Fantasy games have taken over sports and baseball is no different. Whether it’s daily fantasy or year-long leagues, there is a league out there waiting for you. And if you’re like many fantasy baseball participants, you have a draft to plan for this weekend.
Unlike football, fantasy baseball is a daily grind. It takes commitment to win your league. Baseball players have hot and cold streaks, and you must set your lineup accordingly. You also have to factor in pitching matchups, whereas in football you start your best players available to you.
The best part about fantasy baseball is how it keeps you in the loop with the rest of Major League Baseball. As an Orioles fan, it’s easy to get caught up with just one team. Fantasy allows you to follow other players around the league (Miguel Cabrera and Cole Hamels are two players who usually are on my team). It also helps you keep a better eye on the players around the American League East.
Here are which Orioles to target in your upcoming draft:
All projections are courtesy of ESPN.com.
Manny Machado – SS, 3B
ESPN Overall Ranking: No. 7
Position Ranking: No. 1 SS, No. 3 3B
2016 Stats: 105 R | 37 HR | 96 RBI | 0 SB | .294/.343/.533/.876
2017 Projections: 101 R | 36 HR | 90 RBI | 6 SB | .292/.349/.523/.871
He puts up numbers across the board and his roster flexibility makes me value him as a top-5 player over Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. What is interesting about the projections is they do expect an uptick in steals – which shouldn’t be hard seeing how he had zero a year ago – but minor drop offs in every other category. Personally, I think this is the year he hits 40 bombs with over 100 RBI. Regardless, there really is no better way to enter a fantasy draft if you’re an O’s fan than to build your team around Machado.
Zach Britton – RP
ESPN Overall Ranking: No. 64
Position Ranking: No. 2
2016 Stats: 67 IP | 74 K | 18 BB | 2 W | 47 SV | 0.54 ERA | 0.84 WHIP
2017 Projections: 68 IP | 75 K | 18 BB | 4 W | 43 SV | 1.72 ERA | 0.93 WHIP
It’s difficult to understand how Britton is ranked second at his position coming off his record-breaking season. It’s hard to imagine him going another 43 appearances without giving up a run, but he is without a doubt one of the best closers in the game. With that said, the 64th pick on a closer is way too high in my eyes for a player who tallies points for just the save category. You can find plenty of closers in the later rounds that will flirt with 35-40 saves and spend the earlier picks on filling out your rotation and position players.
Adam Jones – OF
ESPN Overall Ranking: No. 69
Position Ranking: No. 22 OF
2016 Stats: 86 R | 29 HR | 83 RBI | 2 SB | .265/.310/.436/.746
2017 Projections: 86 R | 30 HR | 88 RBI | 3 SB | .270/.310/.453/.764
There is only one player in the Majors that has hit at least 25 homers and notched at least 80 RBI in each of the past six seasons, yet he continues to fall on many draft boards. His placement in the lineup will have an impact on his RBI opportunities and he no longer steals bases like in the past, but barring any injury, you know what you’re getting from Jones. We take for granted that he is a balanced player that can be an asset to any fantasy team.
Chris Davis – 1B
ESPN Overall Ranking: No. 74
Position Ranking: No. 12 1B
2016 Stats: 99 R | 38 HR | 84 RBI | 1 SB | .221/.332/.459/.792
2017 Projections: 96 R | 40 HR | 92 RBI | 1 SB | .234/.338/.488/.826
You will need to find supplemental players for Davis if strikeouts count in your league, but there are few with the potential to hit 40 home runs every season. Expect his batting average to get back near his career average (.250) and it is an odd year so it’s his year to lead MLB in home runs once again. You’re not going to find many more power bats at this point of the draft.
Mark Trumbo – OF
ESPN Overall Ranking: No. 75
Position Ranking: No. 23 OF
2016 Stats: 94 R | 47 HR | 108 RBI | 2 SB | .256/.316/.533/.850
2017 Projections: 86 R | 38 HR | 100 RBI | 2 SB | .260/.318/.502/.819
The last of the Orioles’ position players in the Top 100, many are expecting Trumbo to regress after leading the league in homers last season. It’s hard to imagine him starting off in the same manner and his second half woes are well documented. Still, he is another reliable source for home runs and RBI. Don’t reach for the O’s DH, but don’t let him fall too far either.
Kevin Gausman – SP
ESPN Overall Ranking: No. 99
Position Ranking: No. 23 SP
2016 Stats: 179.2 IP | 174 K | 47 BB | 9 W | 3.61 ERA | 1.28 WHIP
2017 Projections: 189 IP | 183 K | 50 BB | 12 W | 3.52 ERA | 1.21 WHIP
Call me a bit of a homer here, but KG is someone who could be a sleeper at this stage in the draft. He enters the season as the No. 1 starter due to Chris Tillman’s injury and 15 wins is certainly possible. Many expect him to take that next step to become the team’s top starter and finishing in the top 10 would not shock me.
Jonathan Schoop – 2B
ESPN Overall Ranking: No. 186
Position Ranking: No. 16 2B
2016 Stats: 82 R | 25 HR | 82 RBI | 1 SB | .267/.298/.454/.752
2017 Projections: 76 R | 25 HR | 77 RBI | 2 SB | .260/.290/.447/.737
There is a long list of players between Gausman and Schoop, but some of them make you scratch your head wondering how they are rated better than Johnny Baseball. Schoop is one of the few second basemen that provide pop, and is definitely a more proven player than Dansby Swanson and Byron Buxton, who both rank ahead of him.
This is your list of draftable Orioles, according to ESPN Fantasy Baseball. Welington Castillo, Chris Tillman and Dylan Bundy could be reliable options as the year progresses, but wait to see how they start before investing in them.
Do not go to crazy trying to pick up every player from your favorite team, but do not be afraid to take chances on them either. Fantasy baseball is a game of daily commitment and risk. Make the right moves and you have a good chance of winning your league.
All photos: Craig Landefeld/GulfBird Photo
