by Ray Kuhn

Power. That is what we can expect out of the Designated Hitter position from the Kansas City Royals in 2017. We might not get much else as Brandon Moss and Peter O’Brien each have struggled to make contact in the past, and the latter doesn’t even have a major league track record, but 40 home runs between the two could be a safe projection.

The Royals did not have to spend much to acquire them this off-season, a $12 million commitment over two seasons for Moss and waiver claim for O’Brien, but both could have value for fantasy owners. That is, if they are used and drafted correctly; as end game selections and depth options. Of course in AL-only leagues, both will be likely starting each week (especially Moss), and they could be a good source of power if you spend resources at other positions.

Perhaps one of the best things you can say about Moss, aside from his power, is that you know what you are getting from him. He is versatile enough in the field, first base and both corner outfield positions, and he has averaged 25.5 home runs in each of his last four seasons while driving in an average of 73 runs. Within that time period, Moss has averaged 457 at bats per season, and while there is certainly the possibility for more in Kansas City this season, I wouldn’t go into the season expecting much more from Moss. Read more

by Ray Kuhn

With the acquisition of Logan Forsythe, the Dodgers ensured that they will be going into the season with a definitive solution at second base. It will not have the same impact as Brian Dozier would have, but Forsythe has the potential to be a valuable piece for Los Angeles.

The question then, from a fantasy perspective, is how much and to what extent?

Forsythe’s role is not going to change following the trade, he will still be a starting second baseman and the lead-off hitter, but he now is part of a better lineup than he was in Tampa Bay. While that will give Forsythe a slight boost, I otherwise would expect more of the same from him in 2017. So, let’s take a look at what that is. Read more

by Ray Kuhn

Until we got to September, Neil Walker’s first season with the Mets was, overall, going pretty well. And this is despite the fact that he was dealing with a herniated disk in the second half of the season. However, you wouldn’t know it by looking at his statistics.

In fact, Walker’s second half of his first season with the Mets was better than the first; even despite the back woes. And after his season ending surgery, Walker appears to be all systems go for his sophomore season in New York.

So, then why is he currently the 20th second baseman being selected in NFBC drafts with an ADP of 246.5?

In 273 at bats in the first half of last season, Walker hit .264 with 15 home runs and 35 RBI while he dealt with a prolonged slump in the early part of the season. Walker then followed that up by hitting .317 in his next 139 at bats with eight home runs and 20 RBI. Read more

by Ray Kuhn

At first glance, the Angels signing of Luis Valbuena doesn’t quite make sense. Los Angeles is trying to cut costs, yet they gave the corner infielder a $15 million commitment over the next two seasons without him having a true role.

However, that is exactly the point. Valbuena happens to be a very valuable insurance policy who will most certainly have a role with the Angels in 2017.

While Albert Pujols isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, he also isn’t getting younger. Combine that with the fact that he is coming off foot surgery this winter and the distinct possibility for him not to be ready to start the season, and it is difficult to fully count on Pujols.

Last season he didn’t show any signs of slowing down in the power department as he hit 37 home runs and drove in 119, but we can’t expect to see Pujols play in 152 games again. Currently, Pujols is being selected as the 13th first baseman with an ADP of 127, and that is not a risk I’m willing to take without more information regarding his health. However, teaming up Valbuena (ADP of 535) with Pujols (at a potentially more reasonable ADP) will likely result in 40 combined home runs. Read more

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

The Oakland A’s have Stephen Vogt penciled in as their starting catcher, but the lineup is fluid and it’s easy to envision him seeing a lot of time as the designated hitter.  That’s not a bad thing, as it would open playing time for 26-year old Bruce Maxwell.

Maxwell got his first taste of the Majors in ’16 (101 PA), hitting .283 with 1 HR and 14 RBI.  Those numbers aren’t going to catch your attention, but his line at Triple-A prior to his recall does:

.321 (62-193), 10 HR, 41 RBI, 27 R

Even more impressive was his ability to work the strike zone, with a 17.4% strikeout rate and 11.0% walk rate.  Those are skills that he’s shown throughout his time in the minor leagues, and while the strikeout rate did jump in the Majors (23.8%) the underlying numbers don’t give reason for concern.  Just look at the Whiff% by pitch type: Read more

by Ray Kuhn

When preparing for your draft and the upcoming fantasy baseball season there are many things you can, and should, be doing. One is reviewing the ADP (average draft position) results from the NFBC; a highly competitive and high stakes fantasy baseball tournament.

While these results aren’t going to directly correspond to your rankings, and they shouldn’t, it will give you the best (early) look at how we can expect drafts to transpire. As you complete your rankings, taking a gander through the ADP’s could prove to be highly beneficial in identifying both values and potential busts.

This brings us to Gary Sanchez. We ran out of superlatives to describe Sanchez over the last two months of the 2016 season, but what can we expect of him in 2017?

Based on his early ADP, the answer appears to be quite a lot. Sanchez is coming off the board as the second catcher with an average selection of 47.33, being drafted as high as 36th while going as low as 59th. With a draft position like this, it will be pretty difficult for Sanchez just to meet his value. Read more