With the financial incentives facing major league baseball players in today's game, a contract year has historically correlated with improved performance and this year should be no different.
Several All-Star caliber players are entering the final year of their deals in 2012, making them likely candidates to post numbers above their career averages as they seek top dollar in free-agency.
Andre Ethier of the Dodgers, Matt Cain of the Giants, Josh Hamilton of the Rangers and Cole Hamels of the Phillies are four of the several notable players entering contract years--which should bolster their stock in your fantasy baseball draft.
Here is a look at what to expect production wise barring injuries in 2012:
OF Andre Ethier (LAD)
.305 BA
29 HR
103 RBI
15 SB
OF Josh Hamilton (TEX)
.315 BA
37 HR
115 RBI
10 SB
RHP Matt Cain (SF)
W-L: 17-8
ERA: 3.18
LHP Cole Hamels (PHI)
W-L: 16-6
ERA: 3.55
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Finding young pitching late a key ingredient to success
It's no secret that frontline starting pitchers like Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay will be off the board early in nearly every fantasy baseball draft in 2012.
Landing at least one ace is a must in my opinion, but overloading your roster with top-of-the-rotation starters can be an achillies heel if the injury bug bites one or more of your horses--which can be the case with aces who are counted on to throw 200+ innings per season.
Finding value with pitchers who haven't become household names yet can prove to be a much more effective alternative, as unheralded prospects can turn into top round talent in a matter of a year.
Rookie pitchers in 2011 like Jeremy Hellickson, Craig Kimbral, Vance Worley and Dillon Gee were all late-round bargains that brought back great returns for owners, but will all be drafted much higher in 2012 with a year of success in the majors under their belt.
Finding this year's Hellickson or Kimbral is easier said than done, but it is likely that he will once again be a late-round steal that plenty of owners had the opportunity to draft. In hindsight, it's often better to take the chance for upside in fantasy baseball by drafting young talent--as opposed to going with an established veteran that already has hinted at what his stat sheet will look like in a full season.
2012 could hold more than a few fantasy sleepers on the hill, here is a list of just a few that could be mainstays on major league rosters by the end of the year.
1. Matt Moore (LHP) Tampa Bay Rays
2. Julio Teheran (RHP) Atlanta Braves
3. Drew Pomeranz (LHP) Colorado Rockies
4. Randall Delgado (RHP) Atlanta Braves
5. Jarrod Parker (RHP) Oakland A's
6. Casey Kelley (RHP) San Diego Padres
7. Jacob Turner (RHP) Detroit Tigers
8. Tyler Skaggs (LHP) Arizona Diamondbacks
9. Brad Peacock (RHP) Oakland A's
10. Mike Montgomery (LHP) Kansas City Royals
Projections:
Most Wins: Teheran (ATL)
Most Strikeouts: Moore (TB)
Most Innings Pitched: Pomeranz (COL)
Best ERA: Delgado (ATL)
Super Sleeper: Skaggs (ARI)
Landing at least one ace is a must in my opinion, but overloading your roster with top-of-the-rotation starters can be an achillies heel if the injury bug bites one or more of your horses--which can be the case with aces who are counted on to throw 200+ innings per season.
Finding value with pitchers who haven't become household names yet can prove to be a much more effective alternative, as unheralded prospects can turn into top round talent in a matter of a year.
Rookie pitchers in 2011 like Jeremy Hellickson, Craig Kimbral, Vance Worley and Dillon Gee were all late-round bargains that brought back great returns for owners, but will all be drafted much higher in 2012 with a year of success in the majors under their belt.
Finding this year's Hellickson or Kimbral is easier said than done, but it is likely that he will once again be a late-round steal that plenty of owners had the opportunity to draft. In hindsight, it's often better to take the chance for upside in fantasy baseball by drafting young talent--as opposed to going with an established veteran that already has hinted at what his stat sheet will look like in a full season.
2012 could hold more than a few fantasy sleepers on the hill, here is a list of just a few that could be mainstays on major league rosters by the end of the year.
1. Matt Moore (LHP) Tampa Bay Rays
2. Julio Teheran (RHP) Atlanta Braves
3. Drew Pomeranz (LHP) Colorado Rockies
4. Randall Delgado (RHP) Atlanta Braves
5. Jarrod Parker (RHP) Oakland A's
6. Casey Kelley (RHP) San Diego Padres
7. Jacob Turner (RHP) Detroit Tigers
8. Tyler Skaggs (LHP) Arizona Diamondbacks
9. Brad Peacock (RHP) Oakland A's
10. Mike Montgomery (LHP) Kansas City Royals
Projections:
Most Wins: Teheran (ATL)
Most Strikeouts: Moore (TB)
Most Innings Pitched: Pomeranz (COL)
Best ERA: Delgado (ATL)
Super Sleeper: Skaggs (ARI)
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