- Aneesh Ahuja - Fantasy Focus
Hunter Pence - San Francisco Giants
During his first Spring Training game, Hunter Pence was hit by a pitch and broke his forearm. He is expected to be out 6-8 weeks. With that timetable, Pence would likely return in early May. Pence’s value has dropped significantly in many fantasy leagues. You can still draft Pence in the middle rounds, maybe around the 100th pick in your draft. He can still be a huge asset for your team, but you will need to show a great deal of patience. Pence scores plenty of runs and is great at getting on base. If you can find cheap replacements until Pence returns, he’s definitely worth a post on your roster.
Matt Wieters - Baltimore Orioles
Wieters lasted only 22 games last year before his season ended with Tommy john surgery on his elbow. As Wieters has started to gain strength, he’s participated in intrasqaud games and is participating in workouts. Before Wieters went down last season, he was having a magnificent season. Wieters may miss a few games to start the season, but is scheduled to play most of the season. When healthy, Wieters is one of the best catchers in the league and will still be an asset to your fantasy team. The catcher position is not that deep, so grab Wieters if you can.
Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers
Cabrera finished his past two seasons with nagging injuries and just has not been the same. He’s battled bone spurs in his ankle and a stress fracture in his foot. Last year, Cabrera finished batting .313 with 25 HR and 109 RBI, in what was considered a down year. Cabrera is still top round talent even with the injuries. The man is simply too good to pass up. If he is giving you those stats, imagine him being healthy. Even if he misses a few games to start the year, take Cabrera in the opening rounds of your draft.
Jayson Werth - Washington Nationals
Werth had shoulder surgery on January 9th and is trying to make a recovery in time for Opening Day. Werth had a solid 2014 season batting .292 with 16 HR and 82 RBI. Werth is doing all he can to try and be ready for Opening Day, but the Nationals are not trying to speed up the process. They want to make sure that he is fully healthy before he makes his return. Try to take Werth in the middle rounds of your draft. He has upside and has the ability to make a difference for your fantasy team.
RB Fantasy Football News
The New Orleans Saints could be playing with fire after the team released ex-fantasy RB great Pierre Thomas earlier this week. The Saints have NO CAP SPACE and have no chance of keeping 25-year-old Mark Ingram unless he agrees to a pay cut. The Philadelphia Eagles are already showing interest in Ingram after they traded away Shady McCoy and wouldn't have any trouble outbidding the Saints. This would leave Khiry Robinson to shoulder the load in New Orleans and he may not be up to the task.
As for the now 30-year-old Thomas, it's not exactly new RB fantasy news that he now joins a cluttered list of free agent running backs who will be looking for a new home for the 2015 season. Wherever Thomas ends up, he's a long shot to ever be fantasy relevant again. The 8-year NFL veteran only managed 90 touches last year and will end up finding a home with a team that needs some third down help and production out of the passing game.
The Saints top two running backs are now Robinson and Travaris Cadet. The Saints will be looking to add some firepower to their backfield and would have some decent options if the had any money to spend. With their cap issues, the Saints won't be able to land a back like C.J. Spiller or Demarco Murray, but might be able to land the likes of Ryan Mathews, Justin Forsett or maybe even Knowshon Moreno.
The Saints have plenty of needs and cap issues to deal with, so it will be interesting to see what pieces they add to their backfield to help Drew Brees and company. I see them adding a back or two late in the draft and one back in free agency.
Keep reading ASL RB news for more RB related information!
- Greg Pokriki - Fantasy Focus
Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants
Posey recently committed to playing at least 120 games at catcher for the Giants this season. This shouldn’t affect his hitting very much and he's obviously still the best fantasy catcher in the game. Like last season, his average will likely be around the .300 range, and he’ll hit over 20 home runs. With Pablo Sandoval’s departure the Giants will be looking for more production from their remaining players, and Posey will likely be the first to step up and help fill the void.
Devin Mesoraco - Cincinnati Reds
Beginning the season on the DL, Mesoraco saw a shortened season last year, but was still a top fantasy catcher. In just 384 at bats last year Mesoraco hit 25 home runs and knocked in 80 RBI. This year the young catcher will likely see upwards of 500 at bats. With the increased time and a healthy Reds supporting cast, Mesoraco could easily hit 30 home runs and is poised for a huge year.
Jonathan Lucroy - Milwaukee Brewers
Lucroy seems to always put in a solid seasons work behind home plate for the Brewers. A solid 66 walks last season helped his OBP reach .373, tied for second highest among catchers last season. Lucroy can also hit for average, finishing 2014 at .301. Lucroy’s health has recently been in question, with a hamstring strain, but the Brewers are optimistic about his chances of playing on opening day. A heavy workload and young legs should allow Lucroy to continue his dominance at the catcher position.
Salvador Perez - Kansas City Royals
Fresh off of a World Series appearance somehow the Royals still seem to be an afterthought. But one thing is for sure: Perez should be at the front of fantasy owners’ thoughts and draft boards at the catching position. Perez is a workhorse, playing nearly everyday. With 17 home runs last year in 578 at bats, I still believe he has the ability to hit over 20. Coming off a slight down year, Perez should also see the majority of his numbers increase, including his .260 average. He is also coming off two consecutive Gold Glove winning seasons. If you are an MLB general manager, Perez is a guy you love to have on your team—and the same goes for us fantasy owners.
- Tim Haberin - Fantasy Focus
Yoenis Cespedes - Detroit Tigers
For the past three years, the Cuban slugger's MLB fantasy reputation has basically exceeded his on-field performance. Despite a pair of electrifying showings in the Home Run Derby, Cespedes' career high came in 2013 with a solid, yet unspectacular 26 round-trippers. His OPS has dipped from .861 during his debut season to .751 last year. Cespedes doesn't set himself apart enough in any area to make him worthy of one of your earlier draft selections. Consider Starling Marte instead. The young Pirates outfielder posted a .356 OBP last year in his second full season, has stolen 30+ bases the last two campaigns, and is a good bet to continue improving.
Troy Tulowitzki - Colorado Rockies
Is Tulo the best shortstop in baseball? Absolutely... when he's on the field. And unfortunately, that's been all too rare an occurrence for the Rockies star. He put up a career-best .432 OBP last season but missed 71 games in the process. Tulowitzki has only played an average of 106 games over the last five seasons. In two of the last three seasons, he has failed to exceed 100 games. The MVP-level talent is undeniable, but it's hard to justify such a gamble with a prime draft selection. Someone in your league will use their first pick on him. Make sure that isn't you. Turn to Ian Desmond or Starlin Castro instead if you want an upper-tier shortstop. An Erick Aybar type would also make a serviceable value choice in the later rounds.
Dee Gordon - Miami Marlins
The speedy second baseman intensified his fantasy buzz with a breakout 2014, leading both leagues with 12 triples and a staggering 64 stolen bases. Traded to Miami in December, Gordon will hope to score plenty of runs leading off the Marlins' improved lineup. However, he struck out in over 16% of his plate appearances last year and seemed to run out of steam, his OBP dropping to .300 in the second half. He'll be hard-pressed to repeat last season's tremendous numbers on the base paths unless he exhibits improved plate discipline. At one of the thinner positions, you might be better off waiting and taking a capable alternative with some upside like Kolten Wong rather than jumping early on Gordon.
Jose Abreu - Chicago White Sox
The reigning AL Rookie of the Year more than earned that distinction in 2014, swatting 36 home runs and driving in 107 runs with a .314 average for the White Sox. He'll likely be a strong fantasy performer once again, but some projections have him ranked as high as a top 10 pick, which may be a bit overeager for a player who is still beginning only his second MLB season. Just seven of his homers came after the All-Star break, which might suggest to fantasy owners that he could come back down to earth somewhat in 2015. Paul Goldschmidt and Edwin Encarnacion should be taken before him, and you'll have a variety of solid options at 1B throughout the draft.
- Greg Pokriki - Fantasy Focus
Josh Donaldson - Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have assembled a solid lineup with slugger Josh Donaldson at the center. The AL East has plenty of ambiguities, so this could be the perfect year for a Toronto run. With the talent in Donaldson’s new lineup, he’ll be well protected and often in good RBI situations. With 29 home runs last year, he very easily could knock out more than 30 in the climate controlled Rogers Centre dome. The AL East also is not exactly packed with pitching power, so he should see some favorable at bats within the division. The bottom line is that Donaldson should be a top notch MLB fantasy asset this season.
Max Scherzer- Washington Nationals
It's not exactly fantasy baseball news that Max Scherzer has been one of the league's elite pitchers for the past two seasons. But as good as he's been, he may be even better with his new team, the Washington Nationals. He's benefited greatly from being surrounded by other amazing pitchers and somehow, in his switch to Washington, has found an even better rotation to lead. Scherzer also goes to a weaker division. With the Braves selling so fiercely during the offseason, the main competition for the division is the much improved Marlins who are likely no match for Washington.
Not that he needs the help, but multiple factors are shaping up in Scherzer's favor. Playing in the lackluster National League East in a league without the DH, Scherzer is primed for an even better season than his last two—if that's even possible.
James Shields- San Diego Padres
The Padres may have the most questions surrounding their 2015 campaign. More than half of their projected opening day lineup is compiled of new players and each of those players have questions of their own. But the one thing that is known for sure is that PETCO Park is a pitchers park, and that's great news for James Shields. Pitching in PETCO is a dream for every pitcher and Shields arrives at a time when the Padres have assembled a formidable lineup to support their staff. Leaving the American League Champs is tough, but without the DH and the perfect conditions for pitching, Shields will likely be in for an even bigger year on his new mound.
Basketball News
Lakers PF/C Jordan Hill has been relatively successful since his return from a hip injury, putting up solid numbers in his first 5 games back. He has been strong on the glass and with Coach Byron Scott calling out his bigs for being soft, Hill's minutes are sure to rise.
Hill is having his best NBA season to date, with career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and free throw percentage. Since returning from injury, his numbers have been pretty consistent, and his value in standard fantasy basketball formats is legitimate, with a chance of steady increase.
His 12.4 points and 8 rebounds per game make him worth an add if your team is in need of a big man. The Lakers have zero chance of making the playoffs and will look to continue to develop the players they look to keep in the years to come.
With Robert Sacre and Carlos Boozer most likely not in the plans for the future, Hill's minutes should extend upwards of 30 per game, making him one of the more exciting NBA players to keep on your radar. Kobe Bryant's season-ending surgery also leaves the Lakers struggling to find scoring options Hill might have to step up in that area as well. With an uptick in court time, it is not too far fetched to expect 9-10 rebounds, in addition to 14-16 points per game.
For the latest in fantasy NBA news and advice, stay tuned to ASL!
- Tim Haberin - Fantasy Focus
Fantasy Baseball News -
With a new season set to unfold, MLB fantasy owners can get themselves started off on the right foot with an effective draft strategy. Every baseball fan knows that a lot can change over the course of 162 games, meaning your fate is by no means sealed on draft night. But implementing a solid plan can help you set a strong foundation for your team and get ahead of the competition.
Keep the following points in mind when you make your selections:
Know your league:
The size and scoring format of your league can make a significant difference in how you draft. An owner vying with 11 others will need to look at roster depth and player valuation differently than one in a smaller league. In addition, specific scoring categories can make a player worth a premium in one league and virtually worthless in another. More leagues are counting less-traditional statistics such as holds and quality starts. Make sure you know if yours is one of them. Players in head-to-head leagues will sometimes tank individual categories (typically the more erratic ones like saves), but you should use the draft to ensure your squad is productive in every area.
Be smart in the early rounds:
Make-or-break is a somewhat dramatic term to use at any point in a fantasy baseball draft. However, the importance of the first few rounds in shaping your team cannot be overstated. It's hard to whiff on your first draft choice and not have it considerably alter your fortunes. Let the draft board come to you in the opening couple of rounds, and try to select well-rounded players who will make a daily impact for your team. If Clayton Kershaw is the best player available when you make your first pick, don't hesitate to take him. But in general, try to set one or two cornerstones for your lineup into place before building your pitching staff.
Consider positional scarcity:
Some positions simply have fewer viable options than others. After Buster Posey, for instance, the pool of catchers grows increasingly less attractive. Take note of what the pecking order looks like for each position and strategize accordingly. Unless you're taking the premier catcher, shortstop or second baseman, you can afford to look at other areas first. Make sure you're getting ample production out of your corner infield spots, outfield, and starting pitching. Don't blow a pick on a subpar player just because you need to fill a position.
Take risks later in the draft:
There's an element of fortune-telling to any fantasy draft. Winners and losers are often separated by whoever strikes gold on the right breakout star. Today's fan enjoys access to an unprecedented level of statistical analysis and projection to help identify potential fantasy baseball sleepers. Some of the factors that lead to a breakthrough season, however, aren't found in the numbers. Examine team depth charts and consider factors such as age, injury history and positional versatility to develop an idea of who might get an opportunity to shine in 2015. It's better to gamble a little in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft than to wait and hope you can scoop an emerging player off the waiver wire.
- Aneesh Ahuja - Fantasy Focus
Zach Wheeler - New York Mets
During his first full season in the majors, Wheeler posted a 3.54 ERA with 187 strikeouts in 185 innings. Wheeler showed some encouraging signs last season, possessing a fastball in the mid 90s and at times reaching 98 MPH. Wheeler has a plus curveball and is adding a slider to his repertoire. He posted at 54 percent ground ball rate, so he does a good job of keeping the ball in the park. Wheeler is 24-years-old and has not had a major injury thus far, so look for him to reach 200 innings without an innings limit this season. He can be a middle of the road starter for your fantasy team so try to grab him in the middle rounds of your draft.
Carlos Carrasco - Cleveland Indians
In 2014, Carrasco only pitched 91 innings as a starter. In that sample size, however, he had 14 starts with a 9.99-strikeout rate and a 1.98 walk rate. His fastball averaged 95.3 MPH last season and his velocity will continue to progress as he returns to full health. In 2015, Carrasco will look to grow as a pitcher and maybe surprise some people as a dark horse All-Star candidate. Carrasco is one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the American League and hitters had a tough time catching up to his fastball last season. Drafting Carrasco in the mid rounds of your draft makes sense because he is one this season's top fantasy baseball sleepers.
Marcus Stroman - Toronto Blue Jays
Stroman debuted for the Blue Jays last May and looked impressive during 2014 posting a 3.65 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 130 innings. He posses a six pitch repertoire that continues to get stronger by the day. Although he was roughed up in a few outings last season, Stroman has the potential to put up sub 3.00 ERA. His fastball hits the mid 90s and has a sinker that froze hitters last year. Stroman’s potential is through the roof. In most leagues he is falling to the late rounds of the draft and would be a steal for your team.
Basketball News
Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope cooled off last night against the Wizards, but has been on fire for the past two weeks making him one of the more popular fantasy NBA plays. Before Saturday night's game, he scored in double digits in five straight games with a windfall of three pointers mixed in. Despite KCP's stellar play, the Pistons are limping out of the gate since the All-Star break and have dropped 6 of their last ten games.
Despite Detroit's struggles, Caldwell-Pope has quietly averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 3-pointers and is shooting just under 45 percent. Caldwell-Pope is widely available in Yahoo fantasy basketball leagues seeing an ownership of about 35%. If he keeps scoring and nailing 3-pointers the way he has been, he won't be left on may waiver wires at all.
The scary thing is that Caldwell-Pope is still light years away from reaching his full potential and he could become one of the better NBA players. He has a hard time finishing inside the paint and still needs to work on his consistency. But he's really broken out during his sophomore season. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy obviously likes what he sees with KCP averaging more than 32 minutes per contest.
The Pistons probably won't make the playoffs this year, but Van Gundy has a young team that boasts size and athleticism and could become a power in the East next season.
- Aneesh Ahuja - Fantasy Focus
Fantasy Baseball News -
Steven Souza - Tampa Bay Rays
The highlight of Steven Souza’s 2014 season was saving Jordan Zimmerman’s no hitter. But many don’t know that Souza batted .350 with 18 HR and 26 stolen bases in Triple-A. Souza has the talent to easily hit 15-plus HR and steal 15 bases this upcoming season. He will be an everyday player for the Rays and will continue to grow as the year goes on. His strikeout total might be a little frustrating, but his ceiling is too high. Souza is the ultimate sleeper for this upcoming fantasy season. He should be available very late in the draft which could translate into a late round steal later in the season.
George Springer - Houston Astros
George Springer posted 20 homers and 5 steals in 295 at-bats last season. Springer only batted .231 last season, but look for him to improve in his first full season in the majors. Springer gives your team much needed power and speed at a low price. Other names such as Ryan Braun, Yasiel Puig, and Bryce Harper might catch your eye but expect Springer to put up similar production. Although Springer does not seem like a sleeper, he continues to be left off draft boards. Springer, however, can be the exact player your team needs to put you over the top.
Austin Jackson - Seattle Mariners
Jackson was in a terrible slump after he was dealt to the Mariners last season, but during the previous four years, Jackson was arguably a top five fantasy outfielder. Jackson has the potential to be a .300 hitter again and hit 10-plus homers. Jackson should steal more than 20 bases for you and accrue 90-plus runs in a new Mariners lineup. Many are writing Jackson off this season, but look for him to set the table for Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz. Jackson’s strikeout totals are high, but if he continues to stay healthy, he could play every day for your team. Jackson will be an asset to your team at a low cost compared to other outfielders. If Jackson is available in the mid-to-late rounds of your draft, there's no reason to pass on him.
