Fantasy Baseball 2010 Draft Tips (Buy, Sell, and Gamble)

March 27th, 2010 kNuke Posted in Fantasy Baseball | No Comments »

While putting my draft board together I’ve highlighted some players as Buy, Sell, and Gamble.

Don’t simply avoid a player on the Sell List; just downgrade your expectations and target them a little lower. Each player’s ADP is in parenthesis.

Catcher

Buy: Victor Martinez (33) He’ll put up good numbers and play 150+ games unlike most other catchers.
Sell: Jorge Posada (132) There are too many other young catchers available; don’t give yourself a headache.
Sell: Joe Mauer (12) Too many missed games, 1st Round picks should play 150+ games.
Gamble: Geovany Soto (164) Expect 130+ games and numbers closer to 2008.

First Baseman

Buy: Ryan Howard (11) He’ll produce like any other 1B in Round 1 minus Great Albert.
Sell: Lance Berkman (70) The injuries are too big of a concern.
Gamble: Adam LaRoche (191) Expect 25 HR, 85 RBI, 85 R, and .270 AVG.

Second Baseman

Buy: Jose Lopez (117) Looks to be progressing nicely; only other 100 RBI 2B will be Chase Utley.
Sell: Aaron Hill (55) Expect a repeat of last year and be disappointed.
Gamble: Rickie Weeks (193) Could pay off big with a 30/30 season.

Third Baseman

Buy: Ryan Zimmerman (30) Not as big of a name as David Wright, but just as productive a round later.
Buy: Aramis Ramirez (62) 30 HR, 100 RBI, and .290 AVG as the 8th 3B off the board sounds good to me.
Sell: Gordon Beckham (98) The guy has mucho talent, but the Sophomore slump looms.
Gamble: Edwin Encarnacion (349) If he bats fifth for the Blue Jays, 25 HR and 100 RBI are possibilities.

Shortstop

Buy: Asdrubal Cabrera (149) Speed, AVG, and 2B eligibility make him very useful.
Buy: Stephen Drew (123) Expect 100 R, 20 HR, and .285 AVG.
Sell: Jose Reyes (25) Too many injury concerns and there is speed to be found later in the draft.
Gamble: Alcides Escobar (216) Could grab 50 SBs if given the playing time.

Outfield

Buy: Curtis Granderson (47) Expect .280 AVG, 35 HR, 25 SB, and 110 R.
Buy: Juan Pierre (171) Remember him? Expect .290 AVG and 50 SBs.
Buy: Michael Cuddyer (134) Solid .270 AVG, 25 HR, 90 RBI.
Sell: Josh Hamilton (65) Injuries make him a huge risk, but the power is legit.
Sell: Torii Hunter (99) You don’t get points for his defense, which is in decline by the way.
Gamble: Julio Borbon (164) This year’s Chris Davis, but if he sticks, he’ll win you the SB category.
Gamble: Drew Stubbs (285) Not sure what to make of this guy yet, but he’ll help with HRs or SBs.
Gamble: Chris B Young (317) If he starts to get hot, HRs and SBs rain from the heavens.

Starting Pitcher

Buy: Roy Halladay (24) Worth every penny, he’ll carve up the NL.
Buy: Cole Hamels (90) Halladay will take the pressure off, he’s looking at 17 W, 180 Ks, and 3.50 ERA.
Buy: Clayton Kershaw (96) He’s ready to elevate into fantasy stardom; 1st Round pick next year.
Sell: Chris Carpenter (65) The injuries will come.
Sell: Zack Greinke (30) The Ks are legit, but he won’t be as good as last year; 12 W and 3.50 ERA.
Gamble: Brett Anderson (145) He won’t win many games, but a 3.50 ERA and 175 Ks are helpful.
Gamble: Erik Bedard (251) The Ks are still there.
Gamble: Stephen Strasburg (269) He’ll only play 1/2 the season, but expect a 3 ERA and Ks.
Gamble: Brian Matusz (286) Could earn AL ROY honors; sub 4 ERA and 150 Ks.

Relief Pitcher

Buy: Jose Valverde (125) Performs like an elite closer, 40 SVs.
Buy: Billy Wagner (146) Velocity is up, he’ll lock down 35 SVs.
Buy: Chad Qualls (187) His knee looks recovered; 35 SVs.
Sell: Ryan Franklin (150) Last year was just too good to be true.
Sell: Andrew Bailey (117) Shoulder concerns are worrisome.
Gamble: Chris Perez (360) Could keep the closer job even when Kerry Wood gets off the DL.
Gamble: Jon Rauch (NA) Has past experience and the Twinkies will win a ton of games.

I’m always down to discuss anything Fantasy Baseball related. Feel free to post a comment or tweet me up anytime.

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