MLB Spring Training is nearly upon us, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy baseball preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 30 MLB teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, sleepers, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the Miami Marlins.
Must Own
Giancarlo Stanton, OF: Stanton is easily a Top 5 player in fantasy, and a convincing argument can be made for him as the No. 1 pick. Injury concerns were allayed last season, when he was healthy as a horse until a freak accident in which he was hit in the face by a pitch. He has unreal power, never hitting fewer than 22 home runs, and showing the ability to hit in the high-.200s. He even flashed some wheels, stealing 13 bases last season. Total stud.
Christian Yelich, OF: Yelich has shown a great bat since he debuted in the minor leagues, and while owners can't count on him for much power, they can safely expect a high batting average with good speed. Last season Yelich swiped 21 bags, and the arrow's only pointing up for this 23-year-old.
Dee Gordon, 2B: Gordon is valuable for one thing-stolen bases. Usually one-dimensional players are risky propositions, but Gordon stole so many last season (64) that Roto owners might own the category by drafting him right around No. 60. If you take the Dee Gordon plunge, be prepared to draft power elsewhere and be ready for Gordon to have a pretty bad batting average.
Marcell Ozuna, OF: He's not a household name yet, but he has real pop in a landscape where it's becoming harder to find. Ozuna swatted 23 homers last year, and it's no fluke. He hit 23 or more twice in Single-A and High-A ball. There's the potential for a little speed too, although he hasn't shown it at the MLB level yet.
Mat Latos, SP: The Marlins snagged themselves a real life ace when they acquired Latos, but is he a fantasy star? Health has been a concern for Latos at times, and while his ERA remains steady year-to-year, he likely isn't sufficient to be your team's top gun. He carries less risk than many of the players ahead of him, but not more upside.
Jose Fernandez, SP: Fernandez is getting drafted inside the Top 50 SPs even though he's going to miss time because of continued rehab from Tommy John surgery. When healthy, Fernandez is one of the elite pitchers in the sport. Normally, I am not one to recommend investing a high pick/big money in someone who is starting the season injured, but Fernandez is an exception. He should be back before the All-Star break, and even on an innings limit he should be a force. For keeper leagues especially, Fernandez could turn out to be a major bargain.
Steve Cishek, RP: Cishek has been shrugged off for two seasons because of how badly the Marlins as a team were expected to perform. Now, his excellent numbers will be paid heed. He is just inside the Top 15 RPs at this point in time, but he posts sick strikeout numbers, and his 3.17 ERA (not bad) should have been a full run better last year according to his FIP.
Sleepers
Michael Morse, 1B/OF: Morse's power is very real, but his health is a major concern. At No. 266 overall, Morse's home run potential is very easy to gamble on though, and his first base eligibility doesn't hurt. If he can stay on the field, 30 home runs isn't outside his reach.
Martin Prado, 2B/3B/OF: Prado's production will not blow you away. His three-position eligibility, and his yearly high batting average make him excellent bench fodder, especially in auction-style drafts where big chunks of money may have been spent on stud players. Prado is also helpful to owners who eschew deep benches to stock up on arms. If you're planning on carrying just one or two backup hitters, make one Prado, who can fill in so many spots on heavy off days.
Deep Stashes
A.J. Ramos, RP: Cishek has been a very solid closer for the last two seasons, but if he falters Ramos will be right behind him. Last season he notched a 7-0 record-not entirely relevant but still impressive-and that record came complete with a 2.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 10.27 K/9. His 6.05 BB/9 is extremely scary, and he won't be closing games if that persists, but he'll be valuable in Holds leagues, and can pick up saves if Cishek gets hurt or struggles.
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