Michael Waterloo
FantasyPros
Twitter: @MichaelWaterloo
Website: https://www.fantasypros.com/
Player Note on Luis Urias (2B,SS - MIL)
Urías is recovered from his hamate injury and shouldn't be overlooked as a middle infielder this year. His minor league track record is impressive.
Player Note on Willy Adames (SS - TB)
If any player will go the Marcus Semien route this year, it's Willy Adames. Wander Franco is waiting in the wings.
Player Note on Dustin May (SP,RP - LAD)
In a year or two, he'll be a Top 100 player. It's hard to trust the Dodgers in a short season.
Player Note on Carter Kieboom (SS - WSH)
He bombed in his first audition with the Nats last year, but don't dismiss the pedigree yet.
Player Note on Nick Madrigal (2B,SS - CWS)
He's an empty average hitter with no pop and some speed. Why do some people like him again?
Player Note on Ian Happ (2B,3B,LF,CF - CHC)
The Cubs seem like they are going to let Happ play daily, which is great. The potential is still there for him.
Player Note on Brandon Nimmo (LF,CF,RF - NYM)
Nimmo is better in points-based leagues, and he's just a guy for category leagues.
Player Note on Jorge Alfaro (C - MIA)
Alfaro actually has sneaky speed at the position, but that average is a major drain.
Player Note on Alex Wood (SP - FA)
It's hard to let go of Wood, but it's hard to trust him, too. He doesn't have a clearly-defined role.
Player Note on Corey Dickerson (LF - MIA)
Dickerson should probably be ranked higher, but he's just not exciting. The Marlins have so many outfielders waiting in the wings, too, that Dickerson could be on the move by the trade deadline.
Player Note on Luis Urias (2B,SS - MIL)
Urías is recovered from his hamate injury and shouldn't be overlooked as a middle infielder this year. His minor league track record is impressive.
Player Note on Willy Adames (SS - TB)
If any player will go the Marcus Semien route this year, it's Willy Adames. Wander Franco is waiting in the wings.
Player Note on Dustin May (SP,RP - LAD)
In a year or two, he'll be a Top 100 player. It's hard to trust the Dodgers in a short season.
Player Note on Carter Kieboom (SS - WSH)
He bombed in his first audition with the Nats last year, but don't dismiss the pedigree yet.
Player Note on Nick Madrigal (2B,SS - CWS)
He's an empty average hitter with no pop and some speed. Why do some people like him again?
Player Note on Ian Happ (2B,3B,LF,CF - CHC)
The Cubs seem like they are going to let Happ play daily, which is great. The potential is still there for him.
Player Note on Brandon Nimmo (LF,CF,RF - NYM)
Nimmo is better in points-based leagues, and he's just a guy for category leagues.
Player Note on Jorge Alfaro (C - MIA)
Alfaro actually has sneaky speed at the position, but that average is a major drain.
Player Note on Alex Wood (SP - FA)
It's hard to let go of Wood, but it's hard to trust him, too. He doesn't have a clearly-defined role.
Player Note on Corey Dickerson (LF - MIA)
Dickerson should probably be ranked higher, but he's just not exciting. The Marlins have so many outfielders waiting in the wings, too, that Dickerson could be on the move by the trade deadline.
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Featured Pros: Under-the-Radar Waiver Pickups
What one hitter should fantasy owners look into picking up that is owned in less than 20% of Leagues?
If a catcher has a pulse, he should be owned. If you weren't lucky enough to get John Hicks on your roster with Miguel Cabrera out for the season, you should look at Tom Murphy in Colorado. Murphy started in the first two games since his call up, which speaks volumes. Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters aren't hitting their weight. Murphy can be a Top 10 catcher for Fantasy players for the rest of the season.
What one starting pitcher should fantasy owners look into picking up that is owned in less than 20% of Leagues?
So far, so good for Dylan Covey in the White Sox rotation. He's striking out nearly a batter per inning, and he has a decent walk rate. His ERA aligns with his FIP, but what sticks out the most about Covey is that no pitcher has a higher groundball rate in baseball than his 61% rate. What he's doing is similar to Clayton Richard, who has been a streamable option and a backend starter for Fantasy players. Covey could be a nice SP5 if he keeps up his current performance.
If a catcher has a pulse, he should be owned. If you weren't lucky enough to get John Hicks on your roster with Miguel Cabrera out for the season, you should look at Tom Murphy in Colorado. Murphy started in the first two games since his call up, which speaks volumes. Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters aren't hitting their weight. Murphy can be a Top 10 catcher for Fantasy players for the rest of the season.
What one starting pitcher should fantasy owners look into picking up that is owned in less than 20% of Leagues?
So far, so good for Dylan Covey in the White Sox rotation. He's striking out nearly a batter per inning, and he has a decent walk rate. His ERA aligns with his FIP, but what sticks out the most about Covey is that no pitcher has a higher groundball rate in baseball than his 61% rate. What he's doing is similar to Clayton Richard, who has been a streamable option and a backend starter for Fantasy players. Covey could be a nice SP5 if he keeps up his current performance.
Featured Pros: MLB Sleepers
What starting pitcher outside the top 85 in our ADP Composite do you like as a late round sleeper?
If you asked me this question a few weeks ago, the answer would have been Dinelson Lamet. However right now, it's Amir Garrett, and it's not really close. He's worked himself back in the discussion for a rotation spot, as it was really only Bryan Price standing in his way. Anthony DeSclafani's oblique injury only helps Garrett, who has been lights out this spring. Remember, he was regarded as a top pitching prospect in Cincinnati's system when he got called up last year, with a plus-fastball and plus-slider. He had a hip injury that slowed him down. If there's a true sleeper this year, which we all know are hard to find, it's Garrett going as the 278th pitcher off the board.
What hitter outside the top 115 in our ADP Composite do you like as a late round sleeper?
His ADP is outside the top 115 right now, but expect it to climb soon. But for now, Delino DeShields at 124 overall among hitter is hard not to like. He's going to be leading off for the Rangers, and with speed the way it is in drafts, DeShields allows owners to address speed late in the draft with a player with a good walk-rate and a good source of runs. If we want to go deeper, let's look at Randal Grichuk at 220 overall. Last year, he ranked sixth in baseball with 10 Barrels per Plate Appearance for players with at least 50 batted ball events. Since the start of the 2015 season, Grichuk is tied for the 11th highest hard-hit rate (39.2 percent) in baseball. He's getting everyday at-bats in a wonderful home environment. He could have a Khris Davis-light season.
If you asked me this question a few weeks ago, the answer would have been Dinelson Lamet. However right now, it's Amir Garrett, and it's not really close. He's worked himself back in the discussion for a rotation spot, as it was really only Bryan Price standing in his way. Anthony DeSclafani's oblique injury only helps Garrett, who has been lights out this spring. Remember, he was regarded as a top pitching prospect in Cincinnati's system when he got called up last year, with a plus-fastball and plus-slider. He had a hip injury that slowed him down. If there's a true sleeper this year, which we all know are hard to find, it's Garrett going as the 278th pitcher off the board.
What hitter outside the top 115 in our ADP Composite do you like as a late round sleeper?
His ADP is outside the top 115 right now, but expect it to climb soon. But for now, Delino DeShields at 124 overall among hitter is hard not to like. He's going to be leading off for the Rangers, and with speed the way it is in drafts, DeShields allows owners to address speed late in the draft with a player with a good walk-rate and a good source of runs. If we want to go deeper, let's look at Randal Grichuk at 220 overall. Last year, he ranked sixth in baseball with 10 Barrels per Plate Appearance for players with at least 50 batted ball events. Since the start of the 2015 season, Grichuk is tied for the 11th highest hard-hit rate (39.2 percent) in baseball. He's getting everyday at-bats in a wonderful home environment. He could have a Khris Davis-light season.
Go to the Fantasy Accuracy Reports to see how this expert stacks up.
