, unfortunately, so rather, we are looking at a mediocre power hitter with some batting average concerns.

Donaldson was one of the very best hitters in fantasy in 2015 and 2016. A calf injury cost him a big chunk of the 2017 season, but he still hit 33 home runs in 113 games. Then, in 2018, calf and shoulder injuries limited Donaldson to 52 games -- and had a huge impact on his performance while on the field. It's possible that Donaldson's body is falling apart and he'll never be the same, but it's also possible that he has one or two more big years left in the tank. That makes Donaldson a boom-or-bust pick, but the potential reward far outweighs the risk at his current ADP of 98.7.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch has affirmed that Osuna will again serve as the team's closer, a role he inherited last year upon returning from a 75-game suspension and getting traded from the Blue Jays. Osuna was a dominant closer from 2015-2017, but his K/9 rate alarmingly fell to 7.58 between Toronto and Houston last year. The good news is that he maintained an above-average 14.7 percent swinging-strike rate, indicating that he should return to striking out over a batter per inning while maintaining elite control. Save opportunities should also be plentiful on the World Series-contending Astros, so it makes sense for Osuna to get drafted as one of the first 10, if not five, closers off the board.

Andujar flew under the radar until his major breakout last season. We've seen players like that face major challenges in their sophomore campaign so beware of the risk associated with picking him, but as we've seen, the upside is tantalizing and may prove well worth a mid-round pick.

Vazquez's surface numbers weren't quite as dominant last year as they were in 2017, but his FIP and xFIP were nearly identical, and his overall numbers as the Pirates' closer were still quite good. He should have plenty of job security after signing a four-year contract extension last year and is easily a top-10 fantasy closer this season.

After back-to-back 30 HR campaigns, Odor managed to hit just 18 in 129 games last year, but there is little in his batted ball profile to suggest the power drop-off will be permanent. Of greater concern is the fact that Odor's strikeout rate has increased significantly over the last two seasons, and his stolen base success rate plummeted last season. Odor is certainly capable of producing a .250-30-15 season, but that outcome feels a little closer to his ceiling than his floor at this point. Still, unless he gets the red light on the base paths, Odor is a solid bet to again finish among the top-12 second basemen in standard 5x5 leagues.

For all the hype bestowed upon Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jimenez is oddly getting a bit lost in the shuffle. He has nothing left to prove in the minors after hitting .355/.399/.597 with 12 homers in 55 Triple-A games, so the White Sox can't justify keeping him down too much longer. He should now start the season in Chicago after signing a six-year extension that eliminates any need to manipulate his service time. Jimenez could brandish top-shelf power from the start. Steamer agrees, projecting .293/.341/.502 with 25 homers in 130 games. Often available beyond the top-100 picks before the signing, the hype hadn't gotten out of hand yet. Barring a substantial uptick, he's especially an intriguing upside pick in shallower mixed leagues with three starting outfielders.

Cano isn't nearly the player he once was, but he's proven over the last several seasons that he is still fully capable of hitting 20-25 HRs with a batting average north of .280. He is 36 years old and coming off of a PED suspension, so the risk for a collapse exists, but it's worth noting that he was actually better following the suspension last season. The move from Seattle to the Mets should be fairly neutral in terms of both ballpark and lineup.

Price isn't going to thrill anyone as a workhorse ace anymore, but he still posts plenty of Ks to go with useful ratios each and every season. With Boston's lineup behind him, we can expect plenty of wins as well, making him one of the most appealing third-tier starting pitchers this year.

Marquez had a terrific strikeout-to-walk ratio last season, but still finished with an ERA of 3.77, which feels like a best-case scenario for a pitcher who calls Coors Field home. Marquez should provide plenty of innings and strikeouts and his fair share of wins, but he's not likely to be of much help when it comes to ERA and WHIP.

Peraza broke out last season with 13 homers, 23 steals and a .288 batting average. Whether or not the power stays is a question, but he seems to be a safe source for runs, steals and batting average in the middle of drafts.

Batting average tends to be an underrated ability in fantasy baseball, and that is an area in which Brantley excels. But durability is also an underrated commodity, and that has been Brantley downfall for big chunks of his career. If Brantley can just manage to stay healthy, he should be able to contribute enough balanced production across all five roto categories to be a valuable third outfielder in mixed leagues.

Peralta is a .293 career hitter, so it wasn't exactly a surprise that he hit .293 last year. What was shocking, however, was that he hit 30 home runs after never hitting more than 17 in any of his previous four Major League seasons. The power spike was backed up by a ton of hard contact, but his ground ball rate remained high, making a repeat quite unlikely. Buy Peralta for the batting average, and consider anything more than 20 home runs to be a bonus.

Mikolas had an incredible season in his first year back from pitching in Japan, posting a 2.83 ERA and 1.07 WHIP while winning 18 games for the Cardinals. His weak strikeout rate is a bit of a detriment in roto leagues with low innings caps, but it isn't too big a deal in points leagues. That said, he's due for a bit of a correction in his BABIP and HRs allowed, which should cause his ERA to rise at least into the mid-3.00s. He can still be a useful fantasy pitcher in most formats, but could be overvalued.

Robles has been somewhat overshadowed by Juan Soto in Washington, but he had success in a brief stint with the Nationals last year and looks poised to break out in 2019. The projection systems generally expect Robles to steal at least 25 bases with low-double digit home runs and a batting average in the .275 range, which would probably be enough to make Robles worth deploying immediately, even in three outfielder leagues.

Moustakas has been an excellent source of power for several years running now and doesn't have as much swing and miss in his game as you might imagine. Now that he qualifies at second base and is back in Milwaukee, there is a strong case for drafting him within the top 100 overall.

After nearly a decade of mediocrity, the Astros turned Morton into a high-end starter in 2017, and he was even better in 2018. At this point, he feels relatively safe to pencil in for a mid-3.00s ERA, 10.0 K/9 rate, and WHIP in the 1.15-1.20 range. The concerns are his advancing age and durability -- he's never thrown more than 172 innings in a season. The move to Tampa Bay is also a mild concern, less so for the change of division than for the move away from a Houston team that seemingly knew how to get the best out of him.

Encarnacion may be getting up there in age, but there are few hitters who have produced consistent power at the rate he has. There is little reason to expect a sudden drop-off but with that said, his RBIs and runs should take a hit with Seattle losing some of their best offensive pieces.

Villar was Adalberto Mondesi version 1.0, posting an unreal .285-19 HRs-62 SBs line in 2016 before falling back to .241-11-23 in 2017. He split the difference last year, and with regular playing time ahead of him in Baltimore, he seems likely to post another .250-15-30 season. It's rarely pretty with Villar, but he could be a solid roto/categories league value going outside the top-100 picks in fantasy drafts.

Doolittle is firmly established as the Nationals' closer heading into 2019, and he's proven to be an elite one when healthy. Unfortunately, injuries have been a frequent concern for Doolittle, which helps explain why the Nationals acquired two other relievers with closing experience in Trever Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough.

Tanaka was basically the same pitcher last year as he was in 2017, but he shaved a run off of his ERA thanks to slight improvements in BABIP allowed, home runs allowed, and left-on-base percentage. Still, home runs remain an issue for Tanaka, which explains why his ERA generally lags behind his WHIP. He's also never made it to 200 innings, so he's not exactly a workhorse. At this point we should just accept Tanaka for what he is: a solid third or fourth fantasy starter.

Gordon is going to absolutely destroy you in two categories and his batting average isn't anything to write home about. With that said, the potential of 60 stolen bases makes him worth the price of admission toward the middle of drafts.

Although still unsigned, it's safe to assume Kimbrel won't settle for a setup role. After all, no reliever in MLB history holsters a lower career FIP than his 1.96. Despite a concerning walk uptick (4.48 BB/9), he posted a 2.74 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 42 saves in 2018. Somewhat surprisingly, his ADP hasn't suffered from a disastrous postseason and drawn-out free agency. That should change now that he remains a free agent in mid-March. Drafters must now consider the higher the likelihood of a delayed or rusty start to the season. Or worse, maybe he actually follows through on his threat to sit out 2019.

Devers was somewhat disappointing in his first full Major League season, hitting just .240 and missing some time with a hamstring strain. But the low batting average was largely due to an unusually low .281 BABIP -- his batted ball profile was nearly identical to his promising 2017 debut. He also managed to produce 21 homers and five steals in just 121 games, not too shabby for a guy who was just 21-years old. The full breakout could be coming this year.

Bumgarner was one of the best fantasy starters out there until a couple of years ago, but he hasn't been quite the same since his 2017 dirt bike accident. He has remained a help in ERA thanks to his ability to limit base hits, but his strikeout rate has plummeted and last year his walk rate rose as well. Bumgarner's peripherals suggest he is playing with fire, even in a very pitcher-friendly environment in San Francisco. Still just 29 years old, a big bounce back season cannot be completely discounted, but there is no question that Bumgarner is a risk-reward choice on draft day.

Ray took a big step backward last year in the ratios but still racked up 165 Ks in just over 120 innings pitcher. There is still upside for an ace pitcher here and the floor may be about what we got last year which didn't kill anyone's championship hopes. He makes for a quality mid-round pick.

Muncy was 2nd in HR-rate among all MLB hitters last season. Granted, he slowed down toward the end of the year and his batting average wasn't ideal, but that type of power certainly warrants a top 100 pick. This is especially the case when he qualifies at second base and third base too.

Castillo quickly became a darling of the analytics community last season but failed to meet the expectations of those who reached for him in fantasy. He is still plenty young and talented, however, so don't give up on him less the breakout comes a year later than everyone planned for.

Yates took over as the Padres' closer following the Brad Hand trade last July, and the team didn't skip a beat. Yates finished with an impressive 2.14 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 12.86 K/9, so he should return as the unquestioned 2019 closer barring a surprise acquisition. Yates' fantasy value also gets a bit of a boost from the Padres signing Manny Machado, as it decreases the likelihood of Yates getting dealt to a contender at the trade deadline.

Dozier may not have had the best season last year, but he still hit 21 homers with 12 steals. The batting average is expected to rise in 2019 and let's not forget that he has 40 homer, 20 steal upside.

Archer has proven to be a pitcher who consistently posts a higher ERA than his advanced metrics suggest he deserves. At this point, we should no longer be expecting that to suddenly change. Until we see otherwise, expect Archer to post an ERA around 4.00, a WHIP in the 1.20s, and a fairly strong strikeout rate.

Hader registered three fewer strikeouts (143) than Miles Mikolas last season and eight more than Kenley Jansen and Ken Giles combined. Although not Milwaukee's full-time closer, he notched 12 saves and six wins with a 2.43 ERA and 0.81 WHIP. He led all relievers in strikeout % (46.7) and swinging-strike rate (19.0%). As a result, he's an anomaly who should get drafted above middling closers even in standard five-by-five leagues. Despite his clear dominance, it's awfully tough paying such a steep price for a middle reliever who's no guarantee to vulture as many saves and wins. With a consensus ADP above Sean Doolittle, Kirby Yates, and Jose Leclerc, drafters should instead try to find the next Hader in the final rounds or on the waiver wire. This could all change, however, if injuries to Jeremy Jeffress and Corey Knebel clear a path to saves. (The Brewers have also been linked to Craig Kimbrel.) Hader is a top-five stud in saves-plus-holds format who'd garner that same elite status in all leagues if given the closer's role.

His success defies common convention, but how many times does Hendricks have to prove himself as a sustainable anomaly? He boasts a 3.07 career ERA in 789 innings, only once going over 3.45 (3.95 in 2015). He has made at least 30 starts in three of the last four seasons, and a stellar 5.4% walk rate led to a 1.15 WHIP in 2018. Despite his lacking velocity, The Professor typically records 160-170 strikeouts over a full season of work. He's a boring, but effective SP3 to pair with high-upside strikeout pitchers.

Having hit 20 homers in each of his first three MLB seasons, Mazara has yet to validate his high prospect pedigree as an above-average hitter. Drafters paying for upside instead keep receiving a boring compiler with a career .258/.320/.425 slash line. Last year, he needed a career-high 20.0% HR/FB rate on a career-low 26.6% FB rate just to reach his usual 20, half of which he notched in May. All of this points to a steady hand rather than an upside play, but Mazara only turns 24 in April. His upside hasn't expired just yet, but don't overpay for unfulfilled hype.

For a guy who just tallied 27 homers and 11 steals in 137 games, Hicks isn't getting much love. He also scored 90 runs thanks to sporting a 15.5% walk rate in a stacked Yankees lineup. Even without adding in the stats gleaned by his lineup replacement, the outfielder still performed well enough to demand top-100 consideration. A rise in contact (78.0%) and hard-hit rate (39.5%) should lead to a higher average and sustained power, and his cost more than bakes in the substantial injury risk. He's an especially wise choice in shallower three-outfielder mixed leagues, where it's easier to fill in the gaps when he misses some time. That will happen early, as a back injury will keep him out to start 2019.

Darvish missed most of the 2018 season due to elbow and triceps injuries, and he was clearly not himself for the 40 innings he was able to pitch. Health has been a constant concern for Darvish, but he's been a consistently dominant strikeout pitcher, and last year was the first time in his Major League career that he's had an ERA over 3.90 or WHIP above 1.28. His team context in Chicago remains great, so the chance of a big bounce back season is there if he can just stay off of the DL.

Inciarte is not the kind of player that fantasy managers drool over, but he is a strong bet to steal 20 bases and hit 10 home runs while batting close to .300. If he does that again, he'll be well worth starting in standard 12-team mixed leagues.

New Reds manager David Bell has indicated that Iglesias is "going to pitch in the most important spots in the game," whether it is the ninth inning or earlier. Bell added that "[a] lot of times it's going to be in that closing role." In actuality, that may not be much of a change from past seasons for Iglesias, who has entered in the eighth inning in 43 of his 129 appearances (33 percent) over the last two seasons. He didn't amass more than 30 saves either year, but still finished as a top-12 reliever in standard 5

Leclerc emerged from relative obscurity in 2018 to become a dominant closer, producing a 1.56 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 13.27 K/9. That performance clearly impressed manager Chris Woodward, who has left no doubt that Leclerc will be the Rangers' closer again in 2019. He could be one of the better fantasy closers in the league even if Texas doesn't win a ton of games.

Smith had a very impressive first full season in the Big Leagues, nabbing 40 stolen bases while hitting .296. He may not be able to quite duplicate that batting average again, but he won't kill you there and another 40 steals seems very possible.

Bieber is the rare pitcher who may throw too many strikes. His pinpoint control is helpful for his WHIP, and he's shown the ability to strike out close to a batter per inning, but he gave up so many hits as a rookie that his ERA ballooned to 4.55. That is due for quite a bit of positive regression, but Bieber's ERA may always trail behind his WHIP. For now, expect his ERA to settle in the mid-to-high 3s.

Hosmer was a wreck in the second half, posting a negative average launch angle. While that is no guarantee to be fixed, he is still a career .280 hitter with excellent durability and sufficient power. Eventually every player becomes a value and Hosmer's ADP may have fallen enough that it has become the case.

You may feel comfortable with the fact that Wade Davis is incredible, but beware of Coors. The saves will come, but chances are high that his ratios will lag behind what you are looking for in a closer. At his current ADP, you will almost certainly be able to wait and snag a better option.

Piscotty waited to get dropped in most leagues before delivering a bounce-back season. After batting .160 in May, he hit .286 with 24 homers and a .386 wOBA (.365 wOBA) from June 1 onward. Given his down 2017 (.235, 9 HRs), drafters should seek a near repeat of 2018 rather than extrapolating his late surge to a full season. Last year's 27 homers already set a career high, so aim for 25 from a solid, mid-tier option.

Braun isn't often healthy, but when he is on the field, he has continued to rake over the last three years. In that time, his per 162 game average is 30 homers, 18 steals and a .279 batting average. If he can finally stay on the field, fantasy owners will hit the jackpot this year.

An intriguing option when healthy, Rodriguez took another step forward with a 3.82 ERA, 3.65 FIP, and 10.13 K/9 in 2018. Good luck getting a full season out of the lefty. Knee and ankle injuries contained him to 129.2 frames, so he has yet to make 25 starts for more than 137.1 frames in a single season. He flaunted a high ceiling by mixing in fewer four-seamers in favor of a cutter, and he has reportedly spent the offseason working on his slider with help from Chris Sale and Pedro Martinez. Drafters must prepare to make up the lost innings elsewhere, but he's nevertheless the type of high-strikeout hurler worth targeting after locking down sturdier rotation anchors.

Anderson was remarkable in the first half but really slowed down to close the season. Even still, he managed 20 homers and 26 steals. While he may be hard pressed to repeat that this year, 15 and 15 would make him a useful mid-round pick so long as his batting average doesn't plummet further.

The undervalued Happ massively out-performed his 2018 draft pick despite posting his highest ERA (3.65) since 2014. He now owns a 3.49 ERA and 8.45 K/9 over those past four seasons, and yet many drafters have scoffed at him going around the pick-150 range. Seems like a reasonable price for someone who accompanied his career-high 193 strikeouts with a career-high 10.3% swinging-strike rate and career-low 78.3% contact rate. He looked comfortable in pinstripes (2.69 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) and could once again reap the rewards of run support to a crooked wins tally. Don't run away just because the southpaw is 36.

Pivetta's peripherals say that his ERA should have been much better than 4.77 last year, but he was victimized by a high BABIP, low strand rate, and lots and lots of home runs. This is an elite bat misser who has thrown fewer than 300 innings at the Major League level, so there is some breakout potential here. We'll learn this season whether Pivetta is ready to take a step forward or if he's the next in a line of pitchers who don't quite live up to their peripherals.

It's a bit surprising how much the ECR favors Hill over Kenta Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Ross Stripling. All are superb options when healthy, but none should be trusted to work any more than 135 innings. So why such a heavy preference for Hill? The unlikely reclamation project turns 39 before starting the season, and he wasn't as elite (3.66 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 3.57 SIERA) in 2018's 132.2 innings. Drafters must exude patience, as he has struggled out of the gate in each of the last two seasons. In what should come as a surprise to nobody, he's already dealing with a short-term MCL injury that will delay his scheduled Opening Day start. He's a strong SP2 or 3 in the starts he makes, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him run out of steam. Just don't drop him much for this injury; such issues were already expected and factored into his draft cost.

Grandal's batting average may not seem all that appealing in the .240s range, but that is actually at replacement-level for the position so he won't hurt you there. He will definitely help in HRs, RBIs and runs, though. Over the last three seasons, he trails only (the injured) Salvador Perez in homers, and that was before he moved from an awful park for hitters in L.A. to a hitter's have in Milwaukee.

Moncada has both double-digit power and speed, but the batting average is lackluster. You can make the case that he has more potential as a former #1 overall prospect, but more likely, the holes in his game will prove too much for a big breakout to be a possibility.

You may be inclined to believe Cabrera is done since he has had two subpar seasons in a row, but he is apparently in the best shape of his life. Add in the fact that he will be spending most of his time as the Tigers DH and we might just have the biggest bounceback player on our hands.

The Blue Jays took on Ken Giles in the Osuna trade last year. Although Giles' 2018 stats don't look pretty at first glance, his underlying numbers - including a terrific 53-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio - weren't too bad. Giles actually makes for a decent bounce-back candidate and potential draft-day value if your leaguemates are scared off by last year's 4.65 ERA.

Hamels displayed all the signs of a pitcher in decline during his three seasons in Texas, but he rebounded nicely upon joining the Cubs at midseason last year. It's hard to know exactly what version of Hamels we'll get at this point, but being in the National League should help. It's not unreasonable to hope for a sub-4.00 ERA, a WHIP in the low 1.20s, and close to a strikeout per inning in 2019.

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler refused to commit to a single closer in 2018, and that will reportedly happen again in 2019, even after Philadelphia spent $23 million this offseason to bring in Robertson on a two-year contract. Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez are the two logical candidates to share the closer's role, but further late-inning shenanigans simply can't be ruled out from Kapler.

A relative afterthought in many 2018 drafts, Foltynewicz fastened a 2.85 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 183 frames. Deploying fewer sinkers and more sliders helped unlock his upside, but beware paying full freight for an encore. A substandard 3.34 BB/9 could cause more trouble if a .253 BABIP rises near his .303 career norm. This was a case of not paying for the career year before elbow soreness threatened his wipe out multiple April starts.

Desmond has now gone 20/20 in five of his last six healthy seasons. His .236 batting average isn't what you'd hope for, but keep in mind that he batted .285 and .274 the previous two seasons so he should jump back in 2019.

DeJong is one of the better power options at shortstop, but he doesn't project to be of any help in batting average or stolen bases, meaning he'll need a big boost in runs and RBIs to become interesting in standard 5x5 leagues.

Over his first three seasons with the Dodgers, Maeda has finished as the SP19, SP33, and SP49 in standard 5x5 rotisserie leagues, despite averaging just 145 innings pitched per season. He is a good bet to again produce an ERA around 3.80, WHIP around 1.20, and better than a strikeout per inning. While it would be unwise to expect more than around 130 innings from Maeda this season, given how the Dodgers have handled Maeda and the rest of their pitching staff over the last couple years, he's proven he can be a solid mixed league asset even with a limited workload. He's particularly valuable in shallower leagues (10/12 team leagues with short benches) and leagues with multiple DL spots, since there will be decent fill-ins available for the starts he misses in those formats.

Andrus was downright awful in the 97 games he played last year, batting .256 with 6 homers and 5 steals. With full health, however, don't be surprised if he returns to the .300 hitting, 20 homer, 25 steal player that finished 2017 as a top fantasy shortstop.

Because he stalled in Triple-A and was blocked by a crowded Pirates outfield, Meadows' arrival came later than anticipated. Yet he promptly made up for lost time, storming out of the gate with a 1.221 OPS, four homers, and three steals in May. He then struggled and lost playing time before and after a midseason trade to Tampa Bay. This time, however, he clobbered Triple-A pitchers to 10 dingers in 27 games after offering 12 in 636 prior Triple-A plate appearances for the Pirates. Don't forget that Meadows, once considered an elite prospect, still boasts an enticing power and speed profile. Plus, he only turns 24 in May. He could go 20/15 in an untethered starting role.

Santana, who submitted 30 homers and 15 steals in 2017, once again has a regular role after getting shipped from Milwaukee to Seattle. He also struggled in scarce playing time last year, settling for five homers and 77 strikeouts in 235 plate appearances. Don't expect a full bounce-back to 2017; he was never going to sustain a 30.9% HR/FB rate. As a late pick for those who drafted before his two home runs in Tokyo, 20-25 long balls and a handful of steals would get the job done. But consider selling high if he stays hot in the U.S. in early April.

Allen had accrued a sub-3.00 ERA and K/9 above 11.0 in four straight seasons before his ERA ballooned to 4.75 with 80 strikeouts in 67 frames (10.75 K/9) last season. A massive 50.6% fly-ball rate led to a career-high 11 home runs surrendered. Here's the good news: He still found a ninth-inning gig with the Angels. The gopheritis and alarming walk increase (4.42 BB/9) make him a ratio risk, but Allen offers a rare source of affordable saves.

Rosario is a former top prospect but that doesn't mean he has much more upside with the bat that we have already seen early in his career. A dozen homers and a .260 batting average is likely his cap, but with 25 stolen bases, that makes for a decent depth piece.

Contreras was a major disappointment for fantasy owners in 2018 after starting off his career with 33 HRs, 109 RBIs and a .278 batting average through 629 at-bats in his first two years. He is still young, however, and expected to improve from last season.

Profar finally got a full chance last year for Texas and posted 20 homers and 10 stolen bases. He takes a hit in projections moving from Texas to Oakland's ballpark, but keep in mind that he just turned 26 years old and very likely hasn't hit his prime yet.

 

 

The Rays appear to be in no hurry to name a closer, and they may not assign the job to a single pitcher. But the early frontrunner should be Jose Alvarado, who earned eight handshakes last year while posting helpful ratios.

Santana had some of the worst BABIP luck in baseball last year so you can expect his batting average to jump back into the .250s this year to go with his usual 20+ homers and 80+ runs. That makes him a quality late-round corner infielder as always.

The Mets finally found playing time for Nimmo, who responded in kind with 17 homers, nine steals, and the sixth-highest wRC+ (149) among all qualified hitters. Because of his stellar 15.0% walk rate, the Mets are likely to deploy him in the leadoff role (at least against righties) ahead of a refurbished lineup. He should deposit plenty of runs with 20-homer, 10-steal potential, but beware a low batting average because of his precise pickiness at the plate. A solid mid-draft investment in five-by-leagues, Nimmo's gold in OBP formats.

Always one of baseball's hardest-throwing starters, Eovaldi finally parlayed his high-90s heater to a career-high 22.2 K% supported by a 10.7% swinging-strike rate. He also lowered his walk rate to a career-low 4.4%, leading to a 1.13 WHIP, 3.60 FIP, and 3.23 Deserved Run Average (DRA, per Baseball Prospectus). After re-signing with the Red Sox, he'd be one of the spring's top breakout picks if not for glaring durability and inconsistency concerns. Last year, he went from yielding one run in three combined starts to 21 in his next four. Eovaldi might give investors some headaches on the way to strong SP4 numbers in 150 innings.

Hernandez may be about as boring as it gets, but you should be glad to welcome 15 homers, 20 steals and 90 runs onto your roster. That is the production he gave fantasy owners last year and you may want to keep in mind that he had a .294 batting average the two previous seasons.

If he stays healthy, Eaton could go down as one of 2018's biggest steals. Pun somewhat intended, as he swiped nine of 10 opportunities in just 95 games when not sidelined by an ankle injury. Probably more important to his stock, he hit .301 with a .394 OBP, giving him an average and OBP above .280 and .360, respectively, in each of the last five seasons. That could give him an opportunity to bat ahead of Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto atop Washington's lineup. If his body cooperates, he'd become 2019's Michael Brantley.

Signed by Seattle this winter, Kikuchi heads to the U.S. with a career 2.77 ERA in eight seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. The Japanese signee is expected to make his MLB debut in the Tokyo Dome, giving some last-minute drafters a sneak peek that could vastly sway his cost. Since Kikuchi is accustomed to working in a six-man rotation, Seattle plans to limit him to around five innings per start, which jeopardizes his win potential but could help fortify his ratios. He's a bit of an unknown without a sky-high ceiling, but the 27-year-old southpaw could make a solid mid-rotation piece if competitors get scared off by his uncertainty.

Schoop takes a hit this season in home ballpark factor, but even still, has been a consistent enough source of power that fantasy owners can accept his .233 batting average from last year. Keep in mind, also, he carried a .293 mark in 2017 so the upside is there for a big season again.

The experts (146) and ADP (179) are still dreaming of what Schwarber could be rather than accepting who he is: a left-handed Evan Gattis with more walks and strikeouts. Both burly sluggers, unfortunately, no longer have catcher eligibility. While Schwarber can contribute in OBP or OPS leagues, the career .228 hitter is an average liability who won't make up for the glaring liability if the Cubs keep limiting his playing time. If lucky, drafters will get a .240, 30-homer outfielder with more intriguing power bats (Hunter Renfroe, Justin Smoak, Jake Lamb, a much cheaper Jay Bruce or Randal Grichuk) still on the board. Drafters could stay in Chicago and take the same power gambit on Daniel Palka over 100 picks later.

Catcher's don't often get 450 trips to the plate, but Tadi has done it every year since 2008. As you can imagine, the runs and RBIs pile up with extra playing time, and it certainly helps that he increases your team's batting average and may add another 20 homers this season.

Voit was extraordinary for the Yankees once they acquired him from St. Louis last year. In fact, he may have been one of the best hitters in baseball. Don't expect that for all of 2019, but don't be shocked if he puts up a Jesus Aguilar type of season either.

 

Ramos missed most of 2017 and struggled while he was healthy, but that seems to be the outlier, as he was tremendous in both 2016 and 2018, batting over .300 both seasons with plenty of power. Ramos is one of the safest fantasy catchers and may have as much upside as anyone besides Sanchez and Realmuto.

Smith doesn't have much competition for saves at this point, but he hasn't exactly been the most durable reliever. More importantly, he will be a valuable trade chip mid-season as a lefty setup man, so take the saves while you can with Smith, but know they might not stick around all year.

Ryu was terrific when healthy last season, posting a 1.97 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 9.73 K/9 across 15 starts. You can never expect more than around 100 innings from Ryu, but they'll be good innings -- think a 3.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 9+ K/9.

A former elite prospect, Glasnow couldn't quite get his act together in Pittsburgh, but things started looking up when he was moved to the Rays. He struggled mightily with the long ball during his brief stint in Tampa, but the much more important thing is that he nearly cut his walk rate in half. Glasnow can miss bats with the best of them, so if he can stop giving away so many free passes we could suddenly be looking at a pitcher who can provide solid ratios to go along with the elite strikeout numbers. He's an exciting breakout candidate.

 

Spring stats often get overblown, but how do you ignore someone throwing 103 mph and collecting eight strikeouts in his first 16 batters faced? Armed with what pitching coach Mike Maddux called "the best fastball I've ever seen," Hicks brandishes elite upside despite posting a middling 3.59 ERA and 7.4 K-BB% in his rookie season. Remember, the Cardinals bumped him up straight from Single-A, so the 22-year-old is still developing. He just may ascend into a top-shelf reliever as soon as this season, and it's possible that dominance would land him save opportunities. If opening 2019 as the Cardinals' closer, Hicks wields league-winning upside.

 

Once deemed a future superstar, Buxton spent most of 2018 in Triple-A after batting .156 with a -3 wRC+ in 94 dreadful big league plate appearances. It's understandable to write him off, but he remains an elite defender who posted Statcast's highest sprint speed. While his 20-homer, 40-steal hasn't vanished, it's an increasingly less likely dream that would get accompanied by a minuscule batting average. He should have to fall beyond the top-200 picks before taking the high-risk plunge.

Polanco batted .288 for fantasy owners in a shortened season last year and offers respectable power and speed. Don't be surprised if he knocks 15 homers with 15 steals this season.

Drafters would be forgiven for giving up on Gray, who continually fails to transfer his FIP (3.68) to a strong ERA (4.65). Coors can't take the full blame; he posted a 5.34 ERA on the road last season. Demoted during the season, he threw out a triumphant July return (1.66) by yielding 35 runs in his final 58.2 frames. With a four-seamer rocked to a career .326/.401/.512 slash line, Gray might never escape this purgatory, at least not with the Rockies. Then again, at least he's cheap now. Given the elite strikeout stuff, he might be worth a dart throw in shallower leagues. Investors, however, must be willing to pull the cord if his Jekyll and Hyde profile persists.

Although Posey isn't likely a .300 hitter anymore, his .280s batting average is the equivilant of a .310 hitter when compared to the replacement-level at his position. Add in a dozen homers, if he can stay healthy this year, and you've got yourself a boring, yet extremely useful top 8 fantasy catcher.

Before most of the majors even started the season, Olson got hit on his right hand by a pitch in Tokyo. He underwent hamate surgery, which will keep him out of action for at least a month. A tricky injury from which to recover, he may also need some time to rediscover his power upon returning. Just like that, a popular breakout pick throughout the offseason becomes someone to ignore -- unless given a sizable discount -- in drafts right before the league-wide Opening Day.

It is too bad we can't track web gems for fantasy baseball because Simmons just isn't as valuable in fantasy. Despite the lack of power, he doesn't offer some value in the fact that he should hit in the .280s with double-digit steals and near 70 runs scored.

 

A quiet difference-maker down the stretch, Laureano batted .288/.358/.474 with five homers and seven steals in 48 games with the A's. He's unlikely to sustain that average with a 28.4% strikeout rate, and his .388 BABIP is likely to fall in a larger sample. He also had no answer for major league breaking balls (.188 wOBA), a weakness pitchers should attack after getting a better scouting report. Yet the 24-year-old outfielder, who offered 14 homers and 11 steals in Triple-A before last summer's promotion, offers an intriguing power-speed repertoire as an OF4 or 5. His glove should also keep him on the field. He hits the ball hard enough to reasonably draft for a .260, 15/15 output while hoping for more.

 

The latest byproduct of Cardinal Devil Magic, Bader broke out with 12 homers, 15 steals, and a 3.5 fWAR in 138 games. The WAR doesn't directly help fantasy investors, but stellar defense in center field should preserve a starting job on a crowded Cardinals roster with one corner-outfield spot left for Dexter Fowler, Tyler O'Neill, and Jose Martinez. A 29.3 K% and .220 xBA threaten his passable .264 batting average and said security, but there's also a high steals ceiling with last year's ninth-highest Statcast Sprint Speed Score (29.9 feet/second). Don't go overboard on his rookie success.

One of this spring's trendiest risers, Paddack has turned heads with 20 strikeouts and two walks in 12.2 frames. This type of dominance is nothing new for the 6'4" righty, who registered an absurd 120 strikeouts to eight walks in 90 innings between Single-A and Double-A last season. After signing Manny Machado, the Padres may call up their prized prospect early in the season to prove they mean business. Yet Paddack assumed a limited workload last season after undergoing Tommy John in 2016, so he still may not toss more than 145 major league innings despite making the Opening Day roster. That's a problem to worry about later; the rookie needs to be owned in all leagues.

Despite his career 21.0% strikeout rate, Musgrove offers upside potential as a late-round flier. An 11.5% swinging-strike rate suggests he could fan more batters, especially if he maintains last summer's uptick in slider usage. He also wields excellent control, as shown by issuing just seven walks in 10 second-half starts. His .281 xwOBA matched that of Patrick Corbin, narrowly besting James Paxton and Pirates teammate Jameson Taillon. He has the makings of a sneaky SP3 who will only cost a bench pick.

Smoak may not have hit 38 homers with 90 RBIs again like he did in 2017, but there is certainly nothing wrong with the 25 and 77 line he put together. His .242 batting average hurts, but at this stage in the draft, you have to give a little to get this type of power.

Skaggs sported a 2.66 ERA prior to getting dismantled for 10 runs on July 31. After going on the shelf with an adductor strain, he allowed seven runs in his return before landing right back on the DL. Those calamities, and a couple of other rough outings to end the season, torpedoed his final ERA to 4.02. Yet he also recorded a 3.64 FIP, 24.2 K% 11.0% swinging-strike rate through 24 starts. The messy finish concealed his first-half breakout, which is hardly reflected in his cost outside the top-50 starters.

You won't get much help from Semien in terms of batting average, but he is a good bet for 15 homers and 15 steals, plus last season he provided fantasy owners with 89 runs scored. Expect more of the same from this durable and reliable depth piece.

 

Reports were suggesting that Vizcaino was in a closer battle with A.J. Minter, but now that Minter is banged up, it seems as though Vizcaino will open the season as the closer for a playoff contending team. That should make him worthwhile to draft, but that doesn't exactly mean he will hang onto the job for long if he slips up.

Jon Lester had 18 wins with a 3.32 ERA in 2018, so everyone seems to just assume he is still an ace. That couldn't be further from the truth, however. His skill-indicative ERA was 47th out of 57 qualified pitchers and he was a disaster in the second half. Like his former teammate, Jake Arrieta, things can fall apart quickly even for those who were once at the top of the game. He shouldn't be touched until at least the 13th round in a standard sized redraft league this year.

Let's not forget how awesome Stripling was to start the season. He posted a 2.39 ERA with an MLB-high 11.38 BB/K ratio before the All-Star break. Despite finishing with a 3.02 ERA, he underperformed a .266 xwOBA that finished ninth among all starters. A potential top-25 starter if provided a secure job, he's instead a dicey top-50 choice with the Dodgers likely to give Kenta Maeda the fifth spot after Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Rich Hill, and Hyun-Jin Ryu. He'll earn some starts eventually, potentially to start the season if Kershaw (shoulder inflammation) and/or Buehler (arm) aren't ready, but Stripling may not significantly exceed last year's 122 innings. The skills make him worth a plunge at the right spot, especially with injuries already beginning to pile up for the NL champs.

Some are under the impression that Miller was signed to close in St. Louis, but the Cardinals have made it clear that Miller will be a multi-inning middle of the game type of beast like we saw in his Cleveland days. Rather, Jordan Hicks or potentially even Carlos Martinez will close. Regardless, Miller should be able to pile up the Ks and keep his ratios down enough to warrant a late-round pick.

Following a rocky return from Tommy John surgery, Heaney made major strides by submitting 180 strikeouts in as many innings last season. Since he also issued just 45 walks, a 3.74 SIERA hints at improvement from last season's 4.15 ERA. The spotty health history and mediocre sinker present concerns, but he flashed ace upside with five double-digit strikeout gems. Don't sleep on Heaney as a borderline top-40 starter with breakout appeal. Early elbow discomfort, however, will push back his 2019 debut.

 

Hamilton is going to give you no power, of course, and his batting average will almost certainly drag you down, but 50 steals will more than make up for both of those problem spots. If you are low on steals in the middle of your draft, Hamilton can quickly solve that problem.

 

Kepler's incremental raises in home runs (17, 19, 20) and wOBA (.313, .315, .316) suggest he's still a boring player not progressing nearly rapidly enough to target in most mixed leagues. Yet he made some significant gains in 2018 that point to more significant development. The outfielder improved his walk (11.6%) and strikeout (15.7%) rates to personal bests while also making notable leaps in fly balls (46.2%) and hard hits (37.1%). These gains should yield a higher batting average than last year's .224 with the potential for 25 homers if given another 611 plate appearances. Most drafters have already closed the book on Kepler as a meddling depth piece after three full seasons, but the 26-year-old could finally expedite his growth with a full-fledged breakout.

Bell has shown us a .273 batting average before and another year he swatted 26 homers with 90 RBIs. Last year was a little bit in between, but he has the potential to do both one day and perhaps this year.

 

McHugh was terrific in relief for the Astros last season and is now slated for a return to the starting rotation. This is a pitcher capable of helping in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts, and the win potential is certainly there as well. He's a nice sleeper.

Although Bauers was awful last year with a .201 batting average, there is plenty of reason for optimism. Bauers should provide 15 to 20 homers with double-digit steals and a significantly better batting average in 2019.

Although Baltimore may only win 50 games, Givens is one of the closers who has no competition for saves on his team. Even 25 save opportunities is better than what someone like Josh Hader or Zach Britton will get. Pair that with another 80 strikeouts and respectable ratios and we are looking at a top 30 fantasy reliever.

It is too bad that we don't get to see Ohtani pitch this season since he was so dominant, but his bat is very nearly on the same level. His full season pace last year had him at 34 homers, 16 steals, 95 RBIs, 92 runs and a .285 BA. That is a second round level season. Granted, he likely won't debut until May since he is recovering from an injury, but remember that he was only 23 last year and will finally get to focus on just hitting for the first time in his life.

Wood will open 2019 on the IL with a back injury, but don't forget about him. Even before getting hurt, he was overlooked in drafts despite carrying a career 3.29 ERA and 3.36 FIP and gaining job security with a move from the Dodgers to the Reds. The park change and diminished velocity have caused valid concerns, but the 28-year-old righty should remain a solid No. 4 or 5 starter when healthy.

 

Brandon Morrow is technically the Cubs' closer, but it seems as though he will miss at least a month to open the season. That makes Strop the likely replacement and for one of the best teams in baseball. Don't be surprised if Morrow misses longer or even losses the job to Strop while he is on the IL.

Although you may expect Herrera to be the closer battle in Chicago, some reports are suggesting that Colome has the upper-hand in the competition. This will be one to watch in spring training to see how it plays out. If Colome gets the job, he would be a top 25 closer.

Keuchel will open 2019 without a team. Even if he signs, don't get too excited. Remember how a prolonged free agency worked out for Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, and Greg Holland last year? After posting a 3.74 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with an underwhelming 153 strikeouts in 204.2 innings, the 31-year-old lefty isn't particularly alluring in shallow mixed leagues anyway. Drafters shouldn't feel too guilty about dropping him in a 10- or 12-team mixed league with limited bench slots.

Gennett will miss two to three months to start 2019 after spraining his groin at the end of spring training. Those who drafted the second baseman who stash him beyond the shallowest of mixed leagues, as he was one of eight players to bat at least .300 with 50 homers through the past two seasons. Yet the Statcast data remains skeptical. No hitter with a least 350 plate appearances had a wider gap between wOBA (.362) and xwOBA (.311) in 2018.

White closed out the season on a terror for Houston, finishing with an .888 OPS. He likely will open the season as their DH and has a chance at breaking out, but may be pushed out of the lineup by Kyle Tucker if he slips up.

While he won't help much in batting average, Cron did hit 30 homers in just 140 games last season. He may see a further bump with full playing time and a ballpark upgrade from Tampa to Minnesota.

 

 

 

Gurriel isn't going to mash 25 homers like many of the others going in his late-round range, but he is a sure-bet to boost your batting average which is difficult to find as the draft comes to a close.

Mancini's batting average dropped 50 points last year, but much of that was due to a rough BABIP. While he likely won't bounce-back up to the .290's his batting average likely won't kill you while he provides another 25 homers for fantasy owners.

While Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier both starting 2019 on the IL, Alonso forced the Mets' hand and won an Opening Day by displayed his Herculean power throughout spring training. The rookie could promptly crush 30 long balls if locked into the starting role all year. Their infield, however, could get crowded when Lowrie and Frazier return, so he may need to hit out of the gate to preserve a big league role.

 

We have seen enough from Marte to know he will never produce useful batting averages or the speed he teased as a prospect. There is something to be said for an everyday player in terms of counting stats, but outside of that, he is replacement-level.

Gausman will begin 2019 on the IL with a minor shoulder injury, but he could return as soon as April 5. He's still a sneaky post-hype sleeper whose strikeout rate dipped to 19.1% despite a career-high 11.3% swinging-strike rate. Once freed from Baltimore, he boasted a 2.87 ERA in 10 starts with the Braves.

Assuming Craig Kimbrel does not return, Barnes is reportedly the favorite to serve as Boston's closer. Barnes is coming off an impressive 2018 campaign in which his 14.01 K/9 was fourth-highest among all pitchers who threw at least 60 innings. His struggles with command (3.85 career BB/9) should keep his ERA north of 3.00 and WHIP above 1.20, but he can still be a pretty significant mixed-league asset if he's earning most of the team's saves.

You may not feel great about drafting Lamb after his trainwreck 2018 season, but he is just one year removed from 30 homers and 105 RBIs so don't sleep on him bouncing back. With that said, the move to the humidor in Arizona makes it seem as though his ceiling is a bit lower than what we saw from him in 2017.

Looking like no more than a short-end platoon bat, Renfroe unearthed his raw power to rake 19 home runs in 60 second-half games. That late surge helped secure some fantasy titles, but the price isn't rising since he must compete with Wil Myers, Manuel Margot, Franmil Reyes, and Franchy Cordero for playing time in San Diego's outfield. A 112 wRC+ against righties should give him a shot to avoid a small-portioned timeshare, but any slump could promptly cost the 27-year-old playing time. He's also a solid bet to pop 30 long balls if given just 500 plate appearances, so don't sleep on him if competitors are avoiding a crowded outfield.

Bradley looked like the overwhelming favorite to close in the desert, but the situation became considerably cloudier when the Diamondbacks signed Greg Holland in January. Manager Torey Lovullo now expects to have "a nice little competition" for the job. Bradley's ERA ballooned to 3.64 last season, but his xFIP and SIERA suggest he was pretty much the same pitcher as he was in 2017. He just stranded fewer baserunners and surrendered more home runs. Although unlikely to be nearly as dominant as he was in 2017, he should certainly be better than Holland.

Entrenched in a heated battle for Colorado's second-base gig, Hampson has teased immense fantasy upside with three homers and five steals in his first 13 spring games. The career .315/.389/.457 minor league hitter has swiped 125 bases in three professional seasons, so he could be a major difference-maker if given the opportunity to start regularly while calling Coors Field home. Drafters still must be careful, as Ryan McMahon and Pat Valakia are also making compelling cases for playing time this spring. Hampson, however, would help fantasy investors the most, and thus warrants a late-round gamble.

Plenty are suggesting that Blake Parker was brought in to be the closer for Minnesota, but

 

After batting .323 across three minor league levels in 2017, Jansen hit .275 with 12 homers and five steals through 88 games in AAA in 2018 before earning an August call-up to the Blue Jays. He hit .247 with three homers over 31 games in Toronto, and it's reasonable to expect him to maintain a similar pace over his first full Big League season with the potential for more. Given the sorry state of the catcher position, it could make sense to take a chance on Jansen's unknown upside once the seven or eight surefire starters at the position are off the board.

Franco has always had plenty of potential, but has yet to put it together for a full season. Over his final 350 at-bats last year, he was excellent and now that the Phillies bulked up their lineup, it is possible that Franco could break out for a .280, 25 homer, 100 RBI season.

With LeMahieu now away from Coors, you can't expect him to hit .348 again, or even .300. His stolen bases have essentially disappeared over the past few seasons and we aren't likely to get double-digit homers either. At this point, LeMahieu is a replacement level fantasy asset.

Although prone to waning command on a start-to-start basis, Martinez had offered year-to-year consistency for three durable seasons before a shoulder injury limited him to 119.2 innings last season. He allowed three runs in 18.1 innings as a reliever down the stretch, which reportedly had the Cardinals considering a bullpen role even before shutting him down with a shoulder setback. The 27-year-old righty, who owns a career 3.37 ERA and 8.82 K/9, may no longer be available to open 2019 in the rotation. Daring drafters could snag him at an even cheaper price, but the health and usage risks alongside last year's 11.5% walk rate make him far from a lock to rebound.

 

Betances is merely a closer in waiting, but besides Josh Hader, the best in the game. He is a sure bet for 90+ Ks, with upside ranging to nearly 130. Likewise, his ratios will be terrific each year and you can even rely on a handful of wins and saves too.

Now that Cabrera is with the Rangers and expected to play every day, we can feel comfortable grabbing him late in drafts as a reliable source of power to go with a decent batting average.

The Padres presented a pleasant surprise by including Tatis on their Opening Day roster. Arguably MLB's best prospect behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the 20-year-old shortstop batted .286/.355/.507 with 16 homers and steals apiece in 88 Double-A games last season. He also recorded a 27.7% strikeout rate, so expect some growing pains in his debut. An early slump could send him back to the minors, where Luis Urias will wait for another call-up. Like Yoan Moncada, Tatis could offer double-digit homers and steals with a low batting average, but he's certainly worth rostering just in case he breaks out sooner than expected.

Although Greene had a rough 2018 season, he comes into this year as the expected closer for Detroit. Joe Jimenez might take over before long, but as long as Greene continues to offer saves and strikeouts, he deserves a roster spot.

You may not feel sexy drafting Ryan Zimmerman, but he is just one year removed from hitting 36 homers with a .303 batting average and 108 RBIs. Last year wasn't bad either with an .824 OPS, but he caught the injury bug again. He is a classic boom or bust late-round pick.

Adames broke onto the scene last year as a 22-year-old posting a 19-homer, 11 stolen base pace with a .278 batting average. It was a limited sample size, however, and there are still some holes in his swing. Think of him on the same terms as Dansby Swanson who also had a nice rookie campaign before everyone realized he had quite a bit to go offensively.

Senzel can't catch a break. Shortly after getting optioned to Triple-A, he suffered a sprained ankle that will sideline him for a few weeks to start the season. That derails his chances of replacing the injured Scooter Gennett (groin) at second base. Most scouts believe the 23-year-old can make an immediate mark, but injuries and a crowded Reds lineup could continue to delay his anticipated debut. The latest setback makes it tougher to stash him in standard mixed leagues.

Strahm is the ultimate sleeper, as he is a great bet to post killer numbers if he beats out the odds and makes the Padres rotation. He has been a stud in the bullpen when healthy but may end up there once again.

 

The majority of Dominguez' appeal was ruined when the Phillies signed David Robertson, who will almost certainly be their closer. With that said, Dominguez should be a three-category monster and well worth owning even without the saves.

Morrow is working his way back from an elbow injury that should cost him the first month of the season. He was very good last season and will earn $9 million this year, so it's certainly possible he regains the closer job even if Pedro Strop is handling it well in his absence. He's a smart DL stash.

Reyes threw all of four innings in his return from Tommy John surgery before suffering a shoulder injury that knocked him out for the rest of the 2018 season. He enters 2019 as a total wildcard who isn't likely to be in the Opening Day rotation, but the talent is obvious. He could easily be a huge difference-maker for fantasy owners in the season's second half, if not earlier.

 

On a 162-game pace, Gurriel was a 27 homer hitter with a .281 batting average and 87 RBIs. He may not keep up that pace with a full season's worth of at bats, but you can argue that is his upside which would make for an exceptional value late in drafts.

Castillo only saw 49 games worth of action last season, but his bat was still quality when he played. Over the last five years, he averages 26 homers with a .261 BA and 85 RBIs per 162 games, so now that he is starting, fantasy owners can expect useful production out of him.

 

Minter was supposed to be in the heat of the competition for saves in Atlanta, and while that may happen down the road, an injury setback for him has handed the job over to Vizcaino. Unless you play in a deeper league, this should make Minter undraftable, but worth keeping an eye on in free agency.

 

Strickland recorded two saves before any other MLB team could win a game. Guess he's the 2019 fantasy MVP, right? Not quite, but this is a case that demands swift attention, as the Tokyo games confirmed his status as Seattle's closer. He also started 2018 strong in the same role for San Francisco before winding up with a 3.97 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, so don't get too carried away.

 

Martinez rakes, there is no doubt about that, but he also lost his path to playing time when Paul Goldschmidt was acquired this off-season. Now, he requires an injury to either Marcell Ozuna or Dexter Fowler/Tyler O'Neill to see more than 300 at-bats.

Josh James went from one of the best sleepers in fantasy baseball this year to a draft and stash when news surfaced that he has a strained quad and is now out of the rotation battle. Chances are that he will start in the minor leagues and be called up the moment a spot in the rotation becomes available. From the moment it happens, he should be a top 30 starter.

An intriguing bounce-back selection, Knebel is dealing with a UCL injury that has Brewers manager Craig Counsell concerned. Although one of the game's elite strikeout artists over the last two seasons, late drafters should avoid him in case the worst scenario is confirmed. Josh Hader could see more save opportunities, but the Brewers could still sign Craig Kimbrel or put someone else into the ninth-inning role so their best reliever can keep working in high-leverage spots.

Belt still hasn't surpassed 20 homers in any season and over the last two seasons, his batting average has dropped down below .255. If he can stay healthy for once, however, Belt may reach 25 homers if he keeps up his HR-rate.

Castro went from one of the best ballparks to the worst possible offensive ballpark last season and it showed in his stats as he dropped from a .300 batting average and 20 homer pace to 12 homers and just a .278 average. More than likely, that is the mediocre type of production fantasy owners will get this year.

The Dodgers will oddly relegate Taylor to a super-utility role after recording 7.9 fWAR over the last two years combined. Although he didn't fully repeat a breakout 2017, he was still a productive starter (113 wRC+, 3.1 WAR) in 2018. He's versatile enough to still play more often than not, and an injury (or poor performance from Enrique Hernandez as the full-time second baseman) could propel him right back into an everyday role. He's droppable in shallow mixed leagues with three starting outfielders and no corner/middle infielders, but everyone else should stand pat.

Steven Souza's season-ending knee surgery will likely clear up a starting spot for Jones, who still hit .281 with 15 homers in a down 2018. The durable veteran has averaged 151 games played over the past nine seasons, and he had gone seven straight seasons with at least 25 long balls before last year's decline. He's a boring depth piece who can help fill an injury void in deep leagues.

Peacock has been very effective as both a starter and reliever for the Astros over the last two seasons and looks likely to open the season in Houston's rotation this year. While it's possible he's eventually pushed out by Josh James or Forrest Whitley, Peacock can be nearly as valuable as a reliever, particularly in innings-capped roto leagues. He's well worth drafting.

Sano is out until at least May with a heel injury so he may not be worth drafting unless your league has DL spots available. If not, he is a great waiver wire pickup a few weeks into the season as his career per-162 profile is near identical to fifth round pick, Rhys Hoskins.

 

The Marlins likely won't win 70 games, but even so, there will be saves to be found on the roster and Steckenrider is the early favorite to get the job done. How long the role stays his is anyone's guess, but saves are saves so add him late if you are desperate.

 

Outside of Marwin's huge 2017 season, he hasn't offered much from an offensive perspective. There is some power, but his batting average will hurt fantasy teams and the depth chart doesn't guarantee even 450 at-bats for him.

 

 

Alonso wasn't especially impressive last year with a .250 batting average and just 23 homers, but he is just one year removed from posting an .866 OPS with Oakland and Seattle so don't discount a big bounce-back campaign.

Lowrie gave fantasy owners a surprising boost in power last season in Oakland and always offers a decent batting average. He might start the season on the DL with a knee injury, but once he returns, Lowrie should be owned in every league.

It is easy to look at a .300 batting average and assume a rookie will only get better. Wendle likely played over his head last year, though, and was a 28-year-old rookie. There is no power to his game, and while he may offer 15 to 20 steals, it won't be enough to make him anything more than a late-round pick.

Longoria had a rough season for fantasy owners in 2018, but the batting average was held back by an abnormally low BABIP and his power was right on track for another 20 to 25 homers had he been healthy for the full season. In deeper leagues, his reliability is exactly what you should be targeting.

 

 

Over the last four seasons, Flores has been a useful fantasy player when he gets at-bats, posting 21 homers, 72 RBIs and a .267 batting average per 162 games. He should see plenty of playing time in Arizona this year and qualifies at second base, driving up his value.

There is nothing sexy about drafting Candelario, but you can anticipate his batting average coming up 20 points this year, as he was among the most unlucky hitters in that department last year. Along with that, fantasy owners should get around 20 homers from him.

 

 

 

Zunino killed his fantasy teams in batting average last year, but he was up at .251 the year before so you'd have to think he will settle somewhere in between this year. When it comes with 20 homers and 50 RBIs at the catcher position, the batting average is much easier to swallow.

 

 

 

 

Hernandez's production has risen (67, 92, and 118 wRC+) along with playing time (244, 342, 462 PAs) over the past three seasons. The latter trend will at least continue, as he will open 2019 as the Dodgers' starting second baseman. He no longer needs to hide in a platoon after popping 12 homers and a 123 wRC+ against righties last season. His strikeouts also continue to decline, so the featured role could lead to a solid average with 20-25 homers. The 27-year-old is also eligible at least three positions (2B, SS, and OF), making him a useful spark plug to pluck off the waiver wire.

 

After hitting .424 with nine doubles and three homers in spring, McMahon made the Rockies' roster and Opening Day lineup. Also heavily hyped entering 2018, he managed a meager .232/.307/.683 slash line in 202 plate appearances. He'll also still have to compete with Garrett Hampson for playing time at second base, but all managers need to pay attention to a promising 24-year-old hitter who gets to play in Coors Field. The breakout may be coming a year later than anticipated.

 

 

 

 

Despite posting a 4.66 ERA last season and struggling to reach 90 mph in spring, Holland will open 2019 as Arizona's closer. Best-case scenario: He keeps the job and records 30 saves with an ugly ERA like Brad Boxberger last season. He could just as easily lose the job to Archie Bradley or Yoshihisa Hirano in April, so he's best deployed in deeper leagues.

After Parker signed with the Twins, many assumed he will be the closer, but it seems as though Trevor May is the favorite. In fact, Parker is likely the third-best reliever in this bullpen behind May and Rogers so beware on draft day.

Kang may not open the season as the starter in Pittsburgh, but with the way he is playing this spring, you'll want to keep a close eye on him. After all, we've seen Kang be a useful fantasy piece in years prior.

Seager is starting the season on the DL after hand surgery and may miss the first six weeks. As a result, you may not want to draft him, but he should be in the back of your mind as a waiver wire pickup within a couple of weeks. He is a reliable source of power and shouldn't hurt you in batting average as much as we saw last year.

 

Despite finishing top 10 in both strikeouts per nine innings and batting average against, Peralta is somehow not a lock to make the Brewers' rotation. If he pitches well enough in spring training, we've got one of the favorite candidates to break out this season. He'll have to earn his shot first.

Catcher is so bad that prospect pedigree has kept Mejia in top-10 consideration despite batting .176 (12-for-69) in the majors. Even his Triple-A production dipped (.279/.328/.426) after getting traded from Cleveland to San Diego, where Austin Hedges is still clamoring for reps behind the plate. Contact and power upside still makes the 23-year-old Mejia a viable dart throw for anyone who missed out on the big names. Those in one-catcher leagues, however, should move on quickly if he's not playing much in April.

 

Among all catchers with 200 plate appearances, Cervelli corralled the second-highest wOBA (.355) behind Wilson Ramos. His modest 12 homers comfortably cleared his previous high of seven, but concussions limited him to 404 plate appearances. He's unlikely to turn into a big bopper during his age-33 season, but Cervelli is a fine placeholder while healthy.

Initially a candidate for an early-season promotion, Luzardo was shut down for four-to-six weeks in late March because of a strained rotator cuff in his left shoulder. The 21-year-old southpaw still has a bright future, and he could conceivably headline Oakland's weak rotation by the summer. This setback, however, lessens the appeal of drafting and stashing him in shallower re-draft formats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Herrera was presumably signed to close for the White Sox, but they also added Alex Colome who has closing experience. This one is too close to call for now so you may want to add both in a late round just to make sure you get some saves.

The Astros don't currently have a spot for Tucker with Michael Brantley now joining George Springer and Josh Reddick in the outfield. With prospects like Tucker, however, there is no need for a spot. He is good enough that they will make room. When he gets the call, expect him to be a top 35 fantasy outfielder right away, and perhaps even more. Tucker may be the top draft and stash prospect this year if you've got room on your bench.

Stewart is expected to start for the Tigers, but their offense is so barren that he can't be relied on for many RBIs or runs. His batting average might be ok, but more likely, his power would be the calling card. He is one worth keeping an eye on, but shouldn't be on your draft radar in standard-sized mixed leagues.

 

Boxberger is expected to hold off Peralta for the Royals' closer job, and while it may not be the most envied role, he should still be able to compile 20 to 25 saves if he can hang onto the job. His ratios won't be ideal, but he does offer some K-upside as we've seen before.

 

 

 

 

 

Assuming the Red Sox keep their word and don't re-sign Kimbrel, Braiser will be battling it out with Matt Barnes for one of the most coveted closer jobs in the league. If he wins it, you can count on stellar ratios to go along with all the save opportunities.

 

Alfaro is dealing with a knee issue that may keep him out at the start of the season, but he has so little competition in Miami that fantasy owners may still get 350 to 400 at-bats and the counting stats that go with it. Don't be surprised if he hits near his career .270 average once again either.

 

 

 

Richards carried a 4.42 ERA with 4 wins last year and formerly played independent baseball after going undrafted. It helps, however, that he has the best changeup in baseball. Richards' changeup is Trevor Hoffman-esque. It carried a 41.2% whiff rate with a .214 xWOBA. It certainly helped his performance when he adjusted by throwing it 38% of the time instead of 23% of the time at the start of the season. In those closing months, hitters were so focused on his filthy change-up that his slider suddenly became even more deadly than the changeup. With two of the most useful pitches in baseball, Richards could breakout this year in Miami much like Jake Peavy did in in 2004 after a rough start to his career.

Barnhart doesn't have the best bat, but his elite defense will keep him on the field for nearly 500 at-bats again. In a killer Red's lineup, that should be plenty to get him the counting stats he needs to be draftable.

 

Pressly isn't expected to pick up more than a save or two this season because of Roberto Osuna's presence, but if Osuna were to suffer an injury, Pressly would likely take over the job and be a top 10 closer right away.

Surprisingly demoted to Triple-A, Happ will open 2019 on many waiver wires while working his way back to the majors. Despite his strikeout woes, the 24-year-old has displayed a strong batting eye and solid pop for the Cubs. There's a good chance he'll quickly work his way back to the bigs, so monitor closely in shallow leagues and keep him stashed in deeper formats.

 

Jeffress could again see save opportunities in Milwaukee this season, but Corey Knebel is the favorite to lead the closer committee. Regardless, Jeffress can help enough in other areas (Ks, ERA, WHIP) to be worth rostering in many formats even if he isn't closing. If you're skeptical, consider this: Josh Hader and Jeffress finished as the third and fourth most-valuable relievers in standard 5

 

Ottavino might be stuck behind Chapman, Betances, Britton and Chad Green for the closer job, but he is a force of nature who could strike out 100 batters this season to go with sparkling ratios and a handful of wins. Don't hesitate to add him late in drafts to boost you in three categories.

 

 

The Astros replaced Keuchel with Wade Miley and Charlie Morton with rookie Josh James, but now that he is hurt, you'd better believe that as soon as Whitley is ready, the Astros will call him up. Assuming that is before the All-Star break, Whitley is an excellent draft and stash option if you have enough bench spots. He could have a Walker Buehler like impact from the get-go.

 

 

 

Chirinos likely won't get 450 at-bats like some of the other names above him, but he is the starter for Houston which should come with it's share of runs and RBIs. The batting average clearly won't be ideal, but his 15 to 20 HR power off-sets that pain.

 

 

 

Gomes was one of only two catchers last year to bat .266 with 50+ runs scored. That may not feel like much, but the catching position is rough. He'll add 15 homers too, making him a top 10 fantasy catching option this year.

 

Kipnis has been around forever and reached his peak long ago, but he is still just 32 years old and has plenty of baseball left in him. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, it will come without any speed or a quality batting average. Still, 20 homers and 70 RBIs will do the trick as a late-round pick.

 

With five, yes FIVE, talented starting pitchers ready to make a rookie splash in Atlanta, projection models aren't too sure what to make of Soroka, but he is the most polished and we expect him to come out of Spring Training with a spot in the rotation. Soroka has premier command of his pitches, and while he isn't a big strikeout guy, we could be looking at a Kyle Hendricks like fantasy asset. That is someone you'll want to get your hands on if he emerges as the Braves #5 starter.

 

Most depth charts have Shane Greene slotted into the closer role for Detroit but this job is up in the air. Jimenez was an all-star last season, and while he pitched poorly down the stretch, don't sleep on him winning the job this spring.

Cozart may miss time at the start of the season with a mild calf strain, and after his 2018 performance, it is fair to forget about him, but don't be so quick to forget how excellent he was in 2017 with the Reds, knocking 24 homers with a .297 batting average in just 122 games.

It is tempting to draft everyone's favorite short chubby catcher, but the fact of the matter is that he likely won't even open the season on the big league club. There is some intrigue here if/when he gets called up, but until then, he belongs on the waivers.

 

Crawford is never going to steal bases or hit for a great average, but you can count on him to play 150 games which will add up in the RBIs and runs department, plus he is good for a dozen homers every year.

 

 

 

 

Gregorius should be plenty useful with power and batting average when he returns, but it likely won't be until after the all-star break, so unless you have plenty of DL spots available, he is better left undrafted in standard-sized leagues.

 

 

 

 

 

Urias will open in Triple-A after the Padres surprisingly gave his spot to uber-prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. As a contact-orientated hitter, Urias doesn't elicit as much excitement from a fantasy perspective. He's not a necessary stash in re-draft mixed leagues, but dynasty players should try to use the demotion as a buy-low opportunity.

Green wasn't as electric in 2018 as the year before, but he still registered 94 strikeouts with excellent ratios and 8 wins. He isn't the closer, nor does he have a path to saves, but you can certainly make a case for drafting him even in standard sized leagues.

 

 

 

 

Swanson had another rough season for fantasy owners in 2018, batting .238, but he did manage 14 homers and 10 stolen bases in a shortened season and let's not forget that there is untapped potential here as well. He isn't the worst late-round flier.

Will Smith is the closer for now in San Francisco but he hasn't been all that durable, plus he may be on the trade market before long as a coveted lefty setup man. Don't sleep on Melancon getting saves again within a few months.

 

Britton isn't going to be the closer in New York, nor is he likely the next man up since Dellin Betances is also ahead of him, but Britton is still well worth owning if your league allows you to start four or five relievers. He will help your ratios significantly while adding nearly 80 Ks as usual.

The Mets added the best closer in baseball this off-season so Familia takes a step back, but if anything happens to Diaz, Familia is the clear closer-in-waiting and would be top 20 at the position right away.

 

 

 

 

Vasquez is the closer in Pittsburgh for now, but Kela has immense upside if he slips up or is injured so be sure to keep him on waiver wire speed dial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lugo is one of those rare assets who qualifies as both a starting pitcher and reliever. Most likely, he will be used exclusively in the bullpen where he may pile up another 100 innings of stellar ratios.

Suzuki has been useful the last two seasons with a .276 batting average, 31 HRs and 100 RBIs in 623 at-bats, but his playing time is expected to take a hit as he likely backs up Yan Gomes in Washington. Even so, he is better than punting the position altogether.

 

 

If you play in a deeper league, Castillo can be a ratio master that racks up plenty of saves, or better yet, if you employ the Marmol Strategy, Castillo qualifies as a starting pitcher so you can plug him on days where you don't have enough starters going.

 

Camargo flew under the radar last season and somehow swatted 19 homers and batted .272 in a utility role. He should get back to those 450 at-bats this year thanks to all the positions he plays, and we know his bat can be trusted while he is in the lineup.

 

Zobrist isn't going to see 500 at-bats, nor does he offer much in the way of power or speed, but he is a reliable source of batting average late in drafts and that should be enough to warrant owning him as a depth piece.

 

 

Kelly is a real player, believe it or not. The reason you haven't heard of him is because he has been playing in South Korea the last few years. You might not know it from looking, but his 3.60 ERA and 9.0 K/9 actually made him the most impressive pitcher in the KBO. The reason, of course, is that virtually every game in that league is played in a Coors Field like offensive environment. Kelly doesn't quite have the control of a Miles Mikolas, but he has better strikeout stuff and could be every bit the surprise off the waiver wire in April if he makes the rotation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedges is no help in the batting average department, but he has enough power (32 homers in his last 700 at-bats) that he warrants a late-round pick if you still need a catcher. If he gets traded mid-season to clear up room for Mejia, Hedges could see a bump in his offensive production away from San Diego's ballpark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boxberger is expected to have the closer job in Kansas City to start the season, but he is among the worst closers in baseball so keep Peralta on speed dial in case he takes over the job.

Initially an intriguing post-hype flier, Calhoun lost a roster spot to Hunter Pence following a dreadful spring. After getting held in the minors because of his glove, his bat (.602 OPS) didn't keep him in the majors last season. The 24-year-old still carries considerable contact and power upside, but managers can't afford to wait on him in smaller mixed leagues.

 

 

 

 

Frazier is already a little banged up and has Peter Alonso breathing down his neck, but as long as he is in the lineup, you can expect a 25 homer, 10 stolen base pace, but with a lousy batting average that will bring your team down. Even still, he is a worthwhile depth piece in deeper leagues.

 

 

There is reason to be excited about Tom Murphy, but as for now, Iannetta is the starter in Coors Field so don't hesitate to add him in two catcher leagues despite his lackluster batting averages.

 

 

 

Kingery was dreadful last year. No one can deny that, but he is still young and offers 20/20 upside if his bat finds a way into the lineup at any number of positions. The is minimal risk at taking a chance on him late in drafts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although Perez likely won't steal 34 bases like we saw in 2016, he is a sufficient source of speed late into drafts with enough at-bats that he'll add counting stats. There won't be much in the way of power, but his batting average won't kill you either.

 

 

Now that the Dodgers signed A.J. Pollock, it seems unlikely that Verdugo will make an impact in the majors until June. When he does, we are looking at a startable fantasy outfielder, but he isn't quite worth drafting in standard leagues as a stash and hold.

 

 

It seems as though Pedro Strop will be the closer to open the season and eventually Brandon Morrow will get the job back. There is a chance Edwards slips in as the closer, however, but he has plenty of upside regardless of saves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honeywell was ready for the MLB rotation last year before he was shut down for the season. There is a chance he breaks camp with the big league club in Tampa, but more likely, he will get more seasoning in the minors before making the jump. When he does, we are probably looking at a top 60 fantasy starting pitcher.

 

If you are desperate at catcher, Brian McCann may be better than punting the position altogether. He does still have serviceable power, but he won't play often as the backup in Atlanta and his batting average will likely drag your team back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May and Parker are seemingly in a batter at the top of Minnesota's depth chart, but Rogers is the type of guy who could find himself in the role at some point, and if it were to happen, he would dominate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Brandon Morrow out, the Cubs' closer job will likely end up in Strop or Edwards' hands, but keep an eye on Cishek just in case he takes the coveted role for a month or two to start the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erlin may not be a household name and you'll never feel sexy about drafting him, but if you want quality ratios, especially WHIP, he will answer the call late into drafts as your 6th starting pitcher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hudson has quality stuff and produced for the Redbirds last season, but he is going to have a difficult time beating out both Alex Wainwright and Alex Reyes for the final spot in St. Louis' rotation. If it happens, he will be worth owning, but don't bank on it until we get more info.