Fantasy Baseball

Cancel your extracurriculars and apologize in advance to anyone who might be bothered by you being preoccupied for the next few months.

Just explain that after months of waiting, fantasy baseball is back. And it needs your undivided attention again.

There are actual statistics in the books, and unfortunately, the injury bug is out, and it's focused on starting pitchers. Fortunately, we're here to help with injury-replacement options—available in 30-plus percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros—for your fallen hurlers.

For transparency's sake, we'll leave positive COVID-19 tests out of this, since there's too much unknown with the length of absence.

             

The Injury: Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Back)

Ugh. Just when Kershaw owners were ready to reap the rewards of rostering the three-time Cy Young winner, the pitcher's balky back acted up again.

Instead of taking the hill for the Dodgers on Opening Day, the 32-year-old wound up on the 10-day injured list with back stiffness. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Kershaw hurt his back while working out in the weight room Tuesday. While there's no timetable for his return, he'll miss at least two turns through the rotation, which is a lot of time in this abbreviated 60-game season.

               

The Replacement: Rich Hill, SP, Minnesota Twins (60 Percent Owned)

For better and worse, Hill has a lot in common with Kershaw. The former Dodgers teammates are each no stranger to the injured list, but they're also flat-out filthy when they're on the mound.

If Hill can somehow avoid the injury bug during his age-40 season, he could be the fantasy pickup of the year. In 13 starts last season, he pitched to a 2.45 ERA and totaled 72 strikeouts against 18 walks.

                

The Injury: Jake Odorizzi, SP, Minnesota Twins (Back)

Odorizzi not only regained fantasy relevance in 2019, he also made the first All-Star trip of his career. Any questions about his ability to replicate that success will be put on hold as back soreness put him on the 10-day injured list.

If there's a positive to be found here, it's that the soreness is described as "mild," and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he expected Odorizzi would throw a bullpen session at some point over the weekend. Fantasy owners will still need to cover the spot, but it sounds like this should only be temporary.

                 

The Replacement: Nathan Eovaldi, SP/RP, Boston Red Sox (47 Percent Owned)

An unlikely Opening Day starter who was pressed into duty by the absences of Chris Sale (Tommy John surgery) and Eduardo Rodriguez (COVID-19), Eovaldi is too volatile to comfortably recommend a season-long pickup. But he's positioned for a strong start as well as anyone, and that should be all Odorizzi owners need to handle his absence.

Eovaldi's first assignment is a Baltimore Orioles team that finished 22nd in runs and 21st in batting average last season, and it won't have that group's scoring leader (Jonathan Villar, traded to Miami Marlins) or home run leader (Trey Mancini, colon cancer surgery). Eovaldi followed an electric run through the 2018 postseason by posting a career-high 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 2019.

                  

The Injury: Cole Hamels, SP, Atlanta Braves (Triceps)

The Braves knew it could be a while before they saw Hamels debut, but the latest update is even worse than expected. The 36-year-old, who inked a one-year, $18 million deal with Atlanta in December, will start the season on the 45-day IL.

The veteran hurler probably wasn't anchoring any fantasy rotations, but owners who were hoping for some kind of contribution should probably move on outside of the deepest leagues.

               

The Replacement: Ross Stripling, SP/RP, Los Angeles Dodgers (57 Percent Owned)

After bouncing between the bullpen and the rotation since his arrival in 2016, Stripling should finally have a full-time starting gig. David Price's opt-out should've made that decision for the Dodgers.

Stripling could be a top-tier starter despite the relatively low ownership percentages for now. An All-Star in 2018, he has pitched to a 3.36 ERA with 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings against 1.9 walks per nine innings over the past three seasons.

Bats are cracking, gloves are popping and fantasy baseball stocks are on the move.

It might not be Major League Baseball as we've always known it, but MLB is back. Teams are tuning up in abbreviated exhibition schedules, and the standings will start moving for real on Thursday night.

Whether you're drafting, scanning the waiver wire or uncovering a trade target, now is the time to know which direction players are headed. The following three fantasy hitters are all trending up.

                

Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

It seemingly took forever and a day for Aaron Judge to shake a rib injury that surfaced last September and manifested as a fracture this spring. But if his Summer Camp slugging is any indication, the power-hitting outfielder has finally put the ailment behind him.

His bat is too hot to touch. He homered twice Sunday night, then left the yard again on Monday.

"I think once he got to start swinging the bat and got confirmation that it felt all right, the ramp-up has gone really well for him," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters. "We're seeing it obviously in the results, in the typical really good Aaron Judge at-bats."

Judge will always come with some injury risk (he hasn't topped 120 games since 2017), but this power surge reminds how rich the reward can be. The 162-game pace for his career includes 45 homers, 101 RBI and 119 runs. Value him accordingly in drafts or trades.

                

Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets

Was Yoenis Cespedes even on your radar at the start of draft season? Judging by his average draft position of 274, per FantasyPros, probably not.

He better get there quickly. While it's impossible to say how much he can provide after missing all of last season and playing just 119 games the previous two years combined, his upside is interesting enough to make him flier-worthy in every format.

"Right now he's as strong as you can probably count on with him," Mets manager Luis Rojas said. "... As far as the athleticism and what he's shown [in the outfield] in the different drills and stuff that we've done, he's looked really good. He looks like the outfield Cespedes that we all know."

A healthy Cespedes can be a fantasy juggernaut. He has twice delivered 30-plus homers, twice knocked in at least 100 runs and once paired 23 homers with 16 steals. His ceiling is too high to ignore.

              

Cesar Hernandez, Cleveland Indians

A free-agent pact with the Indians could be Cesar Hernandez's ticket back to fantasy relevance.

Granted, he never offered a ton of it, but in 2018, he supplied 15 homers, 19 stolen bases and 151 combined runs and 60 RBI. Those are notable numbers—and he might have a chance to do better (in terms of pace, that is) in Cleveland, where manager Terry Francona seems prepared to slot him into the leadoff spot.

"Last year was a little bit of an aberration for Cesar Hernandez," Francona told reporters. "He can get on base and he can run. He's not going to lead the league in stolen bases. But he can hit from both sides, he can walk and he can run the bases."

If Hernandez is doing all those things while hitting ahead of Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana, he will deliver a tremendous return on his minimal cost (ADP: 258).

The 2020 MLB season is sure to have its share of statistical anomalies.

Numerous players will have the opportunity to show out over the 60-game stretch, and it is a safe bet to say there will be a few individuals who have outlier campaigns.

Some players, like Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ, already entered the year with something extra to prove. With such a small sample size, the incentive to perform is all the more evident.

Here is more on Happ and other outfielders who might have breakthrough seasons in 2020.

                       

Outfield Breakthrough Candidates

   

Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs

   

Happ seemingly busted out during his rookie year in 2017. The former first-round pick hit 24 homers and posted an .842 OPS in 413 plate appearances, playing multiple positions and giving the Cubs much-needed offense towards the bottom of the order.

With Dexter Fowler long gone and Kyle Schwarber struggling in the leadoff hole in 2017, the Cubs penciled in Happ at the top of the order at the start of the 2018 campaign. But Happ struggled out of the gate and, with Albert Almora Jr. off to a strong start, had to settle for a platoon role.

Happ's sophomore campaign also seemed like a step back in that he had a 36.1 percent strikeout rate, per FanGraphs. The Cubs sent Happ to Triple-A for the start of the 2019 season, where he stayed until late-July. However, Happ made a serious impact when he returned to the majors. The Pittsburgh native hit 11 homers and had an .898 OPS in 156 plate appearances. His strikeout rate also fell to 25 percent.

There is reason to believe Happ could have a big year in 2020. The 25-year-old should get the lion's share of at-bats as the starting center fielder, and he seems to have made the necessary adjustments at the plate.

Not to mention, the Cubs are seeking steadier offense and more production from the center field spot. A productive year from Happ will go a long way in determining whether Chicago can reclaim the National League Central title.

                    

Eloy Jimenez, Chicago White Sox

   

While the Cubs are hoping Happ busts out on the North Side of Chicago, Eloy Jimenez will look to power the White Sox to a playoff appearance.

Jimenez's rookie season was a mixed bag. The 23-year-old missed 40 games because of injury, and he also struck out 134 times while drawing just 30 bases on balls. But Jimenez also clubbed 31 homers in 504 plate appearances.

He seemed to gain confidence at the end of the year, slashing .340/.383/.710 with nine homers and 25 RBI in the season's final month. It was a solid rookie campaign and showcased some of the star potential Jimenez possesses. But his sophomore campaign could vault him to superstardom.

Jimenez ranked in the 90th percentile in hard-hit percentage and 86th percentile in average exit velocity, per Baseball Savant. If he can cut down on the whiff rate, especially against breaking balls and off-speed pitches, Jimenez could take flight.

The White Sox added Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion and Nomar Mazara to the lineup in the offseason and figure to score plenty of runs this year.

It is possible Jimenez finishes as one of the top run-producers in baseball.

                  

Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals 

   

Keep an eye on how the Cardinals manage Dylan Carlson, the top prospect in their farm system.

The Redbirds lost Marcell Ozuna in the offseason and—while Tommy Edman figures to move to the outfield—might choose to give Carlson some at-bats. Both Fowler and Harrison Bader have been relatively underwhelming at the plate, while Carlson has excelled in the minors.

The 21-year-old hit 26 homers and stole 20 bases between Double-A and Triple-A last year, finishing the season with a .914 OPS in 126 games. He hit five homers and tallied 11 total extra-base hits in just 18 games at Triple-A. The youngster can mash.

There are a number of reasons the Cardinals would give Carlson extensive playing time. For starters, the 2020 minor league season was canceled, and it seems likely St. Louis wants Carlson to get some at-bats given he has already played at every level of the minors.

Additionally, adding Carlson to the mix might allow Edman to remain at third base, with the Cardinals then slotting Matt Carpenter into the designated hitter spot and thus limiting some potential wear and tear.

Carlson is one of a number of prospects who could make their mark in this shortened season.

                 

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.

It's next to impossible to win a fantasy baseball title these days without major power.

With balls flying out of the park at record rates last year, big bats are a must to help anchor your fantasy team. There's only one problem: Every owner in your league is chasing lofty home run totals, too.

So, where can you find power for (relatively) cheap? Answer: More places than you might think, starting with the following three undervalued boppers.

              

Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees

To address that pinstriped elephant in the room, yes, injury risks are unavoidable with Giancarlo Stanton. He's played 10 seasons in the big leagues and made fewer than 130 appearances in six of them.

But you know what else is undeniable? The fact that the 30-year-old has as much power potential as anyone in baseball.

Stanton has two home run titles under his belt (including an absurd 59-homer, 132-RBI effort in 2017) and an MVP on his resume. His first season in New York, 2018, he hit 38 homers, scored 102 runs, drove in 100 and had the third-highest average exit velocity in baseball (93.7 miles per hour).

He has best-hitter-in-fantasy potential at the plate, and somehow his average draft position is only 71st, per FantasyPros. That's a reflection of the injury risk, obviously, but it's as if everyone decided to focus much more on his floor than his ceiling.

Don't make that same mistake, especially if you're anything other than ecstatic about your power situation after the opening few rounds of your draft.

                   

Nelson Cruz, Minnesota Twins

There's an obsession in sports—particularly fantasy sports—with youth and what comes next. That makes sense, since new stars rise every season, but an unfortunate extension of that is a fear of age. People would rather dump a player a year early than roster them a year too long.

The flaw with that kind of thinking, though, is the idea that we understand exactly where each player is on the aging curve. It's how the number everyone focuses on with Nelson Cruz is 40 (as in years old) and not 41 (as in the amount of homers he hit just last season).

Granted, he missed 42 games in 2019, but that just makes the power output look even more absurd. There's zero evidence of any skills decline. He drove in 108 runs. He posted a .392 on-base percentage and a career-high .639 slugging percentage. He paced the entire league in average exit velocity (93.7) and barrel percentage (19.9).

Cruz is an elite power hitter, and he's being taken with just the 80th pick overall on average. There's a non-zero chance he outslugs all 79 players selected ahead of him.

               

Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves

What if we told you a player who's still on the right side of 30 had previously engineered a season of .312/.376/.548 hitting with 37 homers, 124 RBI and 93 runs? Oh, and that same player paired 29 homers with 12 stolen bases in only 30 games just last season? Oh, oh, and he joined a more potent offense over the offseason and has the proverbial carrot-on-the-stick of being in a contract year?

Surely, his price tag would be through the roof, right? Nope. Marcell Ozuna, who checks all of those boxes, only costs the 100th overall pick on average. That's ridiculous.

"With more protection in a stacked Braves lineup, I love the value Ozuna provides if he stays healthy," SI.com's Ben Heisler wrote. "With...Ronald Acuna leading off, followed by Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman, Ozuna should immediately be forced into seeing plenty of fastballs with runners on base, and those fantasy numbers should rise into Top-20 OF status quickly."

At his best, Ozuna, 29, is one of the best power hitters in MLB. That ceiling is far too tempting to pass up anywhere near his current price point.

Fantasy baseball is almost back, but it won't be business as usual for the foreseeable future.

With MLB set to play a condensed, 60-game schedule, this will be a fantasy campaign like no other.

How should owners respond? On one hand, it's probably best not to overthink it. There are some strategic changes to consider, but for the most part, the best real-life players remain the best fantasy options.

After laying out our latest top-50 rankings for rotisserie leagues, we'll examine three strategies worth exploring for your upcoming drafts.

                

Top 50 Roto Rankings for 2020

1. Ronald Acuna Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves

2. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

3. Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

4. Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

5. Mookie Betts, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

6. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians

7. Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals

8. Trea Turner, SS, Washington Nationals

9. Gerrit Cole, SP, New York Yankees

10. Alex Bregman, 3B/SS, Houston Astros

11. Trevor Story, SS, Colorado Rockies

12. Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets

13. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies

14. Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox

15. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves

16. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Los Angeles Angels

17. Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

18. J.D. Martinez, OF, Boston Red Sox

19. Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Indians

20. Justin Verlander, SP, Houston Astros

21. Max Scherzer, SP, Washington Nationals

22. Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros

23. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs

24. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres

25. Starling Marte, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

26. Walker Buehler, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

27. Charlie Blackmon, OF, Colorado Rockies

28. Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington Nationals

29. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox

30. Jack Flaherty, SP, St. Louis Cardinals

31. George Springer, OF, Houston Astros

32. Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets

33. Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

34. Gleyber Torres, SS/2B, New York Yankees

35. Manny Machado, 3B/SS, San Diego Padres

36. Shane Bieber, SP, Cleveland Indians

37. Austin Meadows, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

38. Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

39. Nelson Cruz, DH, Minnesota Twins

40. Luis Castillo, SP, Cincinnati Reds

41. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs

42. Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Braves

43. Yordan Alvarez, DH, Houston Astros

44. Ketel Marte, OF/2B, Arizona Diamondbacks

45. Kris Bryant, 3B/OF, Chicago Cubs

46. Patrick Corbin, SP, Washington Nationals

47. Jonathan Villar, 2B/SS, Miami Marlins

48. Max Muncy, 2B/1B/3B, Los Angeles Dodgers

49. Eddie Rosario, OF, Minnesota Twins

50. Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Cincinnati Reds

                       

Draft Strategies

Devalue—But Don't Neglect—Pitching

Pitching is inherently volatile. Even the top arms in baseball can only have so much control while hurling a small object close to (or more than) 100 miles per hour.

That volatility will only increase in this shortened season. A 60-game sample often isn't enough to separate great pitchers from also-rans. If the 2019 campaign had ended after 60 games, Gerrit Cole would've carried a 3.94 ERA, while Zach Davies posted a pristine 2.20.

Beyond the normal fluctuations, there's also the fact pitchers don't have the same warm-up process as normal and might not be afforded their typical workloads.

These are all reasons to lower the price you're willing to pay for pitching, but don't neglect the position entirely. There's a chance this actually widens the gap between the elite and the others, so you might want to grab a couple of top arms if the price is right.

               

Prioritize Power-Speed Combinations

It's next to impossible to win a fantasy title right now without power. MLB hitters combined to crush a record 6,776 homers last season. The record they broke—by 671 long-balls—was set just two seasons back.

It's getting even more difficult to find stolen bases anywhere. No one swiped 50 bags last season, and only three players—Mallex Smith, Adalberto Mondesi and Jonathan Villar—stole more than 37.

With power a necessity and stolen bases scarce, any chance to address both categories with a single selection is probably worth your while. That's part of the reason Mike Trout has so often been regarded as the best overall option in fantasy. It's also why we're even more excited about Ronald Acuna Jr. (78 combined homers and steals last season) and Christian Yelich (74) than Trout (56) this season.

While we wouldn't recommend reaching for a lesser hitter just to add steals, grabbing an elite performer who can nearly carry that category by himself makes the rest of your draft so much easier.

               

Trust the Prospects

Fantasy owners don't usually need encouragement to take interest in prospects, but even then, you might want to dial up your enthusiasm for this season.

Service-time manipulation could be (mostly) out the window, at least among clubs trying to compete. Since teams are operating on a prorated schedule, the impact of keeping a top prospect down longer than necessary is magnified. Plus, teams can't claim players need more reps against minor league competition when there is no minor league season.

If the chances are greater for prospects to get playing time, they could also be greater for those players to produce fantasy-relevant numbers. Recently promoted players often have a leg up on the league before their scouting reports are distributed. Just last season, Austin Riley was shot out of a cannon in mid-May (nine homers in his first 18 games), then Aristides Aquino upped the ante during an August promotion (11 in 16).

If you're rostering a top prospect who surges into his pro career during a 60-game season, that could be enough to secure your playoff spot or even net you a fantasy title. As long as your leaguemates aren't driving prospect prices through the roof, you should take an aggressive approach toward youngsters with a good chance to crack the big leagues sooner than later like Luis Robert, Gavin Lux and Dylan Carlson.

As MLB teams kick-start 2020 Summer Camp, fantasy stars are slowly beginning their ascension.

Identifying those breakout batters this early in the process can be what eventually helps you clinch a league title.

Luckily, you're in the right place to do just that, as we'll examine three of the top breakout candidates for the abbreviated fantasy season.

                

Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

Sometimes, the best way to project future stardom is by looking in the rear-view. In Bo Bichette's case, that means allowing yourself to drool over his 46-game stint with the big league club last season.

The 22-year-old batted .311 with a .358 on-base percentage. He launched 11 home runs and clubbed another 18 doubles. He scored 32 runs, knocked in 21 and swiped four bags. For context, his 162-game pace included 39 homers, 14 stolen bases and 187 combined runs and RBI.

That's monstrous production, and yet his price tag remains a relative bargain. His average draft position is only 64th overall and 13th at shortstop, per FantasyPros.

"He's been overshadowed a bit by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna and Fernando Tatis Jr., but he belongs right in that phylum of young stars," Carlos Collazo wrote for Baseball America.

There's a chance Bichette is a consensus first-round pick already next season, which could make him a league-winning addition in this one.

                    

Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox

It's always tricky to bet on an MLB freshman, but Luis Robert looks like the exception.

The White Sox already thought enough of the 22-year-old to give him a six-year, $50 million question, which eliminates the possibility of any service-time manipulation. The contract could also prove a bargain if "La Pantera" taps all the way into his power-speed potential.

His 2019 campaign was, in a word, ridiculous. He opened it in the Carolina League and ended it in AAA, batting .328 with a .624 slugging percentage along the way. He also managed to pair 32 homers with 36 stolen bases, while scoring 108 runs and driving in 92. Oh, and he did all of the above in just 122 games.

"He can do it on the defensive side of the ball and the offensive side," Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal told reporters in February. "He'll hit a 400-plus-foot home run one day, and then he'll make a Superman catch in the outfield. It seems like he can do it all. Stealing bases every day. He's definitely the complete package."

Robert has 40-homer, 40-steal potential. His upside might be the best player in fantasy baseball. We're not saying he'll reach that mark this season—we're also not not saying that, either—but he doesn't have to when his ADP is just 91st overall.

                    

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., 2B/SS/OF, Toronto Blue Jays

If there's an argument against Lourdes Gurriel Jr. as a breakout candidate, it might be that he's broken out already. The good news for you, though, is that he's only played 149 games at the MLB level over the past two seasons, so his breakout is hidden to those who don't dig beneath the surface.

Essentially, the 26-year-old has one full year of big league work under his belt. In that time, he has belted 31 homers, tallied 85 RBI, scored 82 runs and stolen seven bases. His career slash line so far is a respectable .279/.320/.499.

These aren't projections; that's the actual production. Had he hit those marks in a single season—only 20 players had 30 homers, 80 runs and 80 RBI last season—he'd never make it close to the 147th pick, which is somehow his ADP.

Sometimes, the key to fantasy success is not overthinking it. Just pluck the low-hanging fruit before anyone else sees it, and you'll be feasting on league championships in no time. Getting Gurriel at this price point looks like a no-brainer.

The Cincinnati Reds might be in position to be a surprise team in Major League Baseball's 60-game season.

With an easier strength of schedule than their original 2020 slate, the Reds might be able to be more competitive than expected, and ace Luis Castillo may be the top beneficiary. 

The 27-year-old is one of many players in the American League and National League Central who could break out and become fantasy baseball gems due to the poor bottom half of each division.

The statement does not just apply to pitchers, as a handful of hitters could outperform expectations with plenty of matchups scheduled against Detroit, Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

           

Players With Rising Stocks

Luis Castillo, SP, Cincinnati

Castillo is not a new name to fantasy baseball owners, as he reeled off 15 victories in 2019, but he flies under the radar to the casual fan because he plays in Cincinnati.

In a normal 162-game campaign, the right-hander might be the third or fourth pitcher selected by one team, but the Reds' adjusted schedule may justify him being the second hurler drafted into squads.

According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs and Matt Kelly, the Reds had the largest adjustment in their favor in terms of strength of schedule, as it became .012 percent easier. 

Castillo should reap the rewards of that on Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers. And if the rotation aligns in the right way, he could face Kansas City in back-to-back starts in August. 

There is a chance he twirls one of the best gems July 24 because of the matchup and the form he is already in, as he told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.

"Right now, because I've been here such a long time and doing all of my bullpen sessions, I think I could go out and pitch 6-7 innings," Castillo said. "That's how good I feel right now. I'm perfectly OK to do so."

If he lasts six innings or longer from the start, Castillo has a higher chance to replicate his 10.7 strikeouts-per-nine-innings from his career-best 2019 season. 

In 2019, he only had a losing record against one NL Central team, the Milwaukee Brewers, and with those matchups spread out, there is a chance he could face them two or three times. 

However, the same could be said for games versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, which would balance out any potential struggles with Milwaukee. 

At the moment, Castillo has an average draft position of 39, per Fantasy Pros, but he might be chosen higher given how favorable Cincinnati's schedule looks. 

             

Paul DeJong, SS, St. Louis

The adjusted schedule and a heightened role in the St. Louis offense will make Paul DeJong an intriguing middle infield fit on fantasy rosters. 

The 26-year-old should become the top power support for Paul Goldschmidt, with Marcell Ozuna now playing in Atlanta. 

DeJong is more than capable of filling that void, after hitting a career-high 30 home runs in 2019. Although he packs a powerful bat, he has an ADP of 185 because some of his splits were average at best. 

The Orlando, Florida native recorded a .233 batting average, .318 on-base percentage, .444 slugging percentage and .762 OPS in 664 plate appearances. 

But there is room for promise that DeJong can outperform his ADP since August and September are the best home run-hitting months of his three-year career.

DeJong can improve on those numbers if he takes advantage of two series with Pittsburgh in the first three weeks, as well as four straight matchups with the Detroit Tigers from August 3-6. 

            

Max Kepler, OF, Minnesota

Max Kepler is expected to be a major piece for Bomba Squad 2.0 in Minnesota.

The 27-year-old used 36 home runs to move into a higher echelon of fantasy baseball players. His previous career high in long balls was 20. 

Not only does he produce power, but Kepler also had over 30 doubles in each of the last three seasons and recorded an OPS over .800 for the first time in his career in 2019. 

The outfielder could have more opportunities to drive in runs if he drops into the middle of the order and opposing pitchers are more cautious with Nelson Cruz and Josh Donaldson.

The most favorable matchups for Kepler may be against the Chicago White Sox and Detroit, who both conceded more home runs than the league average of 226 last season.

Since the AL Central is perceived as weak behind Cleveland and Minnesota, he may be drafted higher than his current ADP of 122. 

If Kepler and his teammates hit homers at a similar pace compared to 2019, he would be more than worth a selection before his average draft position.

               

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from Baseball Reference

At long last, baseball is back.

After an arduous and contentious negotiating period, MLB is ramping up in its preparations for the 2020 season, with teams around the league beginning workouts at their respective ballparks on Friday.

The structure for MLB's "Summer Camp" will not only allow regulars and projected starters to get up to speed, but it also gives teams the chance to give reps to top prospects and further assess how they might play a role this season.

Each team is allowed a 60-man player pool. Players can be added at any point in the season, but once a player is removed, they cannot be readded. As such, fantasy owners might be wise to keep an eye on the prospects who made their squad's initial 60-man pool.

Some of these youngsters might have been added simply for the purpose of getting work in, particularly considering MLB canceled the 2020 minor league season.

But other prospects who were already on the fringes of breaking camp should have every opportunity to stake their claim for a spot on Opening Day rosters. This includes Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson, who figures to fight for one of the five spots in Toronto's rotation.

             

Top Prospects to Watch at MLB Summer Camp

Nate Pearson, Toronto Blue Jays

   

The Blue Jays recognized a specific need to add starting pitching in the offseason. They signed Hyun-Jin Ryu and Tanner Roark in free agency, while also trading for former Milwaukee Brewers starter Chase Anderson.

But while the Blue Jays placed a premium on veteran pitching, Pearson should also be included in the team's plans for this season.

Pearson had tremendous success at the minor-league level in 2019. He had a 2.59 ERA in 16 starts at Double-A, striking out 9.9 hitters per nine innings.

The 23-year-old was also dominant in spring training, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while allowing just two hits. Pearson also notched 11 strikeouts, showcasing some of the overpowering stuff that made him the No. 8 prospect on MLB.com's Top 100 list.

Quality starting pitching will be imperative for any team hoping to get off to a good start, particularly the Blue Jays. If Pearson breaks camp, he could be an absolute steal in fantasy. Pearson is currently ranked 92nd overall among starting pitchers with an average draft position (ADP) of 305, per Fantasy Pros.

         

Nick Madrigal, Chicago White Sox

   

All eyes figure to be on No. 3 overall prospect Luis Robert during White Sox Summer Camp. But fantasy owners would be wise to keep tabs on Madrigal.

The 23-year-old from Sacramento is one of the best pure-hitting prospects in baseball, and he was among the 44 players the White Sox named to their initial player pool. Madrigal hit .341 with an .851 OPS at Double-A before hitting .331 with an .822 OPS in 29 games at Triple-A Charlotte, per MiLB.com.

Leury Garcia is Chicago's incumbent starter at second base and coming off a respectable year in which he hit .279 and stole 15 bases. But Madrigal has more upside given his hit tool and slugging numbers, and it is possible he might win the starting job. Plus, Madrigal can swipe some bags, having stolen 35 bases at three different levels in 2019.

The White Sox had a big offseason, and they are hoping growth from the likes of Robert, Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech can help them compete in 2020. Madrigal also figures to play a role at some point this summer.

Unlike Pearson, however, Madrigal is garnering some recognition in fantasy leagues. According to Fantasy Pros, he is ranked 37th among second basemen, and his ADP of 285 suggests he is on plenty of people's radars.

Keep an eye on Madrigal's progress this month. If he impresses early, it might be worth reaching in the middle rounds. But if it looks like he will have to fight with Garcia for time, pray Madrigal falls towards the end of the draft.

        

Spencer Torkelson, Detroit Tigers

   

The Tigers made Torkelson the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft. While normal circumstances would normally dictate Torkelson heading to rookie ball, he could get an early crack at big-league action.

Torkelson was one of the most prolific collegiate hitters in recent memory during his time at Arizona State, clubbing 54 homers and posting a 1.192 OPS in three seasons with the Sun Devils.

There are still positional questions in terms of where Torkelson will play in the future. He was a first baseman in college, but he was also announced as a third baseman upon being selected by the Tigers. As such, it seems likely Detroit will want to get Torkelson plenty of reps at the hot corner to get a feel for how he handles the position.

On the one hand, Torkelson has yet to even notch his first professional at-bat. Simultaneously, the Tigers are a rebuilding club in desperate need of impact bats. They also need to get their top prospects experience in the absence of the MiLB season.

Torkelson should still be considered a long shot to break camp. But he might be worth a late-round flyer in the event the Tigers look to get him some big-league at-bats from the jump.

Remember, Juan Soto wreaked havoc on the league as a teenager. Granted, Soto had seasoning, but who is to say the 20-year-old Torkelson will not be a potential difference-maker for the Tigers in 2020? At the least, he is someone to keep tabs on moving forward.

          

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference and all fantasy information via Fantasy Pros, unless otherwise noted.

Pitchers might be the trickiest players to handle in a 60-game fantasy baseball season.

Will the limited number of appearances and short buildup to the campaign make it impossible for pitchers to make a major mark on your team? Or will the unique circumstances widen the gap between elites and the others, therefore driving up the cost of the top tier?

Either way, the impact of a sleeper starting pitching should be massive as always. After listing our top-50 rankings for rotisserie leagues, we'll spotlight three of the top sleeper arms worth your attention.

                       

Top 50 Roto Rankings for 2020

1. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

2. Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

3. Ronald Acuna Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves

4. Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

5. Mookie Betts, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

6. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians

7. Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals

8. Trea Turner, SS, Washington Nationals

9. Gerrit Cole, SP, New York Yankees

10. Alex Bregman, 3B/SS, Houston Astros

11. Trevor Story, SS, Colorado Rockies

12. Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets

13. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies

14. Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox

15. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves

16. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Los Angeles Angels

17. Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

18. J.D. Martinez, OF, Boston Red Sox

19. Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Indians

20. Justin Verlander, SP, Houston Astros

21. Max Scherzer, SP, Washington Nationals

22. Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros

23. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs

24. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres

25. Starling Marte, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

26. Walker Buehler, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

27. Charlie Blackmon, OF, Colorado Rockies

28. Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington Nationals

29. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox

30. Jack Flaherty, SP, St. Louis Cardinals

31. George Springer, OF, Houston Astros

32. Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets

33. Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

34. Gleyber Torres, SS/2B, New York Yankees

35. Manny Machado, 3B/SS, San Diego Padres

36. Shane Bieber, SP, Cleveland Indians

37. Austin Meadows, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

38. Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

39. Nelson Cruz, DH, Minnesota Twins

40. Luis Castillo, SP, Cincinnati Reds

41. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs

42. Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Braves

43. Yordan Alvarez, DH, Houston Astros

44. Ketel Marte, OF/2B, Arizona Diamondbacks

45. Kris Bryant, 3B/OF, Chicago Cubs

46. Patrick Corbin, SP, Washington Nationals

47. Jonathan Villar, 2B/SS, Miami Marlins

48. Max Muncy, 2B/1B/3B, Los Angeles Dodgers

49. Eddie Rosario, OF, Minnesota Twins

50. Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Cincinnati Reds

                       

Sleeper Pitchers To Target

Dinelson Lamet, San Diego Padres

The bar for modern starting pitchers to stand out in strikeouts is way up, and Dinelson Lamet still cleared it with ease in 2019—his first season after Tommy John surgery.

If the 27-year-old had any rust from the lengthy layoff, he did a great job of hiding it. His 4.07 ERA wasn't elite, but it was fine, especially when his peripherals were even a shade better (3.91 FIP).

The big head-turner, of course, were the 105 strikeouts Lamet tallied across 73 innings, giving him a whopping 12.9 K/9. Even with less-than-stellar walk (3.7/9) and home run (1.5/9) rates, his profile looks promising for 2020.

As Jarad Wilk wrote for the New York Post, the deeper you dive into his advanced numbers, the more glowing his outlook gets:

"Lamet's 12.95 strikeouts per nine over his 14 starts ranked third among starters who threw at least 70 innings, finishing behind Cole and Chris Sale. His 33.6 percent strikeout rate ranked sixth, ahead of Lucas Giolito and deGrom. He also held opponents to a .223 average, which ranked in the top 25, and a 14.1 percent swinging strike rate, which was in the top 15 (ahead of Flaherty, Stephen Strasburg and Charlie Morton)."

If any starter makes the leap from sleeper to star in 2020, Lamet seems the likeliest candidate.

              

Kenta Maeda, Minnesota Twins

Between the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching depth and Kenta Maeda's workload-based contract incentives, he could never get fully stretched out in L.A. His first season with the Dodgers was the only one in which he appeared solely as a starter and cleared 155 innings.

An offseason move to Minnesota should give the 32-year-old the chance to finally show the type of fantasy contributor he can be. Considering his statistical company, he might have fantasy-ace upside.

"From 2017 to 2019, Maeda was one of only seven pitchers with at least a 25% strikeout rate with no greater than 7.5% walk or 33% hard-contact rates allowed," ESPN's Tristan H. Cockcroft noted. "The other six? Gerrit Cole, Jacob deGrom, Chris Sale, Max Scherzer, Luis Severino and Stephen Strasburg."

Maeda is an all-categories contributor, even if he doesn't dominate any single area. With career marks including a 3.87 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 9.8 K/9, he'll strengthen any fantasy rotation he joins, especially if Minnesota lets him loose as a full-time starter.

                   

Luke Weaver, Arizona Diamondbacks

The difference between a coveted fantasy contributor and an overlooked sleeper sometimes comes down to reliability.

That's never been a strength of Luke Weaver's, making it not at all surprising to see the fantasy community gloss over him to instead fixate on his teammate, Zac Gallen.

The interest in Gallen is warranted, but Weaver was arguably just as good when he pitched last season: 2.94 ERA with a 3.07 FIP, 1.07 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.

The only catch with those numbers, though, is they came in just 64.1 innings. The 26-year-old suffered a sprained UCL and strained flexor mass on May 26; he'd only pitch once more in the campaign with a morale-boosting two-inning stint in late September.

Weaver, who debuted in 2016, has just 297.1 innings pitched to this point. He maxed out at 136.1 in 2018, and his next-highest total was last season's.

The health risks are obvious, but with an average draft position of 188, per FantasyPros, the cost is minimal and the possible payoff is massive.