The Case for Matt Carpenter

If you've been paying attention to 2nd base at all this year you have noticed Matt Carpenter tearing up the ranks. He was ranked low coming into the season (#281 by ESPN and #194 by CBS). Some of this was due to the fact that he did not have 2nd base eligibility coming into the season. Some of it had to do with an unproven track record. But now that he is hitting at the top of the Cardinal's lineup he has lead the Majors with 100 runs!

I drafted him late this year and have been very happy with his production. Going into next year, though, where will he be ranked? Robinson Cano still leads 2B in homers with a high average. Dustin Pedroia still hits for average with good production all across the board including steals. Jason Kipnis surprised everyone this year with his production. Ian Kinsler is still good but forecasts call for more time on the DL next year. Second base is full of mediocrity beyond those guys. To be able to take a consistent player who can lead the league in runs is very valuable especially at this position.

This year Carpenter will help many people win their fantasy leagues since he was taken so late in drafts and has produced well beyond his asking price. Next year I expect he will go at the value he's worth. Who knows, maybe you'll get him below value. I still feel like he isn't being talked up as much as he should be.

As of right now I would take Carpenter as the fourth 2B after Cano, Pedroia, and Kinsler. I have enjoyed the run Kipnis has had this year, but his inconsistency prior to this year still concerns me.

Speed Report

We are halfway through the second week of the season. Where are we with the stolen base leaders?

Top 14 base stealers at this point in the year

1. Jacoby Ellsbury (4) 
2. Andrew McCutchen (4) 
3. Ben Revere (4) 
4. Jose Reyes (4) 
5. Alex Rios (3) 
6. Michael Saunders (3) 
7. Chase Utley (3) 
8. Jimmy Rollins (3) 
9. Alcides Escobar (3) 
10. Desmond Jennings (3) 
11. David Wright (3) 
12. Craig Gentry (3) 
13. B.J. Upton (3) 
14. Josh Reddick (3)

Stolen bases is one of the easiest hitting categories to find for cheap in roto leagues. Hopefully this list will show you some hidden value.

In the coming weeks I will hopefully have season leaders along with weekly leaders so you can snag some guys who are less-owned.

*base stealer leaders comes from www.fangraphs.com

2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Shortstop

Below are my shortstop rankings for 2013.

1. Jose Reyes (BA, R, SB)
2. Troy Tulowitzki (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
3. Ian Desmond (BA, R, HR, RBI, SB) 
4. Hanley Ramirez (R, HR, RBI, SB) 
5. Starlin Castro (BA, R, SB)  
6. Ben Zobrist (R, HR, SB) 
7. Jimmy Rollins (R, HR, SB) 
8. Elvis Andrus (BA, R, SB) 
9. Asdrubal Cabrera (BA, RBI) 
10. Derek Jeter (BA, R) 
11. J.J. Hardy (R, HR) 
12. Josh Rutledge (BA, R, HR, SB) 
13. Erick Aybar (BA, SB) 
14. Alcides Escobar (R, SB) 
15. Alexei Ramirez (RBI, SB) 
16. Everth Cabrera (SB)
17. Zack Cozart (R, HR)  
18. Jhonny Peralta (HR, RBI) 
19. Jamey Carroll (R) 
20. Mike Aviles (HR, SB) 
21. Andrelton Simmons (BA, SB) 
22. Dee Gordon (SB)  
23. Jed Lowrie (R, HR, RBI) 
24. Stephen Drew (R, HR) 
25. Yunel Escobar (R, RBI)

My rankings are based on a 10-team rotisserie with the following positions: (head-to-head roto/categories would benefit from these rankings as well)

• 1 Catcher
• 1 First Baseman
• 1 Second Baseman
• 1 Shortstop
• 1 Third Baseman
• 1 Corner Infielder (1B/3B)
• 1 Middle Infielder (2B/SS)
• 1 Utility
• 5 Outfielders
• 9 Pitchers (mixture of Starting Pitchers and Relief Pitchers)
• 3 Bench Spots
• 1 Disabled List 

It is usually hard to tell why a player is ranked where they are. If you play in roto or head-to-head roto then you need to how a certain player will help you. If you've been playing a while then you know that Michael Bourn will give you steals and not much else, but if you're new or a casual fan then you won't know this by the ranking alone.

Given this, in my rankings I have what categories (in parantheses) I expect a certain player to help in.

My general bias is towards home runs and batting average and away from steals. If you can find a guy who can help you in all three categories then take him, but if it's a steals specialist I would pass him by. Steals can be found off the waiver wire (such as Juan Pierre last year) or later in the draft, but batting average and home runs aren't as easy to come by and they often lead to other stats such as runs and RBI's.

Key:

• BA: Batting Average
• -BA: will hurt your overall Batting Average
• R: Runs 
• HR: Homes Runs
• RBI: Runs Batted In
• S: Steals

*position eligibility based on ESPN's Fantasy Baseball rules

Being a "Homer"

Do you ever not draft a player because he is on your home team? I'm from Chicago so I have two teams. I root for the Cubs, but I'm not opposed to White Sox success.

The Cubs are not in contention this year so instead we Cub fans must cheer for the success of individual players. I want to see Starlin Castro take that next step where he puts power and average together (and maybe limit his errors). I want to see Anthony Rizzo become the next Mike Trout. Though I want to see these things I may not see them happen on my fantasy team.

Why? Because I don't want to be accused of being a homer. If you don't know, a homer is someone who thinks his/her team is awesome above all other teams. He looks at his team with rose-colored glasses and laughs at the pathetic excuse for a team everyone else puts on the field. I don't want to be that guy.

But who cares? Fantasy Baseball is meant to be fun! If you want to be a homer and live and die by your home team then do it! If that obscure prospect your team has been selling to you all off-season breaks out this season you know you want him on your team. Go for it!

In my case both Castro and Rizzo are fantasy relevant. Maybe I will reach for them in the draft. I expect big things from both so why not? If the Cubs can't win this year then I might as well win my league with their players ;)

2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catcher

Here are my catcher rankings for 2013.

1. Buster Posey (BA, HR, RBI) *also eligible at 1B
2. Joe Mauer (BA, R, RBI) *also eligible at 1B
3. Victor Martinez (BA, R, HR, RBI)
4. Miguel Montero (BA, HR, RBI)  
5. Yadier Molina (BA, HR, RBI, SB)  
6. Wilin Rosario (HR, RBI) 
7. Carlos Santana (R, HR, RBI, -BA) *also eligible at 1B
8. Matt Wieters (HR, RBI, -BA)  
9. Salvador Perez (BA, R, HR, RBI)
10. Jesus Montero (HR, RBI, -BA) 
11. Brian McCann (HR, RBI) 
12. Mike Napoli (HR, RBI, -BA) *also eligible at 1B
13. Carlos Ruiz (BA, HR) 
14. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (HR, -BA)  
15. Ryan Doumit (ok in all categories) *also eligible at OF
16. A.J. Pierzynski (HR) 
17. A.J. Ellis (ok in all categories)  
18. Alex Avila (HR, RBI) 
19. Kurt Suzuki (-BA)

My rankings are based on a 10-team rotisserie with the following positions: (head-to-head roto/categories would benefit from these rankings as well)

• 1 Catcher
• 1 First Baseman
• 1 Second Baseman
• 1 Shortstop
• 1 Third Baseman
• 1 Corner Infielder (1B/3B)
• 1 Middle Infielder (2B/SS)
• 1 Utility
• 5 Outfielders
• 9 Pitchers (mixture of Starting Pitchers and Relief Pitchers)
• 3 Bench Spots
• 1 Disabled List 

It is usually hard to tell why a player is ranked where they are. If you play in roto or head-to-head roto then you need to how a certain player will help you. If you've been playing a while then you know that Michael Bourn will give you steals and not much else, but if you're new or a casual fan then you won't know this by the ranking alone.

Given this, in my rankings I have what categories (in parantheses) I expect a certain player to help in.

My general bias is towards home runs and batting average and away from steals. If you can find a guy who can help you in all three categories then take him, but if it's a steals specialist I would pass him by. Steals can be found off the waiver wire (such as Juan Pierre last year) or later in the draft, but batting average and home runs aren't as easy to come by and they often lead to other stats such as runs and RBI's.

Key:

• BA: Batting Average
• -BA: will hurt your overall Batting Average
• R: Runs 
• HR: Homes Runs
• RBI: Runs Batted In
• S: Steals

*position eligibility based on ESPN's Fantasy Baseball rules

2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Third Base

Below are my third base rankings for 2013.

1. Miguel Cabrera (BA, R, HR, RBI)  
2. Adrian Beltre (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
3. David Wright (BA, R, HR, RBI, SB) 
4. Chase Headley (R, HR, RBI, SB) 
5. Evan Longoria (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
6. Hanley Ramirez (HR, RBI, SB) *also eligible at SS 
7. Aramis Ramirez (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
8. Ryan Zimmerman (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
9. David Freese (BA, HR, RBI) 
10. Will Middlebrooks (BA, HR, RBI) 
11. Brett Lawrie (R, HR, SB) 
12. Martin Prado (BA, R, RBI) *also eligible at OF 
13. Mike Moustakas (HR) 
14. Pedro Alvarez (HR, RBI, -BA) 
15. Kevin Youkilis (HR) *also eligible at 1B 
16. Chris Johnson (HR) 
17. Jordan Pacheco (BA) 
18. Todd Frazier (HR) *also eligible at 1B 
19. Kyle Seager (HR, SB, -BA) 
20. Michael Young (BA) *also eligible at 1B

My rankings are based on a 10-team rotisserie with the following positions: (head-to-head roto/categories would benefit from these rankings as well)

• 1 Catcher
• 1 First Baseman
• 1 Second Baseman
• 1 Shortstop
• 1 Third Baseman
• 1 Corner Infielder (1B/3B)
• 1 Middle Infielder (2B/SS)
• 1 Utility
• 5 Outfielders
• 9 Pitchers (mixture of Starting Pitchers and Relief Pitchers)
• 3 Bench Spots
• 1 Disabled List 

It is usually hard to tell why a player is ranked where they are. If you play in roto or head-to-head roto then you need to how a certain player will help you. If you've been playing a while then you know that Michael Bourn will give you steals and not much else, but if you're new or a casual fan then you won't know this by the ranking alone.

Given this, in my rankings I have what categories (in parantheses) I expect a certain player to help in.

My general bias is towards home runs and batting average and away from steals. If you can find a guy who can help you in all three categories then take him, but if it's a steals specialist I would pass him by. Steals can be found off the waiver wire (such as Juan Pierre last year) or later in the draft, but batting average and home runs aren't as easy to come by and they often lead to other stats such as runs and RBI's.

Key:

• BA: Batting Average
• -BA: will hurt your overall Batting Average
• R: Runs 
• HR: Homes Runs
• RBI: Runs Batted In
• S: Steals

*position eligibility based on ESPN's Fantasy Baseball rules

"We Talk Fantasy Sports" guest post

I recently did a guest blog post on the truth behind spring training stats. Check it out at the link below!

http://www.wetalkfantasysports.com/2013/03/Believe-In-Spring-Training.html