Billy Hamilton

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Fantasy Baseball 2014- Sleepers & Deeper Sleepers to consider: CATCHERS & OUTFIELDERS

Posted by fantasyfurnace on February 18, 2014
Posted in: MLB. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments

In Part 2 of our Sleepers segment, we include the rest of your team’s offensive players. Outfielders are in abundance once again while the Catcher’s slot is one of the trickiest position players to calculate. It’s probably the hardest position player to keep on your roster as well, due to the many injuries likely to take its toll on the most taxing of all positions on the field. Case in point; only nine catchers in all of baseball had 500 or more at bats last year. 

Sleeper: C-Salvador Perez-Royals- In several of our mock drafts, Perez has been the 10th -12th catcher plucked off the boards and any catcher that can bat right around .300 and hit 15 home runs with 75-80 RBIs should be taken a little earlier. Perez makes for an excellent back-end C2 in most standard leagues.

#13 Salvador Perez shown here tripling off of Tigers SP Doug Fister last June 2013, has power,plays great defense

#13 Salvador Perez shown here tripling off of Tigers SP Doug Fister last June 2013, has power and plays great defense. Photo: AP Photo/Orlin Wagner

Deeper Sleeper: C-Wellington Castillo-Cubs- Castillo became the Cubs everyday catcher in August, as the team continues to rebuild, and batted .294 with 13 extra-base hits and 18 RBI over 41 games in August and September. In 428 plate appearances he posted a .349 on-base percentage which ranked him seventh  among catchers with a minimum 300 PA. In four out of his five minor league seasons, Castillo put up double-digit home runs.

Sleeper: OF-Kole Calhoun-Angels- With Peter Bourjos being traded to the Cardinals, 26 year old Calhoun should slip right into the starting right field job for Los Angeles. In just about 1/3 of a season in 2013, Calhoun showed us a sample, albeit a small one, of what he is capable of doing. When you pro-rate his numbers to a full season you get a stat-line resembling 88/24/96. And if he comes close to the .282 batting average he put up last year, then you have the makings of a genuine sleeper.

Playing with a stacked Angels line-up

Playing with a stacked Angels line-up, #56 Kole Calhoun can get you 25 Hrs. and 95 RBIs and be had on the cheap. Photo: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

Deeper Sleeper-OF-Khris Davis-Brewers- The Brewers are as high on this kid as we are apparently as they moved their franchise player Ryan (send it FedEx) Braun from left field to right in order to give Davis the start in left- at least to begin the year. The results of the tryout that he was given over 56 games last season proved to be enough not only to move Braun but to trade away Norichika Aoki over the winter, locking up left field for the 26 year old. All Davis did over that 56 game-stretch was to belt 11 home runs with 27 RBIs and post a modest 3 steals. What stood out for us was his slugging percentage of .596 and his ability to hit left handers as well as righties. If Davis picks up where he left off he could be a steal of a sleeper this season!

#18 Khris Davis steals a base vs the Pirates on May 1, 2013. He can hit for power, steal a base, and could be a 'steal' amongst sleepers this season. Mike McGinnis/Getty Images North America:

#18 Khris Davis steals a base vs the Pirates on May 1, 2013. He can hit for power, steal a base, and could be a ‘steal’ amongst sleepers this season. Mike McGinnis/Getty Images North America:

Low risk/High reward-OF-Billy Hamilton-Reds- At the outset, Hamilton is a huge gamble. That being said, if he doesn’t start the season in the minors or on the bench, we think the skies the limit when it comes to the amount of steals that this 23 year old could garner for your team. Should Hamilton get that chance to start in center field and if he can lift his batting average from the .256 he put up at Louisville last year, there is no doubt that he could shatter some of the existing steal records at some point in his career. When called up last year down the stretch, Hamilton, over 13 games, attempted 14 steals and was successful 13 times! If he is still on the board at say round 10 or later, grab him, cross your fingers, and watch him fly…

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Fantasy Baseball: This week’s Pickups-“Speed Kills!”

Posted by fantasyfurnace on April 27, 2013
Posted in: MLB. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

If your team is lacking in steals, we have listed two widely available candidates to fill that void; one available now and the other, well, let’s just say that he’ll probably be available ‘sooner than later’. So check them out as well as some other players that made our waiver wire pickup list this week…

1. Nate McLouth-OF-Orioles- Here is someone who currently is in second place for the most steals (7) in the league, just three behind Jacoby Ellsbury (10). He is averaging a steal every 9 plate appearances so far this season. The former Pirate is also just just 5 behind the Tigers Austin Jackson who leads the league with 21 runs scored. (McLouth has 16). His .302 batting average will come down some 35- 40 points before all is said & done but the two categories he’s efficient in will surely help your team. As of Friday evening, McLouth was owned in just 20% of leagues.

2. Billy Hamilton-SS-Reds- Totally aware that he is listed as N/A in all leagues, however if you’re in deeper mixed leagues and have the bench space, stash this  speedster, especially if you haven’t been able to find a replacement for Jose Reyes who isn’t due back until the All Star break. As most of the savvy owners out there know, Hamilton stole 155 bases in two levels of the minor leagues last year and already has 13 thefts in his first 18 games this season. Hamilton has already made the switch from SS to CF and with just 2 errors so far, he is beginning to master the new position already. Hopefully when he does get called up, he’ll maintain dual eligibility which will make him even more attractive. He’s owned in just 12% of leagues. We don’t suggest you sit on him too much longer…

Although still in Triple-A, this speedster needs to be rostered if you have the bench room & the patience to wait for him to be called up. And that could come sooner than later. Photo: ESPN 1530.com/MLB Network graphic

Although still in Triple-A, this speedster needs to be rostered if you have the bench room & the patience to wait for him to be called up. And that could come sooner than later. Photo: ESPN 1530.com/MLB Network graphic

3. Jose Quintana-SP,RP-White Sox- In just his second year in the big leagues, we like this southpaw’s stuff. The only knock on him is his propensity to giving up the long ball which he has cut down on as he has just offered up one gopher ball in 22 innings pitched this season. Quintana has almost a strikeout an inning this year and has kept his WHIP low at 1.06 by only walking 6 in his four starts. Opposing batters are hitting a meager .212 against him and he’s collected two wins thus far. Owned in under 30% of leagues, he makes for a decent pickup in most formats.

4. Yuniesky Betancourt- 1B,2B,3B-Brewers- Not a player that will make or break your season, but a serviceable utility one nonetheless. Betancourt is good for 15 homers and 75 RBIs and will average somewhere around .265-.270. A decent enough multi-positional guy that, especially in deeper mixed leagues and N.L. leagues only, is someone to fill in those empty slots you see on your roster on Thursday’s and Mondays in particular. He currently has 10 runs scored, 4 homers and 16 RBIs. Owned in just 20% of leagues.

5. Kyle Kendrick-SP-Phillies- A lifetime slightly average pitcher, Kendrick is entering his seventh year in the M.L. and all in Philadelphia. However, as he seems to be having an above average beginning to this season, this 28 year old could be someone to consider in deeper roto leagues and certainly as a streaming candidate as he’ll face either the Marlins or Indians next week. He just completed his second career shutout, a 4-0 gem vs the Mets on Friday night and has a more than serviceable ERA of just 2.41 and a WHIP of 1.10. He has struckout 24 while walking just 8 and opposing batters are hitting just .230 against him. Surprised the lifetime 56-43 right-hander is only owned in 12% of leagues.

#38 Kyle Kendrick is off to a 2-1 start having just thrown his 2nd career shutout. Should be owneed in more leagues. Photo: philly.com

#38 Kyle Kendrick is off to a 2-1 start having just thrown his 2nd career shutout. Should be owneed in more leagues. Photo: philly.com

2013 Fantasy Baseball: Our Top 10 Sleepers to Watch-Hitters

Posted by fantasyfurnace on March 2, 2013
Posted in: MLB. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

Well, here we are in the final weeks of exhibition games, just before the regular season gets underway. Many of you have already either drafted or are preparing to and this final installment of our pre-season Sleepers to Watch as well as our Players To Avoid  will hopefully give some of you enough of an edge to better compete in your leagues this season. As always, if during the year you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to send them to: fantasyfurnace@yahoo.com. (Last season we received over 1250 such emails)! Good luck to all the owners out there…a8429f97556782ff73240f4672c83f6bd7f79099

Erick Aybar-SS-Angels- Last year owners of this speedster got a real treat when, after the All-Star break, Aybar went off and had an explosive second half (.326-6-22 with 15 steals). Now poised to settle in batting second, Aybar should garner more runs and stolen bases on a team where such stars as Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are also part of this potent lineup. He already has a lofty batting average which should end up at around .285 by season’s end.

Lorenzo Cain-OF-Royals- Going late in drafts, here is another speedster with some major league pop that was a sleeper candidate last season, but injuries (hip, hamstring), limited him to just 61 games. With Royals top prospect Will Myers getting traded to Tampa Bay, Cain will be in an everyday role at the top of the lineup for years to come as long as he can stay healthy. You can modestly expect him to turn in numbers like 15 HRs, 25 stolen bases, 75 runs, with a .280 BA.

#6 Lorenzo Cain brings a combination of speed & power to owners. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America

#6 Lorenzo Cain brings a combination of speed & power to owners. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America

Kyle Seager-3B-Mariners- Right off the bat, (if you’ll pardon the pun), we wouldn’t normally recommend that you draft a Mariner, but Seager qualifies because he potentially can be a five category contributor, especially for those in deeper formats. He leads his team last year in both homers and RBIs, however his only downside is that his hitting was awful at Safeco Field while he flirted with .300 on the road. On the plus side of his 20 home runs, 10 were hit from both sides of the plate. We also like the fact that he has some speed, enough for about 15 SBs, plus he could be 2B eligible in some formats.

Allen Craig-1B,OF-Cardinals- Definitely undervalued and available in mid-rounds of drafts, his OPS  has been over .875 for two straight seasons. He hits for average and has some pop to his bat making him a good second tier OF. He started last year platooning and then had a knee injury and still managed to end the season with 22 HRs, 91 RBIs, and a .303 batting average. His dual-eligibility is also a plus. We cannot see why Craig, if healthy, can’t post a line of 28/110/.305 this season.

#21 Allen Craig should net owners with home runs in the mid to high 20's. Photo: edition.cnn.com

#21 Allen Craig should net owners with home runs in the mid to high 20’s. Photo: edition.cnn.com

Billy Hamilton-OF-Reds- The shortstop/converted outfielder, is without a doubt, one of the fastest players in the league. Between Triple-A and Double-A, Hamilton swiped 103 bases in 2011 and 155 last year. 155!!!! Are you kidding me? He won’t offer you any power but if you can stash him on your bench in mixed leagues, and he gets a chance to play regularly, he could post 75-80 steals. Even if Hamilton becomes a midseason regular, he could get you 45-50 steals. Either way he is a sleeper to watch!

Chase Headley-1B-Padres- If ever a red flag should go up with today’s sensitivity towards performance enhancing drugs, Headley should be its poster boy! Here is a guy who, before last year’s 31 HR explosion, only averaged nine dingers over the previous four seasons! In fact, he had more home runs (19) over the final two months of last season than he had in all of 2010 and 2011…combined! So being skeptical when deciding if and/or when to draft Headley is a real conundrum. Those owners that pass on him thinking that last year’s numbers will not be repeated make the task easier for those in need of a ‘potentially’ high powered, second tier 3B who can help in all five categories.

Anthony Rizzo-1B-Cubs- The 23 year old Rizzo, traded from San Diego to the Cubs in the off-season last year, quickly became a bright spot in Chicago with real power numbers. His numbers are weaker vs lefties posting just a .599 OPS against them, but he is only 23 and adjustments can still be made. Coming of an effective September where he put up a .281-5-17 line, we think he’s a potential 2nd tier 1B who could put up a 23-80-.282 line this season.

Wil Myers-OF-Rays- This 22 year old rookie is the most riskiest of our sleepers. Most rookies, especially those who will probably not play an entire season are. Myers, who was traded for James Shields in the off-season, has been rumored to be the next American League Rookie of the Year. Between Double-A and Triple-A, Myers was the minor’s best hitter last year going 37-104-.314. However, be aware that the Rays are expected to keep Myers in the minors for the first month or two so our forecast is based on him missing up to 1/3 of the season. Therefore you can look for numbers like 21-72-.280 which is still serviceable.

Jesus Montero-C-Mariners- We know what you’re thinking, “Two Mariners made their Sleepers to Watch list? Have they lost their minds?” Well consider this; Montero was, if you remember, one of the Yankees top prospects and in his first year with Seattle he belted 15 HRs. With the fences now being brought in at Safeco Field, that number is certain to rise. Although a defensive liability, 54 steals in 56 games against him last season, it’s his offense that fantasy owners care about. Look for 19-20 HRs, 70 RBIs, and a .264 BA.

C Jesus Montero, once a major Yankee prospect should see a surge in power with the drawn-in fences at Safeco Field. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America

C Jesus Montero, once a major Yankee prospect, should see a surge in his power #’s with the drawn-in fences at Safeco Field. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America

Brett Lawrie-3B-Blue Jays- We like Lawrie for his potential to hit 20 home runs, steal 20 bases and score 100 runs. Plus he was hitting .282 last August until injuries forced all of his numbers to decline. If you look at his MLB resume, you’ll find that in 168 major league games, he has 20 HRs and 20 steals and is playing in a hitter-friendly park. He has all the ingredients of a sleeper and at a low cost.