The thrill 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 wherever 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 solely his presence and participation in spring video games and even simply exercises — both proving some extent 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 hold issues deep by way of NFBC ADP (going from the very 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 state of affairs 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 aspect of stated 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 perhaps Pavin Smith’s mother performs fantasy baseball?) As for Grichuk, he’s wanting like a traditional 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 appear to be that won’t 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 method 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 could possibly ship extra deep league counting stats than we’d have anticipated.
Mike Tauchman (ADP #587; 315/747). At the same time as a agency believer find fantasy worth on unhealthy real-life groups, I’ve to confess that I’ve discovered it extraordinarily tough to roster any members of the Chicago White Sox this yr. I’ve, nevertheless, grabbed Tauchman late in a 50-round draft or two, and there may very well be legit cause to think about him in deeper leagues that use OBP, which is one factor he’s at all times been good at. Assuming he’ll really be their de-facto lead-off man, he would possibly even discover a solution to rating a helpful variety of runs as well.
Mickey Moniak (ADP #683; 379/733). Moniak gained his arbitration case vs. the Angels over the winter, which I assume caught my eye though it doesn’t have something to do along with his precise on-field efficiency. Or does it?… is there any manner a chip on his shoulder mixed with a lift of confidence after his victory will propel him to raised occasions on the sector? Perhaps not, however at the same time as a again up outfielder it looks like Moniak will get his possibilities within the lineup, whether or not it’s as a consequence of damage or poor efficiency by others. I’m not precisely optimistic, however he’s nonetheless solely 26, so if we squint arduous sufficient perhaps there’s nonetheless the tiniest glimmer of post-hype prospect hope right here.
DJ LeMahieu (ADP #669; 367/748). One way or the other 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 price, 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? Properly, there’s at all times an opportunity, I assume.
German Marquez (ADP #724; 330/750). Marquez solely made one look final yr in his try to come back 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. Properly, 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 solution to save a spot for him on my rosters, however it’s potential 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 thought of this man? For me, it’s clearly been some time, as a result of I’m truthfully unsure I may have advised you final week that he’s now on the Marlins. The Marlins have loads of taking part in time out there, and whereas there are loads 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 price). I’m beginning to marvel if I’ll remorse not taking him late in a few my deep draft and maintain leagues, given the low threat to potential reward ratio, since considerably sarcastically the lowest-ranked participant on this checklist in all probability has essentially the most upside.
Be happy to shoot me a remark or query — deep league or in any other case — within the feedback, and Glad Drafting to all!
