Like many people who play fantasy sports, I'm always asked who I'm really trying to draft or what my plan is heading into draft day. While sometimes reluctant to tell my friends and leaguemates my plans, I end up in discussions with them about who
"I like on draft day". Everyone has a plan heading into their baseball draft, but despite what your plan may be, your plan can change very quickly. Here are some hitters to target this season.
The catching position is usually an empty gap unless you acquire a top tier player. The biggest concern with Wilson Ramos has been his health, but when healthy, he's a top 10 catcher with regards to offensive performance. In 361 plate appearances last season, he finished with 11 home runs and slugged .399. During the 2013 season, Ramos slugged 16 home runs in 303 plate appearances. Obviously fantasy owners are hoping he can accumulate 400-450 plate appearances in 2015 and hit 20 home runs. Mixing in Ramos with Washington's high production offense and the fact that the catching position is weak, Ramos is a good late round addition.
Hopefully entering the 2014 season, you didn't expect slugger Chris Davis to match his 2013 total in home runs (53). However, even with 26 home runs last season, Davis still posted a dreadful .196/.300/.404 line. With the struggles that Davis showed in 2014, many fantasy owners will shy away from drafting Crush (The what have you done for me lately mentality) - which makes him a great buy-low candidate. Owners know they are going to get a player that hits .250/.315/.485 but will also hit 30 home runs in 2015. As an added bonus, Davis could see position eligibility at third base and the outfield as the season progresses.
Gyorko, 26, has received a lot of
love from the Baseball Press crew over the past few seasons. However, his 2014 season wasn't as good as his 2013 season. One reason could be the fact that he dealt with a painful foot injury most of the season. Fast forward to 2015, Gyorko is healthy and hitting in an upgraded Padres lineup. His batting average and on-base percentage won't do much for fantasy owners, but the potential for another 20 home run season is real.
There was a lot of hype around the 21-year-old prospect during the 2013/2014 seasons, but after a season posting an empty batting average and low home run total, that lust may have worn off for many owners. Bogaerts is still a young prospect that has tremendous upside at a very shallow position. While owners certainly shouldn't expect Xander to hit 30 home runs and bat .300 in 2015, a 20 home run season isn't out of reach for the second year player. A cheap shortstop option on draft day that can hit 20 home runs can play a long way during the season (Just look at J.J. Hardy).
Despite having major surgeries on both knees over the past two seasons, Machado is still a wonderful young talent that shouldn't be overlooked on draft day. Owners will still pass on Machado because of the injury concerns, but with a healthy season of 600 plate appearances, Manny should be on target to replicate his 2013 numbers or even better. With his injuries behind him and fully ready for the new season entering spring training, he's a great "buy-low/sleeper" player.
Although Mookie Betts is certainly no lock to win a starting OF job with the Red Sox in 2015 (
Hanley Ramirez,
Rusney Castillo,
Shane Victorino,
Brock Holt, etc) - he's a solid on-base machine with the ability to score runs in bunches. Betts, 22, appeared in 52 games with the Red Sox last season (a bulk of them in the outfield) and posted a .368 on-base percentage and 7 stolen bases. There's a good chance that the Red Sox will want to give their high priced Cuban free agent a chance at the big league level; however, Castillo's Cuban baseball numbers may not play well in the big leagues. Additionally, due to Betts' ability to reach base, there's a chance he could hit leadoff. I'm counting on Betts receiving plenty of at-bats, making him fantasy relevant.
Reggie is a writer and the co-founder of Baseball Press. He enjoys fantasy baseball and hates when players bunt in baseball.