B.J. Upton, Power And Speed: A Fantasy Baseball (H2H league) Opus for @FP911

B.J. Upton, Power And Speed: A Fantasy Baseball (H2H league) Opus for Fantasy Pros 911: http://fp911.com/b-j-upton-power-speed-a-fantasy-baseball-head-to-head-league-opus/.

My head-to-head rankings are a blend of personal projections/thoughts and a statistical formula that weights certain categories. Every season I have to push B.J. Upton and similar players down a bit in the ranks. Still, I typically have these kind of power and speed players with low batting averages higher than standard ranks. What follows is why.

Since 2010,B.J. Uptonhas the most combined HRs and SBs in the majors – two categories incredibly important to h2h leagues. My philosophy in h2h is to go after the things the batter has control over: HRs, SBs and average (I’m willing to sacrifice average for someone who is dominant in HRs/SBs).

Read the full article here: http://fp911.com/b-j-upton-power-speed-a-fantasy-baseball-head-to-head-league-opus/. 

@AnswerDave & @Jeff_Erickson join me & @JoelHenard at 7:00 on Baseball Daily Digest Radio

Dave Brown & Jeff Erickson join me & Joel Henard tonight on Baseball Daily Digest Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thefantasyinsiders/2012/04/16/baseball-daily-digest-radio-with-joel-henard-and-albert-lang.

We’ll talk Pablo Sandoval, Josh Hamilton, Justin Smoak, Brandon Phillips, Bobby Valentine, Matt Kemp, Ozzie Guillen, Luke Scott, Lance Berkman, Javy Guerra, Ubaldo Jimenez, Trevor Cahill, Ian Desmond, Cody Ross, Hanley Ramirez, Jacoby Ellsbury, Drew Stubbs, J.D. Martinez, Jason Heyward, Chris Sale, Josh Willingham, Jordan Schafer, Rick Porcello, Edwin Encarnacion, Matt Moore, Kyle Drabek, Chris Young, Omar Infante, Eric Hosmer and much more.

Debate Me: Drew Stubbs or Desmond Jennings? for @FP911

Debate Me: Drew Stubbs or Desmond Jennings? for Fantasy Pros 911: http://fp911.com/debate-me-drew-stubbs-or-desmond-jennings/

I take Drew Stubbs as the better fantasy baseball value. Sure, Jennings will have a better career and probably a better 2012, but their power/speed are incredibly similar. 

Baseball Daily Digest Radio with Joel Henard and Albert Lang from 1.16

Baseball Daily Digest Radio with Joel Henard and Albert Lang 01/16 by JoelHenard | Blog Talk Radio.

We talked the big Yankees and Mariners trade, Jesus Montero, Michael Pineda, Hector Noesi, Jose Campos, Yoenis Cespedes, Cleveland Indians, Ryan Madson, the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Prince Fielder, Washington Nationals, Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Buster Posey, Neftali Feliz, Colby Rasmus, Yu Darvish, Daniel Descalso, Tyler Greene, Kerry Wood, Johan Santana, Johnny Damon, Drew Stubbs, Ian Stewart, fantasy baseball, and roto.

Baseball Daily Digest Radio with Joel Henard and Albert Lang will air at 7:00 ET

Baseball Daily Digest Radio with Joel Henard and Albert Lang at 7:00 ET. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thefantasyinsiders/2012/01/17/baseball-daily-digest-radio-with-joel-henard-and-albert-lang.

We’ll talk the big Yankees and Mariners trade, Jesus Montero, Michael Pineda, Hector Noesi, Jose Campos, Yoenis Cespedes, Cleveland Indians, Ryan Madson, the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Prince Fielder, Washington Nationals, Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Buster Posey, Neftali Feliz, Colby Rasmus, Yu Darvish, Daniel Descalso, Tyler Greene, Kerry Wood, Johan Santana, Johnny Damon, Drew Stubbs, Ian Stewart, fantasy baseball, and roto.

Lock, Stock and Taking Stock, Part 1

For Razzball, how did I do on my sleepers and busts:

Lock, Stock and Taking Stock, Part 1

http://razzball.com/lock-stock-and-taking-stock-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-847344

h2h Corner ~ Katy Perry (Hot ‘N’ Cold Fantasy Baseball) All-Stars

Players get hot and cold over a seven-day period, it’s as sure as the samples are small.

That is why Katy created the Hot ‘N’ Cold All-stars.

‘Cause you’re hot…you’re yes…you’re in…you’re up

Chris Heisey– I don’t know a baseball fan alive who doesn’t like Chris Heisey– he, sort of, reminds me of Cary Conklin – man Redskin fans loved that back-up QB. Well, I guess the comparison isn’t that apt as Heisey has put together amazing weeks (and showed he is damn good at his sport…Conklin, not so much). Over the last seven days, Heisey is 8/18 with four homers. In just 270 plate appearances this year, he has amassed 17 dingers with an astounding .249 ISO. Still, he is striking out a ton and swinging and missing a lot. I keep hearing that he is better than Drew Stubbs – he isn’t yet. He has a decent line drive rate and is benefiting from a good bit of his balls landing over the fence. Grab him while he is hot, but playing time could continue to be sporadic and he isn’t Jonny Gomes.

Lonnie Chisenhall – The non-Jason Kipnis Indians prospect, Chisenhall has been largely ignored by the fantasy community. However, he went 7/25 over the last seven days with three bombs. He probably wasn’t quite ready for prime time when he got the call (he sits at .234/.263/.421), but he has four homers this month. He is still getting fooled a lot (look at the K-rate and swinging strike percentage compared to his Honey I Shrunk the Kids walk rate). However, if you need power from third (and really who doesn’t), you might as well kick the tires at this point – he is certainly someone you can shuttle in and out of your line-up on off days.

Gerardo Parra – I have a special insert Parra card so I like him – it’s a default reflex sort of love. Still, Parra always seems to do a few things each year to make him interesting. To wit, his last seven days:   8/21 with a homer and steal. He is now 28 for his last 86. He is slowly getting more looks at the top of the line-up which should help with runs. He’s not a sexy option, but he should hit for a decent average and score some runs.

h2h Corner ~ Katy Perry (Hot ‘N’ Cold Fantasy Baseball) All-Stars

Players get hot and cold over a seven-day period, it’s as sure as the samples are small.

That is why Katy created the Hot ‘N’ Cold All-stars.

‘Cause you’re hot…you’re yes…you’re in…you’re up

Danny Valencia – I don’t really like oranges, but for some reason a Valencia Orange just sounds good. Or maybe it’s because Valencia is in Spain, perhaps my favorite country to visit (and one I’ll be going to in 8 days!). Anyway, I really want to like Danny Valencia (and seven-day stretches like his most recent (13/27 with two homers) make it easier), but I have to offer a word of caution. On the year, his HR/FB rate and gross HR numbers have improved in relatively the same amount of at bats as last year. Of course, the average is nowhere near 2010 levels.  His .345 BABIP in 2009 was clearly not repeatable, but is he a .261 guy on balls in play? I can’t imagine it’s that bad especially given little change in his LD rate. Still, Valencia is not much more than a .260 hitter ROTW with maybe eight HRs. I get how bad 3b is, but Valencia could hurt more than help.

Mark Ellis – I really like ballplayers with the last name Ellis (see AJ love here, and Mark love here, here, here, etc.). Mark has never been healthy, but the move to Colorado is interesting as it puts him in a favorable ballpark and league. Last week, he torched the ball, going 11/28 with two homers and a steal. I think his average will be better (he is a career .266 hitter) and he is good for at least 5 more homers and steals with upside to maybe 8-10 of each. He’s a neat play, especially in NL-only, but the batting average will likely not be helpful.

h2h Corner ~ Katy Perry (Hot ‘N’ Cold Fantasy Baseball) All-Stars

Players get hot and cold over a seven-day period, it’s as sure as the samples are small.

That is why Katy created the Hot ‘N’ Cold All-stars.

Loyal readers – we can all breathe a sigh of relief, as, at long last, Katy Perry has “reclaimed her position as queen of airplay.” Since California Gurls took the summer by storm, Katy has worked hard to climb back to the top spot – this time with Teenage Dream.

Really, it’s about time. And it’s about time for you to reclaim your spot at the top of your h2h pyramid. Most leagues are either in the play-offs or in the last week of the regular season.

For those in the play-offs, know your tie-breaker. If you own the tie-breaker, you only have to win five categories that week. So, look at your past history against your opponent and try to identify the categories you are going after. I recommend streaming pitchers as much as possible to secure wins and Ks. If you have good relievers, you can then scoop up saves, meaning you only have to secure two hitting categories for the win.

If you are in the last week of contention, be sure you know what you need to secure a play-off spot. In my most competitive league, I have a three game lead. Basically, all I have to do is go 5-5 (the likelihood of the second place team winning 8-2 or 9-1) is very small, so I’m focused on gobbling up categories. Now is the time to study and come out with a game plan for getting back on top.

h2h Corner ~ Keep, Trade or Drop: Drew Stubbs, Matt LaPorta, Kyle Blanks?

A few facts I know:

• Drew Stubbs only played in 42 games last year, but he didn’t disappoint. He smacked eight HRs, stole 10 bases and batted .267. In 423 minor league games, Stubbs hit .269 with a .364 OBP, while hitting 28 HRs and stealing 121 bases. Stubbs will turn 26 in October.