Kyle Banks

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Fantasy Baseball 2014-Sleepers & Deeper Sleepers to consider: INFIELDERS

Posted by fantasyfurnace on February 16, 2014
Posted in: MLB. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 14 Comments

With pitchers and catchers now reporting, it’s safe to say that it’s time to prepare for your upcoming drafts for the 2014 MLB season. Mock drafts are the best way to give yourself some practice and to see who other owners are gravitating towards in these make-believe draft rooms. Meantime we have put together our Sleepers to watch segment; this year by position. We also included Deeper Sleepers for those in leagues of 14 and up. Good luck to you all this season.

Sleeper: 1B Matt Adams-Cardinals- Adams began hitting as soon as he was called up and will play a much more important role with St. Louis this year. Among the 42 first basemen who posted at least 300 plate appearances last season, Adams’ .503 slugging percentage was ranked fifth best. In just 319 at bats last season, Adams belted 17 home runs. If you ever needed to see what the recipe for a sleeper looks like, Adams would be it. With good reason we are expecting the portly Adams to tally around 25 dingers.

#53 Matt Adams

#53 Matt Adams has 25-30 home run potential over a full season which makes him an excellent sleeper candidate. Photo: Jeff Roberson/AP

Deeper Sleeper: 1B Kyle Blanks-Padres- Between lack of playing time and some injuries, Blanks has not had an adequate platform in which to show off his talents. We’ll classify him as a ‘hold and watch’ until and unless we see his at bats increase to our liking. We do know that he has the power potential with 28 homers in just under 800 ABs which equates to around 23 HRs a year. The Pods also have Seth Smith and Yonder Alonso at first base, so the competition is there- Blanks just needs the opportunity.

Sleeper: 2B Anthony Rendon-Nationals- 2013 was Rendon’s first full year in the majors which proved to be more like a ‘tale of two seasons’ in that he had a relevant first half .301/.352/.460, and then with a series of injuries put up a .234/.310/.340 second half ,(217 plate appearances). His excellent hitting is what made Rendon go 6th overall in the 2011 draft. Go by his first half numbers and cash in on this sleeper.

Deeper Sleeper: 2B Jemile Weeks-Orioles- We’re labeling Weeks as a ‘hold and watch’ until he nabs the starting job in Baltimore. Acquired by the Orioles in December, Weeks can fatten up two stats for you; runs scored and stolen bases.

Sleeper: 3B Matt Dominguez-Astros- The Marlins gave up on the 23-year old who still ended up blasting 20 home runs on the year. In a category that’s one of the more barren ones in fantasy, Dominguez needs to improve on his BA (.241 last year) as he already has the power and defense to join some of the better third basemen in the league.

#30 Matt Dominguez uncorks one of his 20 hone runs last year. He's destined to become a top 10 3rd baseman of the future. Photo: Troy Taormina/USA Today

#30 Matt Dominguez uncorks one of his 20 hone runs last year. He is destined to become a top 10 3B of the future. Photo: Troy Taormina/USA Today

Deeper Sleeper: 3B Cody Asche-  Asche is another player you might consider taking a flier on to start the season. The soon to be 24 year old hit 15 homers and had 11 stolen bases in 2/3 of a season in Triple-A last year and if he performs in Philadelphia this season and keeps the gig even when Maikel Franco is ready, then he could become a viable deeper sleeper.

Sleeper: SS Jody Mercer-Pirates- This sophomore hitter is ready to contribute until he is replaced possibly by top prospect Alen Hanson. Mercer can hit for power, has some speed, and in 365 PA’s batted .285. He will certainly make a top N.L. only deep sleeper.

Deeper Sleeper: SS Xander Bogaerts-Red Sox- Probably better to consider the 21 year old Bogaerts as a Hot Prospect as he very well could end up the season as one of Boston’s top three hitters! If you have some bench room in deeper leagues, don’t pass this stud-to-be by. His initiation into the majors came in 18 games last year in the Red Sox post season against some of the top pitchers in baseball to wit Bogaerts had some excellent at bats holding his own against aces like Max Scherzer Michael Wacha, and Adam Wainwright.

#72 Xander Baegarts slides safely into third base after tripling in game three of the 2013 World Series. Photo: AP

#72 Xander Bogaerts slides safely into third base after tripling in Game 3 of the 2013 World Series. Photo: AP

Next up: Catchers and Outfielders

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FANTASY BASEBALL: This week’s Pickups- Bank on Blanks + ‘Relief’ is on the way!

Posted by fantasyfurnace on June 14, 2013
Posted in: MLB. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

Ironically, most of this week’s waiver wire pickups all play on relatively poor teams who are either in last place or hovering just above it. All this proves is that it really doesn’t matter where an owner gets his players from as long as they perform. This week all of our pickups are owned in 25% or less in most leagues so for most of you, they should be available…

1. Kyle Banks-1B,OF-Padres- 25% owned- With more playing time now at 1B as Yonder Alonso and Cameron Maybin continue to linger  on the DL, the oft-injured Blanks is getting to show his offensive arsenal on a daily basis. Through 43 games in total this season, Blanks has 8 home runs, 22 RNIs, 7 doubles and is batting a respectable .285. The once highly touted 6′ 6″ Blanks whose height brings back shades of Dave Winfield, is someone to consider grabbing at least for the short term while we wait to see what will happen when the Pods are back to full strength.

#88 Kyle BLanks, if he continues to light it up, could squeeze his way into a starting gig even after Yonder Alonso returns.

#88 Kyle Blanks, if he continues to light it up, could squeeze his way into a starting gig even after Yonder Alonso returns. Photo: AP

2. Nick Franklin-2B,SS Mariners- 25% owned- This former 1st round pick of the Mariners was called up last month, and had his major league debut on May 27th. Although just a small sample, Franklin has played in just 16 games and has posted a .300 average over his 50 at bats. He also has stolen a couple of bases and homered twice as he does posses some power as well as speed. Playing two infield positions will be an asset for your team should you find yourself in need of a MI in deeper leagues.

3. Dillon Gee-SP-Mets- 10% owned- Trying his best to stay in  the rotation once Mets top prospect Zach Wheeler is called up next week, Gee has turned his season around. Over his last three games, all wins, Gee has posted a 1.29 ERA along with a 19K/3BB ratio while allowing just three earned runs in 21 innings. Clearly the favorite to stay over Jeremy Hefner, Gee has been dealing with flexor tendonitis and if he can manage to control the pain and still pitch as well as he has of late, then he is safe to pick up in most leagues.

#35 Dillon Gee seems to be the favorite to remain on the Mets roster after Zach Wheeler is called up. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

#35 Dillon Gee seems to be the favorite to remain on the Mets roster after Zach Wheeler is called up. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

4. Jordan Lyles-SP-Astros- 3% owned- We know that it may be difficult for owners out there to pick up an Astro pitcher, but before you scoff at the opportunity, consider this; Lyles struck out 10 Mariners on Wednesday through seven scoreless innings; his career high. In his last six starts, Lyles has given up 8 earned runs. He has a 3-1 record on baseball’s worst team and, unfortunately, pitched one horrific game ( 8 earned runs to the Texas Rangers on May 12th). All his other starts were quality ones. Still not convinced? How about a 41K/16BB ratio. You could do worse in N.L. only and deeper leagues.

“Relief is on the way”

5. Alex Torres-RP-Rays- 1% owned- The Tampa Bay bullpen leaves a lot to be desired. Their closer Fernando Rodney has an ERA hovering just below 5.00 (4.94),  Kyle Farnsworth 6.11, Jake McGee 5.76, and Cesar Ramos 4.15. If a team can get to the Rays pen then they have a good shot of knocking them around. Joel Peralta with his 1.72 ERA has been effective but no other reliever save for Alex Torres has been ‘light’s out”. In seven appearances he hasn’t given up a run; earned or unearned, hence his 0.00 ERA. Torres is also sporting a pristine 19K/3BB ratio which is darned near perfect. The 25 year old who was called up on May 15th is just someone to take a flier on and watch. His stuff is too good not to.

6. Joaquin Benoit-RP-Tigers- 23% owned- We think that Benoit, the next in line for closing duties in Detroit behind Jose Valverde, is an excellent pickup in all mixed leagues as he is just 1-2 blown saves away from being handed the gig. Valverde, in just his last six games, has given up 5 home runs, two blown saves, and has watched his ERA soar from 0.75 on May 27th to an inflated 4.15! On the other hand Benoit picked up his third save of the season last Sunday and has 8 Holds, 1 Win, and 3 Saves on this year’s resume. Benoit’s 33K/9BB rate ain’t too bad either. He is currently carrying a 1.04 WHIP; his 2nd lowest in 12 years. Surprisingly available in too many leagues.

#53 RP Joaquin Benoit is the heir-apparent for the closing role in Detroit especially if Jose Valverde continues to falter. Photo: Getty Images

#53 RP Joaquin Benoit is the heir-apparent for the closing role in Detroit, which could come sooner rather than later if Jose Valverde continues to falter. Photo: Getty Images