I once made some bold predictions for 2016. Then I checked in on them. Some looked OK, some not so much.

The season is over now, and I can’t think of any better way to distract myself from the multiple painful ends to otherwise fantastic seasons I just endured than to review my bold predictions. Fellow RotoGrapher Justin Mason kindly said he “think[s I] nailed the boldness level. He also said, “Alex, you don’t know how [to] use [brackets].” Pffffft, whatever, Justin.

I would say I’m proud of these predictions, but honestly, I barely remember half of them. There are three I remember fondly, though, and I’m excited to see how they turned out. Let’s do this!

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Prior to the season, RotoGraphs writers submitted lists of 10 bold predictions. We’re kind of known for them. After playing it semi-safe in 2015, I decided to go especially bold in 2016. The results, as you might expect, are a bunch of big whiffs. Imagine Steven Moya’s violent swing. When he connects, he’s in good shape. He’ll often miss the ball by multiple feet.

Before we get into reviewing my 2016 picks, I’d like to call one back from last year. Behold:

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Truth be told, I’ve been dreading this piece for months. Before joining Rotographs this season, I always enjoyed this series as much for revisiting the predictions at the end of the year as reading them in the first place. But of the 30 or so pieces I’ve written this year, Bold Predictions is easily my worst. Not only did I miss but I missed spectacularly. I missed in part because I went too bold but most painfully because I was sloppy. Want to know what I mean by sloppy? I predicted Greg Bird would out-perform Mark Teixeira. Seven weeks after he was lost for the season. I also got too specific, ambitiously adding milestones when broad declarations would have more than sufficed. I’m not going to enjoy what follows but without further ado, let’s Bring the Pain.

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The regular season is officially in the books! Sad faces galore. I hope all of you, every single one of you, won a league. Hopefully, it was thanks to some of my bold predictions (which, as I type this, I still haven’t looked at since the preseason). I have no idea how I did, so let’s be surprised together. For a referesher on my thought process behind each prediction, check out the original article.

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First, a few words about my offseason writing at Rotographs. Besides reporting any possible relevant fantasy news, I plan on systematically going through two groups of players and work on their 2017 values. I will start at the top of the 2017 rankings and also somewhere in the middle and work my way down each list. I may be able to do a handful of players each article or I might by limited to just the two players. Either way, I will start putting together a 2017 draft ranking.

Additionally, I will try to follow Eno’s schedule for the other writers (e.g. players on playoff teams for the next couple of weeks). If they are looking at outfielders for that specific week, I will also look at outfielders.

The other project I will work through is being able to put a better evaluation on prospects for fantasy purposes. I will use the evaluations of various prospect writers and publications and put their evaluations into something which can be used in fantasy circles. I have some ideas of what I want to accomplish, but I am sure there will be some roadblocks and detours on the way. I will start this series Friday.

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Welcome to the annual series that provides both a review of your favorite teams’ 2016 season, as well as a early look toward 2017. It also serves as a helpful guide for keeper and dynasty leagues.

The Graduate: Ryon Healy (3B/1B): Healy entered 2016 as a fairly overlooked prospect within the A’s system and third on the minor league depth chart in terms of hot corner prospects behind Matt Chapman and Renato Nunez. A strong opening few months convinced management to give him a shot and he never looked back. His 139 wRC+ was tops on the Athletics — ahead of even Khris Davis and since-traded Josh Reddick. He has 20+ home run power even with playing half his games in a cavernous home ballpark. On the downside, Healy doesn’t walk much (4.4%) and he saw his batting average aided by a significant BABIP of .351 in the Majors. He’s also not a great fielder and will likely move to first base or designated hitter in deference to Chapman — another power-hitting prospect but with an excellent glove.

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10/02/16

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is live!

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Notable Transactions/Rumors/Articles/Game Play

• There wasn’t much structure to this ep. We just discuss the end of the season and give kudos to some industry league winners including our own Jeff Zimmerman!
• Evan’s Young Warrior Fund

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Agenda

1. Thank You!
2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard
3. Daily DFS
4. SaberSim Observations
5. Tomorrow’s Targets
6. Factor Grid

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