Anthony Rendon of the Washington Nationals was one of 2014's breakout stars. With all the spotlight on teammate Bryce Harper, Rendon paced the Nats' offense by slashing .287/.351/.473 and belting 21 home runs.
Rendon will be counted on as a cornerstone of the Washington lineup this year, as well as a staple of fantasy teams, so news coming out of Nationals' camp that he could miss Opening Day is alarming.
"He has a little sprain in there so we are being cautious, keeping in mind that he is going to need at-bats. You do run out of time eventually," manager Matt Williams said. Rendon hurt the knee diving for a ground ball on March 9 against the Atlanta Braves.
Rendon is an even more valuable fantasy asset than most because he has dual position eligibility at second base and third base. Both position have the potential to be deep, but are also thin at the top. Rendon is inside the Top 5 at both spots. For those in keeper leagues who may need a backup plan here are three players being drafted outside the Top 200 that can fill in the gap at either position.
Second Base Options
Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies: Utley understandably scares owners with his injury history, but to be the 20th-ranked 2B is crazy. Last season Utley made it through 155 games, his most since 2009. He slashed .270/.339/.407 with 11 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He had a sub-.300 BABIP as well, meaning with a little luck Utley might be in the .290s range this year. Philadelphia lacks punch in the batting order, so he'll be plopped into RBI spots and left alone when he slumps. Grab him late.
Jedd Gyorko, San Diego Padres: Gyorko was a major disappointment in 2014, but at 26 years old it's entirely too early to give up on him. Gyorko has uncommon power for a second baseman, especially with power declining across the board and pitching on the rise. In 2013 he socked 23 home runs in 125 games. With a full season under his belt this year, it's not a stretch to think he could approach 30. You'll just have to live with his strikeouts and low batting average.
Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds: He's 33 and about as boring a pick as there is in your draft. Still, Phillips has solid power for a second baseman-and consistent too. Last year he was injured and missed big chunks of time. For the previous four seasons he hit 18 home runs on the button while his average dipped every year. At this point it's unwise to expect more than .250 from Phillips, but he's a good RBI guy and if healthy he'll still hit for power.
Third Base Options
Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Pirates: Alvarez's power totals dipped last season during an injury-shortened campaign, but he hit 30 and 36 home runs in the previous two campaigns. Alvarez appears healthy now, and even if his batting average stinks (it will), he might provide pop while you wait for Rendon to return.
Brett Lawrie, Oakland Athletics: Lawrie, like Rendon, is eligible to play 2B or 3B. He's been a disappointment since exploding onto the scene in 2011, but much of that has been injury related. He's far too young (25) to give up on, and if he pans out he gives owners trade flexibility as well as a valuable keeper option. Lawrie has both power and speed-he just needs health.
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees: Don't laugh, A-Rod hasn't looked too bad this spring and he's got a hell of a lot to prove this season. His power isn't close to what it used to be, and his bat has visibly slowed, but even in 2013 Rodriguez still showed the ability to get on base and draw walks. Maybe he's hot right off the bat and makes a statement from Opening Day. It's admittedly a long shot, but what talent this late in the draft are you gambling on that's greater than A-Rod's?
[MLB.com]
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