Chris Meaney 117 posts

This is the first of many category sleeper pieces to come over the next few days as we get closer to the 2019 fantasy baseball season. I figured I'd start with what we're all after on draft day and that's late round steals. There were only three players to reach 40 stolen bases last season and it was Whit Merrifield who led the way with 45. Even he was disrespected at drafts last season and you could argue he's providing value again in 2019. The other two were either late round steals or waiver wire gems: Mallex Smith (40)…

As we creep into March, it means there will be real meaningful baseball played this month. That's very exciting and definitely more so than following Bryce Harper's every move or lack there of. The latest has the Los Angeles Dodgers as favorites to land the outfielder. We're here, though, to talk about American League spring training battles. We are just about one full week into spring training and the battles are intensifying already. Some are hardly a battle, while others may come down to the last day of spring. Things…

Finally, some baseball games to talk about. Of course, the first spring training game was cancelled and trust me, that won't be the last one to get canned. I'm sure by now you've seen the video of Mike Trout and the snow in Arizona. I mean, you may not have...baseball doesn't do a great job of promoting probably the best player you'll probably ever see play, but I'll save that for another day. Cancellations are going to happen, but for the most part, they should be rare...I think. At least now we can just pretend Bryce…

Don't let the slowness that is the offseason fool you, baseball is here! Pitchers and catchers have already reported, despite there still being a few big names on the market. Spring training games begin a week from today so it's time to identify some of the AL spring training position battles. I'll be following the AL spring training position battles closely and we'll get a much clearer picture as we approach first pitch in the 2019 season. Most of the position battles in the American League are surrounded around the…

Relief pitchers were always a big part of the game, but they've taken on a much bigger role and it's carried over in fantasy baseball. Much has been made of the lack of innings from starters these days as teams gear towards stronger bullpens. Don't get me wrong, I want a to leave my draft with a top 10 closer and I'll roster a few relievers along the way, but I'm on the lookout for relief pitcher sleepers on draft day. I'm looking for value and I'm looking at closer battles. I've identified a few below that I'll have my eye…

The outfield position isn't as deep as I once remembered as it gets thin pretty quickly. This is especially true if you play with four or five outfield spots, which most leagues seem to employ these days. You can really get yourself in trouble if you leave your draft without two or three top 30 outfielders. If you play with five OF spots you'll want to grab a couple early. Top-heavy with talent is an understatement when it comes to the outfield position. Mike Trout and Mookie Betts will be the first two picks in just…

There's no shortage of fantasy baseball shortstop sleepers in 2019. In fact, there's a lot to offer from the shortstop position this season. Remember that time when it was Troy Tulowitzki, Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes and that's it? The position today is filled with studs and you should want one of them. Francisco Lindor is a strong pick early in your draft should you be lucky enough to get one. Trea Turner, Alex Bregman, Javier Baez, Manny Machado and Trevor Story are nice consolation prizes. When a player battle through…

The hot corner is where it's at. There are so many solid options at third base as it's one of the better fantasy baseball positions. Studs at the top and third base sleepers to consider in the middle and later parts of your draft. As many as four third basemen could go in the first round, led by AL MVP nominee Jose Ramirez. Nolan Arenado will follow, in what could be his last season in Colorado. We're still waiting on Manny Machado to sign, but he'll go in the first round regardless of where he ends up. Then there's Alex…

As we've moved around the diamond, things have gotten much better in fantasy land. Unlike the first base position, you can afford to wait it out a bit in your search for second base sleepers. Don't get me wrong, I love what's going on at the top with Javier Baez, Ozzie Albies and Whit Merrifield. Sure, there are some underlying stats that suggest Baez will regress. I mean he just went for 34 HR, 111 RBI and 21 stolen bases, while hitting .290. That kind of season is hard to repeat. I'll tell you what, though...Baez is a…

Is it just me or does the first base position stink? First base sleepers is right! Honestly, it was hard to come across a few first base sleepers that I felt comfortable suggesting, especially as a starting first baseman in a 12-team league. You're better off drafting a first basemen early as the position is becoming thinner as the years go on. You're being asked to pay for the small sample size of Jesus Aguilar and Max Muncy, while Matt Carpenter will lose his eligibility over time with the addition of Paul Goldschmidt.…