Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Up

March 27, 2009 @ 01:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Bryce McRae

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Down

KFFL's Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report gives fantasy baseball players the scoop on any happenings that have significantly affected KFFL's fantasy baseball rankings and projections.

The majority of positive fantasy news has come from the pitching side, with a couple of injury-prone hurlers moving up - only moderately, and still with a skeptic's eye trained on them. A couple of versatile bats have made some minor waves, too.

Catchers

Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles

The switch-hitting phenom will begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk, so he's moving ... up? His projection was based on skepticism that he'd begin the season in the bigs anyway. He's the top hitting prospect in the game, and his call-up is inevitable. Credit him with a few more at-bats, but please resist the urge to overvalue him.

First basemen

Travis Ishikawa, San Francisco Giants

Ishikawa is emerging as a serious deep sleeper given his excellent spring. His flyball rate showed serious growth last season, and given his slugging percentage in camp, it might be for real. The left-handed hitter stands to play more often than anyone he might platoon with.

Second basemen

Mark Teahen, Kansas City Royals

Fantasy owners should never put too much stock into spring performances for vets of a couple of seasons or more. That is, unless it's a torrid spring by a multiposition eligible player who could add second base to his resume. Keep an eye on the versatile Teahen in deep mixed setups.

Emilio Bonifacio, Florida Marlins

Bonifacio has put forth a solid effort with the stick, but it's his glove and versatility that has manager Fredi Gonzalez so intrigued. Gonzalez has even mentioned Bonifacio as a leadoff candidate if he sticks. Don't jump the gun, but move him up a couple of spots. He's still worth taking only in NL leagues.

Starting pitchers

Kelvim Escobar, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels and the righty continue to express optimism about Escobar's return from shoulder surgery. He was hitting the mid-90s on the radar gun in a recent minor league game. Manager Mike Scoscia thinks that Escobar could be back by the third week of April. We won't go that far, but consider him with a flier pick in a deep mixed league.

James McDonald, Los Angeles Dodgers

With his recent spring performance, McDonald has gone from probable minor leaguer to begin the season to leading candidate for the No. 5 rotation spot. It earned him only the slightest of bumps from KFFL, though. He's a watch list candidate in deep mixed leagues. His upside is worth speculating on in NL setups given the inexperience and injury histories in the rotation.

Scott Lewis, Cleveland Indians

This favorite of sabermetricians everywhere has locked down Cleveland's No. 4 spot in the rotation with a solid spring. He went 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA last September. Outstanding command is the name of his game. Keep an eye on him in deep mixed pools, but he's more suited for the back end of AL-only fantasy rotations for now.

Nick Adenhart, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Already considered a part of the rotation, Adenhart now seems destined for a few more innings given all the injuries piling up. He's still a top prospect and too easily forgotten. The righty is worth a modest bid for the upside in AL formats.

Dustin Moseley, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels may be forced to turn to Moseley for a little longer than they hoped thanks to the injury bug. He'll probably receive a few more innings than originally expected, but he's not anything more than an AL sub.

Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers

The supremely talented right-hander has forced his way into the conversation for innings in Motown. Really, it's unlikely that he breaks camp with the Tigers, but management has made it clear that they won't be shy with the 20-year-old. Stash him in AL leagues if you can afford it; even mixed leaguers should keep an ear to the tracks.

Relief pitchers

Troy Percival, Tampa Bay Rays

Believe it or not, Percy looks like he'll easily be ready for Opening Day. He hasn't given up a run in five exhibition appearances. Of course, he is ancient and injury prone, so don't launch him to the top of your cheat sheets. When injuries crop up, expect the Rays to be more careful with him this year, which should help Percival in the long run.

David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners

Which happens first: The economy rebounds, or Seattle settles its closer situation? Not sure, but Aardmsa has been the most impressive reliever in camp thus far. The former first-rounder has flashed occasional brilliance in the majors. He's worth a flier in very deep mixed leagues.

Jeremy Accardo, Toronto Blue Jays

Closer B.J. Ryan's heater is only lukewarm this spring. Fact or spring fluke? It raises concerns about the southpaw, enough that Accardo might warrant some cool interest in deep mixed leagues. The righty has filled in at closer in the past, so he might be the most logical choice.

Scott Downs, Toronto Blue Jays

It looks like closer B.J. Ryan's fastball has lost a few ticks. A real concern? Downs, another lefty, was the alternate when Ryan was unavailable in the first half of 2008. Downs was dealing with some elbow issues early in camp, but he's back in action. Keep an eye on this situation.

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Down