Thoughts on Several Players & Teams

David Richard-Imagn Images

As I write this, the game is a lull between tons of news on who made which roster and real results. I went through some of my thoughts on several players and situations to track over the next few days.

American League

Angels

• While he struggled this spring (.483 OPS), Christian Moore showed major signs of improvement. He posted a new max Exit Velocity by 3 mph and his contact% jumped from 60% last spring to 75% this year. A .214 BABIP kept the 23-year-old’s  overall stats down, but he’s a guy to monitor when he gets promoted later in the year.

Astros

• The outfield remains a mess with no one standing out. Our projections have the group of six between a .308 wOBA (Cam Smith) and .298 wOBA (Zach Cole)

Guardians

• It’ll be interesting to see how much of a run Angel Martínez gets in the outfield. The 24-year-old has always been a high-contact hitter, but he set a new max Exit Velocity (111.3 mph) and pulled the ball over 60% of the time this spring. He ended up with 4 HR, 3 SB, and a .356 AVG. An issue for the switch-hitter is his career 55 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.

Royals

• When Carlos Estévez takes the mound for the first time, his fastball velocity will be the one item everyone should be following. His fastball was down 6.5 mph this spring while walking four batters and only striking out three in 5 IP. Here is a crappy chart showing his fastball’s swing-strike rate at different velocities.

He needs to be at 96 mph to be elite or 93 to be acceptable.

Tigers

• Too many platoons in the outfield and one out of the group will step up and be a regular. We may not know how the platoons will play out for a while. The next game scheduled against a lefty will be the Royals or Boston in mid-April. Maybe track who does or doesn’t get platooned in the early games.

National League

Braves

• I’m shocked José Suarez, with his 4.87 BB/9 over the past three seasons, is going to start for the Braves.

Diamondbacks

• I think Jordan Lawlar and Alek Thomas are in a position battle until Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returns from the IL. If one of the pair struggles, they’ll head to the bench. It’s possible both could keep playing as the DH if no one else is hitting enough to take the job.

• I think Kevin Ginkel is a solid closer add for the simple reason that he’s projected to be the team’s best reliever. Reports are that Paul Sewald has the job, but I have zero faith he can keep it since he’s projected for an ERA over 4.00.

Giants

• The team had six months to roster/train a first baseman, and they rolled out Casey Schmitt at first base. What a failure by the organization. At least Schmitt could get qualified at third base.

Marlins

• Griffin Conine is a name to watch as a backup outfielder. In 175 career plate appearances, he has 5 HR and a .261 AVG. Not great, but there are worse options on the wire in deeper leagues. Also, there is a chance he picks up first base eligibility. He started there four times in Spring Training.

Nationals

• The team should send a huge thank-you note to the Rockies for keeping the Nats from easily being the worst team.

Pirates

• I want to see how Carmen Mlodzinski looks/performs this Sunday against the Mets. It was surprising he got the nod, but he was solid last year (3.60 xFIP) and great in this Spring Training (2.96 xFIP). I’m a hold no matter the result, but for leagues where he’s available, his performance will matter a ton in determining his FAAB cost.

• I see Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales in a battle for one of the infield spots, and the other goes to the bench when Konnor Griffin gets promoted.