Is there an outfield more exciting than that of the Braves right now? I think not. Sure, maybe the Angels come close now that they’ve added Hamilton, but overall, I don’t see a better starting three that has as much proven talent with still plenty of upside waiting to emerge than the Braves have right now. You’ve got strong power, excellent speed and each one of them plays strong enough defense that Fredi Gonzalez won’t ever hesitate to keep running the same three guys out there so long as everyone is healthy. In the fantasy world, that’s just pure gold. Read the rest of this entry »

In 2012, Aroldis Chapman threw 71.2 thrilling innings out of the bullpen for Cincinnati with 38 saves, an absurd 122 strike outs and a 1.51 ERA with an equally (and likely more) impressive 1.55 FIP. In 2013, or at least at this point in the middle of spring training, Aroldis is still slated to be in the Rotation for the Reds which certainly changes the bullpen landscape. Whether Aroldis stays in the rotation or ends up back in pen will largely depend on his early results, health, the effectiveness of the rest of the bullpen and Dusty Baker. I don’t think I’m the only baseball fan who drools at the thought of 200 innings from the Cuban Missile, so let’s hope he stays in the rotation while we talk about the Reds bullpen. 

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At what point does a “closer in waiting” become just another reliever if he doesn’t eventually take over the closer mantle? Bobby Parnell is going to try to make sure we don’t find out this year, as a Frank Francisco injury (surprise, surprise) has opened a window for him to claim the throne that has been waiting for him since at least 2010.

After Francisco Rodriguez filled the Billy Wagner gap for three years, the position was supposed to smoothly transition to Parnell. Instead, Parnell struggled with consistency and made it difficult for the franchise to give him a long-term vote of confidence. Parnell, though, has strung together three very good seasons spanning 163 innings, settling in as a reliable bullpen hand. And Parnell thinks he’s ready now.

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Last week I looked at a few underrated and overrated position player prospects. This week I wanted to follow that up by doing the same thing with some pitching prospects. The rule with prospects is always caveat emptor as they can’t typically be counted on for consistent production or performance. Still, “hitting” on a few helpful guys your league opponents didn’t expect to be useful can lead your team to fantasy glory.

Remember that these players are being evaluated entirely for their 2013 usefulness, without regard to keeper or dynasty implications.

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All this week I have been checking in on the players I have ranked most differently from the other RotoGraphers in our recently published consensus. Today are the second basemen, a group that doesn’t have a whole lot of good late round sleepers like the shortstop position does. So maybe instead you pick an undervalued guy in the middle rounds that I identify in the bullish section. That section will include guys I ranked in the top 18, while the bearish will look at those ranked in the top 18 by the consensus.

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Depending on what time you see this today, I will either be in — or on my way to — Arizona for spring training. If you’re going to be in the area, tweet at me and stop by to say hi. I swear I’m not that awkward in real life.

Agenda for today:
1. Carlos Gomez’s New Contract
2. Jerry Sands, Sans An Opportunity
3. Demotions Chapter 2: Jake Odorizzi
4. Demotions, Volume III: John Lamb
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You know how when you stub your toe or bang your arm against something, you take a deep, hissing breath through your teeth sometimes? The pain causes you to suck air in with a “Thsssss!” or a similar pulling noise, and you squint your eyes a little?

Well, that’s pretty much what I do every time I try to look at the Mets’ outfield depth chart.

Many words have already been written about the Metropolitans’ lack of impact players in their outfield, with some lamenting that the team may have one of the worst outfields of the past several years, or decades, or ever. While I personally don’t think the situation is quite as bad as some have made it out to be, this depth chart is not going to be pretty, folks. Let’s get to it.

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Left Field – Alex Gordon will be the everyday left fielder. He started 151 in LF in 2011 and 161 in 2012. Nothing will change in 2013. For the days he gets rest, expect Cain to move over to LF and Dyson to man CF.

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Starting pitching wasn’t a bright spot for the Boston Red Sox in 2012. Nine different arms toed the rubber as a Red Sox starter last season and as a whole, the club managed just a 121 ERA-, finishing 25th in baseball. The conversion of Daniel Bard as a starter never got off the ground, Daisuke Matsuzaka finished with an ERA higher than his K/9, and their former ace Josh Beckett finshed as a Dodger. Despite all of this, there’s actually reasons for some optimism in Boston’s rotation as they have several starters who ought to merit your fantasy consideration entering 2013.

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J.R. Graham recently was drafted in the third round of an expert league dynasty league I participate in. While that sounds early, consider that each of the 20 teams has 28 keepers, so a majority of the top 100 prospects were already owned and kept before the draft. Regardless, I feel silly for not taking him earlier, though I only had a first round pick and had a glaring need at second base – along with a number of prospects in the high minors. I had him pegged with my third round pick, but he went before I had the opportunity to grab him – my second round pick was traded before the draft. I have a pretty good feeling the owner who drafted him is going to feel great about that pick throughout Graham’s progression through the upper minors and into his time as a major leaguer.

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