The joy is within the air, as per week of spring video games are within the books and we’re that a lot nearer to baseball that counts. This week, it’s time for an additional check-in on some gamers that is probably not anyplace near pinging the common fantasy radar, however could warrant a point out for these of us who will quickly be scraping the underside of the deep-league barrel with draft season in full swing. In some instances, a participant’s “rise in worth” is just his presence and participation in spring video games and even simply exercises — both proving a point of well being or in different instances, merely reminding us of his existence. Let’s check out a handful of gamers whose fantasy inventory could have risen a smidge of late, and we’ll preserve issues deep by way of NFBC ADP (going from the best to the bottom), with gamers who’re exterior the highest 450 general. (Since ADP will get so wonky the deeper you get, I’ll be noting in parenthesis after the participant’s title their present ADP, adopted each the earliest/newest they’ve been drafted in NFBC leagues this season. As you’ll see, there’s some quite excessive variance!)
Pavin Smith (ADP #462; 204/577)/Randal Grichuk (ADP #668; 386/737). Solely within the deepest leagues does listening to a couple of platoon scenario usually make each gamers draftable, quite than un-draftable, since we a minimum of know the staff is envisioning taking part in time for them. Smith is being given each likelihood to take over the robust facet of mentioned platoon, at DH for the Diamondbacks, and if he can run with the chance, he may very well be a deep league worth at his present worth level. (Perhaps the man that took him at #204 in an NFBC league is aware of one thing we don’t? Or possibly Pavin Smith’s mother performs fantasy baseball?) As for Grichuk, he’s wanting like a basic end-of-your-roster-but-better-than-nothing man within the deepest leagues.
Michael Massey (ADP #465; 253/522). Most figured Massey could be the taking part in time sufferer when the Royals signed Jonathan India, however it’s beginning to seem like that will not essentially be the case. Massey has been each taking part in and hitting effectively since spring coaching began, and each he and India have been getting reps within the outfield. For now, it’s wanting like there could also be loads of at bats for each of them a technique or one other. Whereas Massey doesn’t have a lot to supply in the best way of upside (and he doesn’t run in any respect, actually), he might be able to ship extra deep league counting stats than we’d have anticipated.
Mike Tauchman (ADP #587; 315/747). Whilst a agency believer find fantasy worth on dangerous real-life groups, I’ve to confess that I’ve discovered it extraordinarily troublesome to roster any members of the Chicago White Sox this yr. I’ve, nonetheless, grabbed Tauchman late in a 50-round draft or two, and there may very well be legit purpose to contemplate him in deeper leagues that use OBP, which is one factor he’s all the time been good at. Assuming he’ll truly be their de-facto lead-off man, he would possibly even discover a strategy to rating a helpful variety of runs in addition.
Mickey Moniak (ADP #683; 379/733). Moniak gained his arbitration case vs. the Angels over the winter, which I suppose caught my eye though it doesn’t have something to do together with his precise on-field efficiency. Or does it?… is there any method a chip on his shoulder mixed with a lift of confidence after his victory will propel him to higher occasions on the sphere? Perhaps not, however whilst a again up outfielder it looks like Moniak will get his probabilities within the lineup, whether or not it’s resulting from harm or poor efficiency by others. I’m not precisely optimistic, however he’s nonetheless solely 26, so if we squint arduous sufficient possibly there’s nonetheless the tiniest glimmer of post-hype prospect hope right here.
DJ LeMahieu (ADP #669; 367/748). In some way as we flip the calendar web page to March, it’s wanting like LeMahieu may very well be in line for a semi-decent quantity of taking part in time at third base, amongst different positions. He was ineffective in even the deepest leagues final yr, however is there an opportunity that A) he’s going into the season wholesome (he says he’s, for what it’s value, although hasn’t gotten into any video games but because the Yankees attempt to “restrict his workload”) and B) he’s reasonably productive this yr? Effectively, there’s all the time an opportunity, I suppose.
German Marquez (ADP #724; 330/750). Marquez solely made one look final yr in his try to return again after Tommy John surgical procedure, and it didn’t go effectively. Along with pitching poorly, he bought shut again down with a stress response in his elbow, presumably by no means to be heard from once more. Effectively, he was heard from once more, as he’s already pitched a pair scoreless innings this spring and is supposedly hitting mid to excessive 90’s on the radar gun. I’m not precisely going to be going out of my strategy to save a spot for him on my rosters, however it’s attainable he finally ends up with some constructive worth this yr, maybe as a streamer if nothing else.
Matt Mervis (ADP #728; 390/747). Talking of remembering gamers exist, how lengthy has it been since we considered this man? For me, it’s clearly been some time, as a result of I’m truthfully unsure I might have advised you final week that he’s now on the Marlins. The Marlins have a variety of taking part in time obtainable, and whereas there are a variety of our bodies preventing for that taking part in time, I’m getting the sensation that Mervis goes to get nearly as good a shot as anybody to lastly set up himself as a (lastly wholesome?) MLB-caliber participant. He’s already hit a spring homer (whereas DHing, for no matter that’s value). I’m beginning to surprise if I’ll remorse not taking him late in a few my deep draft and maintain leagues, given the low danger to potential reward ratio, since considerably satirically the lowest-ranked participant on this record most likely has essentially the most upside.
Be at liberty to shoot me a remark or query — deep league or in any other case — within the feedback, and Blissful Drafting to all!
