Fantasy Baseball owners go over their cheat sheets like they’re secret codes to a championship. But good Fantasy players are also conscious of what’s happening during the days between when those initial cheat sheets were created and the date of their drafts.
So we looked back over the past few weeks of 2016 MLB Spring Training to find five players whose draft stock has greatly improved since this winter. In some cases, the players are forcing their way into Fantasy drafts because of their play, but in many situations, they’ve been the beneficiaries of situations involving other players. Then there even a couple that fit in both of those categories.
5 Rising Fantasy Baseball Players
In Fantasy Baseball, it’s really rare for a player to shoot up from nowhere to be a mid-round draft pick during Spring Training, which is something you might see in Fantasy Football when a young tailback earns the featured RB job for an NFL club. But these guys have certainly become noteworthy in Fantasy Baseball drafts this spring.
Devin Mesoraco, C, Cincinnati Reds
I was a big fan of Mesoraco in the offseason, drafting him in Round 17 of a January mock draft at MLB.com, but wanting to draft him even sooner. Coming off of hip surgery, many were leery of him in the first 15 rounds of drafts. After debuting this spring on Thursday, he has two home runs, a double and six RBI in three games. In the Tout Wars Mixed Auction I was in this past weekend, Mesoraco ($7) was the 11th-most expensive catcher. If the draft were held this coming weekend, I imagine his price would climb to $12.
Trevor Story, SS, Colorado Rockies
Story benefits from the pending trial surrounding Jose Reyes’ domestic abuse charges, but the 23-year-old is raking so far this spring. He leads the Rockies with four home runs, and Nolan Arenado (11) is the only player with more RBI on the team than Story’s 10. Rotisserie owners should be excited about his potential as a speed-power guy (20 HR, 22 SB in minors last season).
.@Rockies' #11 prospect Trevor Story with a 2-run 1B vs @Angels. 10 RBIs this spring. Watch: https://t.co/qVjd3MhIvB pic.twitter.com/jItRaiLxnU
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 18, 2016
Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
If you miss out on the top Fantasy third baseman (Josh Donaldson, Arenado, Manny Machado and Kris Bryant), then worry no more because you can get a red-hot and healthy Franco a few rounds later. He leads all hitters in spring homers (seven) and RBI (18), and while we’d normally be cautious of spring numbers, this was an excellent young player even before this spring. Before Spring Training began, Franco was drafted just after the top 100 players, then he was the 91st pick in the Tout Wars Mixed League draft on March 8. But he was auctioned for $21 in the Tout draft on March 19 mixed auction.
.@MaikelFranco7's power isn't new.
Only 11 players hit 100+ mph liners more often in 2015. https://t.co/xqJtVI3DzC pic.twitter.com/iXkFCwQoJe
— #Statcast (@statcast) March 21, 2016
Tyler Naquin, OF, Cleveland Indians
Abraham Almonte was suspended by MLB for 80 after he failed a test for PEDs, which opened up the Indians’ center field job this spring. Naquin jumped at the chance, and now he is on track to be the team’s starter, after posting a 1.090 OPS this spring, with two doubles and three triples. As a late-round flier, Naquin should provide some decent speed and batting average numbers.
What I Liked Today #2. I really think Tyler Naquin makes great sense to start the season as the #Indians CF. Nice bat, excellent defense.
— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) March 21, 2016
Alex Colome, RP, Tampa Bay Rays
In spite of giving up a home run and a double to Cuba Thursday, Colome is my pick to eventually get the most save opportunities in place of Brad Boxberger (core muscle surgery) for eight weeks. He’s supposedly part of a committee with Danny Farquhar, who has more closer experience, but Colome has the better stuff.
FanGraphs’ Jason Collette notes that Jake McGee didn’t get his job back when he returned from injury last season, so it’s understandable to think that Boxy could miss out if Colome or Farquhar are pitching well in his absence.
Danny Farquhar opens, Alex Colome better long-haul pick, but I give 75/25 odds Boxberger completely reclaims it. https://t.co/2r0TzNI54p
— Tristan H. Cockcroft (@SultanofStat) March 21, 2016
Keep your eyes open for more Fantasy Baseball players this Spring Training that are outplaying their current ADP!
Photo Credit: Joe Robbins, Getty Images