A Juicers Delight: a HR-Centered Fantasy Baseball League

Gripes about fantasy baseball come in many different packages –“it’s too labor intensive”; “I don’t have time to set daily line-ups”; “the closers change too much”; “the season’s too long,” “etc.” Do you see a common thread here?

In general, people love fantasy sports – just look at fantasy football. The only differences that I see between the two is that the football season is limited to 16 games (if you are lucky), each team has significantly fewer roster spots, there is a waiver period every week and there are far fewer games to follow (usually 15 per week).

So, we have a decision to make here.  Either we call those people who love fantasy football – even though it is more random/lucky – lazy and ignore them, or, we try to bring them into the fold and slowly brainwash them into loving the pure intellectual pursuit that is fantasy baseball.

So, here is an idea for a relaxing fantasy baseball league.

Step one: make friends.

Step two: get together with said friends and draft homerun hitters.

Step three: draft 8 players and win your league when the mashers on your team out-mash the players on your friends’ teams.

Lock, Stock and Taking Stock, Part 2

Lock, Stock and Taking Stock, Part 2

http://razzball.com/lock-stock-and-taking-stock-part-2/

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

Hideki Matsui: Man, Matsui has come back from outer space over the last seven days: 13/29 with two dingers. It raised his disappointing season average to .244 and has him on the cusp of double digit homers. Matsui, who hasn’t hit less than 21 homers or batted less than .273 in his last three full seasons, could make a decent down the stretch addition. It wouldn’t surprise me if he hit around .270 the rest of the way and doubled his homerun output.

Cliff Pennington: I’ve always loved Cliff Clavin (Hey he did predict Obama) and always kind of liked Cliff Pennington. However I hate the Jets and I hate Chad Pennington, go figure. Anyway, back to whatever the point of this was: Pennington has smoked the ball of late (12/26 with two dingers). He hit a modest .250 last year, but did steal 29 bases in 34 attempts. Unfortunately, this year he is abysmally 6/15 in SB attempts. With shortstops and middle infielders around the world falling like fruit flies, Pennington is worth a look. The batting average is decidedly average and the power is non-existent, but he could go on a decent steals “tear” down the stretch. Hey, when Alexei Cassilla hitting the DL is a blow, people like Pennington become relevant.

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

Miguel Olivo – Exiled to the offensive haven that is Seattle, Olivo hasn’t been on a lot of fantasy radars. However, over the last seven days, Olivo smacked four dingers and collected 11 RBIs. Of course he batted .240, but come on, he’s Miguel Olivo. This power binge likely represents the best stretch of the year for Olivo. But, he can still put up 9 – 10 more dingers. If you need power, go ahead, just make sure you can alleviate the horrid batting average that comes with it.

Mark Reynolds – Speaking of horrid batting averages and power, Reynolds hit three homers and went 5/17 over the last seven days. He does have seven round trippers in his last 83 ABs, however, he is hitting just .229 during that stretch. As the summer heats up Camden Yards, Reynolds’ power stroke should come with it. I think he’s good for 20 more HRs and 10 more steals, of course that will come with a batting average within sight of the Mendoza line.

h2h Corner ~ Knowing ADP – How To Win Your League Before the Season Even Starts: Mark Reynolds

Mark Reynolds– Current ADP 129 – My Rank: 150th hitter; 22nd 3B

This one via Twitter and my co-host @JoelHenard.

For a devoted Orioles fan, I sure am down on their new acquisition. After posting a massive year in 2009, Reynolds decided to make things harder on himself by becoming the right-handed National League version of Carlos Pena (now Pena is in the NL and Reynolds the AL, odd). While the 32 HRs are not bad (it was the second most by a third basemen), he stole 17 less bases and hit just .198 in 2010.

While his walk rate went up a smidge to a career high at 13.9%, his K-rate somehow found a way to increase about four percent. Basically, 2009 and 2010 were polar opposite seasons:

• 2009 BABip: .338; 2010: .257
• 2009 Line Drive percentage: 17.4; 2010: 13.3
• 2009 Fly Ball percentage: 47.3; 2010: 54.9
• 2009 HR/FB: 26%; 2010: 19.9%

In short, everything that went into making Reynolds a monster in 2009 turned him into a lamb in 2010.

Thankfully, we can take the middle ground here. I think he is basically a .240 AVG, 35 HRs, 10 SBs player with a .335 OBP and .492 SLG. For what it’s worth, Bill James has him at .233/.337/.490 with 35 HRs and nine SBs.

Clearly he is worth more than a Carlos Pena type given his position and speed – however I do worry about his transition to a tougher league and environment. If he maintains his current ADP, I’m not getting him in any league and I’m ok with that.

Feel free to share your insights below or at my Twitter (@h2h_corner).

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Maximizing every drop of value in every pick is hugely important. Taking a player in the fifth round that you could just as easily have taken in the sixth round is a major mistake. To avoid this, you need to know all about Average Draft Position (ADP).

While no two drafts are identical, knowing where a player typically goes gives you a general idea of where he will go in your draft. That said, be sure to do homework on your league mates subjective tendencies. For example, if there are Red Sox fans, be sure to snag guys like Lester and Youkilis a bit earlier than you normally would. In addition, you should talk up your sleepers before the draft (discreetly of course) to see if anyone is on to them. If you don’t, an opponent with an itchy trigger finger who hasn’t done his ADP homework might snag one of your sleepers a round before anyone else is typically taking him.

Now that you know WHY ADP is important, I want to show you HOW to exploit it by highlighting those players who are going too low compared to players with similar ADPs. You can grab an ADP report at Mock Draft Central.

Feel free to share your insights below or at my Twitter (@h2h_corner).

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

Mike Aviles – Aviles has been a fantasy tease (at least for me) over the last several years. So is his last seven days (two HRs, one SB and a .474 AVG) tease or reality? I’m hoping it is closer to reality, as he is getting full playing time because Chris Getz is injured. For whatever reason, the Royals think it is advantageous to split at bats between the two. Aviles is a good player, capable of helping your batting average out right away. He’ll add light pop and light steals, but, when he plays, he is an above average middle infielder.

h2h Corner ~ 2010 Hitter Rankings

This article comes on the heels of my worst fantasy year in history. Sure, I won my most competitive, long-term, keeper h2h league and my free agent fantasy league, but I finished last in my two NFL leagues, got smoked in Survivor, and I lost my College Football Bowl Series league (hey, I drafted two suspended players).