High Fives: Which baseball players could see fantasy boost with new teams?
In this week's High Fives, Brandon Funston, Andy Behrens and Scott Pianowski offer their top-5 takes on, among other things, the players most likely to get a value boost from an offseason change of venue, and the hitters most likely to rebound after a disappointing '14. Let's get to it ...
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Top 5 players who get a value boost from relocation for '15 | ||
1. Josh Donaldson - In terms of offensive ballpark factors, goes from an outhouse to a penthouse | 1. Hanley Ramirez- Hanley is shortstop-eligible for at least one more year, and he'll do his hitting in a terrific lineup | 1. Josh Donaldson - From the Oakland graveyard to the Toronto launching pad. Get your popcorn, and calculator, ready |
2. Pablo Sandoval - Should love the Green Monster, and ultimately, the DH | 2. James Shields - Pitcher-friendly park in a pitcher-friendly league | 2.Max Scherzer - In that lousy division, 300 strikeouts might be in play |
3. Evan Gattis - Move to AL didn't require him to pack his catcher's mitt | 3. Pablo Sandoval - Nice ballpark for Panda, terrific lineup | 3. James Shields - Modest skills erosion will be masked by roomy new environment |
4. Max Scherzer - In theory, move from AL to NL is always better for a SP | 4. Steven Souza - Check his Triple-A numbers from last season | 4. Han-Ram/Panda - Welcome to the hitter’s league, and a pinball machine |
5. James Shields - See above | 5. Eric Young Jr. - EY Jr. landed in a spot where he might actually play | 5. Jon Lester - Those AL-to-NL pitchers, nectar of the gods |
Top 5 hitters outside the Yahoo top 200 in '14 (400 ABs) likeliest to land inside the top 100 in '15 | ||
1. David Wright - Not far beyond his prime at 32, so a rebound doesn't require a major leap of faith | 1. David Wright - It's not as if he's never done it before. It's nothin' for Wright to hit for average, with power and speed | 1. Kolten Wong - America’s sleeper, but we love those power-speed guys. Minor-league resume suggests last year’s BA a stone fluke |
2. Dustin Pedroia - Or Jason Kipnis ... both are proven top-shelf commodities at 2B | 2. Dustin Pedroia - Again, he's been a top-100 player previously. We're not asking for anything unprecedented | 2. Jay Bruce - Too much goodwill built up, partially excuse 2014 |
3. Kolten Wong - Went 15/21 in 121 games (inc. postseason) as a rookie | 3. Dexter Fowler - If he's healthy and leading off, you'll love this season | 3. Dustin Pedroia - Category juice waning, but look at the loaded lineup |
4. Evan Gattis - Think he'll hit 30 HRs in HOU - nobody w/ 30+ finished outside top 100 in '14 | 4. J.J. Hardy - From 2011 to 2013, he hit 77 bombs | 4. David Wright - Probably won't bat .269 again, can be a 20-15 man realistically |
5. Chris Davis - Was No. 3 overall in '13 - has an adderall green light for '15 | 5. Eric Hosmer - Seems like he has a 20-15-.300 season in him | 5. Eric Hosmer - Have fun with post-hype discount; injuries partially excuse 2013 |
For the zeroSP crowd, top 5 starters currently landing outside the Yahoo top 200 ADP | ||
1. Collin McHugh - Offers control and K per IP ability | 1. James Paxton - A lefty who hits the high-90s, in a friendly park? Yes, please | 1. John Lackey - Perfect time for park switch, will love full season of Yadier Molina |
2. Danny Salazar - Big-time K stuff and 2nd half in '14 provides plenty of optimism | 2. Wily Peralta - Still just 25, coming off an impressive season. He's capable of a leap | 2. Collin McHugh - Got better in second half, looks legit to me |
3. Taijuan Walker - You look for upside this late, and Walker oozes it | 3. Collin McHugh - Weirdly cheap following tremendous year | 3. Shelby Miller - Everyone loved him 15 minutes ago |
4. James Paxton - See above | 4. Danny Duffy- Hard-thrower is determined to toss 200 frames | 4. Ervin Santana - Target Field will hide some of his mistakes |
5. Jesse Hahn - Snappy '14 debut, and move to OAK won't hurt | 5. Jason Hammel - He was terrific in Chicago last season, pre-trade | 5. Kyle Lohse - Never walks anyone, which partially offsets modest strikeouts |
Top 5 fantasy middle relievers for '15 | ||
1. Ken Giles - Because this power arm won't be standing in line behind Papelbon for long | 1. Wade Davis - Obscene. Sick. Almost unhittable. Needs to be owned, regardless of role | 1. Andrew Miller - No platoon weaknesses, not spooked by small parks |
2. Wade Davis - Because my experience of owning him in '14 was such a pleasure | 2. Kelvin Herrera - Throws 900 mph, a silly talent. KC's 'pen is silly | 2. Ken Giles - Already dominant (12.6 K/9), Jon Papelbon eventually departs |
3. Tyler Clippard - Great K rate, strong ratios, and will get early saves as closer fill-in | 3. Andrew Miller - Crazy K-rate, and it's possible he'll poach a save or two | 3. Wade Davis - For all the Ned Yost complaining, his bullpen usage makes sense |
4. Brad Boxberger - See above (but with even more Ks, less track record) | 4. Tyler Clippard - Proven relief ace who may see a few early-season save chances | 4. Brad Boxberger - A little homer prone, but with 104 whiffs, who cares? |
5. Andrew Miller - Amply fills the requisite K+ ratio boxes | 5. Darren O'Day - O'Day's last three years: 17-6, 2.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 | 5. Kevin Quackenbush - Bud Black’s bullpen always has a bunch of working-class heroes |
Top 5 defunct stadiums that you would have most liked to visit | ||
1. Polo Grounds - If you think Fenway Park is funky, take a look at this | 1. West Side Park - Historians tell us that the Cubs did, in fact, win the World Series. When it happened, this was their home. | 1. Tiger Stadium - I’ll never forgive myself for not making the pilgrimage |
2. Tiger Stadium - Loved the look of those columns, and the stands were right on top of the field | 2. South End Grounds - I mean, just look at this place. That's gorgeous. | 2. The Kingdome - So I can get all the Funston references |
3. Shibe Park - First steel-and-concrete park - rest of MLB would follow suit soon thereafter | 3. Polo Grounds - Crazy dimensions, so much history | 3. Ebbets Field - No sleep till Brooklyn |
4. Ebbets Field - When it comes to storied MLB stadiums, it's Ebbets and Yankee at the top | 4. Ebbets Field - Beautiful park, phenomenal stars, countless big games | 4. Comiskey Park - Preferably on Disco Demolition night |
5. Braves Field- Opened with 550-foot dimension in CF! | 5. Tiger Stadium - Still can't believe Reggie hit it here | 5. Sicks’ Stadium - With Jim Bouton on the hill |