Player Profiles: Corner Infielders
March 28th, 2012 | by Ray Flowers |
We all love Albert Pujols an Evan Longoria, but it’s just not always feasible to have a superstar at first or third base on a fantasy squad, let alone one at each position. Today I’m going to run through some guys who might not quite be top-shelf option but still qualify at first or third base for the 2012.
Chone Figgins: Looking for a corner infielder that could steal you 30 bases on the cheap? This just might be your guy. Figgins, who currently has an ADP of 291 according to MockDraftCentral.com, is going off the board 24th at the third base position. Coming off a dreadful year, Figgins figures to be heavily involved with the Mariners this year and he could easily bat out of the leadoff spot. If he does, he could end up being a nice draft day bargain.
Todd Helton: He’s having a huge spring, but he has recurring back woes an will be 39 in August. Still, he hit .302 with 14 homers and 69 RBI last season, numbers that don’t look that different from a guy like James Loney who will also be discussed below. Helton has nothing to give other than a repeat of last year, and that’s likely why people are overlooking him on draft day.
Aubrey Huff: Everyone is all excited about Brandon Belt, as they should be since the youngster has tons of talent, but Huff is being treated as an afterthought. I will admit things could go either way – Huff could get 500 at-bats or 350 – but with the way the Giants offense looks right now, I think he’ll be closer to the bigger mark. Can the Giants really hope to win if they are giving 500 at-bats to Angel Pagan and Nate Schierholtz? I don’t think so. The club also lacks thump, and while Huff isn’t a huge power bat, the club doesn’t have enough 20-homer power bats to simply overlook Aubrey. Plus, and I know it makes NO sense, it’s an even year, and he just kills it when it is (see his player card).
James Loney: Interested in getting an .285 hitting, 85 RBI bat at pick 259 in mixed leagues? If you are, Loney is your guy. You’re sitting there saying to yourself ‘Ray has lost his marbles.’ I haven’t. Did you know that Loney has hit .281 or better in five of his six seasons? You’re also aware that in three of the last four seasons that he’s also had at least 88 RBI, right? Oh you weren’t? Consider yourself informed.
Brent Morel: He may end up hitting ninth in the order, but Morel has little competition for a starting spot at the hot corner with the White Sox. He may never be any better than a guy like Danny Valencia was last season, but if you get get a .246-15-72-63-2 line from a guy being drafted around 275th overall (those were Valencia’s numbers last season), should you at least know which team he plays for?
Gaby Sanchez: He’s hit 19 homer each of the last two years while knocking in 85 and 78 runs, and he also scored 72 times each season. If Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez do what is expected, and Mike Stanton is out there impressing with the power, then the Marlins might have a pretty darn good lineup. By the way, last season Sanchez had as many homers and RBI as Eric Hosmer and scored just one run less than Michael Morse.
Ian Stewart: A potential 30 homer bat with an ADP of over 380? Sign me up for that. Stewart is dealing with a wrist issue that he will have to keep an eye on all year, and that is concern. Also concerning is Stewart’s massive K-rate of 28 percent, or more than once every four at-bats. I’m not saying Stewart will be an All-Star, and he is coming off a .156, zero homer effort in 122 at-bats, but how in the world is he being taken after Miguel Tejada, Jose Lopez and Scott Rolen? Really people?
Mark Trumbo: I must be missing something here, aren’t I? Why in the world is everyone so high on a guy who had a .291 OBP an a BB/K mark of 0.21 last season? The guy has major power, but he also has some pretty gaping holes in his game. Everyone assumes he is going to play third base full time this year. One main problem with that is that Alberto Callaspo is already in town, and he owns a solid glove (Trumbo is still trying to prove he can handle the hot corner). Callaspo also hit .288 last year and is a .281 career hitter with a .337 OBP. Those numbers aren’t great, but Trumbo doesn’t figure to reach either in 2012. For those thinking Trumbo is going to get 500 at-bats this season I would offer an dose of reality – it’s going to be tough for him to get there.
If you’re looking to do a fantasy league this year, why not give Fleaflicker a try?
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Aubrey Huff, Brent Morel, Chone Figgins, Ian Stewart, James Loney, Mark Trumbo, Todd Helton
By Brian H on Mar 28, 2012
Gaby also played 31 more games than Hosmer. But I agree he’s solid, and he’s sitting on the waivers in my league at present…
By Jeremy on Mar 28, 2012
Hey Ray, I took J Heyward in a later round in my draft this year in hopes that he bounces back. I currently have him plugged into my Util slot. I’m thinking of dropping Carlos Zambrano (my last round pick) in favor of someone to stash on my bench in case J-Hey stinks it up again this year. Since its a Util spot, I can plug any batter of course. Which of the following would you suggest?
K Morales, A Dunn, Delmon Young, Boesch, Fowler, Joyce, Moustakas or Maybin?
Or would you drop Big Z and pick up another SP like Stauffer, Lilly, or Capuano.
I appreciate the help!
By Ray Flowers on Mar 28, 2012
Brian H – Gaby did play more games than Hosmer, but only had 49 extra at-bats.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 28, 2012
Jeremy – I dont have a lot of love for Big Z. Don’t know how deep your league is, but can’t think dropping him is a mistake, especially with all the players you have available on waivers (clearly you must be in an 8 or 10 team lg).
I’d add Fowler, Maybin, Young in that order.
By Nick on Mar 28, 2012
Thank you for the incredible guide. Love listening to the show on the radio.
Can’t believe trades are already being offered. Not a fan of this one but wanted to make sure I wasn’t crazy.
I was offered Josh Hamilton, Papelbon and Aaron Hill for Cargo, Andrus and Wilton Lopez.
Thanks again.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 28, 2012
Nick – Good to hear I haven’t scared too many people off
I’d rather have CarGo over Hamilton.
I’d rather have Andrus than Hill.
I’d obviously rather have Papelbon over Lopez.
Do you need a CL? DO you have a replacement at SS if you deal Andrus?
As much as I like the three – I have a good feeling about Hill – I don’t like the mix it would leave you with.
By Gaby on Mar 28, 2012
Ray
On Feb 1 you had me ranked as the #13 1b and now I have moved up to #9. Im stoked to have moved up in the rankings, but I am curious what caused you to move me up into the top 10? Some people are down on me, like the late great Rodney Dangerfield- I get no respect. Some folks are worried about our new spaceship-like stadium hurting my numbers. Do you think I will finally live up to my potential this year?
By Ray Flowers on Mar 28, 2012
Gaby Sanchez – Your move up the rankings has less to do with you and more to do with the state of the position. Morse is likely to start the year on the DL. I’m still not sold on Freeman/Davis being totally healthy. Lind is dealing with a bad back. Howard is out for at least a month. Everyone else at first is just crumbling around you.
By Bigs on Mar 28, 2012
Hey Ray – 12 team head to head points league. 27 players per team. We pitch 7 pitchers per week with no restrictions on starters or relievers .We dont have to play relievers if we dont want to but they score very well (saves are same as wins)however I only have one. Our waiver pool is very shallow.Im trying to find a middle man with the best chance of taking over a closers role.Who has the best chance of the following ? Clippard , Hector Santiago , or Sergio Romo. Thanks Ray
By Ray Flowers on Mar 28, 2012
Bigs – If saves are worth same point total as wins, usually they are only half, hard to leave the draft with only one closer.
Romo likely best option of the guys you listed to get saves, but even so that is totally dependent on the health of Wilson (obviously).
By Bob on Mar 28, 2012
Wow, after listening to the show yesterday I was expecting fire & brimstone from the “How did I do” article. I agree with you over 90% of what you said & I’m not particularly agreeable. Especially the kiddie pool shallow leagues being a was of time.
I was curious about you take on Rex Brothers and/or if there is anybody (RP) like Romo or Clippard who may be significantly under the radar that I should target? I’m in a 12 team NL only league that requires between 4 & 6 RPs? (4 SP, 4 RP, 2P) Thanks in advance.
By Ray Flowers on Mar 28, 2012
Bob – Yeah, I didn’t think the article was that bad either, but that’s not surprising since I wrote it
Brothers has a great arm. Nothing to dislike about him.
Romo is amazing, see – http://baseballguys.com/2012/03/20/aba-2011-a-review/
Clippard likely will not close even with Storen injury, but last 2 yrs: 14-8 with a 2.46 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 216 Ks in 179.1 innings.
I’d go Romo, Clippard, Brothers. Wilson with Giants has me a bit nervous
By Bobby on Mar 28, 2012
Hello Ray.
i am in a 10 team 5×5 Roto league.
my 3rd O.F is Francouer not sure i can trust him . I was offered J Hamilton for either Kennedy or Madbum MY CHOICE of either pitcher to trade him for Hamilton. would you do that trade? If i did the trade which pitcher should i trade him?
Thank You
Bobby
By Ray Flowers on Mar 28, 2012
Bobby – Frenchie should be OK, but he’s not a 3rd OF in a 10 tm lg.
Upgrading to Hamilton is worth the risk. I’d deal Kennedy. You can always find pitching on waivers in a 10 teamer.
By Craig D on Mar 28, 2012
Ray,
I recently heard you explain the fact hitting categories have 4 “counting” categories, while starting pitching only has 2. I never really thought about categories in those terms before. It really puts into perspective the importance of hitting versus pitching.
Simple idea but strong!
And Ray – Big O is a tard. The how’s my team look question drives me nuts. I listen to XM87 all day, not just The Drive. And the how’s my team look, keeper, and ridiculous trade questions make me want to punch my radio.
Sometimes I feel like screaming WHO CARES!
Can we focus more on strategy, analytics, truth and rumors etc?
By Ray Flowers on Mar 28, 2012
Craig D – Yeah, I figured I should do more of that, explaining how offense has four counting categories, pitching just two. It seems so obvious to me that I don’t mention it a lot, but people seem to miss it so I guess I should.
And, as you know, I totally agree with you about we should be analyzing things.
By Shawn C on Apr 17, 2012
Hosmer not only played in less games and had less ABs, he also stole 11 bases and was coming straight out of AAA. Gaby isnt in the same Tier in 2012 sorry. Just isn’t. The projections cant be close. I see Hosmer .290, 26 HR, 87RBI, 19SB. Gaby will never do that.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 17, 2012
Shawn C – Nowhere in the article you are referring to, did I say that Sanchez was on the same tier as Hosmer. You read something into what I wrote that I didn’t actually write. If you had picked up a copy of my Draft Guide you would have also noted that Hosmer was clearly listed on a different tier than Sanchez. I was merely stating a couple of facts with regards to Hosmer/Morse/Sanchez.
http://baseballguys.com/category/2012-fantasy-draft-guide/