MLB Fantasy News 2013

HacheMan · Jul 14, 2013

Closer Report: Midseason awards

Eric Karabell

Back in March, there was little indication fantasy owners would need to pay attention to -- or own -- the likes of Kevin Gregg, Koji Uehara and Francisco Rodriguez, but here we are days before the All-Star break and those guys are certainly a whole lot of relevant. Look around at the closer landscape and so much has changed. Edward Mujica is on pace for 45 saves, a 100-loss Houston Astros club might get its closer 30 of them and latest word from Arizona is that Byung-Hyun Kim is back in the mix for saves. What in the name of Oliver Perez is going on?
Anyway, now seems like a wise time to take stock in what we’ve learned from a fantasy aspect when it comes to that most frustrating of statistics, the save, and look ahead. One doesn’t need to pitch like a champ to earn them -- see Jose Valverde, Brandon League or Heath Bell. And one could pitch like a champ and still not earn them -- see Trevor Rosenthal or All-Star Steve Delabar -- so it’s easy to note things are ever-changing.
Top fantasy closer so far: Well, a simple look at the Player Rater tells us it’s not Craig Kimbrel or Aroldis Chapman, but Texas Rangers right-hander Joe Nathan. Not only does he have the saves, but the 0.76 WHIP is no joke. Hey, don’t hate on the old players. Some of them are really good.
Top fantasy value so far: Alas, Nathan was no sleeper on draft day. I’ll go with St. Louis Cardinals surprise Edward Mujica. When Jason Motte blew out his arm, I thought the hard-throwing Rosenthal should have been given a chance to close. Instead, the now-departed Mitchell Boggs was chosen, and he was awful. Now he’s at Double-A Tulsa in the Colorado Rockies organization. Mujica got his first save in mid-April and has dominated.
Worst fantasy value so far: While I never would have chosen Atlanta’s Kimbrel in the fourth round, which is what it took to get him in ESPN average live drafts, he’s not having a bad season. He’s behind only Nathan and Jason Grilli among closers on the Rater. Chapman is sixth. Fernando Rodney, on the other hand, was the No. 3 relief pitcher on draft day (fourth among closers if you count Chapman) and has struggled at times, with a walk rate exceeding many of his Angels and Tigers days. He’s really not in danger of losing the closer role, and his strikeout rate is significantly up on last year, but I can’t call him a top-10 closer.
Antonio Alfonseca award performance: You remember ol’ six finger, who lucked into saves with the late-'90s Florida Marlins, saved 45 games with a 1.51 WHIP in 2000 and still managed to keep getting chances. Well, how does one explain Kevin Gregg? The Chicago Cubs couldn’t keep using Carlos Marmol in the role, but Gregg’s numbers in Baltimore the past two seasons, before he was out of work in mid-April, were miserable (4.62 ERA, 1.66 WHIP). The guy always finds a way, and now he enters the weekend with 16 saves, his best strikeout percentage ever and a 1.02 WHIP. I can’t explain it. I’m certainly selling it. Watch him replace Mariano Rivera for the Yankees in 2014, he types tongue in cheek.
Joaquin Benoit award for gopher-itis: You might not recall now, but back in early April Kansas City Royals closer Greg Holland struggled, and Kelvin Herrera seemed poised to usurp the role. Herrera earned a few saves, and there was a threat of Aaron Crow getting chances as well. But Herrera couldn’t stop allowing home runs and Holland became untouchable. Since May 1, Holland’s ERA is below 1. Herrera has permitted eight home runs, following in the footsteps of current Detroit closer Benoit, who allowed 14 a year ago. Benoit is doing better now in that regard, but don’t be surprised when he is replaced via trade. By the way, two relievers have allowed 10 home runs already. One is Houston’s Paul Clemens, whom even Astros fans haven’t heard of, the other is closer Huston Street, whom everyone knows and is nearly 100 percent owned. Be very careful there.
The sleeper gone right: Grilli has been all that and a bag of chips for the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates. What I wrote back in March was Mark Melancon was a great bounce-back choice as well, and he has shown it, with a 0.85 ERA and four walks versus 44 strikeouts. A great bullpen can carry a real team, as well as a fantasy one. It’s clear who is next in line should Grilli hiccup.
The sleeper gone wrong: Raise your hand if you thought Kyuji Fujikawa would lead the Cubs in saves. I actually thought it would be Marmol, now plying his erratic trade for the Albuquerque Isotopes. Fujikawa hurt his elbow in early April, returned briefly in May and had Tommy John surgery in June. My pick is for right-hander Blake Parker to get saves when Gregg is either traded or runs into trouble.
The winners: The winningest closer is New York Mets right-hander Bobby Parnell, with five. He’s having a fine season, but let’s face it, the win total (three came in May) has overrated him some. It’s mainly luck when closers win, unless they keep blowing saves to do so, but it also says something when a guy is used in tie games. Parnell, Addison Reed and Sergio Romo are seeing more decisions than most.
The losers: For this we don’t need to refer to the ridiculous win statistic (compare James Shields and Matt Moore and tell me who is having the better season) to know that Arizona’s Bell, the Dodgers’ League and Valverde had ample chances to save 30 games, but won’t do so. Of the 34 pitchers with seven or more saves, they are the only ones with a negative Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
WAR can be good: Speaking of this non-fantasy but certainly relevant stat, Rex Brothers, Jesse Crain, Drew Smyly, Nathan and Melancon are the top relief pitchers in WAR, heading into Friday. One of them is getting saves. Even on our Rater, Detroit’s Smyly ranks better than Casey Janssen, Jose Veras and several other closers. Add top relievers if you’re over the games started pace or tired of dealing with struggling starters like Yovani Gallardo, who can hurt as much as they help.
Buy low: Uehara has the skills to keep the Boston job, and Andrew Bailey can’t stay healthy, so I don’t see him as a threat. Nor do I see Ryan Madson as a threat of pitching anytime soon, so strikeout monster Ernesto Frieri remains underrated. And nobody seems to like Cleveland’s Chris Perez, but Vinnie Pestano didn’t shine in the role.
Sell high: Well, sell high on any closer that nets you the hitter or starting pitcher you need, because it’s easy to replace saves. Even Kimbrel, great as he is, has seen his strikeout rate drop quite a bit, and based on excessive usage in recent seasons I won’t be at all surprised when injury strikes. It has already taken his top setup men. Trade Rivera based on name value, Jim Johnson based on inconsistency and Mujica based on the fact Rosenthal is better and the Cardinals have made ninth-inning adjustments in the past without provocation. And I have concerns that in a month Gregg, Rodriguez, Tom Wilhelmsen, Janssen, Steve Cishek, Street and Benoit are earning as many saves as you and I, for performance, injury or trade explanations.
Buy low: Delabar, Dale Thayer, John Axford (yes, over Jim Henderson), Parker and Tommy Hunter are right-handers to keep an eye on for when their closers struggle with injury or performance. And I still think J.J. Putz retains the Diamondbacks job in July and keeps it.
Lifetime achievement: And finally, we close with the GOAT (greatest of all time), the always reliable Mariano Rivera. Not only is he thriving, but he’s potentially on his way to leading the majors in saves, a feat which over his 19 seasons has happened only three times. Are you going to bet against this guy?

HacheMan · Jul 15, 2013

2013 All-Injured All-Star team

<CITE class=byline>By Stephania Bell | ESPN.com

In honor of the festivities taking place at Citi Field in New York City this week around the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, it’s time once again to compile a roster of All-Injured All-Stars. Members of this roster are selected from:
a. Players who were chosen for this year’s All-Star game but could not participate due to injury
OR
b. Past All-Stars who might have had the potential to earn another trip in 2013 were it not for the injuries that beset them this year.
Just as was the case in 2012, this year’s list had multiple choices for nearly every position in both the American and National Leagues. In other words, there is no denying the impact of injuries on the game, a fact highlighted during the All-Star festivities which represents the halfway point of the season. Not everyone who could possibly qualify is listed. Some are making a repeat appearance after making this list last season (a dubious distinction denoted with an asterisk). The selections here, just as with the actual All-Star roster, are debatable. But as the manager of the injury roster, the selections are at my discretion.
And now, I hereby present the 2013 All-Injured All-Stars.

National League

1B: *Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies: Howard made the 2012 All-Injury roster as he was recovering from an Achilles tendon repair, a recovery slowed by setbacks in the spring. This year the three-time All Star started the season on time but was placed on the DL July 6 with a meniscus tear. Howard underwent surgery and is projected to be out for six to eight weeks (the Phillies hope to have him back and playing with the club in that time frame), a reasonable projection if all goes well with the rehab process. Still, the Achilles rupture and the meniscus injury have both been on Howard’s left side, which starts to raise the level of concern about how that leg will treat the 33-year-old going forward.
2B: Aaron Hill, Arizona Diamondbacks: Although Hill has technically returned from the DL, there is little doubt that injury derailed the All-Star second baseman’s season after a solid start. Plus, the injury is not completely out of the picture. Hill sustained a non-union fracture in his hand after being hit by a pitch. Ultimately, he was given clearance to try to play through it if the pain didn’t limit him. He has been able to do so, although the team is taking precautions to have him avoid overusing it. The risk remains that it could be aggravated during the course of the season and force him out of the lineup again.
SS: Rafael Furcal, St. Louis Cardinals: Last year at this time, Furcal was making an appearance in the MLB All-Star game; this year he has not made an appearance in a major league game. After spraining his ulnar collateral ligament, Furcal tried to go the conservative route, but during spring training this year, his elbow failed him. After undergoing Tommy John surgery and spending the rest of this year rehabbing the elbow, Furcal hopes to return next season.
3B: Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers: Ramirez has been plagued by a problematic left knee since the spring. The Brewers have attempted to manage the problem by giving him intermittent days off. The challenge with the knee sprain Ramirez sustained back in March is that if there is any residual instability (which there appears to be, based on how his knee has behaved), it can easily become aggravated by an awkward movement that causes the knee to give way, such as a diving defensive play, a quick directional change or a slide while running the bases. Despite his attempt to play regularly in the presence of the condition, the All-Star third baseman has been limited at times by the knee and recently aggravated it to the point of requiring a second DL stint. In fact, teammate Ryan Braun was brought off the DL perhaps a few days sooner than expected when it became clear Ramirez would be heading back. The symptoms from this latest episode will likely settle fairly soon and Ramirez should be able to then increase his activity and return to the lineup. But what the two trips to the DL along with the controlled management of his playing time tell us is that we can expect the uncertainty around Ramirez and his knee to continue throughout the season.
C: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals: We’re cheating a little bit by placing Molina here since it appears he will play in the All-Star game, despite the threat of injury. Molina’s knee began to bother him about a month ago, suddenly worsening last week and making it difficult for him to run. An MRI revealed no structural damage and after a few days rest, Molina returned to the lineup this weekend, seemingly without issue. It’s hard to imagine that an injury that has plagued him for the better part of a month would suddenly have disappeared, especially for a catcher whose job demands take their toll on the knees. It’s terrific that the National League’s leading vote-getter will be there for the fans. Let’s hope it doesn’t mean he won’t be there for them later this season.

OF: *Carl Crawford and *Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers; Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves: Crawford seemed to bounce back this season after spending most of 2012 on the DL, first for lingering wrist pain and weakness following offseason surgery, then for a torn ulnar collateral ligament that ultimately required season-ending Tommy John surgery. The injury bug appeared to be in the rearview mirror in 2013 as Crawford entered the season. Unfortunately, that changed in June when Crawford suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for several weeks. Just a week removed from the DL stint for his hamstring, Crawford was out of the lineup with back stiffness. Although an MRI turned up “nothing really significant” according to manager Don Mattingly, Crawford has yet to return. At 31, it’s more difficult for Crawford to bounce back from these nagging type of injuries making it more of a worry that the hamstring or the back -- or both -- could be problematic for Crawford across the remainder of the season.
Kemp’s performance in 2013 wouldn’t have earned him a spot on the All-Star team this year, even if he were healthy, but his talent has made him a regular in years past. Last year, a hamstring injury that flared up as soon as he returned from his initial DL stint caused him to miss more time than he ever had in his major league career. Now he is set to challenge that statistic with consecutive DL appearances for different injuries (a hamstring strain on the opposite side of last year’s injury followed by AC joint inflammation in his post-operative shoulder). The injuries only compounded the rough start Kemp was experiencing following his offseason labral repair. It always seemed likely Kemp would improve in the second half of this year as he rediscovered his power swing. Now the hope is that he can simply be healthy enough to have the opportunity to do so. As of now the end of the month appears to be the target for Kemp’s return and the Dodgers are hoping to see the pre-2013 version of their star outfielder.
The entire Braves outfield is hurting at the time of this All-Star game but it is Upton who has the most All-Star appearances of the three, hence his name in this position. Upton strained his calf muscle but by all accounts it sounds minor and he could return within the week.
SP: *Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies; *Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals: Is it coincidence that these two are repeat honorees? Probably not, especially given that their situations last year quite possibly portended greater concern for their health heading into this season.
In 2012, Halladay was sidelined with a strained lat, an injury he was able to return from in just under two months. This year when his performance suffered in an eerily similar manner to last year, Halladay was quicker to acknowledge there was perhaps an underlying contributory physical problem. Indeed, Halladay was dealing with damage to the rotator cuff which required surgery to repair. After undergoing surgery, Halladay has embarked on an intensive rehab program. He has made it clear he hopes to return this year, although it is not likely to be before September.
Carpenter underwent thoracic outlet surgery in 2012 to alleviate nerve compression that was causing weakness and pain in his throwing shoulder and arm. Surprisingly, he recovered well enough to rejoin his team for the postseason, but he did not pitch like his usual self. After taking some time to re-evaluate whether he even wanted to return to baseball, Carpenter dedicated himself to a focused rehab process … again. Despite several setbacks along the way, he is nearing the point where he could contribute to the Cardinals’ stable, as a starter. Carpenter is set to begin a rehab assignment Monday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which could pave the way for a late-season return.
RP: J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks: Technically, Putz has returned to his major league team after missing extensive time due to injury. An exception was made to include him in the list because he isn’t truly back yet as evidenced by some of his lingering struggles. A sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm had the former All-Star Putz sidelined for virtually all of May and June. Shortly after returning, Putz blew a save, leaving us to wonder whether he had really fully recovered or whether he was just rusty. For now, he is operating in a support relief role but the big test he will have to pass is whether he can pitch on a regular basis without any recurrence of his elbow pain.
Honorable Mention: Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves (thumb); Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (thumb); Jason Heyward, OF, Atlanta Braves (hamstring)
American League:
1B: *Kevin Youkilis, New York Yankees: Youkilis wasn’t going to make this year’s MLB All-Star Team, but he’s certainly made enough of them in the past to warrant making this All-Star roster. Hip and back problems have limited Youkilis intermittently for years, and this time his back would not let him get comfortable. He ultimately had to go the route of back surgery in June and is expected out approximately three months. It’s worth noting that the recovery timetable following this procedure is very fluid, so any setback could throw off that schedule. Despite his age (34), Youkilis is taking a chapter out of teammate Derek Jeter's book and expects to come back, although it remains to be seen whether he’s able to do so this year.
2B: Omar Infante, Detroit Tigers: After getting taken out by a hard slide in a game in early July, Infante’s injury was initially called a contusion. It was later announced that he had sprained his ankle and Infante was placed on the DL but was expected back immediately following the All-Star break. Now it appears the ankle is moving a little more slowly than expected, and manager Jim Leyland cautions that Infante may require a little more time. While this doesn’t have the sounds of a particularly serious injury, Infante still needs to move well enough to make defensive coverage plays in addition to running the bases. A few extra days now will translate to less likelihood of lingering problems in the second half.

SS: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees: No matter how hard he tried to return to the lineup to start the season, it just wasn’t meant to be for Jeter. After undergoing surgery to stabilize his fractured ankle last fall, Jeter appeared on track with his progression until pain during spring training interrupted his running program. Imaging studies revealed a second small crack and Jeter’s program was put on hold to allow the bone to heal. As the bone healed to the point where he could resume running, Jeter progressed rapidly through his return to play progression. In fact, he progressed so well the team opted to return him prior to the All-Star break. He lasted less than one complete game.
During his first game back, Jeter’s 39 year-old-quadriceps muscle tightened up on him and he was forced out for the day. The Yankees are hopeful that this represents only a minor setback for the veteran given that it is a Grade 1 (mild) strain. After some rest and a few days to recover, it’s possible he could be ready to go after the break, although the Yankees may ease him back with alternating days off and DH usage.
3B: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees: It’s not surprising that the multiple-time All-Star is on the DL at this point. When he underwent January surgery to repair the labrum in his hip, Rodriguez was expected to be out until after the All-Star break. Still, it was uncertain whether his rehab course would proceed smoothly and allow him to be on track for a July return. Minus the distractions associated with both the Biogenesis scandal and his recent rehab status updates on Twitter, Rodriguez has experienced a fairly smooth recovery. His last physical hurdle to cross before rejoining the Yankees is a complete rehab assignment and he is well on his way. On Monday, he graduated to Double-A Trenton as part of progressing him towards major league competition. According to the New York Post, Rodriguez says his legs “feel good” and the plan, as he understands it, is to rejoin the team July 22. Although he hasn’t shown much at the plate thus far, after being out of baseball for the bulk of the last nine months, the rust is not surprising. While his physical condition is improving, there may be other hurdles which prevent him from contributing for the remainder of this season and his hip may not prove to be the limiting factor.
C: Francisco Cervelli, New York Yankees: Admittedly, Cervelli is a reach here as he has never been an All-Star. But with no one else really competing for a slot here, he gets the nod as the starting catcher on a team loaded with injured All-Stars. Cervelli has been on the DL since late April after suffering a fracture in his right hand, which required surgery. (Incidentally, the Yankees seem to be leading the category of hit-by-pitches resulting in fractures amongst starters.) After finally getting to the point of being able to take batting practice, Cervelli was just shut down again due to a stress reaction in his right elbow. He now looks to be sidelined until August and it’s hard to imagine him being effective immediately at the plate after such extended limitation of baseball activity.
OF: Melky Cabrera, Toronto Blue Jays; Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees; Shane Victorino, Boston Red Sox Oh, what a difference a year makes. At this time in 2012, Cabrera was All-Star Game MVP, his performance helping ensure home field advantage for his team at the time, the San Francisco Giants, in their World Series appearance. It was a World Series that Cabrera would not end up participating in, however, due to the fallout from his suspension for testing positive for PEDs. Cabrera then switched leagues in the offseason when he signed with the Blue Jays. This year he finds himself on the DL with what is being called left knee tendinitis. The good news is he has begun a rehab assignment and should be able to rejoin his team shortly after the All-Star break, barring a setback. After going from the highest high to the lowest low last year, then following it with injury at the same point in time this year (which so far appears to be minor), Cabrera has to be ready to turn the page in the second half.
Granderson can’t catch a break this year. Or, maybe he can actually do it a little too well. After starting the season on the DL with a wrist fracture sustained when he was hit by a pitch during spring training, Granderson made his season debut in May. It was short-lived, however, as Granderson lasted just days before sustaining another fracture, also the result of being hit by a pitch. This time he sustained a break to a bone in his hand that required surgical stabilization. Granderson has struggled to regain his grip on the bat and his progress back to baseball activities has been a bit slow as a result. As of now he has begun taking swings but still needs to return to batting practice before a rehab assignment can even be in the picture. Granderson still appears to be a few weeks from rejoining the team and even then, some apprehension about exactly what he can deliver at the plate, at least initially, is justified.
Victorino has been in and out of the Red Sox lineup for much of the season with some variant of low back, hip or hamstring pain, which all seems interrelated, per manager John Farrell. The problem with this complex injury through the kinetic chain is that as it moves around, it becomes more difficult to treat as well as generally slower to resolve. It’s just as well Victorino isn’t part of the All-Star festivities as his body can certainly use the rest. Given that Victorino has already missed a month’s worth of games this season combined with the fact this problem has not gone away, there is definitely reason to be worried about how his body will hold up for the second half.

SP: Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers; Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox: Darvish would have been a fan favorite in this year’s All-Star Game and a matchup between him and some of the NL heavy hitters was eagerly anticipated. Unfortunately, that matchup won’t be happening due to Darvish’s recent placement on the DL with an upper back strain. He has struggled with giving up runs aplenty in recent outings and the team is describing his ailment as fatigue in his upper trapezius. It’s not your typical thrower’s diagnosis, and it suggests he is experiencing associated neck or upper back stiffness. The question is how long the injury has been bothering Darvish and whether his performance of late can be attributed, at least in part, to his health. While the Rangers sound confident that he will return when eligible on July 22, consider that Red Sox ace Clay Buchholz is reportedly dealing with a similar problem and has been out for over a month. It may not be quite as benign as the team is making it out to be. We won’t really know much until Darvish tries to resume throwing.
Buchholz started off the season in spectacular fashion but that came to a crashing halt after an odd injury sidelined him in late May. Buchholz claimed an awkward sleeping position resulted in soreness in his AC joint. Within a week, the problem evolved into a neck issue that was not initially considered serious, but Buchholz has yet to return. In fact, he has yet to make a rehab start; that has been delayed until after the All-Star break. The expectation is that Buchholz will be ready to return by late July, but his recovery process has not been smooth. Until he is able to return to competition level and string together consecutive starts, there remains some level of concern.
RP: Jesse Crain, Chicago White Sox: Oh, the injustice. Crain is named to his first All-Star game only to be sidelined with an injury to his throwing shoulder. Crain was placed on the DL in early July after experiencing tightness in his right shoulder while warming up. The soreness continues to linger when Crain attempts to throw, but it’s unclear just how serious the team thinks this particular episode is. Crain does have a history with his shoulder, having undergone surgery several years back to address rotator cuff and labral damage. It’s never encouraging to hear about problems resurfacing in a thrower’s shoulder but it’s too soon to establish whether this is a minor incident that will resolve itself with rest or the beginnings of a decline.
Honorable Mention: Justin Verlander, SP, Detroit Tigers (quad); Mark Teixeira, 1B, New York Yankees (wrist); Jake Peavy, SP, Chicago White Sox (rib)
</CITE>

HacheMan · Jul 15, 2013

[h=1]Weighing prospect stats vs. development

[/h]Eric Karabell

Fantasy owners tend to be all about the statistics, but they must realize that numbers often tell a misleading story. For example, last year Billy Hamilton and Delino DeShields Jr. combined to steal a ridiculous 256 bases in the minors (155 by Hamilton), but so far in 2013, they have swiped a mere 81. I know, how awful. I spoke to both these players on Sunday at New York's Citi Field as part of the Futures Game activities, and these speedsters told similar tales explaining the adjustment pertaining to overall development. It's not so much that their organizations have derailed their running game, but rather have preached that one doesn't have to steal a base at every opportunity. This is certainly relevant information for fantasy owners; these guys are not slower, so don't dare view their 2013 performances as disappointing. Sometimes it depends on the manager or the organization's game plan.

"Stealing bases just hasn't been my main focus this year; there were other parts of my game that I needed to work on," said DeShields, who is hitting .290 and has drawn 42 walks for High-A Lancaster in the Astros' chain. "I'm trying to become more consistent, a better player later on in my career. I'm driving the ball to all fields.

"I've proved to everybody I could run. They don't want me running like crazy, getting myself thrown out when the team doesn't need it. Right now, I'm in my development phase in the minor leagues and learning when I can and can't run."

<OFFER>DeShields' father (of the same name) was an elite base stealer, but the youngster possesses more of a stocky build, one that scouts hope can develop more power. The younger DeShields is only 20, so fantasy owners aren't going to see him until probably 2015, but keep his name on the radar. Despite running less often and less effectively this season (30-for-43 in steals), that hardly means he can't be a 50-steal leadoff guy in the big leagues.

Hamilton's situation is obviously different, since the Cincinnati Reds are contenders and now-disappointed fantasy owners selected him on the premise that he'd run wild in the big leagues all season. I felt even prior to the season (and still do) that he wouldn't the call until September. Hamilton, 22, struggled in spring training with the Reds (.192, 9 strikeouts in 26 at-bats), and his current .300 OBP at Triple-A Louisville fails to impress. Plus, he has been learning a new position, center field. Hamilton feels he has handled the position change well and that he's ready for the majors. My feeling is he doesn't make a big impact for fantasy owners until 2014, when he's the likely leadoff hitter and center fielder, with Shin-Soo Choo moving on.

"Last year was about running, this year is planned different," Hamilton said. "This year, it's more about which pitch to go on, when to run, situations. Big league hitters can drive you in more. They've talked to me about when it's a good time to run."

Philadelphia Phillies lefty prospect Jesse Biddle was even more honest about his progress and how statistics don't tell the complete story. He's 3-9 with a 3.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and more strikeouts than innings pitched at Double-A Reading, a sort of Cole Hamels-esque example of why win-loss record often tells us little about actual performance. What matters to Biddle is that he's making progress.

"Sometimes the results aren't there, but that's why they have minor league baseball, to work on things," Biddle, a Philly product, noted. "For instance, in my last game, I threw a good changeup, got ahead of a guy 0-1. And I'm supposed to be working on my changeup. So my catcher calls another changeup, and normally I'd probably shake him off. But I'm trying to get reps with that pitch, and he hits a home run. That's very frustrating for me in a game and makes me want to pull my hair out, like 'why do I have to do this, I don't want to throw my changeup.' At the beginning of the season, I was probably throwing three of them per game, but I wasn't getting any better with it.

"I was pitching well, but was that where I needed to be, would that get me called up to the big leagues? Probably not. That's just going to get me to have a good season in Double-A, and that's not my goal. My coaches were happy with it. More often from not, you're going to learn from that. That will make me a better pitcher in the long run. It's so hard to see when you're young."

Sign me up for Biddle in late 2014. Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Archie Bradley essentially agreed with Biddle's assertion, and again, this is why some prospects with great numbers aren't viewed as potential All-Stars, while others with lesser ones are trusted.

"That's the thing, I had to quit worrying about strikeouts," said Bradley, who tossed a perfect inning Sunday and boasts a 2.49 ERA through 13 starts at Double-A Mobile. "You learn that as you mature, pitching to contact is key. Strikeouts are nice, but get some ground balls and you can pitch into the seventh, eighth and then ninth inning. My pitching coach Dan Carlson stresses that numbers are nice, and we don't like giving up runs or hits, but everything you do here is to prepare you for the big leagues. Being young, it's tough to keep it in perspective."

Biddle and Bradley were two of the more impressive pitchers Sunday. Biddle earned the win by retiring four hitters and flashing a big-time curveball. Bradley throws hard, and it's easy to see how he'll be a reliable strikeout pitcher in the big leagues. He spoke glowingly of how Diamondbacks colleague and All-Star Patrick Corbin has been a different pitcher this season, dropping more than two runs off his major league ERA, but also of how it's important to see how Wade Miley, successful as a rookie in 2012 but struggling a bit this season, handles himself. "You watch those guys and you learn," Bradley said. "It's about consistency, getting ahead in the count on the first pitch, controlling the at-bat. That's the key."

HacheMan · Jul 16, 2013

All-Star pitcher interviews: Locke, Kimbrel

Eric Karabell
There's perhaps no All-Star who has been more of a surprise this season than Pittsburgh Pirates lefty Jeff Locke. After all, he's not a particularly hard thrower and wasn't raved about as a prospect, and yet he has won eight of 10 decisions so far, with a cool 2.15 ERA that ranks second to only Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw among all qualified hurlers. Jeff Locke? Really? Well, I admit I've been skeptical of him continuing his success, so when I saw him being relatively ignored at Monday's All-Star media day -- at least compared to David Wright, Bryce Harper, Chris Davis, guys like that -- I had to ask him about his success. His comments were certainly revealing.

"No, I'm not surprised, but I know that everybody else is, so that's what is fun for me," the enthusiastic, well-spoken Locke told me. "I don't throw 100 [mph], and I don't have 100 strikeouts yet [he has 73], and I have a lot of walks. But you know what? I don't have a lot of runs, and that's what's important to me.

"I played minor league baseball with Justin Wilson, a bullpen guy we have. I always had command in the minor leagues and he had the stuff, but he walked lot of guys. We were opposites. He threw real hard and didn't know where it was going, and I just didn't walk anybody. We always said if I could just have your stuff and you could have my command. But he always told me nobody is touching home plate. I might walk people and might give up my hits, but they're not touching that white thing."

<OFFER>Locke is right in that he has managed to keep runners from not scoring despite some somewhat troubling underlying numbers. Yes, Locke is striking out a mere six per nine innings, which Kershaw usually does by the fourth inning. Yes, Locke is tied for ninth in the big leagues in free passes, and that's dangerous. His xFIP is 4.25, nearly double his current ERA, and surely his incredibly low BABIP-against of .216, which leads all of baseball, should normalize and create issues. He also leads all pitchers in strand rate, at 83.3 percent. The baserunners he puts on just haven't been scoring. But then again, luck -- Pirates fans and fantasy owners won't approve of that word -- doesn't necessarily have to even out. I'm selling him being a top-25 starting pitcher in the second half (he's currently 24th on the Rater), but could he remain worth owning in standard mixed leagues? Well, I suppose, but you can see I'm skeptical. Wins tell us nothing. Locke is on pace for 127 strikeouts, but he's not focusing on accumulating them, either.

"Obviously I'm not walking people on purpose, but at the same time I'm probably not throwing the greatest 3-1 pitches either," said Locke, originally an Atlanta Braves draft pick in 2006 who was acquired by the Pirates when they traded Nate McLouth in June 2009. "I've been around the game long enough to know these are guys that can hit. Sometimes I think I would rather put them on base than give them something to hit with two guys on. I know I have been very fortunate with runners on. I'm aware of everything. I put myself in that position and had to get out of these jams. I'm nothing super special, so that's why I'm in kind of a pinch-me moment around here [with the All-Stars]."

Well, applaud Locke for his honesty and recognition of strand rate, and hey, I'm rooting for the 25-year-old. But I don't believe his second half will be as good as his first. (That doesn't mean the Pirates won't make the playoffs. I predict they will!)

Other pitchers I caught up with Monday include Tampa Bay Rays lefty Matt Moore, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman, Chicago White Sox right-hander Jesse Crain and Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel.

Moore spoke of being able to avoid the big innings this season, somewhat explaining why 2012 wasn't his true breakout season. Even now I worry about his walk rate. The only pitchers with more than his 55 walks are Jason Marquis and Lucas Harrell, not exactly Koufax and Drysdale. Moore owns a fancy 13 wins, but don't let that fool you into thinking he has had a fantastic season. His 1.29 WHIP is worse than 56 qualifying starting pitchers, including Colorado Rockies Jorge De La Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin. "I'm winning games because I'm not messing up a lot," Moore explained. "In a lot of games, my teammates have scored five or six runs by the fourth inning. I just manage the game and give up a few runs, but not five or six. I've been able to pitch with a lead." This is true; Moore has been generously supported, ranking fourth among qualified major league starters in run support. By the way, American League All-Star starter Max Scherzer (13-1) is second in run support, behind only the Cardinals' Lance Lynn (11-4, but with a 4.00 ERA).

Tillman (11-3) is also enjoying a win total he perhaps hasn't deserved; his ERA is 3.95, and as with Locke, his left-on-base percentage of 82.4 percent is noteworthy, and likely not sustainable. Only Locke and, to my surprise, New York Yankees right-hander Hiroki Kuroda have a higher rate. Tillman's FIP is 4.95. Hey, it helps having Manny Machado and J.J. Hardy on the left side of the infield. Tillman credited his breakout campaign to hard work, and "a little bit of consistency." As he put it, "Young guys earlier in their career learn preparation for the game, getting a routine set they can trust, and that makes all the difference in the world on the field."

I asked Moore and Tillman if they pay any attention to sabermetrics, and they looked at me as if I had two heads. Tillman said he does watch video, but that he has "a pretty good idea what to do from hitter to hitter anyway." Moore said sabermetrics don't affect how he prepares for a game. "You guys take care of that stuff before [the game], and after that it's all us." Well then! I suspect Moore doesn't care that his xFIP is 4.26. Perhaps he shouldn't. Basically it's just the walks keeping him from top-20 status, in my mind.

Crain is currently nursing a shoulder problem and is probably another week or so from rejoining the White Sox. Fantasy owners think they have little reason to own his 0.74 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, because he hasn't saved any games. However, Crain is certainly capable of helping a fantasy team, and after the last-place White Sox sent lefty Matt Thornton packing to the Boston Red Sox last week, Crain could be the next on the move. And there's a chance he could close elsewhere. Rockies lefty Rex Brothers is the only big league relief pitcher with a better WAR (Wins Above Replacement) than Crain, and that includes all closers. I asked Crain if he could close, because fantasy owners should be aware that it could happen later this month with a trade or Addison Reed injury.

"I have always wanted to be a closer, I've just never had an opportunity," said Crain, who has yet to allow a home run in 2013. (Meanwhile, San Diego Padres closer Huston Street has allowed 10 homers in 30 1/3 innings.) Said Crain: "I became comfortable throwing in the seventh and eighth innings and realizing that's my job. I take pride in that, take pride in coming in with guys on base. A lot of times I come in in tougher situations than the closer does, and I throw a lot more than the closer does. Closers often have the least amount of appearances on the team."

That last point is mighty interesting, how so many closers are underused, so I figured I'd ask Crain about the difference between being a setup man and a closer. He was a closer in college and in the minor leagues, and I have no doubt he would have 25 saves right now -- like an Edward Mujica type who spent years setting up -- if the opportunity had presented it itself. Others think a closer needs experience in the role, and must learn how to deal with pressure. Crain pretty much dismissed that. "I think it's just as tough, if not tougher, in the eighth inning," said Crain, who has four career saves. "Sometimes we come in during the seventh and get an out or two, and sometimes the toughest part of a lineup is in the eighth inning. No, I don't think there's a difference."

Perhaps Kimbrel would disagree. My only real concern with the top closer in baseball is not really the drop in his strikeout rate this season (he's still 12th among relievers in strikeouts), but rather his health. He has been worked hard the past few seasons, and I can't help but notice his top two setup men, lefties Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters, are both recovering from Tommy John surgeries. That doesn't mean Kimbrel will get hurt, but in general, relievers can't throw 100 mph for too many consecutive seasons without some hiccup. It's why closers are poor keeper-league investments.

"You can't predict the future, but you give it your all and condition yourself to do the small things to stay healthy," said Kimbrel, who is tied for fifth in the majors in saves with unlikely All-Star Mujica. I asked Kimbrel more about the health concerns, whether he worries about injury. "Sure, but my arm tells me that, on certain days, you're not going to throw 99 or 98 mph. It might be only 95 that day, one of those things that isn't max effort. I'm not going to push it so far that I hurt myself. My arm tells me how hard I'm able to throw." Well, fantasy owners hope there are no issues this season -- and I'm not suggesting there will be -- but even the top closers do get hurt, so think twice about other keeper options.

HacheMan · Jul 16, 2013

All-Star hitter interviews: Kipnis, Zobrist

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of baseball's most successful organizations, in part because they think progressively and try new things. Coaxing more defensive versatility from their hitters is one of the more obvious themes, and certainly the fact that Matt Carpenter was chosen as a National League All-Star this season is proof of that. On Monday's media day at New York's Citi Field, I spoke to Carpenter and his teammate Allen Craig about how the organization thinks a bit differently, and how that has not only helped those guys, but fantasy owners as well.

Carpenter was largely an unknown prior to this season. He was hardly a top prospect, even though he was a good minor league hitter with upside. In three minor league seasons, he was primarily a third baseman, and he played mostly at first base, third base and in the outfield for St. Louis last season. But the Cardinals had a need at second base and told Carpenter, 27, late last season to prepare to play there in 2013. Not only do the defensive metrics show a steady player in that sense, but offensively he has been tremendous as a leadoff option, and he's second in all of baseball in runs scored.

<OFFER>"I'd be lying if I told you I thought I'd be an All-Star second baseman, score 100 runs, do all these things," said Carpenter, who is hitting .321 and is on pace for 16 home runs, 78 RBIs and 125 runs scored. "I was confident in my ability and still am, and knew if I got a chance to play, I could be a successful player. Being a leadoff guy, the approach I had before is exactly the same, and it fits well in this position. I'm still learning what kind of player I am. It's been crazy to have this success."

Carpenter was one of my sleepers in March, mainly because of the opportunity he was getting. I didn't think he'd score 125 runs. Others felt he wouldn't transition well to second base and we'd see prospect Kolten Wong, who played in Sunday's Futures Game, at that spot. Undrafted in most fantasy leagues, Carpenter is No. 42 overall on the Player Rater for 2013, fourth among second basemen, and he's eligible at four different positions (first, second and third base, and in the outfield). That fantasy flexibility is invaluable. A left-handed hitter, Carpenter is hitting .296 against lefty pitchers (.332 versus righties), and .330 as a leadoff hitter. He's 11th in baseball in on-base percentage. This is a worthy All-Star, and credit the Cardinals for trying something different. I'm not selling high on Carpenter. It all seems legit to me.

Sitting next to Carpenter during the NL All-Star player availability session was yet another example of the Cardinals thinking outside the box. Allen Craig is an All-Star first baseman today, and longtime Cardinals great Albert Pujols is, well, not an All-Star anymore. The Cardinals took a lot of flak for letting Pujols walk, but Craig has been considerably better since the start of 2012. Craig played in the outfield, with occasional starts at second or third base, in 2010 and 2011 so the team could get his bat in the lineup, and now look at him. He's tied for fourth in baseball in RBIs (74), thanks in part to Carpenter often being on base in front of him, and is a first-time All-Star.

"I think it started with Tony [La Russa] when I came up in a bench role. We had first base and the outfield solidified, so I found myself playing a little bit of third and second and had to be flexible to get at-bats," said Craig, a career .310 hitter over more than 1,100 at-bats. "[Manager Mike] Matheny has carried it over with Matt. I knew he could do it. If you've ever been around Matt, you know he's a gamer, loves the game, and when I found out he was working out at second base, I had no doubt he'd work hard. He's been great defensively, and he could always hit. The leadoff spot fits him perfectly. He's always been a guy that can take pitches, he's not afraid of getting two strikes, and he doesn't strike out much."

Good for the Cardinals and good for fantasy owners, as Carpenter and Craig are fantasy mainstays at this point. Like many, I was skeptical about Carpenter making the transition, but he has done so successfully, and let's just say the next time you see someone getting opportunity at a new position, especially a Cardinal (Wong in the outfield, prospect Oscar Taveras in center field for Jon Jay, perhaps?), don't be so quick to dismiss them.

Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Ben Zobrist knows all about defensive versatility. It helped him gain a big league job, and this season he's eligible at second base, shortstop and in the outfield. I've been a fan of him for years, in large part because of his offensive versatility; he averaged 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases from 2009-12. But being able to plug a guy into multiple spots in a fantasy lineup adds to his value. That's an underrated facet in both fantasy and the big leagues.

"I think it has been underrated, but it's changing," said Zobrist, who was also an All-Star in 2009. "There are a lot of other guys in the league becoming more like utility guys. It's just about being a good athlete. I'm telling young players all the time to move around and learn new positions if it gets you more at-bats. If the organization is for it, go for it. It made me more valuable to my team."

I have Zobrist ranked around my top 50 players overall, even with his numbers a tad depressed, so clearly I'm a fan. Use him at middle infield if you can. I asked him if there was a reason his offensive numbers were so much better in 2012 when he played shortstop (.949 OPS) as opposed to second base (.660 OPS). He didn't think it meant anything, other than to say, "I tend to hit a bit better in the second half than the first, and I just played more shortstop in the second half last year." Fair enough, and good to know. Fantasy owners tend to overthink things like this.

Zobrist also spoke of the mental aspect of changing positions, how for some players it can be a challenge. "There can be a mental strain while switching around, especially if you're young. Because of focusing on that, it's harder to focus on other things." Well, when I saw Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion available to speak, I had to ask the former third baseman about the fielding angle.

"Sure, I feel good now, but before there was more pressure when I was at third base, because everyone was focusing on that," said Encarnacion, who played third base for the Cincinnati Reds from 2005-09, and after playing 10 games at the hot corner this season, he's eligible in many fantasy leagues there again. Of course, now he's a veteran coming off a 42-homer season and on his way to a repeat. "Sometimes you just need more experience," Encarnacion said. "This game is not easy. I took a little more time [to emerge] because I was injured a lot early in career. The last couple years I've been healthy and could work more on hitting."

Here are various thoughts from other All-Star hitters I spoke with Monday:

• Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt ranks fifth overall on the Player Rater, and let's be clear, while his .313 average, 21 homers and 77 RBIs are a big part of that, it's his stolen base prowess that has been the differentiator. It's why I liked him for 2013, thinking the 18 bases he stole last year was repeatable, despite a lack of, um, blazing speed. "I think it might sound dumb, but you try to do the best you can with that," said Goldschmidt, who leads all first base-eligible players with nine steals. "In the minor leagues, our baserunning coordinator, Joel Youngblood, told me, 'Hey, you can steal bases.' I try to work with him to get better, smarter." I asked Goldschmidt if a 30-homer/30-steal season was ever a consideration, and he laughed. "Well, I wouldn't complain about that."

• Speaking of stolen bases, only Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has more of them this season than San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera. Cabrera didn't look like much of a hitter the past few seasons, but now he's hitting .291, drawing walks (he has a .373 OBP) and even flashing a bit of power (four homers). Cabrera says none of this is surprising to him, though he laughed when I suggested 75 stolen bases would be nice. "Oh my! We'll see, but I lost like 17 games because of a hamstring injury. I feel really good now," said Cabrera. "This offseason I worked a lot on my hitting, like putting the ball in play with two strikes, not trying to do too much. I don't like saying what number I can steal. You never know in this game. I do want like 50 or more. I can get that. We'll see."

• And finally, I had to talk to Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, one of my favorite success stories. Kipnis surprised many in his breakout 2012 by stealing so many bases (31), but this year he's running even more and, as he said, "trying to avoid slumps, or at least minimize them." After sputtering down the stretch last year, Kipnis hit only .200 in April. But since June 1, he has hit .384, and he's now the top second baseman on the ESPN Player Rater, on pace for 22 home runs, 97 RBIs and 36 steals. Robinson Cano is, of course, awesome, but he's not going to provide as much in one of those categories (SBs).

I asked Kipnis why he didn't run as much in the minor leagues but seems awfully motivated to do so now. "I just forgot to steal in the minor leagues," he said with a smile. "I stole all the time in high school and college, but once I got to the minor leagues and was playing in the infield, I had a lot on my mind. I was still successful, though." He's right; he was 12-for-13 on steal attempts in 2011 for Triple-A Columbus. That's good to know, and let's just say I won't doubt Kipnis as he continues on his path to my top 20 overall.

HacheMan · Jul 17, 2013

Second-half ranks: Top 250

By Fantasy Staff | ESPN.com

The second half is all about second chances. A clean slate. An arbitrary but cosmetically pleasant split of the season into two manageable gaps. Great second halves will increase a players' draft stock for the following year, and sometimes serve as a harbinger of greatness to come: Jose Bautista hit two home runs before the All-Star break in 2009. He hit 11 in the second half and 54 the following season.

Of course, sometimes a poor second half will create fantasy sleepers. When the much-hyped Mike Trout was called up just prior to the All-Star break in 2011, he carried with him great expectations as one of the game's top prospects. His .220 average, five homers and four steals in 123 at-bats told us nothing of the MVP-worthy monster season that would follow in 2012.

But we're not worried about 2014 in these rankings. We're not even worried about the entirety of 2013. These rankings are for the next two and a half months of the season, and that is all. They do not attempt to predict how players will finish the season overall, as they do not take into account what has already happened. Troy Tulowitzki and Jose Reyes' injuries will impact their overall numbers, but today, they're healthy, and that's all that matters.

If you're interested in what has happened so far, check out the Player Rater. If you're interested in how to value a player such as Jurickson Profar long-term, check out Tristan H. Cockcroft's keeper rankings. If you're interested in how we think the rest of the season will play out, well, you've come to the right place.

The panel of voters includes Cockcroft, Eric Karabell, Brendan Roberts, AJ Mass and Todd Zola, as well as the Answer Guys' Shawn Cwalinski and Dave Hunter. Each was asked to submit his top 250 for the second half. A total of 322 players received at least one vote. When not assigned a rank by all of our panelists, a value of "260" was given to account in the average. All 322 players, from Miguel Cabrera to Manny Ramirez, are accounted for in the positional breakdown of the rankings. To sort by any one panelist's rankings, click on their initials at the top of the rankings column.

[h=3]2013 Fantasy Baseball Top 250 for the second half[/h]Filter By Position: Top 250 | C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | DH | SP | RP


Rank (May), name, eligibility, team TC EK BR AJM TZ SC DH AVG
1. (1) Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Det 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.0
2. (4) Mike Trout, OF, LAA 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2.0
3. (5) Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Col 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 3.4
4. (3) Robinson Cano, 2B, NYY 3 4 3 4 6 3 4 3.9
5. (24) Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Ari 7 7 6 9 4 7 7 6.7
6. (6) Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pit 5 5 5 14 10 5 6 7.1
7. (9) Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD 8 16 10 8 17 8 9 10.9
8. (68) Chris Davis, 1B/OF, Bal 6 6 11 24 7 10 23 12.4
9. (12) Joey Votto, 1B, Cin 12 17 16 7 21 6 11 12.9
9. (11) David Wright, 3B, NYM 9 8 15 6 27 15 10 12.9
11. (22) Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/3B, Tor 13 10 23 15 5 13 21 14.3
12. (20) Adrian Beltre, 3B, Tex 24 9 22 12 9 14 17 15.3
13. (8) Prince Fielder, 1B, Det 18 14 8 20 28 16 8 16.0
14. (19) Jose Bautista, OF, Tor 22 18 7 18 12 20 18 16.4
15. (17) Adam Jones, OF, Bal 17 22 9 36 11 12 12 17.0
15. (10) Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Col 32 15 14 5 23 25 5 17.0
17. (28) Adam Wainwright, SP, StL 11 28 12 11 34 9 20 17.9
18. (15) Evan Longoria, 3B, TB 14 11 18 17 31 31 13 19.3
19. (15) Felix Hernandez, SP, Sea 15 23 19 10 36 29 14 20.9
20. (2) Ryan Braun, OF, Mil 25 12 28 21 8 41 16 21.6
21. (26) Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Bos 29 19 20 19 26 17 25 22.1
22. (23) Buster Posey, C/1B, SF 21 35 13 13 24 37 28 24.4
23. (14) Bryce Harper, OF, Wsh 28 13 31 22 45 11 22 24.6
24. (29) Cliff Lee, SP, Phi 26 32 27 16 32 19 26 25.4
25. (41) Carlos Gomez, OF, Mil 19 26 21 25 13 21 55 25.7
26. (67) Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cle 34 20 24 44 22 23 15 26.0
27. (167) Hanley Ramirez, 3B/SS, LAD 10 21 35 33 14 34 37 26.3
27. (31) Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Bos 31 31 17 38 16 27 24 26.3
29. (47) Allen Craig, 1B/OF, StL 44 27 36 40 15 26 31 31.3
30. (21) Ian Kinsler, 2B, Tex 35 33 39 32 43 24 19 32.1
31. (27) Yu Darvish, SP, Tex 20 25 26 26 59 30 51 33.9
32. (54) Max Scherzer, SP, Det 16 56 30 28 75 18 29 36.0
33. (87) Jean Segura, SS, Mil 36 24 25 68 42 22 56 39.0
34. (55) Matt Harvey, SP, NYM 38 42 32 27 64 32 39 39.1
35. (7) Justin Upton, OF, Atl 50 44 38 42 25 43 34 39.4
36. (36) Madison Bumgarner, SP, SF 27 54 41 30 44 36 46 39.7
37. (32) Stephen Strasburg, SP, Wsh 30 39 40 41 57 28 47 40.3
38. (62) Jay Bruce, OF, Cin 43 30 42 49 38 39 52 41.9
39. (154) Jose Reyes, SS, Tor 39 29 33 85 19 47 42 42.0
40. (40) Alex Rios, OF, CWS 58 51 53 48 20 35 43 44.0
41. (NR) Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD 67 50 34 53 30 54 30 45.4
42. (13) Justin Verlander, SP, Det 23 36 29 45 85 73 35 46.6
43. (49) Jordan Zimmermann, SP, Wsh 42 76 63 23 52 40 33 47.0
44. (44) Chris Sale, SP, CWS 46 48 54 29 29 48 79 47.6
45. (127) Michael Cuddyer, OF/1B, Col 88 40 37 73 18 56 40 50.3
46. (25) Albert Pujols, 1B, LAA 53 66 45 43 51 51 44 50.4
47. (80) David Ortiz, DH, Bos 47 41 56 37 35 57 82 50.7
48. (33) Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Cin 52 65 48 34 55 58 45 51.0
49. (51) Craig Kimbrel, RP, Atl 41 87 43 31 62 49 48 51.6
50. (75) Yadier Molina, C, StL 64 45 44 47 53 42 70 52.1
51. (39) Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, LAD 55 64 59 35 61 60 38 53.1
51. (60) Ian Desmond, SS, Wsh 56 43 62 46 77 38 50 53.1
53. (82) Manny Machado, 3B, Bal 71 37 52 58 72 33 53 53.7
54. (43) David Price, SP, TB 33 47 61 70 96 52 27 55.1
55. (29) Matt Holliday, OF, StL 62 62 46 50 33 101 36 55.7
56. (34) Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cin 77 53 51 72 56 44 41 56.3
57. (59) Aroldis Chapman, SP/RP, Cin 51 93 64 39 83 59 54 63.3
58. (76) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atl 49 74 60 59 70 55 84 64.4
59. (104) Starling Marte, OF, Pit 81 34 74 98 40 74 58 65.6
60. (88) Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Mia 40 38 50 128 65 82 57 65.7
61. (37) Alex Gordon, OF, KC 91 68 58 61 47 76 68 67.0
62. (105) Carlos Beltran, OF, StL 70 52 55 75 68 55 102 68.1
63. (94) Nelson Cruz, OF, Tex 79 63 70 66 88 61 65 70.3
64. (70) Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Wsh 45 81 66 67 99 63 81 71.7
65. (74) Hunter Pence, OF, SF 103 58 68 79 54 46 98 72.3
66. (58) Austin Jackson, OF, Det 59 71 91 94 63 68 62 72.6
67. (69) Gio Gonzalez, SP, Wsh 37 79 49 89 103 78 76 73.0
68. (45) Ben Zobrist, OF/2B/SS, TB 99 55 76 71 90 64 61 73.7
69. (262) Domonic Brown, OF, Phi 73 60 57 162 66 45 66 75.6
70. (18) Matt Kemp, OF, LAD 123 89 72 115 49 50 32 75.7
70. (64) Mat Latos, SP, Cin 65 73 65 54 118 77 78 75.7
72. (42) Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Oak 84 75 79 92 39 108 73 78.6
73. (161) Everth Cabrera, SS, SD 74 49 47 141 109 67 71 79.7
74. (53) Carlos Santana, C/1B, Cle 114 70 77 51 128 66 64 81.4
75. (46) Cole Hamels, SP, Phi 63 61 78 80 101 103 88 82.0
76. (214) M. Carpenter, 1B/2B/3B/OF, StL 105 46 93 137 48 91 60 82.9
77. (83) Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA 86 78 89 113 80 86 49 83.0
78. (52) Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC 134 85 82 56 79 70 94 85.7
79. (77) Joe Mauer, C/1B, Min 93 96 67 57 136 75 87 87.3
80. (56) James Shields, SP, KC 78 69 92 76 152 69 80 88.0
81. (71) Chase Utley, 2B, Phi 108 99 108 63 73 94 72 88.1
82. (38) Billy Butler, 1B, KC 116 67 73 69 119 115 63 88.9
83. (73) Mark Trumbo, OF/1B, LAA 137 77 80 78 78 72 101 89.0
84. (96) Dexter Fowler, OF, Col 120 83 102 86 69 71 93 89.1
85. (107) Mariano Rivera, RP, NYY 57 109 84 65 100 83 130 89.7
86. (135) Hisashi Iwakuma, SP/RP, Sea 97 104 88 87 94 100 59 89.9
87. (209) Josh Donaldson, 3B, Oak 109 57 71 132 67 81 114 90.1
88. (81) Desmond Jennings, OF, TB 92 86 83 82 116 97 77 90.4
89. (57) Matt Moore, SP, TB 69 115 85 88 127 65 86 90.7
90. (141) Jason Grilli, RP, Pit 75 107 81 77 124 62 112 91.1
91. (79) Zack Greinke, SP, LAD 48 72 98 147 126 88 69 92.6
92. (117) Joe Nathan, RP, Tex 85 124 69 60 133 89 95 93.6
93. (108) Jered Weaver, SP, LAA 61 82 104 150 71 110 83 94.4
94. (86) Jose Altuve, 2B, Hou 83 98 97 117 91 87 89 94.6
95. (90) Hiroki Kuroda, SP, NYY 68 92 105 83 108 105 104 95.0
96. (63) CC Sabathia, SP, NYY 60 100 90 64 161 116 85 96.6
97. (200) Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD 54 136 113 122 60 84 120 98.4
98. (130) Howard Kendrick, 2B, LAA 126 94 99 110 84 85 97 99.3
99. (97) Sergio Romo, RP, SF 125 135 106 52 74 92 117 100.1
100. (34) Starlin Castro, SS, CHC 144 84 75 101 132 119 67 103.1
101. (98) Torii Hunter, OF, Det 146 116 103 96 46 106 115 104.0
102. (131) Mike Minor, SP, Atl 72 91 101 95 140 93 137 104.1
103. (94) Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Phi 102 142 109 55 113 99 116 105.1
104. (102) Mike Napoli, C/1B, Bos 188 117 86 105 58 79 109 106.0
105. (85) Anibal Sanchez, SP, Det 107 97 110 62 163 98 106 106.1
106. (60) Michael Bourn, OF, Cle 95 127 95 120 98 144 75 107.7
107. (142) Aaron Hill, 2B, Ari 164 59 126 130 50 95 134 108.3
108. (47) Matt Cain, SP, SF 101 80 87 103 82 250 74 111.0
109. (146) Homer Bailey, SP, Cin 66 125 129 102 117 122 123 112.0
110. (197) Edward Mujica, RP, StL 112 132 107 106 120 96 128 114.4
111. (111) Rafael Soriano, RP, Wsh 82 141 114 81 146 113 125 114.6
111. (136) Shelby Miller, RP/SP, StL 104 88 94 97 182 104 133 114.6
113. (128) Wilin Rosario, C, Col 138 137 96 119 95 80 143 115.4
114. (122) Brett Gardner, OF, NYY 156 126 121 121 41 111 142 116.9
115. (158) Greg Holland, RP, KC 80 149 118 91 134 102 155 118.4
116. (84) Jason Heyward, OF, Atl 131 102 125 153 87 140 92 118.6
117. (139) Kyle Seager, 3B, Sea 129 143 130 99 92 112 127 118.9
118. (99) Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Cle 98 118 119 129 142 123 107 119.4
119. (176) Eric Hosmer, 1B, KC 111 101 136 143 97 164 90 120.3
120. (131) Coco Crisp, OF, Oak 173 123 111 100 76 130 131 120.6
121. (110) Jeff Samardzija, SP, CHC 87 106 112 125 139 154 124 121.0
122. (113) Clay Buchholz, SP, Bos 94 108 116 93 174 138 126 121.3
123. (121) Alejandro De Aza, OF, CWS 171 129 115 131 102 109 105 123.1
123. (92) Elvis Andrus, SS, Tex 147 114 133 135 110 120 103 123.1
125. (220) Patrick Corbin, SP, Ari 89 111 124 155 164 90 154 126.7
126. (112) Lance Lynn, SP, StL 96 147 117 90 176 152 110 126.9
127. (114) Jim Johnson, RP, Bal 110 145 122 109 157 126 122 127.3
128. (140) Addison Reed, RP, CWS 121 154 140 84 129 114 152 127.7
129. (209) Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pit 100 103 100 159 187 155 100 129.1
130. (170) Glen Perkins, RP, Min 106 151 123 104 144 125 162 130.7
131. (134) Fernando Rodney, RP, TB 90 161 143 114 131 143 141 131.9
132. (100) Doug Fister, SP, Det 133 164 127 74 177 107 146 132.6
133. (102) Jake Peavy, SP, CWS 124 150 139 112 160 118 139 134.6
134. (109) Shane Victorino, OF, Bos 185 172 153 134 81 129 108 137.4
135. (106) Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phi 155 110 146 136 154 149 118 138.3
136. (77) Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Mil 216 95 131 133 112 179 113 139.9
137. (126) A.J. Burnett, SP, Pit 132 113 150 124 202 136 132 141.3
138. (164) Nick Markakis, OF, Bal 222 121 142 146 115 117 129 141.7
139. (177) Kendrys Morales, 1B, Sea 165 134 162 140 93 150 149 141.9
139. (192) Nate McLouth, OF, Bal 213 130 120 148 150 121 111 141.9
141. (50) Chase Headley, 3B, SD 143 179 128 116 151 187 91 142.1
142. (93) Martin Prado, OF/2B/3B, Ari 141 122 132 126 191 157 136 143.6
143. (65) Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF 159 105 137 123 NR 133 96 144.7
144. (148) Casey Janssen, RP, Tor 136 166 161 108 138 145 165 145.6
145. (190) Grant Balfour, RP, Oak 127 155 148 152 122 153 172 147.0
146. (173) Alfonso Soriano, OF, CHC 219 140 152 142 105 127 147 147.4
147. (207) Travis Wood, SP, CHC 174 119 151 167 125 166 158 151.4
148. (147) Derek Holland, SP, Tex 140 128 144 111 226 139 174 151.7
149. (203) Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM 117 183 134 127 130 159 214 152.0
150. (189) Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD 139 131 138 186 208 132 135 152.7
151. (244) Ernesto Frieri, RP, LAA 142 167 164 180 107 137 178 153.6
152. (144) Norichika Aoki, OF, Mil 245 146 171 107 111 147 151 154.0
153. (119) Matt Wieters, C, Bal 203 144 147 138 178 124 148 154.6
154. (71) Carl Crawford, OF, LAD 170 138 158 118 200 234 99 159.6
155. (252) Justin Masterson, SP, Cle 169 205 149 197 155 128 140 163.3
156. (182) J.J. Hardy, SS, Bal 168 156 167 161 184 146 164 163.7
157. (236) Jonathan Lucroy, C, Mil 150 168 157 203 147 134 189 164.0
158. (242) Matt Garza, SP, CHC 76 229 156 228 156 162 144 164.4
159. (185) Victor Martinez, C, Det 162 188 145 182 123 182 170 164.6
159. (123) R.A. Dickey, SP, Tor 128 162 155 175 195 216 121 164.6
161. (228) Ervin Santana, SP, KC 157 112 165 183 234 131 176 165.4
162. (186) C.J. Wilson, SP, LAA 113 211 168 164 165 171 177 167.0
163. (66) Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY 119 90 135 204 104 NR NR 167.4
164. (183) Adam LaRoche, 1B, Wsh 194 139 170 168 179 148 180 168.3
165. (204) Jayson Werth, OF, Wsh 177 159 175 169 148 168 185 168.7
166. (275) Adam Lind, 1B, Tor 183 200 184 196 114 170 138 169.3
167. (125) Kris Medlen, SP/RP, Atl 166 194 141 151 180 192 171 170.7
168. (NR) Leonys Martin, OF, Tex 193 178 166 NR 37 173 190 171.0
169. (302) Bartolo Colon, SP, Oak 153 173 159 200 207 189 119 171.4
170. (241) Brian McCann, C, Atl 135 186 154 189 213 135 206 174.0
171. (213) Alexei Ramirez, SS, CWS 201 158 169 207 143 161 188 175.3
172. (253) Jose Fernandez, SP, Mia 118 175 172 173 250 160 183 175.9
173. (250) Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM 176 152 179 226 159 151 201 177.7
174. (179) Jeremy Hellickson, SP, TB 151 212 188 149 167 214 167 178.3
175. (91) Johnny Cueto, SP, Cin 211 177 190 144 223 175 145 180.7
176. (89) Jon Lester, SP, Bos 145 133 173 139 NR NR 160 181.4
177. (245) Steve Cishek, RP, Mia 158 226 197 171 172 188 163 182.1
178. (281) Adam Dunn, 1B, CWS 195 171 181 241 89 191 224 184.6
179. (NR) Koji Uehara, RP, Bos 180 184 196 NR 106 141 227 184.9
180. (NR) Francisco Liriano, SP, Pit 122 160 194 NR 204 167 198 186.4
181. (288) Wil Myers, OF, TB 160 120 160 250 186 207 225 186.9
182. (160) Erick Aybar, SS, LAA 190 195 183 178 231 172 173 188.9
183. (165) Rafael Betancourt, RP, Col 182 198 211 170 212 181 186 191.4
184. (124) Melky Cabrera, OF, Tor 240 230 185 174 86 NR 166 191.6
185. (277) Michael Brantley, OF, Cle 230 208 187 238 137 198 157 193.6
186. (256) Colby Rasmus, OF, Tor 204 234 198 206 141 218 159 194.3
187. (227) Jed Lowrie, SS/2B, Oak 186 181 217 166 209 174 228 194.4
188. (279) Jhonny Peralta, SS, Det 225 165 177 222 232 158 197 196.6
189. (NR) Julio Teheran, SP, Atl 115 239 176 237 NR 156 194 196.7
189. (258) Jarrod Parker, SP, Oak 130 182 195 NR 153 197 NR 196.7
191. (149) Alex Cobb, SP, TB 167 232 204 145 NR 221 153 197.4
192. (202) Justin Morneau, 1B, Min NR 206 180 191 181 165 203 198.0
193. (256) A.J. Griffin, SP, Oak 184 204 210 NR 145 195 192 198.6
194. (145) Todd Frazier, 3B/1B, Cin NR 196 163 158 239 163 221 200.0
195. (188) Chris Perez, RP, Cle 149 223 213 246 199 178 193 200.1
196. (116) Alcides Escobar, SS, KC NR 233 192 156 189 224 150 200.6
197. (211) Ichiro Suzuki, OF, NYY 241 189 191 202 211 203 181 202.6
197. (170) Tim Lincecum, SP, SF 199 153 203 184 193 NR 226 202.6
199. (NR) Jeff Locke, SP, Pit 205 187 189 NR 188 183 208 202.9
200. (222) Chris Carter, 1B/OF, Hou 233 203 212 192 166 208 207 203.0
200. (NR) John Lackey, SP, Bos 148 213 178 236 NR 142 244 203.0
200. (157) Tim Hudson, SP, Atl 221 219 225 160 168 NR 168 203.0
203. (131) Brett Lawrie, 3B, Tor 238 163 207 219 169 NR 187 206.1
204. (219) Salvador Perez, C, KC 152 201 240 224 NR 177 204 208.3
205. (152) Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC NR 169 208 165 183 NR 219 209.1
206. (150) Tom Wilhelmsen, RP, Sea NR 192 219 154 171 212 NR 209.7
207. (153) Tommy Milone, SP, Oak 179 246 216 172 216 NR 182 210.1
208. (NR) Raul Ibanez, OF, Sea 243 148 174 233 NR 185 241 212.0
209. (231) Josh Johnson, SP, Tor 154 190 201 NR 192 NR 229 212.3
210. (230) Jedd Gyorko, 2B/3B, SD 200 185 233 195 NR 196 222 213.0
211. (180) Huston Street, RP, SD 189 225 234 245 185 205 210 213.3
212. (267) Brandon Belt, 1B, SF 207 176 231 220 230 233 209 215.1
213. (187) Paul Maholm, SP, Atl 202 180 202 201 NR 202 NR 215.3
214. (223) Mitch Moreland, 1B, Tex NR 217 222 177 206 211 216 215.6
215. (118) Yovani Gallardo, SP, Mil 224 202 182 163 221 NR NR 216.0
216. (168) Rickie Weeks, 2B, Mil 210 242 199 188 NR 229 202 218.6
217. (196) Brandon Moss, 1B/OF, Oak 247 227 205 181 NR 201 211 218.9
218. (NR) James Loney, 1B, TB NR 174 209 223 238 180 249 219.0
219. (NR) Mike Leake, SP, Cin 187 220 193 NR 243 184 247 219.1
219. (170) Andrelton Simmons, SS, Atl NR 231 229 187 218 230 179 219.1
221. (NR) Joaquin Benoit, RP, Det 172 NR 227 NR 158 199 NR 219.4
222. (310) Gerardo Parra, OF, Ari NR 209 214 244 121 NR 231 219.9
223. (271) Brandon Beachy, SP, Atl 191 240 NR 243 229 193 184 220.0
224. (303) Jose Veras, RP, Hou 215 210 238 NR 196 176 NR 222.1
225. (301) Rajai Davis, OF, Tor NR 157 223 NR NR 206 195 223.0
225. (NR) Daniel Nava, OF/1B, Bos NR 191 200 249 NR 186 215 223.0
227. (151) Nick Swisher, OF/1B, Cle NR 222 218 157 224 246 243 224.3
228. (233) David Freese, 3B, StL 235 214 186 239 244 236 217 224.4
229. (195) Dan Uggla, 2B, Atl 197 228 242 210 NR 245 196 225.4
229. (239) Kyle Lohse, SP, Mil 161 248 228 225 241 215 NR 225.4
231. (101) B.J. Upton, OF, Atl NR 224 230 193 NR NR 156 226.1
232. (155) Mark Reynolds, 1B/3B, Cle NR 247 206 176 NR 190 248 226.7
233. (280) Matt Joyce, OF, TB NR 241 215 230 173 231 240 227.1
234. (175) Michael Morse, OF, Sea 208 NR 249 212 NR 210 199 228.3
235. (184) Andre Ethier, OF, LAD 231 216 244 179 NR NR 213 229.0
236. (NR) Ricky Nolasco, SP, LAD 175 237 243 235 NR 194 NR 229.1
237. (293) Kevin Gregg, RP, CHC 178 197 247 NR NR 232 234 229.7
238. (229) Tony Cingrani, RP/SP, Cin 217 170 235 NR NR 247 223 230.3
239. (221) Omar Infante, 2B, Det NR NR 245 194 205 227 232 231.9
240. (137) Paul Konerko, 1B, CWS NR NR 232 211 170 235 NR 232.6
241. (194) Justin Ruggiano, OF, Mia NR 245 224 205 NR NR 175 232.7
242. (264) Andrew Cashner, RP/SP, SD 232 NR 226 NR 194 220 242 233.4
242. (163) Ryan Dempster, SP, Bos 228 199 NR 227 NR NR 200 233.4
244. (234) Marco Scutaro, 2B/SS, SF NR 215 NR 185 240 242 233 233.6
245. (159) Lance Berkman, 1B, Tex NR NR NR 208 149 NR NR 236.7
246. (NR) Marcell Ozuna, OF, Mia NR NR NR NR 190 204 235 238.4
247. (NR) Dan Straily, SP, Oak 237 NR NR NR 135 NR NR 238.9
248. (NR) Chris Tillman, SP, Bal 163 243 241 NR NR NR 246 239.0
249. (169) Michael Saunders, OF, Sea NR NR NR 209 NR NR 169 239.7
250. (NR) Jason Castro, C, Hou 223 NR NR 240 NR 200 237 240.0

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HacheMan · Jul 17, 2013

Top 250 keeper-league rankings

By Tristan H. Cockcroft | ESPN.com

Let's face a simple reality: You cannot win every league every season. No matter how hard you try, it just won't happen.
This is especially true in a keeper, or "dynasty," league, where long-term roster construction takes on both greater importance and difficulty, and where contender-pretender trades can quickly shift competitive balance in-season. To win your keeper league is to achieve an honor worthy of acknowledgement.
Conversely, to know when you can't win is also a skill deserving of praise.
Perhaps as critical as adding those final pieces to a championship puzzle is recognizing these two season stages: The first is when your keeper-league roster is doomed to be an also-ran in the given season; the second one is when your keeper league's trade market offers the richest prospect haul. These two do not necessarily coincide; that's why recognizing each and deciding when to act is such a critical skill of a keeper-league owner.
Generally speaking, this is about the time of year when those stages arrive. Trading season is heating up, with the deadline in ESPN standard leagues arriving 16 days from now. In your league, perhaps it arrives in 14 days, or 45, or some number in between. (Ask your commissioner or check your league settings immediately if you don't know.) It's up to you to determine the best time for your team to act, and the peak point of the trade market in your league.
Today, let's give you a head start on your planning with one of my most requested columns: It's time for a midseason update to my top 250 keeper-league rankings.

[h=3]The rankings formula[/h]
As always, I remind that it is impossible to craft a set of keeper rankings that will be of equal utility to every owner, because few keeper leagues are identical in structure. Consider the variables:
• Player pricing: Do you draft or auction players, and do you keep players in the round they are picked, the auction price you paid, or are prices irrelevant?
• Number of keepers: Can you keep 1, 5, 10 or perhaps your entire roster, and must teams retain the same number of players?
• Contract length: Is there a limitation on the number of seasons you can keep a player, and is there annual price inflation?
• Farm teams: Does your league include minor leaguers and do these players automatically carry over, or are they also priced?
• Your contender status: Are you in the hunt, in a rebuilding state or are you somewhere in between?
It's up to you to do the homework assessing each of these valuation factors, recalculating, if necessary, these keeper rankings for your needs. For example, there's no way I'd trade an $8 Domonic Brown for a $28 Jay Bruce if I wasn't in contender mode, despite the fact that Bruce ranks 21 spots higher. As a contender, though, I might consider it … though I'd probably push for an additional perk, like a throw-in or some auction dollars, considering their close rank but disparity in price.
This is the player valuation formula I used:
• 2013 second-half performance: 10 percent.
• 2014 performance: 22.5 percent.
• 2015 performance: 22.5 percent.
• 2016 performance: 22.5 percent.
• 2017 performance and beyond: 22.5 percent.
The rationale for these numbers is simple: Equal weighting for each of the upcoming four seasons as well as the remainder of this one. As for why 2013 -- scaling that percentage to remaining games -- is roughly equal in weight to 2017, bear in mind that we already provided updated rankings for fantasy owners focusing solely on this year; they were published Wednesday and can be found right here. If you're a keeper-league owner still in the hunt in 2013 -- that's always my primary recommended strategy, if you have even the slightest chance of winning -- consider this list more of a "price guide" for determining appropriate trade value for your up-and-coming prospects and youngsters.

[h=3]Tristan's top 250 keeper rankings[/h]
Note: Position eligibility is determined based on a minimum of 20 games or the position the player appeared at most often in 2012, or 10 games played at a position in 2013. Players' projected future positions are considered in the ranking. Players' listed ages are as of July 16, 2013.
Players' 2013 preseason ("2013 Pre") and peak rankings in past keeper lists ("Prev. Peak") are also provided: These lists have been published semiannually since 2010, with "preseason" and "midseason" designated to differentiate the different times of the years in question. For example, Jason Kipnis is listed with a peak of 44 at "2012 Midseason," meaning that his best all-time rank was 44th, in the July 2012 list. A "--" means that the player has never before cracked my keeper rankings.

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<CENTER>Rank</CENTER> Player <CENTER>Team</CENTER> <CENTER>2013
Elig. Pos.</CENTER> <CENTER>Age</CENTER> <CENTER>2013
Pre</CENTER> <CENTER>Prev.
Peak</CENTER> <CENTER>Peaked
When?</CENTER>
1 Mike Trout LAA OF 21 1 1 2013 Preseason
2 Miguel Cabrera Det 3B 30 3 2 2012 Preseason
3 Carlos Gonzalez Col OF 27 11 6 2012 Midseason
4 Bryce Harper Wsh OF 20 7 7 2013 Preseason
5 Andrew McCutchen Pit OF 26 4 2 2012 Midseason
6 Manny Machado Bal 3B 21 56 56 2013 Preseason
7 Giancarlo Stanton Mia OF 23 5 5 2013 Preseason
8 Buster Posey SF C/1B 26 13 13 2013 Preseason
9 Paul Goldschmidt Ari 1B 25 43 43 2013 Preseason
10 Ryan Braun Mil OF 29 2 1 2012 Preseason
11 Chris Davis Bal 1B/OF 27 156 124 2010 Preseason
12 Robinson Cano NYY 2B 30 8 6 2011 Preseason
13 Prince Fielder Det 1B 29 10 5 2010 Preseason
14 Adam Jones Bal OF 27 30 30 2013 Preseason
15 Joey Votto Cin 1B 29 12 1 2012 Midseason
16 Clayton Kershaw LAD SP 25 15 15 2013 Preseason
17 Troy Tulowitzki Col SS 28 18 1 2011 Midseason
18 Felix Hernandez Sea SP 27 20 8 2011 Midseason
19 David Wright NYM 3B 30 22 5 2010 Midseason
20 Evan Longoria TB 3B 27 23 4 2011 Preseason
21 Hanley Ramirez LAD 3B/SS 29 26 1 2011 Preseason
22 Jay Bruce Cin OF 26 24 21 2011 Midseason
23 Stephen Strasburg Wsh SP 24 17 17 2013 Preseason
24 Justin Upton Atl OF 25 9 3 2012 Preseason
25 Matt Harvey NYM SP 24 171 171 2013 Preseason
26 Jean Segura Mil SS 23 215 215 2013 Preseason
27 Jacoby Ellsbury Bos OF 29 50 14 2012 Preseason
28 Jason Kipnis Cle 2B 26 68 44 2012 Midseason
29 Carlos Gomez Mil OF 27 138 138 2013 Preseason
30 Matt Kemp LAD OF 28 6 4 2012 Preseason
31 Yu Darvish Tex SP 26 63 63 2013 Preseason
32 Madison Bumgarner SF SP 23 33 33 2013 Preseason
33 Pedro Alvarez Pit 3B 26 124 77 2011 Preseason
34 Wil Myers TB OF 22 70 70 2013 Preseason
35 David Price TB SP 27 25 25 2013 Preseason
36 Dustin Pedroia Bos 2B 29 27 21 2012 Preseason
37 Freddie Freeman Atl 1B 23 61 61 2013 Preseason
38 Justin Verlander Det SP 30 19 19 2013 Preseason
39 Jose Bautista Tor OF 32 35 14 2012 Midseason
40 Max Scherzer Det SP 28 97 86 2011 Preseason
41 Adrian Beltre Tex 3B 34 40 40 2013 Preseason
42 Adam Wainwright StL SP 31 77 14 2010 Midseason
43 Domonic Brown Phi OF 25 -- 78 2011 Midseason
44 Jordan Zimmermann Wsh SP 27 65 51 2012 Midseason
45 Ian Desmond Wsh SS 27 57 57 2013 Preseason
46 Carlos Santana Cle C/1B 27 47 38 2012 Preseason
47 Edwin Encarnacion Tor 1B/3B 30 45 45 2013 Preseason
48 Yasiel Puig LAD OF 22 -- -- --
49 Cole Hamels Phi SP 29 31 23 2012 Preseason
50 Yoenis Cespedes Oak OF 27 39 39 2013 Preseason
51 Gio Gonzalez Wsh SP 27 42 42 2013 Preseason
52 Chris Sale CWS SP 24 67 66 2012 Midseason
53 Shelby Miller StL SP/RP 22 133 133 2013 Preseason
54 Starlin Castro ChC SS 23 21 21 2013 Preseason
55 Matt Moore TB SP 24 48 48 2013 Preseason
56 Homer Bailey Cin SP 27 182 182 2013 Preseason
57 Austin Jackson Det OF 26 52 52 2013 Preseason
58 Ryan Zimmerman Wsh 3B 28 49 14 2011 Midseason
59 Allen Craig StL 1B/OF 28 85 85 2013 Preseason
60 Desmond Jennings TB OF 26 62 37 2012 Preseason
61 Jason Heyward Atl OF 23 14 14 2013 Preseason
62 Zack Greinke LAD SP 29 41 21 2010 Preseason
63 Mat Latos Cin SP 25 82 40 2011 Preseason
64 Jose Reyes Tor SS 30 32 18 2010 Preseason
65 Yadier Molina StL C 31 91 79 2012 Midseason
66 Adrian Gonzalez LAD 1B 31 55 10 2011 Preseason
67 Jose Fernandez Mia SP 20 -- -- --
68 Dexter Fowler Col OF 27 119 116 2012 Midseason
69 Eric Hosmer KC 1B 23 44 29 2012 Preseason
70 Craig Kimbrel Atl RP 25 64 61 2012 Preseason
71 Matt Cain SF SP 28 36 26 2012 Midseason
72 Aroldis Chapman Cin RP/SP 25 71 69 2012 Midseason
73 Asdrubal Cabrera Cle SS 27 76 54 2012 Midseason
74 Albert Pujols LAA 1B 33 16 2 2010 Preseason
75 Alex Gordon KC OF 29 79 31 2012 Preseason
76 Josh Donaldson Oak 3B 27 -- -- --
77 Mike Minor Atl SP 25 207 207 2013 Preseason
78 Jose Altuve Hou 2B 23 74 74 2013 Preseason
79 Anthony Rizzo ChC 1B 23 66 66 2013 Preseason
80 Joe Mauer Min C/1B 30 73 10 2010 Preseason
81 Ian Kinsler Tex 2B 31 28 19 2012 Midseason
82 Jered Weaver LAA SP 30 46 33 2012 Midseason
83 Matt Carpenter StL 2B/1B/3B/OF 27 -- -- --
84 Mark Trumbo LAA OF/1B 27 72 59 2012 Midseason
85 Jurickson Profar Tex 2B 20 95 95 2013 Preseason
86 Jarrod Parker Oak SP 24 118 115 2012 Midseason
87 Shin-Soo Choo Cin OF 31 88 33 2011 Preseason
88 Oscar Taveras StL OF 21 107 107 2013 Preseason
89 Chase Headley SD 3B 29 51 51 2013 Preseason
90 Starling Marte Pit OF 24 168 168 2013 Preseason
91 Gerrit Cole Pit SP 22 163 163 2013 Preseason
92 Everth Cabrera SD SS 26 244 190 2010 Preseason
93 Kenley Jansen LAD RP 25 129 84 2012 Midseason
94 Salvador Perez KC C 23 87 87 2013 Preseason
95 CC Sabathia NYY SP 32 86 29 2011 Preseason
96 Matt Wieters Bal C 27 38 38 2013 Preseason
97 Jeff Samardzija ChC SP 28 170 170 2013 Preseason
98 Julio Teheran Atl SP 22 242 109 2011 Midseason
99 Elvis Andrus Tex SS 24 59 27 2012 Midseason
100 Kyle Seager Sea 3B 25 149 149 2013 Preseason
101 Billy Butler KC 1B 27 37 37 2013 Preseason
102 Cliff Lee Phi SP 34 84 18 2010 Midseason
103 Johnny Cueto Cin SP 27 69 69 2013 Preseason
104 Alex Rios CWS OF 32 93 31 2010 Midseason
105 Pablo Sandoval SF 3B 26 53 30 2010 Preseason
106 Lance Lynn StL SP 26 164 164 2013 Preseason
107 Anibal Sanchez Det SP 29 122 105 2011 Midseason
108 B.J. Upton Atl OF 28 54 28 2010 Preseason
109 Curtis Granderson NYY OF 32 58 39 2012 Midseason
110 Wilin Rosario Col C 24 103 103 2013 Preseason
111 Howie Kendrick LAA 2B 30 159 78 2012 Preseason
112 Jedd Gyorko SD 2B/3B 24 155 155 2013 Preseason
113 Brandon Beachy Atl SP 26 139 130 2012 Preseason
114 Patrick Corbin Ari SP 23 -- -- --
115 Greg Holland KC RP 27 157 157 2013 Preseason
116 Josh Reddick Oak OF 26 101 101 2013 Preseason
117 Brett Lawrie Tor 3B 23 34 20 2012 Midseason
118 Matt Holliday StL OF 33 60 29 2010 Midseason
119 Matt Garza ChC SP 29 146 72 2012 Preseason
120 Billy Hamilton Cin SS/OF 22 113 113 2013 Preseason
121 James Shields KC SP 31 104 82 2012 Preseason
122 Zack Wheeler NYM SP/RP 23 195 158 2012 Midseason
123 Michael Bourn Cle OF 30 81 56 2012 Midseason
124 Nolan Arenado Col 3B 22 -- 197 2012 Preseason
125 Brandon Belt SF 1B 25 176 112 2011 Midseason
126 Brandon Phillips Cin 2B 32 83 34 2010 Midseason
127 Todd Frazier Cin 3B/1B 27 115 115 2013 Preseason
128 Kris Medlen Atl SP/RP 27 80 80 2013 Preseason
129 Jonathan Lucroy Mil C 27 134 134 2013 Preseason
130 Anthony Rendon Wsh 2B/3B 23 225 225 2013 Preseason
131 Kendrys Morales Sea 1B 30 202 46 2011 Preseason
132 Derek Holland Tex SP 26 191 129 2012 Preseason
133 Addison Reed CWS RP 24 148 123 2012 Midseason
134 Jeremy Hellickson TB SP 26 114 79 2011 Midseason
135 Rafael Soriano Wsh RP 33 137 112 2010 Midseason
136 Brett Gardner NYY OF 29 130 91 2010 Midseason
137 Colby Rasmus Tor OF 26 200 62 2012 Midseason
138 Ben Zobrist TB OF/2B/SS 32 78 69 2010 Midseason
139 Nick Franklin Sea SS/2B 22 -- 244 2011 Midseason
140 Jon Lester Bos SP 29 128 17 2010 Midseason
141 Hunter Pence SF OF 30 152 41 2012 Preseason
142 Tim Lincecum SF SP 29 112 13 2010 Preseason
143 Jonathan Papelbon Phi RP 32 127 89 2010 Midseason
144 Jed Lowrie Oak SS/2B 29 193 143 2012 Midseason
145 Ernesto Frieri LAA RP 27 172 133 2012 Midseason
146 Lorenzo Cain KC OF 27 226 226 2013 Preseason
147 Carl Crawford LAD OF 31 120 4 2010 Midseason
148 Nick Castellanos Det 3B 21 240 240 2013 Preseason
149 Doug Fister Det SP 29 154 154 2013 Preseason
150 Tyler Skaggs Ari SP 22 199 199 2013 Preseason
151 Brian McCann Atl C 29 160 42 2010 Preseason
152 Aaron Hill Ari 2B 31 105 64 2010 Preseason
153 Sergio Romo SF RP 30 237 237 2013 Preseason
154 Clay Buchholz Bos SP 28 -- 70 2011 Preseason
155 Chris Tillman Bal SP 25 -- -- --
156 Andrelton Simmons Atl SS 23 169 169 2013 Preseason
157 Leonys Martin Tex OF 25 -- -- --
158 Mike Zunino Sea C 22 -- -- --
159 Matt Adams StL 1B 24 -- -- --
160 Martin Prado Ari 3B/OF/2B 29 116 84 2010 Midseason
161 David Ortiz Bos DH 37 175 67 2012 Midseason
162 Josh Hamilton LAA OF 32 29 22 2011 Preseason
163 Adam Eaton Ari OF 24 192 192 2013 Preseason
164 Bobby Parnell NYM RP 28 -- -- --
165 Brett Anderson Oak SP 25 99 83 2010 Preseason
166 Christian Yelich Mia OF/1B 21 214 214 2013 Preseason
167 Ian Kennedy Ari SP 28 108 94 2012 Preseason
168 J.J. Hardy Bal SS 30 180 126 2012 Preseason
169 Tony Cingrani Cin SP/RP 24 -- -- --
170 Xander Bogaerts Bos SS 20 223 223 2013 Preseason
171 Jim Johnson Bal RP 30 197 150 2012 Midseason
172 Glen Perkins Min RP 30 -- -- --
173 Josh Johnson Tor SP 29 110 11 2010 Midseason
174 Alcides Escobar KC SS 26 131 131 2013 Preseason
175 Miguel Sano Min SS 20 188 188 2013 Preseason
176 Yonder Alonso SD 1B 26 217 182 2012 Preseason
177 Michael Wacha Stl RP/SP 22 -- -- --
178 Hisashi Iwakuma Sea SP/RP 32 -- -- --
179 Jimmy Rollins Phi SS 34 121 44 2010 Preseason
180 Trevor Rosenthal Stl RP 23 -- -- --
181 Nick Markakis Bal OF 29 158 36 2010 Preseason
182 Ben Revere Phi OF 25 135 135 2013 Preseason
183 Jason Castro Hou C 26 -- -- --
184 Yovani Gallardo Mil SP 27 89 49 2012 Preseason
185 Daniel Murphy NYM 2B 28 243 219 2012 Midseason
186 Logan Morrison Mia OF/1B 25 -- 80 2011 Midseason
187 Mike Napoli Bos C/1B 31 181 56 2012 Preseason
188 R.A. Dickey Tor SP 38 102 102 2013 Preseason
189 Matt Joyce TB OF 28 234 183 2012 Preseason
190 Nelson Cruz Tex OF 33 126 37 2011 Preseason
191 Travis d'Arnaud NYM C 24 174 174 2013 Preseason
192 Brandon Morrow Tor SP 28 94 94 2013 Preseason
193 Oswaldo Arcia Min OF 22 -- -- --
194 Carlos Martinez StL SP/RP 21 233 223 2012 Midseason
195 David Freese StL 3B 30 144 88 2012 Midseason
196 Miguel Montero Ari C 30 142 126 2010 Preseason
197 Michael Morse Sea OF 31 132 92 2012 Preseason
198 Carlos Beltran StL OF 36 147 82 2010 Preseason
199 Chris Perez Cle RP 28 218 115 2011 Preseason
200 Drew Smyly Det RP/SP 24 -- 236 2012 Midseason
201 Jake Peavy CWS SP 32 161 130 2010 Preseason
202 Hyun-Jin Ryu LAD SP 26 250 250 2013 Preseason
203 Erick Aybar LAA SS 29 206 137 2012 Preseason
204 Jhoulys Chacin Col SP 25 -- 69 2011 Midseason
205 David Robertson NYY RP 28 -- 233 2012 Midseason
206 Melky Cabrera Tor OF 28 100 100 2013 Preseason
207 Alejandro De Aza CWS OF 29 208 149 2012 Midseason
208 Yasmani Grandal SD C 24 151 151 2013 Preseason
209 Will Middlebrooks Bos 3B 24 92 92 2013 Preseason
210 Gordon Beckham CWS 2B 26 238 53 2010 Preseason
211 Ike Davis NYM 1B 26 90 90 2013 Preseason
212 Huston Street SD RP 29 178 136 2010 Preseason
213 Tommy Milone Oak SP 26 165 165 2013 Preseason
214 Jacob Turner Mia SP 22 -- 174 2012 Preseason
215 Alexei Ramirez CWS SS 31 -- 94 2011 Preseason
216 Taijuan Walker Sea SP 20 209 209 2013 Preseason
217 Evan Gattis Atl C/OF 26 -- -- --
218 Aaron Hicks Min OF 23 -- -- --
219 George Springer Hou OF 23 -- -- --
220 Shane Victorino Bos OF 32 140 88 2010 Preseason
221 Rickie Weeks Mil 2B 30 109 37 2011 Midseason
222 Aramis Ramirez Mil 3B 35 166 70 2010 Preseason
223 Mitch Moreland Tex 1B 27 -- 219 2011 Midseason
224 Rex Brothers Col RP 25 -- -- --
225 Fernando Rodney TB RP 36 210 210 2013 Preseason
226 Michael Pineda NYY SP 24 232 52 2011 Midseason
227 Alex Cobb TB SP 25 -- -- --
228 Justin Masterson Cle SP 28 -- 221 2012 Midseason
229 Marcell Ozuna Mia OF 22 -- -- --
230 Michael Cuddyer Col OF/1B 34 245 102 2012 Midseason
231 Jesus Montero Sea C 23 96 73 2012 Preseason
232 Jonathan Singleton Hou 1B 21 -- 201 2011 Midseason
233 Tom Wilhelmsen Sea RP 29 222 222 2013 Preseason
234 Mark Appel Hou SP 22 -- -- --
235 C.J. Wilson LAA SP 32 203 100 2012 Midseason
236 Jhonny Peralta Det SS 31 -- 178 2012 Preseason
237 Kevin Gausman Bal SP 22 -- -- --
238 Victor Martinez Det C 34 145 52 2010 Preseason
239 Jarrod Saltalamacchia Bos C 28 -- 242 2012 Midseason
240 Adam Lind Tor 1B 30 -- 32 2010 Preseason
241 Chase Utley Phi 2B 34 216 12 2010 Preseason
242 Dan Uggla Atl 2B 33 185 39 2011 Preseason
243 Adam LaRoche Wsh 1B 33 183 152 2010 Midseason
244 Delino DeShields Jr. Hou 2B/OF 20 229 229 2013 Preseason
245 Steve Cishek Mia RP 27 -- -- --
246 Chris Archer TB SP 24 -- -- --
247 Francisco Liriano Pit SP 29 -- 43 2010 Midseason
248 Cameron Maybin SD OF 26 123 63 2012 Preseason
249 Mark Teixeira NYY 1B 33 98 13 2010 Midseason
250 Travis Wood ChC SP 26 -- 238 2011 Preseason

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HacheMan · Jul 17, 2013

Second-half rankings reactions: Hitters

Eric Karabell

Oh, how things can change in only eight weeks.

The last time the ESPN fantasy crew supplied its rest-of-season rankings in mid-May, Atlanta Braves outfielder Justin Upton was a consensus top-10 choice, Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis wasn’t even close, and Yasiel Puig wasn’t on any radar screen. Now things are a lot different in the mid-July rankings. It’s noteworthy how far some of the most previously trusted hitters fell, such as Upton, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro and San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley.

With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, fantasy owners are generally past the point of asking when it’s time to re-analyze options and potentially give up on players. We’re way past that time. Upton’s rise and subsequent fall have been documented, Kemp’s problem has and continues to be health, and Castro’s issue is perhaps indifference, but in the case of Headley, we have several relevant factors to consider for him and others with similar factors. He blasted onto the scene after years of relative obscurity as one of fantasy’s most influential hitters the second half of 2012, hitting an incomprehensible 23 home runs, but he’s hitting all of .229 today with one home run over the past month. Some fantasy owners want to invest based on 2012; others want to simply move on based on 2013. What’s the right move?

Knowing when to give up on a player reaching his proven potential is a tricky proposition. People aren’t mass-dropping Headley (though he is only 89.9 percent owned), but I doubt many are viewing him as the eighth-round pick he was in ESPN live drafts before the season. In mid-May, he was ranked 50th overall in these rankings, which seems ridiculous compared to his No. 141 slot today. I see no reason to exalt Headley to close to top-100 status today, but the truth is all players are different. With Josh Hamilton, for example, a recent hot streak probably kept him in the top 100 overall. For Headley, perhaps the broken thumb that interrupted the start to his season remains a problem, but he’s showing no signs of a 23-homer second half. I ranked him 179th overall. I’d still own him in 10- and 12-team formats, but I’m not optimistic he will suddenly turn things around. Many players perform through pain, and while it’s nice they can help their teams, especially in relation to what else that team might use, fantasy owners often can upgrade. I hope Headley starts hitting for power and batting average, but I expect this looks more like a lost season.

Here are other hitters (I’ll tackle the pitchers Thursday) of varying value that ended up in our top 100 overall but saw major changes in their ranking over two months, both good and bad.

• Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks (from 24th to 5th): Seems like he usurped Justin Upton’s top-10 spot for many. The power is legitimate, and he runs enough to matter.

• Chris Davis, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (from 68th to 8th): I believe he’ll lead the majors with 54 home runs and still hit .290 overall. Incredible season.

• Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (from 2nd to 20th): I thought I was too low dropping him to 12th. Seems like my colleagues were even less confident. Thumb injury or suspension? I’m not terribly worried about either.

• Hanley Ramirez, SS/3B, Los Angeles Dodgers (from 167th to 27th): I ranked him in the third round in March, and while he’s a bit too hot recently, it’s 30/30 talent. Yes, take him over Puig.

• Jean Segura, SS, Brewers (from 87th to 33rd): Clearly people didn’t believe back in May. Now they do. I suspect we’ve all overrated him a bit based on his underwhelming June, but at least he’ll keep running.

• Justin Upton, OF, Atlanta Braves (from 7th to 35th): It’s all about the timing, and for him, he hit 12 home runs in April and four since. If it’s reversed, he’d be coveted. Rumors of a hand injury from April seem relevant, and now his calf hurts. Sell if you still can, though I ranked him 44th, so I still like him.

• Jose Reyes, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (from 154th to 39th): Wasn’t healthy in May, now he is. It drastically changes an outlook when a fellow is actually active. He also looks terrific and is flashing power.

• Yasiel Puig, OF, Dodgers (from not ranked to 41st): That’s a fair spot for a relatively unproven guy who will see batting average regression. I ranked him 50th, so I clearly like him.

• Michael Cuddyer, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies (from 127th to 45th): Veteran guy who hasn’t hit more than 20 home runs in five of past six seasons, so it was reasonable to be skeptical. Not anymore, though the .274 career hitter is not going to hit .330 all year. We all probably overranked him.

• Albert Pujols, 1B, Los Angeles Angels (from 25th to 46th): I ranked him the worst at No. 66 but feel good about it. Honestly, not even close to the same guy he was, and when the Angels are sub-.500 to start September, I doubt the hobbled Pujols plays regularly the entire month, if much at all.

• David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox (from 80th to 47th): I’d take him over Pujols the rest of the way, without hesitation. I had Ortiz 41st. Probably not good enough!

• Starling Marte, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (from 104th to 59th): Frankly, the rise is not enough. I have him 34th. Some batting average regression coming, but he’s legit.
• Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (from 262nd to 69th): An awesome May and still usable since. But is he really this good? Will he keep running?

• Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers (from 18th to 70th): I’m skeptical he hits for much power when he returns from the disabled list. Lost season, bounce-back option in 2014.

• Matt Carpenter, everything, St. Louis Cardinals (from 214th to 76th): Nice to see my colleagues come around. I was the only one to rank Carpenter in the top 200 in May. He’s going to score 110 runs!

• Josh Donaldson, 3B, Oakland Athletics (from 209th to 87th): He’s legit, my No. 57 player, and I’m not sure why others are concerned about him.

• Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs (from 34th to 100th): Even I had to presume this is not the same player we believed in, but it’s premature to trust a Nick Franklin-type over him.

Others: Michael Bourn left our top 100 because he’s not running enough. … Jason Heyward left because he’s not healthy enough, and not running. … Kyle Seager is close to breaking into our top 100. I should have ranked him better, in retrospect. … Welcome back to the top 120, Eric Hosmer! … Goodbye from the top 100, Elvis Andrus. What a disaster of an offensive season. … Three of us had Pedro Alvarez at precisely No. 100. Interesting. Power was always legitimate, though. … I’m the only one with Aramis Ramirez in the top 100. He’s worth it. … Now that Nate McLouth isn’t running much, most of us overrated him. … One of us had Pablo Sandoval in the top 100; another did not rank him at all. I had him 105. Find another player with that disparity. … I just did: Carl Crawford. I’ll take Sandoval. … Good to see my trust in Jonathan Lucroy paid off. We all liked him. … Major difference in opinion on Curtis Granderson, with me at No. 90 and two unranked decisions. I don’t get that. … Welcome to the ranks, speedy Leonys Martin! One colleague had him 37th, another unranked. I was conservative at No. 168. … I’m clearly enamored with Raul Ibanez as compared to others. … I did not rank Michael Morse, Omar Infante or Paul Konerko. The Morse one could be a mistake.

HacheMan · Jul 18, 2013

Second-half ranks: Top 250

By Fantasy Staff | ESPN.com

The second half is all about second chances. A clean slate. An arbitrary but cosmetically pleasant split of the season into two manageable gaps. Great second halves will increase a players' draft stock for the following year, and sometimes serve as a harbinger of greatness to come: Jose Bautista hit two home runs before the All-Star break in 2009. He hit 11 in the second half and 54 the following season.

Of course, sometimes a poor second half will create fantasy sleepers. When the much-hyped Mike Trout was called up just prior to the All-Star break in 2011, he carried with him great expectations as one of the game's top prospects. His .220 average, five homers and four steals in 123 at-bats told us nothing of the MVP-worthy monster season that would follow in 2012.

But we're not worried about 2014 in these rankings. We're not even worried about the entirety of 2013. These rankings are for the next two and a half months of the season, and that is all. They do not attempt to predict how players will finish the season overall, as they do not take into account what has already happened. Troy Tulowitzki and Jose Reyes' injuries will impact their overall numbers, but today, they're healthy, and that's all that matters.

If you're interested in what has happened so far, check out the Player Rater. If you're interested in how to value a player such as Jurickson Profar long-term, check out Tristan H. Cockcroft's keeper rankings. If you're interested in how we think the rest of the season will play out, well, you've come to the right place.

The panel of voters includes Cockcroft, Eric Karabell, Brendan Roberts, AJ Mass and Todd Zola, as well as the Answer Guys' Shawn Cwalinski and Dave Hunter. Each was asked to submit his top 250 for the second half. A total of 322 players received at least one vote. When not assigned a rank by all of our panelists, a value of "260" was given to account in the average. All 322 players, from Miguel Cabrera to Manny Ramirez, are accounted for in the positional breakdown of the rankings. To sort by any one panelist's rankings, click on their initials at the top of the rankings column.

[h=3]2013 Fantasy Baseball Top 250 for the second half[/h]Filter By Position: Top 250 | C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | DH | SP | RP


Rank (May), name, eligibility, team TC EK BR AJM TZ SC DH AVG
1. (1) Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Det 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.0
2. (4) Mike Trout, OF, LAA 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2.0
3. (5) Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Col 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 3.4
4. (3) Robinson Cano, 2B, NYY 3 4 3 4 6 3 4 3.9
5. (24) Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Ari 7 7 6 9 4 7 7 6.7
6. (6) Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pit 5 5 5 14 10 5 6 7.1
7. (9) Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD 8 16 10 8 17 8 9 10.9
8. (68) Chris Davis, 1B/OF, Bal 6 6 11 24 7 10 23 12.4
9. (12) Joey Votto, 1B, Cin 12 17 16 7 21 6 11 12.9
9. (11) David Wright, 3B, NYM 9 8 15 6 27 15 10 12.9
11. (22) Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/3B, Tor 13 10 23 15 5 13 21 14.3
12. (20) Adrian Beltre, 3B, Tex 24 9 22 12 9 14 17 15.3
13. (8) Prince Fielder, 1B, Det 18 14 8 20 28 16 8 16.0
14. (19) Jose Bautista, OF, Tor 22 18 7 18 12 20 18 16.4
15. (17) Adam Jones, OF, Bal 17 22 9 36 11 12 12 17.0
15. (10) Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Col 32 15 14 5 23 25 5 17.0
17. (28) Adam Wainwright, SP, StL 11 28 12 11 34 9 20 17.9
18. (15) Evan Longoria, 3B, TB 14 11 18 17 31 31 13 19.3
19. (15) Felix Hernandez, SP, Sea 15 23 19 10 36 29 14 20.9
20. (2) Ryan Braun, OF, Mil 25 12 28 21 8 41 16 21.6
21. (26) Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Bos 29 19 20 19 26 17 25 22.1
22. (23) Buster Posey, C/1B, SF 21 35 13 13 24 37 28 24.4
23. (14) Bryce Harper, OF, Wsh 28 13 31 22 45 11 22 24.6
24. (29) Cliff Lee, SP, Phi 26 32 27 16 32 19 26 25.4
25. (41) Carlos Gomez, OF, Mil 19 26 21 25 13 21 55 25.7
26. (67) Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cle 34 20 24 44 22 23 15 26.0
27. (167) Hanley Ramirez, 3B/SS, LAD 10 21 35 33 14 34 37 26.3
27. (31) Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Bos 31 31 17 38 16 27 24 26.3
29. (47) Allen Craig, 1B/OF, StL 44 27 36 40 15 26 31 31.3
30. (21) Ian Kinsler, 2B, Tex 35 33 39 32 43 24 19 32.1
31. (27) Yu Darvish, SP, Tex 20 25 26 26 59 30 51 33.9
32. (54) Max Scherzer, SP, Det 16 56 30 28 75 18 29 36.0
33. (87) Jean Segura, SS, Mil 36 24 25 68 42 22 56 39.0
34. (55) Matt Harvey, SP, NYM 38 42 32 27 64 32 39 39.1
35. (7) Justin Upton, OF, Atl 50 44 38 42 25 43 34 39.4
36. (36) Madison Bumgarner, SP, SF 27 54 41 30 44 36 46 39.7
37. (32) Stephen Strasburg, SP, Wsh 30 39 40 41 57 28 47 40.3
38. (62) Jay Bruce, OF, Cin 43 30 42 49 38 39 52 41.9
39. (154) Jose Reyes, SS, Tor 39 29 33 85 19 47 42 42.0
40. (40) Alex Rios, OF, CWS 58 51 53 48 20 35 43 44.0
41. (NR) Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD 67 50 34 53 30 54 30 45.4
42. (13) Justin Verlander, SP, Det 23 36 29 45 85 73 35 46.6
43. (49) Jordan Zimmermann, SP, Wsh 42 76 63 23 52 40 33 47.0
44. (44) Chris Sale, SP, CWS 46 48 54 29 29 48 79 47.6
45. (127) Michael Cuddyer, OF/1B, Col 88 40 37 73 18 56 40 50.3
46. (25) Albert Pujols, 1B, LAA 53 66 45 43 51 51 44 50.4
47. (80) David Ortiz, DH, Bos 47 41 56 37 35 57 82 50.7
48. (33) Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Cin 52 65 48 34 55 58 45 51.0
49. (51) Craig Kimbrel, RP, Atl 41 87 43 31 62 49 48 51.6
50. (75) Yadier Molina, C, StL 64 45 44 47 53 42 70 52.1
51. (39) Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, LAD 55 64 59 35 61 60 38 53.1
51. (60) Ian Desmond, SS, Wsh 56 43 62 46 77 38 50 53.1
53. (82) Manny Machado, 3B, Bal 71 37 52 58 72 33 53 53.7
54. (43) David Price, SP, TB 33 47 61 70 96 52 27 55.1
55. (29) Matt Holliday, OF, StL 62 62 46 50 33 101 36 55.7
56. (34) Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cin 77 53 51 72 56 44 41 56.3
57. (59) Aroldis Chapman, SP/RP, Cin 51 93 64 39 83 59 54 63.3
58. (76) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atl 49 74 60 59 70 55 84 64.4
59. (104) Starling Marte, OF, Pit 81 34 74 98 40 74 58 65.6
60. (88) Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Mia 40 38 50 128 65 82 57 65.7
61. (37) Alex Gordon, OF, KC 91 68 58 61 47 76 68 67.0
62. (105) Carlos Beltran, OF, StL 70 52 55 75 68 55 102 68.1
63. (94) Nelson Cruz, OF, Tex 79 63 70 66 88 61 65 70.3
64. (70) Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Wsh 45 81 66 67 99 63 81 71.7
65. (74) Hunter Pence, OF, SF 103 58 68 79 54 46 98 72.3
66. (58) Austin Jackson, OF, Det 59 71 91 94 63 68 62 72.6
67. (69) Gio Gonzalez, SP, Wsh 37 79 49 89 103 78 76 73.0
68. (45) Ben Zobrist, OF/2B/SS, TB 99 55 76 71 90 64 61 73.7
69. (262) Domonic Brown, OF, Phi 73 60 57 162 66 45 66 75.6
70. (18) Matt Kemp, OF, LAD 123 89 72 115 49 50 32 75.7
70. (64) Mat Latos, SP, Cin 65 73 65 54 118 77 78 75.7
72. (42) Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Oak 84 75 79 92 39 108 73 78.6
73. (161) Everth Cabrera, SS, SD 74 49 47 141 109 67 71 79.7
74. (53) Carlos Santana, C/1B, Cle 114 70 77 51 128 66 64 81.4
75. (46) Cole Hamels, SP, Phi 63 61 78 80 101 103 88 82.0
76. (214) M. Carpenter, 1B/2B/3B/OF, StL 105 46 93 137 48 91 60 82.9
77. (83) Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA 86 78 89 113 80 86 49 83.0
78. (52) Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC 134 85 82 56 79 70 94 85.7
79. (77) Joe Mauer, C/1B, Min 93 96 67 57 136 75 87 87.3
80. (56) James Shields, SP, KC 78 69 92 76 152 69 80 88.0
81. (71) Chase Utley, 2B, Phi 108 99 108 63 73 94 72 88.1
82. (38) Billy Butler, 1B, KC 116 67 73 69 119 115 63 88.9
83. (73) Mark Trumbo, OF/1B, LAA 137 77 80 78 78 72 101 89.0
84. (96) Dexter Fowler, OF, Col 120 83 102 86 69 71 93 89.1
85. (107) Mariano Rivera, RP, NYY 57 109 84 65 100 83 130 89.7
86. (135) Hisashi Iwakuma, SP/RP, Sea 97 104 88 87 94 100 59 89.9
87. (209) Josh Donaldson, 3B, Oak 109 57 71 132 67 81 114 90.1
88. (81) Desmond Jennings, OF, TB 92 86 83 82 116 97 77 90.4
89. (57) Matt Moore, SP, TB 69 115 85 88 127 65 86 90.7
90. (141) Jason Grilli, RP, Pit 75 107 81 77 124 62 112 91.1
91. (79) Zack Greinke, SP, LAD 48 72 98 147 126 88 69 92.6
92. (117) Joe Nathan, RP, Tex 85 124 69 60 133 89 95 93.6
93. (108) Jered Weaver, SP, LAA 61 82 104 150 71 110 83 94.4
94. (86) Jose Altuve, 2B, Hou 83 98 97 117 91 87 89 94.6
95. (90) Hiroki Kuroda, SP, NYY 68 92 105 83 108 105 104 95.0
96. (63) CC Sabathia, SP, NYY 60 100 90 64 161 116 85 96.6
97. (200) Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD 54 136 113 122 60 84 120 98.4
98. (130) Howard Kendrick, 2B, LAA 126 94 99 110 84 85 97 99.3
99. (97) Sergio Romo, RP, SF 125 135 106 52 74 92 117 100.1
100. (34) Starlin Castro, SS, CHC 144 84 75 101 132 119 67 103.1
101. (98) Torii Hunter, OF, Det 146 116 103 96 46 106 115 104.0
102. (131) Mike Minor, SP, Atl 72 91 101 95 140 93 137 104.1
103. (94) Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Phi 102 142 109 55 113 99 116 105.1
104. (102) Mike Napoli, C/1B, Bos 188 117 86 105 58 79 109 106.0
105. (85) Anibal Sanchez, SP, Det 107 97 110 62 163 98 106 106.1
106. (60) Michael Bourn, OF, Cle 95 127 95 120 98 144 75 107.7
107. (142) Aaron Hill, 2B, Ari 164 59 126 130 50 95 134 108.3
108. (47) Matt Cain, SP, SF 101 80 87 103 82 250 74 111.0
109. (146) Homer Bailey, SP, Cin 66 125 129 102 117 122 123 112.0
110. (197) Edward Mujica, RP, StL 112 132 107 106 120 96 128 114.4
111. (111) Rafael Soriano, RP, Wsh 82 141 114 81 146 113 125 114.6
111. (136) Shelby Miller, RP/SP, StL 104 88 94 97 182 104 133 114.6
113. (128) Wilin Rosario, C, Col 138 137 96 119 95 80 143 115.4
114. (122) Brett Gardner, OF, NYY 156 126 121 121 41 111 142 116.9
115. (158) Greg Holland, RP, KC 80 149 118 91 134 102 155 118.4
116. (84) Jason Heyward, OF, Atl 131 102 125 153 87 140 92 118.6
117. (139) Kyle Seager, 3B, Sea 129 143 130 99 92 112 127 118.9
118. (99) Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Cle 98 118 119 129 142 123 107 119.4
119. (176) Eric Hosmer, 1B, KC 111 101 136 143 97 164 90 120.3
120. (131) Coco Crisp, OF, Oak 173 123 111 100 76 130 131 120.6
121. (110) Jeff Samardzija, SP, CHC 87 106 112 125 139 154 124 121.0
122. (113) Clay Buchholz, SP, Bos 94 108 116 93 174 138 126 121.3
123. (121) Alejandro De Aza, OF, CWS 171 129 115 131 102 109 105 123.1
123. (92) Elvis Andrus, SS, Tex 147 114 133 135 110 120 103 123.1
125. (220) Patrick Corbin, SP, Ari 89 111 124 155 164 90 154 126.7
126. (112) Lance Lynn, SP, StL 96 147 117 90 176 152 110 126.9
127. (114) Jim Johnson, RP, Bal 110 145 122 109 157 126 122 127.3
128. (140) Addison Reed, RP, CWS 121 154 140 84 129 114 152 127.7
129. (209) Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pit 100 103 100 159 187 155 100 129.1
130. (170) Glen Perkins, RP, Min 106 151 123 104 144 125 162 130.7
131. (134) Fernando Rodney, RP, TB 90 161 143 114 131 143 141 131.9
132. (100) Doug Fister, SP, Det 133 164 127 74 177 107 146 132.6
133. (102) Jake Peavy, SP, CWS 124 150 139 112 160 118 139 134.6
134. (109) Shane Victorino, OF, Bos 185 172 153 134 81 129 108 137.4
135. (106) Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phi 155 110 146 136 154 149 118 138.3
136. (77) Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Mil 216 95 131 133 112 179 113 139.9
137. (126) A.J. Burnett, SP, Pit 132 113 150 124 202 136 132 141.3
138. (164) Nick Markakis, OF, Bal 222 121 142 146 115 117 129 141.7
139. (177) Kendrys Morales, 1B, Sea 165 134 162 140 93 150 149 141.9
139. (192) Nate McLouth, OF, Bal 213 130 120 148 150 121 111 141.9
141. (50) Chase Headley, 3B, SD 143 179 128 116 151 187 91 142.1
142. (93) Martin Prado, OF/2B/3B, Ari 141 122 132 126 191 157 136 143.6
143. (65) Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF 159 105 137 123 NR 133 96 144.7
144. (148) Casey Janssen, RP, Tor 136 166 161 108 138 145 165 145.6
145. (190) Grant Balfour, RP, Oak 127 155 148 152 122 153 172 147.0
146. (173) Alfonso Soriano, OF, CHC 219 140 152 142 105 127 147 147.4
147. (207) Travis Wood, SP, CHC 174 119 151 167 125 166 158 151.4
148. (147) Derek Holland, SP, Tex 140 128 144 111 226 139 174 151.7
149. (203) Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM 117 183 134 127 130 159 214 152.0
150. (189) Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD 139 131 138 186 208 132 135 152.7
151. (244) Ernesto Frieri, RP, LAA 142 167 164 180 107 137 178 153.6
152. (144) Norichika Aoki, OF, Mil 245 146 171 107 111 147 151 154.0
153. (119) Matt Wieters, C, Bal 203 144 147 138 178 124 148 154.6
154. (71) Carl Crawford, OF, LAD 170 138 158 118 200 234 99 159.6
155. (252) Justin Masterson, SP, Cle 169 205 149 197 155 128 140 163.3
156. (182) J.J. Hardy, SS, Bal 168 156 167 161 184 146 164 163.7
157. (236) Jonathan Lucroy, C, Mil 150 168 157 203 147 134 189 164.0
158. (242) Matt Garza, SP, CHC 76 229 156 228 156 162 144 164.4
159. (185) Victor Martinez, C, Det 162 188 145 182 123 182 170 164.6
159. (123) R.A. Dickey, SP, Tor 128 162 155 175 195 216 121 164.6
161. (228) Ervin Santana, SP, KC 157 112 165 183 234 131 176 165.4
162. (186) C.J. Wilson, SP, LAA 113 211 168 164 165 171 177 167.0
163. (66) Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY 119 90 135 204 104 NR NR 167.4
164. (183) Adam LaRoche, 1B, Wsh 194 139 170 168 179 148 180 168.3
165. (204) Jayson Werth, OF, Wsh 177 159 175 169 148 168 185 168.7
166. (275) Adam Lind, 1B, Tor 183 200 184 196 114 170 138 169.3
167. (125) Kris Medlen, SP/RP, Atl 166 194 141 151 180 192 171 170.7
168. (NR) Leonys Martin, OF, Tex 193 178 166 NR 37 173 190 171.0
169. (302) Bartolo Colon, SP, Oak 153 173 159 200 207 189 119 171.4
170. (241) Brian McCann, C, Atl 135 186 154 189 213 135 206 174.0
171. (213) Alexei Ramirez, SS, CWS 201 158 169 207 143 161 188 175.3
172. (253) Jose Fernandez, SP, Mia 118 175 172 173 250 160 183 175.9
173. (250) Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM 176 152 179 226 159 151 201 177.7
174. (179) Jeremy Hellickson, SP, TB 151 212 188 149 167 214 167 178.3
175. (91) Johnny Cueto, SP, Cin 211 177 190 144 223 175 145 180.7
176. (89) Jon Lester, SP, Bos 145 133 173 139 NR NR 160 181.4
177. (245) Steve Cishek, RP, Mia 158 226 197 171 172 188 163 182.1
178. (281) Adam Dunn, 1B, CWS 195 171 181 241 89 191 224 184.6
179. (NR) Koji Uehara, RP, Bos 180 184 196 NR 106 141 227 184.9
180. (NR) Francisco Liriano, SP, Pit 122 160 194 NR 204 167 198 186.4
181. (288) Wil Myers, OF, TB 160 120 160 250 186 207 225 186.9
182. (160) Erick Aybar, SS, LAA 190 195 183 178 231 172 173 188.9
183. (165) Rafael Betancourt, RP, Col 182 198 211 170 212 181 186 191.4
184. (124) Melky Cabrera, OF, Tor 240 230 185 174 86 NR 166 191.6
185. (277) Michael Brantley, OF, Cle 230 208 187 238 137 198 157 193.6
186. (256) Colby Rasmus, OF, Tor 204 234 198 206 141 218 159 194.3
187. (227) Jed Lowrie, SS/2B, Oak 186 181 217 166 209 174 228 194.4
188. (279) Jhonny Peralta, SS, Det 225 165 177 222 232 158 197 196.6
189. (NR) Julio Teheran, SP, Atl 115 239 176 237 NR 156 194 196.7
189. (258) Jarrod Parker, SP, Oak 130 182 195 NR 153 197 NR 196.7
191. (149) Alex Cobb, SP, TB 167 232 204 145 NR 221 153 197.4
192. (202) Justin Morneau, 1B, Min NR 206 180 191 181 165 203 198.0
193. (256) A.J. Griffin, SP, Oak 184 204 210 NR 145 195 192 198.6
194. (145) Todd Frazier, 3B/1B, Cin NR 196 163 158 239 163 221 200.0
195. (188) Chris Perez, RP, Cle 149 223 213 246 199 178 193 200.1
196. (116) Alcides Escobar, SS, KC NR 233 192 156 189 224 150 200.6
197. (211) Ichiro Suzuki, OF, NYY 241 189 191 202 211 203 181 202.6
197. (170) Tim Lincecum, SP, SF 199 153 203 184 193 NR 226 202.6
199. (NR) Jeff Locke, SP, Pit 205 187 189 NR 188 183 208 202.9
200. (222) Chris Carter, 1B/OF, Hou 233 203 212 192 166 208 207 203.0
200. (NR) John Lackey, SP, Bos 148 213 178 236 NR 142 244 203.0
200. (157) Tim Hudson, SP, Atl 221 219 225 160 168 NR 168 203.0
203. (131) Brett Lawrie, 3B, Tor 238 163 207 219 169 NR 187 206.1
204. (219) Salvador Perez, C, KC 152 201 240 224 NR 177 204 208.3
205. (152) Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC NR 169 208 165 183 NR 219 209.1
206. (150) Tom Wilhelmsen, RP, Sea NR 192 219 154 171 212 NR 209.7
207. (153) Tommy Milone, SP, Oak 179 246 216 172 216 NR 182 210.1
208. (NR) Raul Ibanez, OF, Sea 243 148 174 233 NR 185 241 212.0
209. (231) Josh Johnson, SP, Tor 154 190 201 NR 192 NR 229 212.3
210. (230) Jedd Gyorko, 2B/3B, SD 200 185 233 195 NR 196 222 213.0
211. (180) Huston Street, RP, SD 189 225 234 245 185 205 210 213.3
212. (267) Brandon Belt, 1B, SF 207 176 231 220 230 233 209 215.1
213. (187) Paul Maholm, SP, Atl 202 180 202 201 NR 202 NR 215.3
214. (223) Mitch Moreland, 1B, Tex NR 217 222 177 206 211 216 215.6
215. (118) Yovani Gallardo, SP, Mil 224 202 182 163 221 NR NR 216.0
216. (168) Rickie Weeks, 2B, Mil 210 242 199 188 NR 229 202 218.6
217. (196) Brandon Moss, 1B/OF, Oak 247 227 205 181 NR 201 211 218.9
218. (NR) James Loney, 1B, TB NR 174 209 223 238 180 249 219.0
219. (NR) Mike Leake, SP, Cin 187 220 193 NR 243 184 247 219.1
219. (170) Andrelton Simmons, SS, Atl NR 231 229 187 218 230 179 219.1
221. (NR) Joaquin Benoit, RP, Det 172 NR 227 NR 158 199 NR 219.4
222. (310) Gerardo Parra, OF, Ari NR 209 214 244 121 NR 231 219.9
223. (271) Brandon Beachy, SP, Atl 191 240 NR 243 229 193 184 220.0
224. (303) Jose Veras, RP, Hou 215 210 238 NR 196 176 NR 222.1
225. (301) Rajai Davis, OF, Tor NR 157 223 NR NR 206 195 223.0
225. (NR) Daniel Nava, OF/1B, Bos NR 191 200 249 NR 186 215 223.0
227. (151) Nick Swisher, OF/1B, Cle NR 222 218 157 224 246 243 224.3
228. (233) David Freese, 3B, StL 235 214 186 239 244 236 217 224.4
229. (195) Dan Uggla, 2B, Atl 197 228 242 210 NR 245 196 225.4
229. (239) Kyle Lohse, SP, Mil 161 248 228 225 241 215 NR 225.4
231. (101) B.J. Upton, OF, Atl NR 224 230 193 NR NR 156 226.1
232. (155) Mark Reynolds, 1B/3B, Cle NR 247 206 176 NR 190 248 226.7
233. (280) Matt Joyce, OF, TB NR 241 215 230 173 231 240 227.1
234. (175) Michael Morse, OF, Sea 208 NR 249 212 NR 210 199 228.3
235. (184) Andre Ethier, OF, LAD 231 216 244 179 NR NR 213 229.0
236. (NR) Ricky Nolasco, SP, LAD 175 237 243 235 NR 194 NR 229.1
237. (293) Kevin Gregg, RP, CHC 178 197 247 NR NR 232 234 229.7
238. (229) Tony Cingrani, RP/SP, Cin 217 170 235 NR NR 247 223 230.3
239. (221) Omar Infante, 2B, Det NR NR 245 194 205 227 232 231.9
240. (137) Paul Konerko, 1B, CWS NR NR 232 211 170 235 NR 232.6
241. (194) Justin Ruggiano, OF, Mia NR 245 224 205 NR NR 175 232.7
242. (264) Andrew Cashner, RP/SP, SD 232 NR 226 NR 194 220 242 233.4
242. (163) Ryan Dempster, SP, Bos 228 199 NR 227 NR NR 200 233.4
244. (234) Marco Scutaro, 2B/SS, SF NR 215 NR 185 240 242 233 233.6
245. (159) Lance Berkman, 1B, Tex NR NR NR 208 149 NR NR 236.7
246. (NR) Marcell Ozuna, OF, Mia NR NR NR NR 190 204 235 238.4
247. (NR) Dan Straily, SP, Oak 237 NR NR NR 135 NR NR 238.9
248. (NR) Chris Tillman, SP, Bal 163 243 241 NR NR NR 246 239.0
249. (169) Michael Saunders, OF, Sea NR NR NR 209 NR NR 169 239.7
250. (NR) Jason Castro, C, Hou 223 NR NR 240 NR 200 237 240.0

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HacheMan · Jul 18, 2013

Second-half rankings reactions: Pitchers

Eric Karabell

It didn't take my Twitter followers long to realize that I had ranked pitchers in the ESPN Fantasy midseason rankings a bit lower than my colleagues. Yes, that's by design. My list of those making their living throwing the baseball started with Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw at No. 16 and continued throughout the top 50, but with only 10 of those fellows serving as pitchers. There's incredible pitching depth this season, so the likes of Detroit Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer shouldn't take it personally that I ranked them lower than most of my ESPN colleagues.

Then again, with some of these pitchers, I just might not be as big a believer. For example, when it comes to Scherzer, I'm only partially buying into his amazing first half. I don't care about his fancy win-loss record, because he could just as easily have James Shields' 4-6 mark. By the way, Scherzer and Shields, far apart on our Player Rater because of the wins difference, are ranked 26th and 27th, respectively, in ERA among qualified starting pitchers this season. One of them just happens to be second in baseball in run support. I like Scherzer and I think he's legit, but I also believe his fantasy value is inflated right now. And I'm always willing to move a pitcher for a top offensive player.

<OFFER>So there seems little point in me going in-depth on starting pitchers I ranked worse than colleagues, because it might be most every starting pitcher. Taking my philosophy on value out of the equation, however, and among the names I really ranked lower than the others included Jordan Zimmermann (a lot of wins, but not a great K rate for his overall rank), Matt Moore (a lot of walks), Doug Fister (inconsistent of late, ERA concerns), Jake Peavy (health), Justin Masterson (here come the walks again), C.J. Wilson (will the walks return?), Kris Medlen (does a move to the bullpen await?) and Alex Cobb (when will he pitch again?). But there is good news: I apparently believe in Francisco Liriano! Also, all the relief pitchers seem worse in my rankings, starting with my -- and everyone's -- top closer Craig Kimbrel (87th for me, 49th overall) to potential Tigers stopgap Joaquin Benoit, whom I did not rank.

As I did with the hitters Wednesday, here are pitchers of varying value who saw major adjustments in their rankings, either positively or negatively, from mid-May to this week.

• Matt Harvey, New York Mets (from 55th to 34th): I ranked him 33rd in May, so I believed then, and I still do. I think it's foolish to trade him now just because the Mets might shut him down in mid-September. Fantasy owners would be lucky to still have meaningful teams in mid-September, and Harvey can get you there.

• Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers (from 13th to 42nd): Say it ain't so! What a fall. I have him 36th, and admit I don't see a No. 13-overall type of second-half performance pending. But he remains darned good.

• James Shields, Kansas City Royals (from 56th to 80th): I just don't see what there is to be afraid of. He's good enough to win plenty from now on, though it's worth a reminder that "luck" doesn't necessarily even out.

• Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners (from 135th to 86th): More a "curiosity" two months ago than a safe No. 2 fantasy pitcher, and even lately he has shown some hiccups. I have him ranked at least in the same ballpark as my colleagues (No. 104), but his 11 home runs allowed over his past five outings is a concern.

• CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (from 63rd to 96th): Has been better than Iwakuma over the past month and is clearly more accomplished, so I ranked Sabathia a bit better.

• Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants (from 47th to 108th): His struggles have been discussed plenty in the first half, but I doubt many of his critics realize his WHIP is better than those of Cole Hamels, Shields, Mat Latos, Matt Moore and Jeff Samardzija. In other words, I'm buying low here.

• Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds (from 146th to 109th): He was underrated before his no-hitter, but that's not the case now. He's still worth owning, but he's probably worth more if you trade him.

• Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks (from 220th to 125th): I'm surprised I ended up ranking him better than all but two colleagues, but I just don't see him as a fluke, despite his record.

• Travis Wood, Chicago Cubs (from 207th to 147th): In hindsight, I think I ranked him a bit too well, considering he's not a hard thrower and is due for some regression. Hey, sometimes I surprise myself.

• Matt Garza, Cubs (from 242nd to 158th): He was injured two months ago, now is healthy and is arguably pitching as well as ever. My colleagues ranked him much higher than me, perhaps because of the allure of a possible trade. By the way, his career ERA is 3.80, and at Wrigley Field it's 2.70. Probably means nothing, but I still think he's a tad overrated.

• Ervin Santana, Royals (from 228th to 161st): I had already bought in by mid-May, and I ranked him the best of the crew in mid-July, too. Perhaps his eight-run outing last week scared people.

• Bartolo Colon, Oakland Athletics (from 302nd to 169th): Well, I don't feel particularly good about my/our rank, but it's certainly possible he keeps pitching well enough to justify this.

• Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins (from 253rd to 172nd): In retrospect, how did we not believe in him in May? He's being handled more carefully than Harvey, but Fernandez, who also likely won't be pitching after mid-September, is the bargain.

• Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds (from 91st to 175th): His strained lat should keep him sidelined into August, and even then, can he stay healthy? His skills aren't in question, though.

• Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox (from 89th to 176th): Wow, two colleagues didn't rank him at all. Somehow I ranked him the best, but in this case it's somewhat misleading. His last month was poor; based on that, I'd buy.

• Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh Pirates (from unranked to 180th): Frankly, it's hard to believe he has become so relevant, but he has shown no signs of what's currently happening to Lester.

• Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves (from unranked to 189th): His legit skills are finally showing in his results. He should stick in the Braves' rotation.

• Jarrod Parker, Athletics (from 258th to 189th): Apparently in May, we all basically presumed his April was the real thing, not his 2012. It seems we presumed incorrectly.

Others: Unranked pitchers from May that show up now include Jeff Locke, John Lackey, Mike Leake, Ricky Nolasco, Dan Straily and Chris Tillman. I ranked them all this week, except Straily, who just missed. … Alex Cobb fell 42 spots due to the head injury he suffered on a line drive. The Rays still have no timetable for his return. … Tim Hudson fell 43 spots because, well, why did we do that? Because he's old? His numbers always look the same. … Yovani Gallardo went from 118th to 215th. It's amazing that he was drafted 26th among starting pitchers, on average, in ESPN average live drafts. Never again! … Of course I ranked Ryan Dempster the best. Three colleagues left him out. He's basically strikeouts and nothing else, but I guess I like the strikeouts.

HacheMan · Jul 18, 2013

[h=1]Top 50 MLB prospects update[/h][h=3]Byron Buxton moves to top spot; No. 1 draft pick Mark Appel in top 10[/h]
By Keith Law | ESPN Insider

At the MLB season's midpoint, just past the signing deadline for drafted players, here is a fresh look at the top 50 prospects still in the minor leagues, including a new name on top.

These rankings are based primarily on upside or ceiling, not on proximity to the majors, so the list includes a mixture of players as high as Double-A or Triple-A and a few who have signed but either have yet to make their professional debuts or who have just a few appearances in the low minors.

Players who have already passed the cutoff for Rookie of the Year eligibility are ineligible, as is anyone currently on a major league roster.

Note: I use the 20-80 grading scale in these comments to avoid overuse of the terms "average" and "above average" across the 100 player comments. On that scale, a grade of 50 equals major league average, 55 is above average, 60 is plus, 45 is fringy or below average and so on.

1. Byron Buxton, CF | Minnesota Twins (age 19)
Current level: High Class A (Fort Myers)
Preseason ranking: 22

I've been a Buxton fan for a while and thought he was the best talent in the 2012 draft, although even I'm a little uncomfortable with the extent of the hype around him right now.
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He's explosive across the board, with 80-grade running speed, an 80 arm and the potential for 70 or 80 defense in center, as well as great bat speed and a slightly quieter approach than he had in high school. He has the upside of a top-five overall player in the majors, and I would just like to see him maintain his strong contact rates and patient approach as he faces better pitchers this year and next.

2. Oscar Taveras, OF | St. Louis Cardinals (age 20)
Current level: Triple-A (Memphis)
Preseason ranking: 2

Taveras might have appeared in the majors by now were it not for recurrent ankle trouble this year, an injury that also knocked him out of the Futures Game. He's still a very high-impact bat, probably the Cardinals' opening day right fielder next April, with big power and tremendous plate coverage.

3. Xander Bogaerts, SS | Boston Red Sox (age 20)
Current level: Triple-A (Pawtucket)
Preseason ranking: 5

I still see no reason Bogaerts can't stay at short, and he continues to impress with his very quiet setup and swing and strong plate discipline. He's 14 months older than Byron Buxton, but two full levels higher in the minors right now. Jose Iglesias' glove is special, but he's no match for the overall package Bogaerts offers the Red Sox at shortstop.

4. Miguel Sano, 3B | Minnesota Twins (age 20)
Current level: Double-A (New Britain)
Preseason ranking: 11

He'll always strike out a lot, but that's the nature of the game today, especially when you have this kind of prodigious raw power. When Sano squares one up, Twins fans feel the earth move.

5. Francisco Lindor, SS | Cleveland Indians (age 19)
Current level: Double-A (Akron)
Preseason ranking: 7

It might be unfair to call Lindor a lower-ceiling guy, although he lacks the MVP or superstar potential of the four guys ahead of him, projecting more as a regular All-Star who gets on base at a high clip with plus defense at short and who boasts a very high probability of becoming that, and soon.

He's just a month older than Buxton, and just moved up to Double-A, which doesn't speak much to their relative ceilings but says a little about Lindor's polish.

6. Addison Russell, SS | Oakland Athletics (age 19)
Current level: High Class A (Stockton)
Preseason ranking: 10

A slow start due to a back injury masks what a strong season Russell has had as a 19-year-old in the California League, typically a hitters' league but one with very high strikeout rates.

He's hitting .326/.379/.565 since June 1, to choose one arbitrary (Gregorian) endpoint, and continues to impress with his range and especially his hands at shortstop.

7. Carlos Correa, SS | Houston Astros (age 18)
Current level: Low Class A (Quad Cities)
Preseason ranking: 24

Lost in the hype over Buxton is the strong pro debut for Correa, just 18 years old and already in the Midwest League, posting a .421 OBP (third best in the league, 10 points behind Buxton) and a .455 slugging percentage even though he's barely begun to grow into his 6-foot-4 frame.

He's also been better than expected at shortstop, keeping his body lean and showing better range and hands than he had in high school. He may still outgrow the position, but even at third this could be a special bat.

8. Archie Bradley, RHP | Arizona Diamondbacks (age 20)
Current level: Double-A (Mobile)
Preseason ranking: 29

His command has improved over last year, as well as the control, while he's still in the 93-98 mph range with his heater.

His curveball has been a little less consistent this year, still hard at 79-83 but not quite as sharp as last year, while the changeup continues to improve and should be no worse than a solid-average pitch. The curve is still a swing-and-miss pitch for him, and with the huge fastball and his No. 1 starter build, he's the minors' best pitching prospect.

9. Mark Appel, SP | Houston Astros (age 22)
Current level: Low Class A (Quad Cities)
Preseason ranking: Ineligible

This year's top draft prospect is now in Class A, still sitting in the mid-90s with above-average command, although I expect Houston will keep his outings short this year to try to build him up slowly for next year. He also has ace potential, with three above-average to plus pitches and an easy delivery he can repeat all day.

10. Taijuan Walker, RHP | Seattle Mariners (age 20)
Current level: Triple-A (Tacoma)
Preseason ranking: 9

Walker's mid-90s fastball, up to 97 regularly, is incredibly easy, and he still has the loose, athletic body that scouts love to see. This year, he's using a very good cutter as his out pitch, which is good because it's the best secondary weapon he's ever had, but not good because it's come at the expense of his curveball, which has become less tight and is now just a fringy third pitch.

He's still so young and athletic that I wouldn't bet against him, but as close as he is to the majors, he should have a stronger third offering in his arsenal.

11. Dylan Bundy, RHP | Baltimore Orioles (age 20)
Current level: Has not played (injury)
Preseason ranking: 3

Bundy is out for the year after Tommy John surgery, and probably won't pitch again until mid-2014, pushing his timetable for a return to the majors back significantly.

There's at least an 80 percent chance that he comes back as good as he was before the elbow injury, and probably another 10 percent or so that he comes back as something almost as good, so the odds are the Orioles still have an elite pitching prospect on their hands. We just won't know for a while.

12. Christian Yelich, OF | Miami Marlins (age 21)
Current level: Double-A (Jacksonville)
Preseason ranking: 6

I love Yelich's swing, one of the best in the minors, but he's had trouble staying healthy this year and, more importantly for these rankings, his inability to hit left-handers isn't going away at all -- he's hitting .182 against southpaws this season.

For a hitter as gifted as he is, he should be making some adjustments, even small ones, against lefties by now.

13. Jameson Taillon, RHP | Pittsburgh Pirates (age 21)
Current level: Double-A (Altoona)
Preseason ranking: 20

Much like his fellow Pirate Gerrit Cole, Taillon throws gas that's too easy to hit given its velocity, due to a lack of life on the pitch. His season line may be a touch misleading, as his last outing (3 1/2 innings, 10 runs) added eight-tenths of a run to his ERA; he'd allowed just nine earned runs in his previous six outings combined.

14. Kyle Zimmer, RHP | Kansas City Royals (age 21)
Current level: High Class A (Wilmington)
Preseason ranking: 27

I saw Zimmer recently and wrote about the electric stuff he showed -- a 70-grade fastball, 70 curveball and 60 changeup -- and he's had better results since then, with 36 strikeouts and 3 walks in his past four starts, covering 25 innings. He should be unhittable, but wasn't for almost three months, so the Royals can only hope he's just now approaching his ace potential.

15. Kris Bryant, OF | Chicago Cubs (age 21)
Current level: Short-season Class A (Boise)
Preseason ranking: Ineligible

Signed to the biggest bonus in this year's draft (as predicted in this space), Bryant has huge raw power from the right side, a rare and valuable commodity in and of itself, and profiles as a middle-of-the-order bat whether he's at third base or in right field. He's yet to play a game as of this writing.

16. Corey Seager, SS | Los Angeles Dodgers (age 19)
Current level: Low Class A (Great Lakes)
Preseason ranking: 46

Although he's still most likely a third baseman in the end, Seager has been the best hitter in the Midwest League since his return from a DL stint in early June, hitting .342/.439/.586 in that span. He's going to be big -- at 6-4, 215 pounds, he's already bigger than every full-time shortstop in MLB history -- but that's going to produce plus power that makes him a potential All-Star.

17. Gregory Polanco, OF | Pittsburgh Pirates (age 21)
Current level: Double-A (Altoona)
Preseason ranking: 55

Polanco's BP before Sunday's Futures Game was one of the best of any hitter, showing more power than scouts had seen from him before; it counts more when it shows up during a game, but even knowing he has that raw ability is useful.

I think he's a center fielder long term, although I've heard dissenting opinions on that point; what everyone agrees on is that his swing and advanced plate discipline make him a high-probability hitter.

18. Aaron Sanchez, RHP | Toronto Blue Jays (age 20)
Current level: High Class A (Dunedin)
Preseason ranking: 19

His season's been slowed since a minor shoulder injury in late May led the Jays to shut him down rather than risking structural damage, so he's still more pure potential than results, showing very easy mid- to upper-90s velocity with the chance for two plus secondary pitches.

The lack of reps hurts him most in command, where the clean delivery has yet to translate to above-average location and feel.

19. Kevin Gausman, RHP | Baltimore Orioles (age 21)
Current level: Triple-A (Norfolk)
Preseason ranking: 26

In hindsight, Gausman came to the majors too soon, but it doesn't tell us much about his long-term potential other than that he's not ready yet. He didn't use his changeup, which is plus (if not better), enough, and his slider was a little worse than it had been in the minors and last year.

He's back at Triple-A and still projects as at least a solid No. 2 starter as long as all three pitches are there, with no reason they won't be in time.

20. Jorge Soler, OF | Chicago Cubs (age 21)
Current level: High Class A (Daytona)
Preseason ranking: 42

Soler would have been in the Futures Game and likely in Double-A were it not for a stress fracture that has him on the shelf until at least early August and possibly until instructional league, although he could pick up some needed at-bats in the Arizona Fall League.

He remains a very high-ceiling player, with a quick bat, easy power and running speed, but losing a half-season of reps doesn't help.

21. Garin Cecchini, 3B | Boston Red Sox (age 22)
Current level: Double-A (Portland)
Preseason ranking: Unranked

Cecchini has just one plus tool, but it's the most important one for a position player -- he can hit, showing an impressive, innate ability to barrel up the ball throughout 2013 now that he's regained the strength he lost after a July 2011 wrist fracture.

He hasn't been running as often this year after rolling his ankle in mid-May, but his base stealing was less about speed than about instincts, as he's become one of the best readers of pitchers' deliveries in the minors.

22. Nick Castellanos, 3B/OF | Detroit Tigers (age 21)
Current level: Triple-A (Toledo)
Preseason ranking: 38

Castellanos is now a full-time right fielder, which hurts his potential value relative to what it might have been had he stayed at third base, but he's putting together a solid season as one of the International League's youngest everyday players, working the count more effectively while already setting a career high in home runs.

He might be more above-average regular than superstar after the position switch, which still makes him very valuable and a likely trade target for sellers this month.

23. Jonathan Gray, RHP | Colorado Rockies (age 20)
Current level: Rookie (Grand Junction)
Preseason ranking: Ineligible

The third overall pick in this year's draft, Gray will touch triple digits with his fastball and complements it with a plus slider. He should be able to reach a full-season league later this summer -- a desirable move for the team, too, since the Rockies' lowest affiliate, Grand Junction, plays at more than three-quarters of a mile above sea level.

Gray is a potential No. 1 starter due to his sturdy 6-4 build and two primary pitches, and should be able to put the mini scandal over his positive amphetamine test from before the draft behind him.

24. Jackie Bradley Jr., OF | Boston Red Sox (age 20)
Current level: Triple-A (Pawtucket)
Preseason ranking: 40

Hyped way beyond the point of reason after hitting .419/.507/.613 in 62 spring training at-bats, Bradley hit .155/.258/.310 in 58 regular-season at-bats before being demoted and everyone should really remember this next March but won't because reality is boring.

Anyway, Bradley still projects as a plus-plus defender in center who hits for average and gets on base, with just a little power. He'll be an above-average everyday player who'll make a solid, cheap replacement for Jacoby Ellsbury when he likely leaves as a free agent over the winter.

25. Albert Almora, OF | Chicago Cubs (age 19)
Current level: Low Class A (Kane County)
Preseason ranking: 33

The irony of one of the game's most prominent sabermetrically-inclined front offices overseeing a farm system of guys who walk once a month deserves more attention than it's gotten so far; I wonder if Kris Bryant, who walked a ton in college this spring, will become an unrepentant hacker the moment he gets to Daytona.

Anyway, Almora doesn't walk much, but he's got great feel for the bat, making a lot of hard contact, and plays plus defense in center.

26. Robert Stephenson, RHP | Cincinnati Reds (age 20)
Current level: Low Class A (Dayton)
Preseason ranking: 48

Stephenson has torn apart Midwest League hitters with just two pitches, a plus-plus fastball and plus-plus breaking ball, and may need to move up a level just to force him to work on his changeup and to continue to refine his fastball command.

He's had no trouble with lefties thus far and has gone eight straight starts where he's walked two batters or fewer. I understand caution with a young pitcher, but Stephenson has ace potential and should be pushed a little to help him achieve it.

27. Javier Baez, SS | Chicago Cubs (age 19)
Current level: Double-A (Tennessee)
Preseason ranking: 31

The player with the best bat speed in the minors should be higher on this list, in theory, but Baez operates under the strong belief -- not entirely unfounded -- that he can hit anything within a foot of the strike zone, which results in low walk rates and a tendency to give away at-bats when he doesn't get a pitch he can crush right away.

He continues to play solid defense at shortstop, and the power is insane, but it would be nice if someone in this farm system would walk more than twice a month.

28. Eddie Butler, P | Colorado Rockies (age 20)
Current level: High Class A (Modesto)
Preseason ranking: Unranked

Butler was the one player at this year's MLB Futures Game who exceeded expectations. He's got big-time sinking life on his mid-90s fastball, thanks to a low three-quarters arm slot, and pairs it with an upper-80s slider that wipes out right-handed hitters and that he can throw at the back foot of a left-handed hitter.

His changeup has already improved substantially since he entered pro ball last year, and if that continues, he's a potential No. 2 starter or better who gets ground balls and misses bats.

29. George Springer, OF | Houston Astros (age 23)
Current level: Triple-A (Oklahoma City)
Preseason ranking: 43

Springer's a true five-tool player with big raw power and plus speed and absolutely no two-strike approach, which is the one thing keeping him out of the top 10 on this list; only a handful of players in major league history have played full seasons and struck out at the rate at which Springer has struck out in Double- and Triple-A this year.

If he develops any kind of two-strike approach, though, he's a potential monster, a 30/30 candidate who can get on base and provide solid defense in center or plus defense in a corner.

30. Kohl Stewart, RHP | Minnesota Twins (age 18)
Current level: Rookie (Gulf Coast)
Preseason ranking: Ineligible

The fourth overall pick in this year's draft, Stewart walked away from a commitment to back up Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M to join the Twins' system as their best pitching prospect, a four-pitch starter up to 97 with a plus slider who needs to work on fastball command and using his lower half more in his delivery.

31. Henry Owens, LHP | Boston Red Sox (age 20)
Current level: High Class A (Salem)
Preseason ranking: Unranked

Owens' fastball has ticked up this year to consistently above-average velocity for a lefty, to go along with the plus changeup, slow curveball and great deception. His main issue now is just a lack of strikes, giving hitters opportunities they wouldn't have if he were getting ahead in the count more frequently and could use his secondary stuff.

He's probably a No. 3 starter, maybe a little more if he's got more velocity in the tank.

32. Michael Wacha, RHP | St. Louis Cardinals (age 21)
Current level: Triple-A (Memphis)
Preseason ranking: Unranked

Wacha's brief call-up didn't tell us much about his potential, other than that he doesn't, or the Cardinals don't, believe in his breaking ball enough to use it more than five or six times a game right now. As an above-average fastball/plus-plus changeup guy with plus command, Wacha is a back-end starter already, but could end up a solid mid-rotation guy if that curveball gets just a little bit sharper.

33. Jonathan Singleton, 1B | Houston Astros (age 21)
Current level: Triple-A (Oklahoma City)
Preseason ranking: 32

Singleton missed the first 50 games of the season after he tested positive for marijuana, a pointless exercise for everyone involved, and one that may explain why he's struggled so badly in Triple-A after the long layoff -- he struck out 40 times in his first 105 at-bats. He remains a potential impact bat at first base who gets on base and hits for power, although it would be nice to at least see a better contact rate from him this year.

34. Noah Syndergaard, RHP | New York Mets (age 20)
Current level: Double-A (Binghamton)
Preseason ranking: 97

Syndergaard has an easy 70-grade fastball, sitting mid-90s and touching 98 regularly, with a great pitcher's build and repeatable delivery. His secondary stuff is just average, both the curveball and changeup, with a fringy slider that's kind of flat and doesn't suit his arm slot as well as the curve and change do.

The worst-case scenario here is probably a league-average starter between the velocity and outstanding control, with No. 2 starter upside if the breaking ball improves a little more and the fastball command continues to develop. He's become the key guy for the Mets in the R.A. Dickey deal, passing the always-hurt Travis d'Arnaud, whose talent may end up unfulfilled because he can't stay on the field.

35. Taylor Guerrieri, RHP | Tampa Bay Rays (age 20)
Current level: Low Class A (Bowling Green)
Preseason ranking: 47

Guerrieri's velocity has been off a little this year -- he was up to 97 mph last year and in high school, but has been 89-93 this season with a stiffer delivery and a recent bout of arm trouble, with shoulder fatigue taking him off the Futures Game roster and elbow soreness taking him out of his last start for Bowling Green.

He still has the potential out-pitch curveball and fills up the strike zone, but the lost velocity, hints of arm trouble and makeup questions going back to his prep days all push him down the rankings.

36. Alen Hanson, SS | Pittsburgh Pirates (age 22)
Current level: High Class A (Bradenton)
Preseason ranking: 34

Overshadowed this year by teammate Gregory Polanco, Hanson remains a work in progress at shortstop; his footwork has been less erratic this year -- he's always had the hands and foot speed for it -- while his throwing has been more so. He has great bat speed and a strong approach, and has bounced back after a rough start to the season in high Class A.

He can run, work the count and square up good stuff, so if he can hit like he did in May and June over a full season, and proves he can stay at shortstop, he's a potential above-average regular for a team that needs a long-term answer at short.

37. Kyle Crick, RHP | San Francisco Giants (age 20)
Current level: High Class A (San Jose)
Preseason ranking: 76

Crick has flown past teammate Clayton Blackburn this year; Blackburn has better command and control, but Crick has huge stuff, sitting mid-90s and touching 98 with a plus breaking ball but, as you saw in the Futures Game, less than perfect command. He missed two months this year with an oblique strain, punching out 32 and walking 10 across four starts since his return.

38. Alex Meyer, RHP | Minnesota Twins (age 23)
Current level: Double-A (New Britain)
Preseason ranking: 65

Meyer continues to generate ground balls and miss bats, so while it's not a perfect starter's package, as long as he does the two most important things a starter can do, he should get the chance to work in a major league rotation.

His fastball remains 94-95, up to 97, with heavy sink, and his slider is a bona fide out pitch against right-handed batters. His command will never be great, the hazard of being 6-9 and trying to keep those long limbs in check, and his changeup is a work in progress at best. If that changeup comes along, even without good command he's at least a good No. 3 starter, with a chance to be a legitimate No. 2.

39. Jake Marisnick, OF | Miami Marlins (age 22)
Current level: Double-A (Jacksonville)
Preseason ranking: 82

Marisnick should be the Marlins' long-term answer in center field, if by "long-term" we mean until his first year of arbitration, after which he'll be far too expensive for Jeff Loria's parsimonious tastes.

He (Marisnick, that is) is a four-tool guy who can run and plays a great center field, with emerging power, still needing work on that fifth tool, the ability to hit, part of which is tied up in mediocre recognition of breaking stuff.

Even if he never improves, he's a big league regular because of his glove, raw power and speed, but he has star potential if he can tighten up his plate discipline.

40. Raul Mondesi Jr., SS | Kansas City Royals (age 17)
Current level: Low Class A (Lexington)
Preseason ranking: Unranked

Formerly known as Adalberto Mondesi, the Sally League's youngest everyday player (he'll turn 18 on July 27) has held his own against much older competition, boosting his season line with a brief .349/.440/.512 run over his past four series, all while showing tremendous instincts at shortstop.

At worst, he might turn into Elvis Andrus, a fine hitter for a shortstop whose value comes more from defense and position, but Mondesi's feel for the game and hand strength should lead to better results at the plate, including more pop.

41. Eddie Rosario, 2B | Minnesota Twins (age 21)
Current level: Double-A (New Britain)
Preseason ranking: 65

Rosario doesn't have the star power of the other Twins prospects on this list, but he does have a long track record of hitting for average, with doubles power and adequate walk rates, to go along with gradually improving defense at his new position of second base.

The former center fielder may never be above average at second, but his bat will be. Rosario's ceiling is a .290-.310 hitter with 30-35 doubles, 10 homers and 50-60 walks a year, which would make him one of the best at that position in the game.

42. Jesse Biddle, LHP | Philadelphia Phillies (age 21)
Current level: Double-A (Reading)
Preseason ranking: 95

Biddle has slowed down some after a hot start that saw him punch out 26 guys over his last two starts in April, but the swing-and-miss potential of his low-70s breaking ball is real, as long as he can command the fastball well enough to get to curveball counts.

He'll need to continue to improve the changeup and there's always some hope that a pitcher of his size (6-4, 225 pounds) will find one more half-grade of velocity before he's done filling out; if not, he's probably a solid league-average or slightly better starter for a long time who has added value in trade because he's left-handed.

43. Luc Giolito, RHP | Washington Nationals (age 19)
Current level: Rookie (Gulf Coast)
Preseason ranking: 77

Giolito is just back from Tommy John surgery, less than 12 months after going under the knife, and has regained his velocity, sitting 95-98 mph in short outings in the Gulf Coast League as the Nats build him back up.

The curveball should be next, and command last; as those return, which they should given how well his recovery has gone, he'll continue to move up these rankings, and could easily finish the year in the top 20 because of his No. 1 starter ceiling.

44. Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP | Baltimore Orioles (age 20)
Current level: Double-A (Bowie)
Preseason ranking: 100

After an aggressive promotion to Double-A, Rodriguez appears to be the next starting pitcher in line for a rotation spot in Baltimore after Kevin Gausman, and with the chance for three above-average pitches could be a pretty good one in his own right.

Rodriguez will sit 92-94 with a hard upper-80s changeup that gets swings and misses more from tailing action than from deception, and his breaking ball has a chance to be at least a solid grade 55. He'll pitch the whole year at 20 and shouldn't see the majors until this time next year at the earliest.

45. Austin Hedges, C | San Diego Padres (age 20)
Current level: High Class A (Lake Elsinore)
Preseason ranking: 38

There's little elite catching in the minors right now, in case you hadn't noticed, with Hedges the leading catching prospect in the minors by default. He's a plus-plus defender in all aspects of the game, and has surprising raw power that doesn't play in games yet because he's still on the raw side as a hitter.

Even if he ends up just a .250/.310/.430 guy, with his defense that's a potential All-Star, and if you believe catchers do develop later as hitters you can easily dream on him to become something more.

46. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP | Houston Astros (age 21)
Current level: Double-A (Corpus Christi)
Preseason ranking: Unranked

Foltynewicz has been hitting triple digits as a starter this year and sitting in the 95-98 range, missing bats and even getting some ground balls since the Astros wisely shipped him out of the hitters' paradise of Lancaster and sent him to Corpus Christi.

His secondary stuff isn't as advanced, with the changeup the most promising of his off-speed weapons, and his feel for pitching and command are both far above what they were when the Astros drafted him in 2010. There's some sentiment among scouts that he might end up a closer, due to the lack of a plus second pitch and the command, which still has a ways to go, but in a starter's role he might have a No. 2 ceiling.

47. Andrew Heaney, LHP | Miami Marlins (age 22)
Current level: High Class A (Jupiter)
Preseason ranking: Unranked

Heaney should be in the Southern League by now -- and he should have been in the Futures Game -- as a major-college product dominating high Class A in his first full pro season. He works with two plus pitches in his fastball and slider, and has actually been even more effective against right-handed hitters this year (sample-size caveats apply).

He's on the slight side for a starter -- 6-2, 190 pounds -- and probably isn't a 210-220 inning guy, but as a potentially strong No. 3 starter from the left side he's jumped up into the top tier of prospects this year.

48. Max Fried, LHP | San Diego Padres (age 19)
Current level: Low Class A (Ft. Wayne)
Preseason ranking: 51

Fried, the Padres' first pick in the 2012 draft, is still mostly potential at this point, with a solid performance for low Class A Fort Wayne but not the kind to push him up the rankings yet. He's an outstanding athlete who repeats his delivery well, throwing in the low 90s with a sharp curveball and feel for a changeup, but needs to work on his command and feel for pitching, typical stuff for a 19-year-old in his first full pro season.

49. Gary Sanchez, C | New York Yankees (age 20)
Current level: High Class A (Tampa)
Preseason ranking: 18

What a dismal year for the Yankees' top prospects; Tyler Austin has struggled and is now out with a wrist injury, Mason Williams has been worse and Slade Heathcott has underperformed, while Ty Hensley has been out after hip surgery.

Sanchez is the best of the group but his stock has taken a hit as his receiving, much improved last year, has regressed, while his explosive hands and raw power haven't produced offensive results yet, either. He's a stretch to make the top 50 at this point, but I still see too much potential here, mostly on offense, to walk away from him entirely.

50. Lucas Sims, RHP | Atlanta Braves (age 19)
Current level: Low Class A (Rome)
Preseason ranking: Unranked

Sims has blown up since Atlanta moved him into the rotation after a stint in the pen to limit his innings for the year, now sitting 91-96 with a plus curveball and much-improved changeup.

His walk rate dropped by nearly half when he returned to starting, and other than the lack of life on his fastball he doesn't have any major concerns besides the usual command/control questions on any teenaged starter. He's starting to look at least like a potential No. 3 starter, and is now the team's best starting pitching prospect on the farm.

Honorable mentions/just missed/names to make you feel better: Julio Urias, LHP (Dodgers); Yordano Ventura, RHP (Royals); Miguel Almonte, RHP (Royals); David Dahl, OF (Rockies); Lance McCullers Jr., RHP (Astros); Zach Lee, RHP (Dodgers); Arismendy Alcantara, SS (Cubs); Blake Swihart, C (Red Sox)

HacheMan · Jul 23, 2013

Ryan Braun out for 2013 but will be back

By Eric Karabell | ESPN.com

Goodbye, Ryan Braun. Hello, Logan Schafer and Caleb Gindl. Not quite the same for fantasy owners, is it?Late on Monday afternoon the stunning news broke that Braun, the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder that had repeatedly fought for his innocence when it came to testing positive for violating MLB’s drug policy in the past and with his involvement in the current Biogenesis situation, essentially gave up. While not fully admitting guilt, he has agreed to serve a season-ending suspension. Braun will miss the rest of the 2013 season, likely in a deal to avoid a longer suspension in 2014, according to the report.

Braun does this with his team in last place and while battling a thumb injury, with the stakes obviously lower than had it happened in March and while healthy. Frankly, the whole thing stinks, but the bottom line is, it’s over. He’s done. Yes, I would drop him in fantasy now because this seems irreversible since it came with his consent. The No. 2 pick in ESPN average live drafts this season, one spot ahead of Mike Trout and two ahead of Robinson Cano, finishes with nine home runs, 38 RBIs, four stolen bases and a .298 batting average. Entering Monday night’s games, Braun was tied with Brandon Belt in the No. 182 slot on ESPN’s Player Rater, and outside the top 50 outfielders. Not exactly what we paid for, eh?
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But would you have felt better had Braun’s thumb injury, which resulted in a recent disabled list stint, necessitated season-ending surgery? It really doesn’t matter. Braun and the team admitted the injury was not improving, but still, him not fighting inevitable suspension is disappointing. The bottom line is fantasy owners need to move on and in NL-only leagues or really deep mixed ones, well, you might not be too pleased with the replacements.

As for Braun's value, put aside your anger and focus on 2014. Yeah, I’m angry, too. I paid $40 for Braun in LABR-NL, the first time I had broken my own personal rule about spending big auction dollars on any one player. I generally don’t spend more than $30 on anyone in an auction. For some reason, I thought he was safe. That was 15 percent of my budget. I activated New York Mets outfielder Andrew Brown for Braun an hour before Monday’s game time, and not with a smile. In our 19-team office league, which I now will not be winning, I can’t even replace Braun until next week, since this is a 10-day period, but I doubt using Justin Maxwell or Chris Denorfia even then will really suffice. Guess I picked the wrong season to finally acquire Ryan Braun. But in my keeper league, I remain optimistic and won’t be dumping him, on principle, for Joe Blanton.

I do have relative confidence that this remains one of the top 10 players in fantasy baseball for 2014 and beyond. Say what you will about the effects of banned susbstances on a player's body and on his performance, the fact is we just don’t have enough evidence. What are we supposed to make from this, that Braun had broken the rules his entire career? He’s been a fantasy monster since the beginning in 2007. He went 30/30 twice. He’s a career .312 hitter. I don’t buy that Braun is going to be terrible in 2014, like Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera has been in 2013. Each player is different, and we should treat them as such.

As of now, I’d say Braun is at the back end of my overall top 10 for 2014, certainly after the top players like Miguel Cabrera, Trout and Cano, but probably ahead of many of the top first basemen that play fantasy’s deepest offensive spot and generally do not steal bases, like Prince Fielder and Joey Votto. There won’t be any pitchers in my top 10, either. Sorry, but Braun makes my top 10 and I would not downgrade him one bit for longer-length dynasty formats. This is a 2013 thing only. If you refuse to ever draft Braun or bid on him again, so be it, but I still want to win my leagues. He can help, and remember the last time everyone thought Braun’s statistics would fall off ... he went 30/30 and certainly could have won the MVP award again. He had a better 2012 than 2011. So yes, I’m keeping him owned in a dynasty or keeper format. He’s still going to be really good, I believe, and one would think mighty motivated.

As for potential replacements, let’s treat this as an injury situation. It happens. Logan Schafer is the likely choice for the Brewers in left field. He can steal bases, but isn’t a high on-base option and possesses little power upside, though he has homered twice in the past fortnight. He’s also older than Caleb Gindl, who really isn’t a top prospect himself, having repeated Triple-A Nashville for a few seasons. Gindl hit the game-winning home run to mercifully end Sunday’s scoreless mess against the Miami Marlins, but was filling in for injured Norichika Aoki. Gindl was hitting .294 in the minors with 10 home runs in 76 games, but only one stolen base. Then again, who knows what the Brewers actually do in left field. After all, this is the organization that has used Yuniesky Betancourt, Juan Francisco and Alex Gonzalez at first base all season instead of promoting prospect Hunter Morris, with Corey Hart out for the year. Morris can play, but hasn’t received opportunity. Avoid Schafer and Gindl unless it’s a buck or two in an NL-only format. It’s also possible this last-place team doesn’t rush third baseman Aramis Ramirez back from injury, or like Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz in 2012, Ramirez’s injury might be healed but he sits out anyway, just because he can.

The top outfield-eligible players available in more than half of ESPN’s standard leagues that I would consider reasonable pickups for power, and taking batting average into account, would be, in order, Carlos Quentin, Garrett Jones, Dayan Viciedo, Kelly Johnson, Darin Ruf, Brandon Moss, Josh Reddick, Chris Carter, Logan Morrison, Matt Joyce, Delmon Young and Michael Saunders. Quentin’s issue is generally health and Zack Greinke fastballs, and that’s about it. Viciedo is readily available, and he hit 25 home runs in 2012. Ruf will play regularly for Philadelphia, and he’s looked pretty good at the plate. Morrison is a Marlin, but they are at Coors Field for four games this week. Hopefully the team will find a way to score an actual run.

If you need stolen bases, Lorenzo Cain, Adam Eaton, Denard Span, Jose Tabata, Jarrod Dyson, David Lough, Will Venable, Drew Stubbs, Gregor Blanco and soon when he’s healthy, Peter Bourjos, are options. Cain has not hit for the power I expected, but he does run. Eaton should be the best fantasy option here, but he just got healthy enough to play and it’s been a slow start for him after the elbow injury. I rarely believe in Tabata. And really, Schafer would slot in right around Span and Tabata for me; I could see him hitting .270 the rest of the way with maybe 10 steals. It’s not Ryan Braun, but it’s the best you can do at this point.

HacheMan · Jul 23, 2013

Which closers are safe, and unsafe?

By AJ Mass | ESPN.com

Every July it happens. The lure of the beach and chicken parmesan sandwiches beckons, and my colleague Tristan H. Cockcroft is unable to resist taking a well-earned week off before trade-deadline moves change the baseball landscape to the point where one cannot afford to look away. Once again, I have been asked to fill the huge void left by his absence, and I'll try my best not to blow this save situation.

Speaking of saves, when it comes to trying to figure out which pitcher is going to get the call when victory hangs in the balance, most managers want this decision to be made on autopilot. Managers hate uncertainty. They want to pick up the bullpen phone and have there be no question as to which pitcher they want to close out a win.

As long as the skipper feels "his guy" is doing a good job, the closer keeps his job, even if everyone in the stadium begins to feel sick to their stomach the moment the first notes of a less-than-dominant closer's entrance music emerges from the loudspeakers. But unless the manager actually decides to field questions from reporters about whether or not a change is coming and then answers them honestly, trying to guess what's going on inside his head is virtually impossible.

We can make educated guesses by what we see in the highlights and read in the box scores, but at the end of the day, no matter how many batters seem to reach base on Chris Perez, if Tribe manager Terry Francona decides he'd rather continue to use Vinnie Pestano in a setup role, then there's absolutely nothing Pestano's owners can do but shake their heads in disbelief.

By way of trying to play the role of mind reader, I've found over the years that there is a statistic that can give the fantasy owner some insight into which managers might actually be pondering a changing of the guard at the back end of their bullpen. I call it FBA, which stands for first batter average. It's the combined batting averages of the first hitters a reliever has faced upon entering a game. After all, the quickest way for the boo birds in the stands to gain momentum and for the manager to start to question the status quo is to see his closer consistently struggle out of the gate.

FBA might well be a window into this thought process and a forecaster of change. Is it based on a small sample size? Of course it is. But closers are all about small sample sizes. In most cases, they have no room for error, and often just one bad pitch is all it takes for a lead to vanish into thin air.

FBA foreshadowed the demise of Jonathan Broxton as the Los Angeles Dodgers' closer in 2010 and predicted the rise of then-future closers Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen in 2011. Last year, it correctly suggested that John Axford, and not Francisco Rodriguez, would be the last man standing in Milwaukee's pen. So what does it say about the rest of 2013? Let's take a look at the current slate of closers around the league and see if there are any unexpected collapses on the horizon, and if so, who might be affected.

[h=3]Group 1: Security blankets[/h]
We're just one pitcher shy of a full dozen names that reside in this safety zone, which consists of pitchers who have an FBA under. 200, and as such, should be able to maintain a solid grasp on their respective closer jobs for the remainder of the season, even if there might be a few bumps along the way.

Craig Kimbrel and Edward Mujica are on this list. It would take a collapse of monumental proportions for any of their managers to move away from relying on these stalwarts anytime soon. And with Huston Street, whose name always seems to come up in trade talks at this time of the year, signed through 2014, while there's always a chance of a deal, we're skeptical San Diego will make a move.</P.IT'S></P>
In the case of Jonathan Papelbon, his solid FBA might be part of the reason that even though he had a rough stretch at the end of June, during which he blew four out of five save chances over an eight-day period, his manager Charlie Manuel has no problem standing firm. It doesn't mean, however, that he won't turn to Antonio Bastardo for a short stint, should Papelbon have a relapse. Anything is possible.

Clearly a reliever can build a lot of confidence with his manager. Instead of panic, a solid FBA can cause a manager like Manuel to say things like, "You go through times when you're going to give up some runs and things like that. That's all part of the run. Papelbon, to me, is one of the premier closers in our league, if not the best."

Pitcher	Team	SV	BS	FBA
Casey Janssen	TOR	18	1	.059
Jose Veras	HOU	18	3	.143
Greg Holland	KC	24	2	.143
Edward Mujica	STL	28	2	.143
Chris Perez	CLE	13	2	.148
Jonathan Papelbon	PHI	20	5	.171
Aroldis Chapman	CIN	23	3	.175
Joe Nathan	TEX	31	1	.179
Craig Kimbrel	ATL	28	3	.188
Huston Street	SD	17	1	.188
Steve Cishek	MIA	18	2	.190

[h=3]Group 2: Only as good as today[/h]
This next group of pitchers each has an FBA in the "neutral zone" between .200 and .250. In this range, and with lurking competition, their jobs are only going to be as safe as their team's win-loss record.

In the past, potential trades have typically come from this neck of the woods, since there are always trusted (though clearly at varying levels) alternatives to be found on the staffs of the teams with closers in this grouping. With that additional wild-card spot keeping more teams in the running as July 31 approaches, though, only the Twins, White Sox and a post-Braun Brewers squad, of the teams below, can legitimately be considered the "sellers" in this group.

Still, the fact these teams all have playoff aspirations only heightens the pressure on their managers to "win today." It might take only a few consecutive poor outings for someone such as Fernando Rodney or Kenley Jansen to be given, at the very least, a temporary "vacation" from the job.

Obviously, a special case exists in New York, where Mariano Rivera's career is unlikely to come to a close without him getting every possible chance to tip his cap in each and every stadium the Yankees play in the rest of the way. But if the team needs him to throw several days in a row come September, we're not 100 percent sure the team won't call on David Robertson to help ease the burden on its ancient warrior.

Closer	Team	SV	BS	FBA	Potential Closer	FBA
Glen Perkins	MIN	24	2	.200	Casey Fien	.136
Fernando Rodney	TB	24	5	.200	Joel Peralta	.140
Addison Reed	CHW	25	4	.205	Nate Jones	.114
Kenley Jansen	LAD	11	3	.220	Paco Rodriguez	.200
Sergio Romo	SF	23	3	.231	Javier Lopez	.194
Francisco Rodriguez	MIL	10	0	.240	Jim Henderson	.194
Mariano Rivera	NYY	31	2	.243	David Robertson	.158

[h=3]Group 3: Only game in town[/h]
This next quartet also rests in the FBA neutral zone, but the next-in-line candidates have not done much to make a lasting impression. We're tempted to call this the "Carlos Marmol zone." In fact, had the Chicago Cubs not already sent him and his .333 FBA packing, this is where he'd certainly be yet again.

Kevin Gregg is still with the Cubs, and could well be headed elsewhere as the team continues to clean house. But there's not really a definite replacement should the team pull the trigger. Similarly, though Washington and the New York Mets have seen their share of leads go by the wayside as a result of the late-inning foibles of their closers, it's not like anybody worthwhile is pounding on the door waiting to be given a chance.

It certainly still matters a lot who closes out things in Boston, and it appears Koji Uehara will be forced to figure things out on the fly, as Andrew Bailey is not going to be riding in to save the day, and the alternatives, such as Junichi Tazawa, certainly don't seem all that appealing. Perhaps the Red Sox may be looking to pull the trigger on a deal? If so, Gregg could indeed be an upgrade, in my eyes.

Closer	Team	SV	BS	FBA	Potential Closer	FBA
Kevin Gregg	CHC	19	2	.222	James Russell	.250
Rafael Soriano	WSH	25	4	.225	Drew Storen	.262
Bobby Parnell	NYM	18	4	.238	LaTroy Hawkins	.324
Koji Uehara	BOS	9	3	.239	Junichi Tazawa	.359

[h=3]Group 4: In flux[/h]
This group is comprised of the jobs that are up in the air due to injuries or a manager simply being unable to make up his mind on just one arm to rule them all. Yes, those dreaded "closer-by-committee" situations drive all fantasy owners crazy. We don't know the full extent of Jason Grilli's injury. Obviously, without fear of a lengthy absence, he'd easily be in Group 1. But if you were wondering why Mark Melancon is the recommended replacement for Clint Hurdle, his FBA could be a reason he instills so much confidence.

In Seattle, Tom Wilhelmsen was the closer, then was yanked for a bit, then was given the job back again by manager Eric Wedge. With three saves in four days, the worst appears to be behind him. But once a manager shows that he's unafraid to ditch "his guy," we can't help wonder if it might happen again. Then again, after looking at the FBA of the other Mariners relievers with saves on the season, our sour stomach settles a lot.

Clearly Heath Bell is not the answer in Arizona, but you can see why Brad Ziegler has been in the mix at the back end of games for Kirk Gibson and the Diamondbacks. But you also shouldn't be surprised if J.J. Putz weasels his way back into the thick of things.

Finally, in Detroit, where Jose Valverde went bankrupt in his attempt to keep the closer job -- his .278 FBA certainly didn't help matters any -- Joaquin Benoit has done well to hold down the fort. However, he's not exactly in the comfort zone, and there are multiple other options at Jim Leyland's disposal should Benoit start to show signs of slippage. But a strong finish to July would certainly end the discussion.

Team	Plan A	FBA	Plan B	FBA	Plan C	FBA
Pirates	Jason Grilli	.071	Mark Melancon	.178	Tony Watson	.205
Mariners	Tom Wilhelmsen	.158	Oliver Perez	.314	Yoervis Medina	.226
Diamondbacks	Brad Ziegler	.167	J.J. Putz	.158	Heath Bell	.342
Tigers	Joaquin Benoit	.216	Drew Smyly	.158	Bruce Rondon	.154

[h=3]Group 5: Danger, Will Robinson![/h]
If there's going to be an "unexpected" changing of the guard, this is where you need to look. Yes, in terms of getting saves, the guys below may be getting the job done, but psychologically speaking, there are red flags to be found.

Grant Balfour has indeed been perfect in save situations this season, and in fact, he's working on a team-record streak of 44 consecutive chances converted. But he has given up four home runs this season, and his strand rate is an obscenely high 95.9 percent. Smoke and mirrors? Not entirely, but if the bottom falls out of this hot air balloon, the fall may well be precipitous.

Even while going 6-for-6 in save chances since July 7, Jim Johnson has allowed an OBP of .318 over that short span. He has blown six save chances already this season, and overall he has been on the hook for seven Baltimore Orioles losses this season. Every time Buck Showalter is grilled about the fate of Johnson and whether or not a change is imminent, the manager deflects the question, talking about how the offense needs to score more runs. To us, the unspoken words that follow sound a lot like "so that I don't have to bring Johnson in and watch him blow another one."

Due to a lack of competition, it doesn't seem like Ernesto Frieri has much to worry about at the moment. Truth be told, the fact in 15 of his past 16 outings he has faced either the minimum number of hitters or just one above minimum required to retire the side certainly points to increasing confidence from his manager. It's not like the torches are waving like they were in late May.

And lastly, even though the move to Rex Brothers in Colorado was the result of Rafael Betancourt being put on the disabled list due to needing to have his appendix removed, we're not so sure he would have been able to hold on to the job in the long term had the medical emergency not arisen. Rockies manager Walt Weiss might well give the job back to Betancourt when he returns, but if Brothers saves enough games over the next two weeks, that may not be a lock to happen.

Closer	Team	SV	BS	FBA	Potential Closer	FBA
Ernesto Frieri	LAA	24	2	.257	Scott Downs	.297
Jim Johnson	BAL	35	6	.277	Tommy Hunter	.167
Grant Balfour	OAK	26	0	.289	Ryan Cook	.146
Rafael Betancourt	COL	15	1	.320	Rex Brothers	.250

Certainly, FBA is not an absolute measure of job security, but in the past it has served us well to help identify pitchers who may be causing their managers to reach for the bottle of antacids, even when they do manage to keep the floodgates from opening.

If you're looking for where the next source of untapped saves are likely to come from, both for the rest of 2013 and beyond, look no further than the vultures circling above the walking dead in Group 5.

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[h=4]TOP 150 PITCHERS[/h]Note: The top 150 pitchers are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward, not for statistics that have already been accrued. For position-specific rankings, see the "Pos Rnk" column; these rankings can also be seen split up by position.

<CENTER>Rnk </CENTER>	Player, Team	<CENTER>Pos Rnk </CENTER>	<CENTER>Prev Rnk </CENTER>	Player	<CENTER>Pos Rnk </CENTER>	<CENTER>Prev Rnk </CENTER>
1	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28963/clayton-kershaw')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28963" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Clayton Kershaw, LAD	SP1	1	76	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29134/chris-perez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29134" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Chris Perez, Cle	RP22	65
2	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5403/adam-wainwright')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5403" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Adam Wainwright, StL	SP2	2	77	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28705/tim-lincecum')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28705" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Tim Lincecum, SF	SP55	91
3	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6194/felix-hernandez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6194" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Felix Hernandez, Sea	SP3	3	78	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31068/jeff-locke')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31068" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jeff Locke, Pit	SP56	93
4	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5353/cliff-lee')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5353" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Cliff Lee, Phi	SP4	7	79	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5203/john-lackey')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5203" instance="_ppc" tab="null">John Lackey, Bos	SP57	64
5	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32055/yu-darvish')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="32055" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Yu Darvish, Tex	SP5	5	80	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4084/tim-hudson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4084" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Tim Hudson, Atl	SP58	101
6	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28976/max-scherzer')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28976" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Max Scherzer, Det	SP6	4	81	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31517/tom-wilhelmsen')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31517" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Tom Wilhelmsen, Sea	RP23	115
7	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31214/matt-harvey')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31214" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Matt Harvey, NYM	SP7	12	82	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31706/tommy-milone')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31706" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Tommy Milone, Oak	SP59	81
8	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29949/madison-bumgarner')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29949" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Madison Bumgarner, SF	SP8	8	83	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6435/josh-johnson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6435" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Josh Johnson, Tor	SP60	68
9	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30373/stephen-strasburg')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30373" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Stephen Strasburg, Wsh	SP9	9	84	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6175/huston-street')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6175" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Huston Street, SD	RP24	86
10	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6341/justin-verlander')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6341" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Justin Verlander, Det	SP10	6	85	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29446/mark-melancon')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29446" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Mark Melancon, Pit	RP25	118
11	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30209/jordan-zimmermann')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30209" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jordan Zimmermann, Wsh	SP11	14	86	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6398/paul-maholm')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6398" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Paul Maholm, Atl	SP61	92
12	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30948/chris-sale')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30948" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Chris Sale, CWS	SP12	15	87	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28650/yovani-gallardo')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28650" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Yovani Gallardo, Mil	SP62	102
13	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30653/craig-kimbrel')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30653" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Craig Kimbrel, Atl	RP1	13	88	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30465/mike-leake')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30465" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Mike Leake, Cin	SP63	85
14	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28958/david-price')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28958" instance="_ppc" tab="null">David Price, TB	SP13	10	89	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4588/joaquin-benoit')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4588" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Joaquin Benoit, Det	RP26	77
15	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30442/aroldis-chapman')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30442" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Aroldis Chapman, Cin	RP2	17	90	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30962/brandon-beachy')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30962" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Brandon Beachy, Atl	SP64	87
16	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28962/gio-gonzalez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28962" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Gio Gonzalez, Wsh	SP14	11	91	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28498/jose-veras')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28498" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jose Veras, Hou	RP27	98
17	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30196/mat-latos')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30196" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Mat Latos, Cin	SP15	23	92	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4789/kyle-lohse')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4789" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Kyle Lohse, Mil	SP65	72
18	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6216/cole-hamels')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6216" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Cole Hamels, Phi	SP16	22	93	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6491/ricky-nolasco')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6491" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Ricky Nolasco, LAD	SP66	79
19	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28474/james-shields')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28474" instance="_ppc" tab="null">James Shields, KC	SP17	30	94	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5641/kevin-gregg')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5641" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Kevin Gregg, ChC	RP28	80
20	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/3240/mariano-rivera')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="3240" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Mariano Rivera, NYY	RP3	19	95	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32135/tony-cingrani')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="32135" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Tony Cingrani, Cin	SP67	99
21	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30965/hisashi-iwakuma')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30965" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Hisashi Iwakuma, Sea	SP18	39	96	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30134/andrew-cashner')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30134" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Andrew Cashner, SD	SP68	106
22	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31099/matt-moore')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31099" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Matt Moore, TB	SP19	26	97	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/3845/ryan-dempster')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="3845" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Ryan Dempster, Bos	SP69	104
23	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5883/zack-greinke')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5883" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Zack Greinke, LAD	SP20	16	98	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32563/dan-straily')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="32563" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Dan Straily, Oak	SP70	108
24	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28950/hiroki-kuroda')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28950" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Hiroki Kuroda, NYY	SP21	25	99	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30285/chris-tillman')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30285" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Chris Tillman, Bal	SP71	73
25	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6479/jered-weaver')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6479" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jered Weaver, LAA	SP22	21	100	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30549/alexi-ogando')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30549" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Alexi Ogando, Tex	SP72	145
26	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4044/joe-nathan')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4044" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Joe Nathan, Tex	RP4	33	101	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28591/eric-stults')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28591" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Eric Stults, SD	SP73	109
27	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4553/cc-sabathia')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4553" instance="_ppc" tab="null">CC Sabathia, NYY	SP23	20	102	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30981/corey-kluber')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30981" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Corey Kluber, Cle	SP74	89
28	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29630/kenley-jansen')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29630" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Kenley Jansen, LAD	RP5	18	103	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30147/jhoulys-chacin')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30147" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jhoulys Chacin, Col	SP75	97
29	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29168/sergio-romo')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29168" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Sergio Romo, SF	RP6	53	104	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31083/rex-brothers')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31083" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Rex Brothers, Col	RP29	125
30	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30624/mike-minor')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30624" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Mike Minor, Atl	SP24	27	105	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5357/francisco-rodriguez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5357" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Francisco Rodriguez, Mil	RP30	100
31	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6373/jonathan-papelbon')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6373" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jonathan Papelbon, Phi	RP7	41	106	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5906/jorge-de-la-rosa')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5906" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jorge De La Rosa, Col	SP76	95
32	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6472/anibal-sanchez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6472" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Anibal Sanchez, Det	SP25	44	107	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31094/wade-miley')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31094" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Wade Miley, Ari	SP77	88
33	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6202/matt-cain')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6202" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Matt Cain, SF	SP26	40	108	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32081/gerrit-cole')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="32081" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Gerrit Cole, Pit	SP78	90
34	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28668/homer-bailey')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28668" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Homer Bailey, Cin	SP27	24	109	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28864/ian-kennedy')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28864" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Ian Kennedy, Ari	SP79	129
35	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28501/edward-mujica')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28501" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Edward Mujica, StL	RP8	46	110	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31267/zack-wheeler')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31267" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Zack Wheeler, NYM	SP80	94
36	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4600/rafael-soriano')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4600" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Rafael Soriano, Wsh	RP9	32	111	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6384/scott-feldman')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6384" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Scott Feldman, Bal	SP81	135
37	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30738/shelby-miller')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30738" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Shelby Miller, StL	SP28	42	112	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30870/jeremy-hefner')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30870" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jeremy Hefner, NYM	SP82	105
38	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30945/greg-holland')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30945" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Greg Holland, KC	RP10	31	113	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6286/wandy-rodriguez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6286" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Wandy Rodriguez, Pit	SP83	124
39	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29166/jeff-samardzija')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29166" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jeff Samardzija, ChC	SP29	34	114	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//steve-delabar')">Steve Delabar, Tor	RP31	NR
40	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28855/clay-buchholz')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28855" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Clay Buchholz, Bos	SP30	37	115	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//brad-ziegler')">Brad Ziegler, Ari	SP84	NR
41	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31313/patrick-corbin')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31313" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Patrick Corbin, Ari	SP31	35	116	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30378/john-axford')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30378" instance="_ppc" tab="null">John Axford, Mil	RP32	111
42	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30820/lance-lynn')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30820" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Lance Lynn, StL	SP32	38	117	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30526/jacob-turner')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30526" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jacob Turner, Mia	SP85	107
43	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31493/addison-reed')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31493" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Addison Reed, CWS	RP11	51	118	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//bronson-arroyo')">Bronson Arroyo, Cin	SP86	NR
44	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6482/glen-perkins')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6482" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Glen Perkins, Min	RP12	43	119	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29966/rick-porcello')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29966" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Rick Porcello, Det	SP87	103
45	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5111/fernando-rodney')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5111" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Fernando Rodney, TB	RP13	36	120	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//jose-quintana')">Jose Quintana, CWS	SP88	NR
46	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30370/doug-fister')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30370" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Doug Fister, Det	SP33	58	121	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29310/miguel-gonzalez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29310" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Miguel Gonzalez, Bal	SP89	110
47	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5019/jake-peavy')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5019" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jake Peavy, CWS	SP34	69	122	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/3985/rafael-betancourt')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="3985" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Rafael Betancourt, Col	RP33	83
48	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4153/a.j.-burnett')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4153" instance="_ppc" tab="null">A.J. Burnett, Pit	SP35	57	123	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//chris-archer')">Chris Archer, TB	SP90	NR
49	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6526/casey-janssen')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6526" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Casey Janssen, Tor	RP14	59	124	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28804/kyle-kendrick')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28804" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Kyle Kendrick, Phi	SP91	131
50	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30515/travis-wood')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30515" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Travis Wood, ChC	SP36	78	125	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30400/ivan-nova')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30400" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Ivan Nova, NYY	SP92	122
51	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28531/jim-johnson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28531" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jim Johnson, Bal	RP15	45	126	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31816/drew-smyly')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31816" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Drew Smyly, Det	RP34	112
52	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30148/derek-holland')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30148" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Derek Holland, Tex	SP37	61	127	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30066/felix-doubront')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30066" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Felix Doubront, Bos	SP93	113
53	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29227/bobby-parnell')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29227" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Bobby Parnell, NYM	RP16	49	128	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//wei-yin-chen')">Wei-Yin Chen, Bal	SP94	NR
54	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32582/hyun-jin-ryu')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="32582" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Hyun-Jin Ryu, LAD	SP38	60	129	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28694/tyler-clippard')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28694" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Tyler Clippard, Wsh	RP35	136
55	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28977/justin-masterson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28977" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Justin Masterson, Cle	SP39	76	130	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6191/brandon-mccarthy')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6191" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Brandon McCarthy, Ari	SP95	139
56	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28528/matt-garza')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28528" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Matt Garza, Tex	SP40	29	131	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30964/vinnie-pestano')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30964" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Vinnie Pestano, Cle	RP36	140
57	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4695/r.a.-dickey')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4695" instance="_ppc" tab="null">R.A. Dickey, Tor	SP41	55	132	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30058/david-hernandez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30058" instance="_ppc" tab="null">David Hernandez, Ari	RP37	142
58	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4811/grant-balfour')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4811" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Grant Balfour, Oak	RP17	54	133	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30041/brett-anderson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30041" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Brett Anderson, Oak	SP96	144
59	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6280/ervin-santana')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6280" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Ervin Santana, KC	SP42	70	134	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28734/brandon-morrow')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28734" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Brandon Morrow, Tor	SP97	146
60	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6311/c.j.-wilson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6311" instance="_ppc" tab="null">C.J. Wilson, LAA	SP43	47	135	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31221/tyler-skaggs')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31221" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Tyler Skaggs, Ari	SP98	149
61	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4350/jason-grilli')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="4350" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jason Grilli, Pit	RP18	28	136	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31983/erasmo-ramirez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31983" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Erasmo Ramirez, Sea	SP99	150
62	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30264/kris-medlen')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30264" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Kris Medlen, Atl	SP44	74	137	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31169/jim-henderson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31169" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jim Henderson, Mil	RP38	123
63	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/3602/bartolo-colon')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="3602" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Bartolo Colon, Oak	SP45	67	138	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5842/edwin-jackson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="5842" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Edwin Jackson, ChC	SP100	127
64	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32567/jose-fernandez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="32567" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jose Fernandez, Mia	SP46	50	139	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30139/dillon-gee')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30139" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Dillon Gee, NYM	SP101	130
65	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30506/jeremy-hellickson')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30506" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jeremy Hellickson, TB	SP47	66	140	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//donovan-hand')">Donovan Hand, Mil	SP102	NR
66	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28955/johnny-cueto')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28955" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Johnny Cueto, Cin	SP48	96	141	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30369/bud-norris')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30369" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Bud Norris, Hou	SP103	114
67	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28487/jon-lester')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28487" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jon Lester, Bos	SP49	63	142	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31945/trevor-rosenthal')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31945" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Trevor Rosenthal, StL	RP39	117
68	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30963/steve-cishek')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30963" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Steve Cishek, Mia	RP19	71	143	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6352/jason-vargas')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6352" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jason Vargas, LAA	SP104	121
69	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/30130/koji-uehara')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="30130" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Koji Uehara, Bos	RP20	82	144	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//nate-eovaldi')">Nate Eovaldi, Mia	SP105	NR
70	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29984/ernesto-frieri')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29984" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Ernesto Frieri, LAA	RP21	62	145	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31340/carlos-martinez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31340" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Carlos Martinez, StL	SP106	132
71	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6211/francisco-liriano')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="6211" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Francisco Liriano, Pit	SP50	52	146	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31110/yoervis-medina')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31110" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Yoervis Medina, Sea	RP40	138
72	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31091/julio-teheran')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31091" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Julio Teheran, Atl	SP51	48	147	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//ryan-cook')">Ryan Cook, Oak	SP107	NR
73	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29806/jarrod-parker')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="29806" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Jarrod Parker, Oak	SP52	56	148	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32579/paco-rodriguez')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="32579" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Paco Rodriguez, LAD	RP41	141
74	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31086/alex-cobb')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="31086" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Alex Cobb, TB	SP53	75	149	<A href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id//casey-fien')">Casey Fien, Min	SP108	NR
75	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32559/a.j.-griffin')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="32559" instance="_ppc" tab="null">A.J. Griffin, Oak	SP54	84	150	<A class=flexpop href="javascript:newWin('http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/28638/phil-hughes')" content="tabs#ppc" cache="true" fpopheight="357px" fpopwidth="490px" gameroot="flb" playeridtype="sportsId" playerid="28638" instance="_ppc" tab="null">Phil Hughes, NYY	SP108	120

HacheMan · Jul 23, 2013

Future in doubt for Jason Grilli

By Eric Karabell | ESPN.com

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jason Grilli entered Monday as the No. 2 closer on the ESPN Player Rater, but when the day ended he had left his save opportunity with a few more runs allowed and a sore forearm, with his future in doubt and with plenty of worried fantasy owners scurrying to see if setup man Mark Melancon was available in their leagues. Grilli, 36 and an All-Star, has a 2.34 ERA and 0.92 WHIP this season, and an NL-leading 30 saves, but today the concern is that he might be out for a while.

The first thing fantasy owners should do, rather than complaining about their plight -- you could own Ryan Braun and Matt Garza also in an NL-only league, after all -- is to grab Melancon off your waiver wire, not Vin Mazzaro, who actually saved Monday’s win over the Washington Nationals. Melancon is having a tremendous season, better even than Grilli, but wasn’t available Monday after throwing Saturday and Sunday. Melancon boasts a 0.97 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, he has closing experience, and he’s obviously turned his career around after last year’s struggles with the Boston Red Sox. Mazzaro is having his own fine season, but don’t get too excited. If Grilli needs to miss time -- and that’s not official yet -- then Melancon is clearly next in line.It would be quite a shame if Grilli, in his first season of closing, has major arm trouble, but we know forearm woes are often related to elbow issues, so be prepared. Grilli, a journeyman with below-average career numbers, is on pace for the most appearances of his career. He entered Monday with a 1.94 ERA, then permitted a rare walk, a rare opposite-field home run, and after light-hitting Denard Span doubled it was clear something was amiss. After the first pitch of the Steve Lombardozzi at-bat, Grilli walked off the mound shaking his fingers.
Melancon is available in 80 percent of ESPN standard leagues, and he’s worth an immediate addition in all formats. After all, the contending Pirates are third in baseball in save opportunities, and it’s reasonable to expect Melancon to step right in for Grilli, see similar chances and success. If Grilli is fine and resumes pitching this week, you can always send Melancon back to the waiver wire. Most save options are owned in most standard leagues at this point, including Francisco Rodriguez and Jose Veras, but take a look to see if Rex Brothers and Brad Ziegler are out there. It’s worth noting that neither figures to keep the job long, but stranger things have happened. There could be other closing openings before July ends, thanks to potential trades involving the Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins and perhaps other teams.
Box score bits (AL): Both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox were shut out Monday, a mere hours after their Sunday game went deep into the night. Still, anyone suggesting fantasy owners should sit hitters in daily leagues in situations like these is overthinking things. Those teams did face Yu Darvish and Matt Moore, after all. … Enough with Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Josh Johnson; he was tuned up for seven hits and five runs in two innings Monday, sending his ERA back up to 5.66. … Former Blue Jay Yunel Escobar returned to the Rays’ lineup, and he singled and walked twice. With Escobar back, Ben Zobrist is less likely to get the 20 games at short he needs for 2014 qualification. … Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko came off the disabled list for a strained lower back Monday and batted fifth, going hitless in three at-bats. Konerko, hitting .246 sans power, isn’t a strong investment at this point. … A better, albeit still not strong, investment is Cleveland Indians first baseman Nick Swisher. He homered in his first game in the No. 2 lineup slot Monday. At least Swisher is healthy. In 10 starts and 37 at-bats batting third, Swisher is hitting .162. … Michael Bourn update: He was picked off Monday. He’s stolen three bases in six attempts over the past month, and is on pace for 21 steals. What a colossal, yet rarely discussed, disappointment.
Box score bits (NL): One outing after throwing 148 pitches in his first no-hitter, San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum was torched at home by the Cincinnati Reds, allowing eight runs, nine hits and three home runs while recording only 11 outs. Hey, don’t act so surprised. No-hitters tell us nothing about future performance, and this is someone with a 4.73 ERA. I couldn’t sell fast enough last week. … Chicago Cubs rookie Junior Lake launched his first big league home run Monday, a two-run blast off Tyler Skaggs, and finished with four hits and three RBIs. Lake is off to a great start in his few games for the Cubs, handling center field, but isn’t yet worth a 10- or 12-team look. … Logan Schafer, likely the long-term left fielder with Ryan Braun done for the season, walked twice and stole a base Monday, doing so from the No. 2 lineup spot. There is modest steals upside here. … San Diego Padres right-hander Andrew Cashner earned his sixth win, allowing the Brewers three hits and three runs over six innings. Cashner also topped the 100-pitch mark for the first time in a month. Cashner has top-30 starting pitcher upside, but we’re all watching for continued health. … It was surprising to see the Atlanta Braves place Jason Heyward in center field Monday, especially since he missed six games with a sore hamstring, but it’s a good sign he’s healthy now. Heyward didn’t get any hits, but he saved the game with a diving catch.

HacheMan · Jul 23, 2013

Garza a better fit in Chicago than Texas

By Eric Karabell | ESPN.com

I suppose we should congratulate the Texas Rangers for sending prospects to the Chicago Cubs for right-hander Matt Garza, a clear upgrade for their rotation. But from a fantasy aspect, I hardly view it as an upgrade to our teams. While Garza is experienced and he should neither fold under the heat of pitching in the hot Texas summer nor in a pennant race, I just can't get over this noteworthy and potentially overwhelming statistic: His career ERA is 3.80, not exactly making him Matt Harvey, and at Wrigley Field it's 2.70. And he's leaving Wrigley Field.

And that's just it. Garza is 100 percent owned in ESPN's standard mixed leagues, and he should be, especially the way he has been performing of late. Over his past six outings, Garza has won five of them, for a bad team, and permitted no more than two earned runs in any of them. His ERA in that span is a cool 1.23. But now he's heading to a tougher league and a tougher ballpark for pitchers, without question, and it's worth noting that his ground-ball rate hasn't been this low in years, or since he was in the American League with the Tampa Bay Rays. He's fine, certainly valuable to Texas until one of the prospects sent packing emerges (and one will), but this guy was near the top of my fantasy sell list a week ago should a trade to the AL occur. And now it has.

<OFFER>Plus, what guarantees do we have he'll even make all his starts the rest of the way? Garza missed the first six weeks of this season because of a sore arm, after missing the second half of 2012 with a stress reaction in his throwing elbow. It's a contract year, which is nice, but let's just say I have concerns about him. Garza was durable prior to that, but this isn't a real or fantasy ace. ESPN Fantasy projected him for a 3.67 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and nine wins in 24 starts, so don't view this guy as a major difference-maker, or someone adding significant value by changing places. I think it's actually the opposite, which is why I did not rank him among my top 200 players in our mid-July rankings.

When healthy, Garza is better than right-hander Ryan Dempster, but how much better? You remember a year ago at this time when the Cubs sent Dempster and his 2.25 ERA and 1.04 WHIP to Texas, don't you? For the Rangers, his ERA was 5.09, his WHIP 1.43. It certainly does not mean Garza will struggle, because each player is different, but the change in leagues can really affect pitchers. I was selling high on Dempster this time last year anyway, and Garza has been overachieving of late as well. And did I mention Garza's clear love of pitching at Wrigley Field? That's a 2.70 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 190 1/3 innings. In Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, albeit against good Rangers offenses, his ERA is 6.04 in 28 1/3 innings. It's not a strong sample size, and again, he's not facing Adrian Beltre anymore, but still. It carries some weight. The Houston Astros are the lone AL West team in the bottom half of the league in runs scored.

In one year, the Rangers will, unless they have advanced to the World Series, regret this trade because third baseman Mike Olt is going to be a good player. A year ago it would have seemed silly that the return for him and a few colleagues would be only 10-12 starts out of a rental like Garza, frankly. Olt brings power to the Cubs, perhaps as many as 30 home runs in the future, and while I've seen some comparisons to Mark Reynolds, I think that's ridiculous.

Olt is 24. He does struggle to make contact at times and he'll probably strike out 100-plus times annually, but he's an excellent defensive option and capable of hitting at least .260 or .270 regularly in the majors. It's problematic at this juncture whether the Cubs simply hand third base over to Olt today, as Luis Valbuena and Cody Ransom have combined for 16 home runs when playing the position, a reasonable platoon that has given the Cubs a .776 OPS, the ninth-best mark in baseball for the position. Hard to believe, eh? Meanwhile, Olt missed time in May for vision problems, but he's fine now and was hitting for power at Triple-A Round Rock. He won't be in my top 10 for mixed leagues at third base for 2014, but he'll be one of my sleepers for sure, and definitely worthy of standard mixed league selection. I'd go get him in a dynasty/keeper format now.

The others in the Cubs' haul aren't likely to make much of a fantasy impact. Right-hander C.J. Edwards is only 21, and was plying his trade at Low-A Hickory. Check back in 2015, at least. Swingman type Justin Grimm is 23 and sports a 6.73 career ERA and 1.67 WHIP, albeit in Texas' playpen. That’s "grim," indeed. Those numbers should get better in the weaker league, but look for Chicago to keep lefty Chris Rusin, Monday's replacement, in the rotation spot. Rusin does not throw hard and, despite decent numbers at Triple-A Iowa, does not come recommended for fantasy owners. Frankly, I'd prefer to see what former Baltimore Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta can do. Arrieta, acquired in the Scott Feldman trade earlier in July, has made four generally underwhelming starts for Triple-A Iowa, but he has strikeout upside.</OFFER>

HacheMan · Jul 23, 2013

Five unexpected trade candidates

By Jim Bowden | ESPN.com

While the Matt Garza trade that went down on Monday night created a buzz throughout the industry, it was far from a surprise. In fact, everyone knew Garza was going to be dealt, it was just a matter of where.

But every so often we get surprised at the trade deadline, with a big name getting traded that no one expects, like when the St. Louis Cardinals sent Colby Rasmus to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the 2011 deadline.

There is a possibility -- albeit slim -- that one of these five players that no one is expecting will get traded in a blockbuster over the next week.

Chase Headley 3B, | San Diego Padres

The Padres have told me that they’re not trading Headley or signing him to an extension before July 31. Perhaps they think there will be more of a market at the winter meetings, or that the price will come down considerably after his subpar season. 

I think the best trade value is almost always at the deadline because that is when teams get desperate, and with so many teams needing a third baseman, the Padres could be better off striking now.

Just think, the Angels and Dodgers are getting nothing at the hot corner; the Yankees would love a replacement for Alex Rodriguez; the Pirates could put Headley at third, move Pedro Alvarez to first and Garrett Jones to right field; the Reds could use the switch-hitting bat at third and move Todd Frazier to left.

Furthermore, it's not as if Headley is going to settle for a below-market deal with the Padres this winter. If the club isn't convinced Headley will re-sign, now could be the time to deal.

Hunter Pence, RF | San Francisco Giants

The Giants have publicly stated they are not trading Pence, and it’s not that I don’t believe them, it’s just that it makes too much sense to deal him.
Let's look at the facts: The Giants are well below .500 and not playing like a playoff team. Pence is a free agent at the end of the season and the Giants haven’t even made him an offer since the season started. Pence wants to stay in San Francisco, but both sides at this point have resigned themselves to negotiate after the season.

As thin as the Giants' farm system is right now, it only makes sense to trade Pence for a prospect bat, arm or both. They can always re-sign him over the winter, giving them the best of both worlds. The trade market for corner outfielders is surprisingly thin beyond Alex Rios and Raul Ibanez, and with teams like the Rangers and Pirates in desperate need of help, there has to be a significant deal available for the Giants.

Jose Bautista, RF | Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays haven't lived up to preseason expectations and are the only AL East team that isn't in playoff contention. If the Jays want to aggressively reload for 2014 and beyond, they could start with Bautista.

The 32-year-old is still one of the best power hitters in the league and is signed for $14 million per season through 2015 with a team option at the team price for 2016 -- a very reasonably amount for a player of his caliber. With his ability and cost certainty, he could fetch Toronto an impressive return.

The perfect fits in my opinion are the Rangers and Pirates, two teams with very strong farm systems that need a middle-of-the-order bat who can play an outfield corner. Bautista fits both molds, and could even DH for the Rangers down the road. (And as I noted elsewhere, Texas could be in the market for a Nelson Cruz replacement.)

Hisashi Iwakuma, RHP | Seattle Mariners

Iwakuma, 32, is a top-of-the-rotation starter who has a 2.99 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, and I think there are a lot of execs who would prefer him to Garza.

The Mariners love the idea of Iwakuma, Felix Hernandez and top prospect Taijuan Walker fronting their staff next season, and I don't blame them, but considering his age, and the fact that he is signed for $6.5 million next year with a $7 million team option for 2015, he has a ton of trade value. The Mariners could desperately use a power bat, and they'd have to think long and hard about moving Iwakuma if someone dangled a promising young position prospect.

I doubt this will happen, but teams like the Orioles, Indians, Rangers and Rockies sure could use a pitcher like Iwakuma, and have prospects to deal.

Ervin Santana, RHP | Kansas City Royals

The Royals insist they are still in the pennant race despite being buried in third place, five games under .500. However, GM Dayton Moore knows deep down that they have a more realistic shot at contending next year.

Santana, who will be a free agent this winter, has a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts, and it's doubtful Kansas City will commit to a long-term deal for him. If the Royals think they can exceed the value of the compensatory draft pick they could receive if he leaves as a free agent, they have to move him. (And remember, they only get that draft pick if they make him a qualifying offer, something they might not be willing to do.)

With Garza off the market Santana could be the next best starting pitcher available, which only increases his value.

HacheMan · Jul 24, 2013

[h=1]The real value of fantasy stats[/h][h=3]Certain hitting categories can carry more weight than others depending on context[/h]By AJ Mass | ESPN.com

Most fantasy baseball owners know that crafting a balanced lineup can go a long way toward winning your league title. To that end, certain hitters are expected to fill certain roles. When you slot an Everth Cabrera, Eric Young Jr. or Rajai Davis into your lineup, it's expected that your stolen base total will rise. If it doesn't, they haven't done their job. Insert guys such as Joe Mauer, James Loney or Omar Infante into the mix and you're doing so with the expectation that your team's batting average will get a boost. Any power numbers these guys put up are merely icing on the cake.

It's a bit different when we target players with an eye on improving our fantasy team's power. With these bats, we're actually looking for production in not one, but three fantasy categories: home runs, runs scored and RBIs. So if a guy is clearing the wall on a regular basis, yet not really helping you in the latter two of those categories, then he's not pulling his weight. Meanwhile, a player such as Allen Craig may have seen his HR/FB rate tumble by 6.1 percent so far this season, resulting in only 10 total homers thus far in 2013, and only one in July. But considering he is tied for fourth in the majors with 79 RBIs, it's not a tragedy that he's well off his 2012 power pace.

So how can we identify which players are truly helping fantasy owners across the board in all three power categories, as opposed to simply padding their stats with "empty" homers? Take for example, Raul Ibanez. He may be tied for sixth overall in home runs with 24, but 14 of those blasts have been of the solo variety. That's big reason why he's not even in the top 30 in RBIs. All that power doesn't seem to have paid the dividends you'd expect from someone with that many homers. Compare Ibanez to Nelson Cruz, who is tied for eighth in RBIs despite hitting just one fewer homer.

The warning signs were there, in the form of wasted power.

[h=3]The value of power[/h]
By taking the run production of each hitter (R + RBI - HR) and dividing that by the number of home runs they have hit, we're able to come up with a number that tells us exactly how much a player's production has been affected by both his inability to drive in runners without the benefit of clearing the fences, as well as by his teammates' ability to get on base ahead of him in the lineup so that he's not constantly settling for solo shots.

Looking at the top culprits in this list (minimum eight home runs) yields the following names:

Name	Team	PA	HR	R	RBI	Wasted Power
Raul Ibanez	Mariners	313	24	39	56	2.96
Adam Dunn	White Sox	372	24	41	61	3.25
Pedro Alvarez	Pirates	351	24	40	62	3.25
J.P. Arencibia	Blue Jays	336	17	35	43	3.59
Chris Davis	Orioles	412	37	74	97	3.62
Dan Uggla	Braves	375	19	48	44	3.84
Nelson Cruz	Rangers	399	23	43	70	3.91
Domonic Brown	Phillies	398	24	51	69	4.00
Adrian Beltre	Rangers	416	22	56	57	4.14
Chris Carter	Astros	352	18	45	48	4.17
Mark Trumbo	Angels	412	21	52	57	4.19
Edwin Encarnacion	Blue Jays	417	26	62	74	4.23
Carlos Gonzalez	Rockies	412	26	71	66	4.27
Justin Ruggiano	Marlins	314	12	32	32	4.33
B.J. Upton	Braves	318	8	23	20	4.38
Mitch Moreland	Rangers	313	13	32	38	4.38

The lower the number, the worse a player's production in the three power categories, and the more "wasted power." In addition to Ibanez, we see some other "frustrating" players, such as batting average parasites Adam Dunn and Dan Uggla.

Justin Ruggiano's appearance on this list should be no surprise. After all, he plays for a Miami team that ranks last in the majors in batting average and next to last in terms of runs scored, a good 54 runs behind the next-worst club. He doesn't have a lot of opportunity to drive in runs or get driven in himself.

However, wasted power tells only half the story. After all, Chris Davis is also on this list. If he continues to hit home runs at a pace of one per 9.8 at-bats, even at a lower "payout," you're still going to get a lot more out of him in terms of power than Jay Bruce, who has a 5.15 WP, but who hits a home run only once every 20.5 at-bats.

If we normalize our numbers to factor in this frequency of power, we can get a more accurate picture of exactly where we should look for our power needs. Let's take a look at a list of the best and worst players in terms of this new calculation, among hitters with a minimum of eight home runs. First, the tops:

Top 15	Team	PA	HR	R	RBI	Wasted Power	Adjusted WP
Chris Davis	Orioles	412	37	74	97	3.62	3.25
Miguel Cabrera	Tigers	443	31	76	96	4.55	3.18
Allen Craig	Cardinals	394	10	52	77	11.90	3.02
Freddie Freeman	Braves	364	10	50	64	10.40	2.86
Brandon Phillips	Reds	403	12	48	79	9.58	2.85
Paul Goldschmidt	Diamondbacks	423	21	62	79	5.71	2.84
David Ortiz	Red Sox	348	19	51	65	5.11	2.79
Matt Holliday	Cardinals	353	13	64	47	7.54	2.78
Adam Jones	Orioles	433	20	69	69	5.90	2.73
Matt Carpenter	Cardinals	421	9	75	48	12.67	2.71
Carlos Gonzalez	Rockies	412	26	71	66	4.27	2.69
Edwin Encarnacion	Blue Jays	417	26	62	74	4.23	2.64
Jason Kipnis	Indians	391	15	56	62	6.87	2.63
Mike Napoli	Red Sox	380	13	50	62	7.62	2.61
Michael Cuddyer	Rockies	333	16	46	56	5.38	2.58
Marlon Byrd	Mets	322	17	43	56	4.82	2.55
Mike Trout	Angels	443	16	67	61	7.00	2.53
Daniel Nava	Red Sox	372	10	52	52	9.40	2.53

Marlon Byrd, prior to last week, was owned in only 64.2 percent of ESPN standard leagues but his presence in the company of some of the other names on this list is certainly part of the rationale behind his 32.5 percent ownership increase over the past seven days. Both Byrd and Daniel Nava are still on the waiver wire in some leagues, which is something that cannot be said about Martin Prado, Howie Kendrick and Joe Mauer, all located in our bottom 15:

Bottom 15	Team	PA	HR	R	RBI	Wasted Power	Adjusted WP
B.J. Upton	Braves	318	8	23	20	4.38	1.1
Rickie Weeks	Brewers	338	10	36	22	4.80	1.42
David Murphy	Rangers	351	10	32	32	5.40	1.54
Miguel Montero	Diamondbacks	369	8	32	33	7.13	1.54
Justin Ruggiano	Marlins	314	12	32	32	4.33	1.66
Luis Valbuena	Cubs	301	9	28	31	5.56	1.66
Carlos Pena	Astros	325	8	38	25	6.88	1.69
Martin Prado	Diamondbacks	403	8	40	37	8.63	1.71
Jason Castro	Astros	347	12	40	32	5.00	1.73
Andrelton Simmons	Braves	418	9	51	32	8.22	1.77
Vernon Wells	Yankees	339	10	34	37	6.10	1.8
J.P. Arencibia	Blue Jays	336	17	35	43	3.59	1.82
Howie Kendrick	Angels	395	11	42	41	6.55	1.82
Mitch Moreland	Rangers	313	13	32	38	4.38	1.82
Joe Mauer	Twins	420	8	51	34	9.63	1.83

Other disappointments include the injured B.J. Upton, as well as double-digit sluggers such as J.P. Arencibia and Mitch Moreland. Perhaps it is time to swap out some of these "wastes" for players who are making their power count a little bit more across the board such as Brandon Moss, Alejandro De Aza or Torii Hunter.

Remember, one statistic never tells the whole story, but when you go looking for power, the actual number of home runs a player has hit might be the most misleading one of them all.

[h=3]The power of value[/h]
Before I go, I'd like to try to get you thinking about the value of fantasy stats in a slightly different way. Jumping off from the concept that not all home runs are created equal, is the question of which has more pure fantasy value: a home run or a stolen base? If you had your choice to trade a player with 20 home runs for a player with speed, how many steals would a player have to have in order to be considered equal value? Would it take a 30-steal guy or would the bar be set much lower?

Looking at the total stats for the season, you'll see that there have been 2,939 total homers hit so far in 2013, but only 1,635 successful stolen bases. Because steals are the "more precious commodity," in terms of pure value, they're worth about 1.8 times more to a fantasy owner than a home run. In other words, the exchange rate for a Chris Carter (18 HR, 0 SB) -- all else being equal -- would be a Denard Span (0 HR, 10 SB).

Of course, that doesn't mean I'm going to send Evan Longoria packing for D.J. LeMahieu just because the combined value of each player's home runs and stolen bases is just about even. In that case, certainly "all else" is far from equal. But it's important to know exactly how much each stat is truly worth in relation to all the other categories before you go shopping so you don't end up letting your presuppositions set the bar at a level that may prevent you from making a deal that's actually more than fair. After all, I'd wager that each one of us has a skewed view on what the "average player's" stats look like.

Humor me and go to the ESPN Player Rater for a second and scroll down the list of hitters until you reach the name of the player who you think is the closest to the league average across all five offensive categories. Got that name in mind? OK. Let's check our work together, and see if your perception matches reality or not.

Based on the overall stats accrued by major players this season, we can calculate an approximate average value fairly quickly, which I have done in the following table:

	AVG	HR	R	RBI	SB
League Overall Totals	.254	2939.00	12568	11956	1635
Average Per Team	.254	97.97	418.93	398.53	54.5
Average Per Lineup Spot	.254	10.89	46.55	44.28	6.06

The real-life player who comes closest to this theoretical average is ranked No. 86 on the Player Rater. May I introduce you to Mr. Average 2013:

	AVG	HR	R	RBI	SB
Kelly Johnson	.252	15	35	46	7
Average Per Lineup Spot (Rounded)	.254	11	47	44	6

Essentially, this delineates Johnson as the "Wandy Line" for hitters. Ranked above this point, and you need to have that player in the lineup regardless of opponent. Below this point, you're likely getting below-average numbers in at least one, if not several categories and you should start or sit based on a closer analysis of the categorical weaknesses of your lineup and which players best produce at an above-average rate for those targeted statistics.

OK. One last example that not all stats are what they seem before we end this parade: Which one of the following two stat lines would you want to have added to your roster for the rest of the season?

	AVG	HR	R	RBI	SB
Player A	.240	6	22	25	3
Player B	.210	6	22	25	3

Obviously, the only difference here is the batting average, so why wouldn't you want the player with the better batting average? The answer lies in the one stat I didn't provide you with: each player's at-bat total. If Player A gave you 300 at-bats of his .240 average, while Player B was able to accrue the same exact counting stats over just 100 at-bats of a .210 average, then it's possible you might want to choose Player B.

If I have a team currently with 5,000 at-bats and a batting average of .256 or higher, it actually hurts me more to have Player A added to my roster than it does Player B. And the higher my current average, the larger the negative impact would be.

	Hits	AB	Team Batting Average
Current Stats	1280	5000	.256
Add Player A (.240)	1352	5300	.25509
Add Player B (.210)	1301	5100	.2551

Sure, that .00001 may not seem like a whole lot of difference, and it probably wouldn't cost you a fantasy crown if you chose Player A. But hopefully, this extreme-case example might well keep you from dismissing a trade deadline deal for the likes of Travis Hafner or Mark Reynolds out of fear that even a small dose of their toxic batting averages somehow makes them less ownable than a Todd Frazier or Russell Martin. If you're saying no without even thinking about it, you need to change the way you think about value.

<STYLE type=text/css>.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</STYLE>
[h=4]TOP 150 HITTERS[/h]Note: Tristan H. Cockcroft's top 150 hitters are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward, not for statistics that have already been accrued. For position-specific rankings, see the "Pos Rnk" column; these rankings can also be seen split up by position.

<CENTER>#</CENTER>	Player, Team	<CENTER>Pos Rk</CENTER>	<CENTER>Prv Rk</CENTER>	<CENTER>#</CENTER>	Player, Team	<CENTER>Pos Rk</CENTER>	<CENTER>Prv Rk</CENTER>
1	Mike Trout, LAA	OF1	2	76	Jason Heyward, Atl	OF33	74
2	Miguel Cabrera, Det	3B1	1	77	Kyle Seager, Sea	3B8	73
3	Carlos Gonzalez, Col	OF2	4	78	Asdrubal Cabrera, Cle	SS8	59
4	Robinson Cano, NYY	2B1	3	79	Eric Hosmer, KC	1B12	66
5	Paul Goldschmidt, Ari	1B1	7	80	Coco Crisp, Oak	OF34	96
6	Andrew McCutchen, Pit	OF3	5	81	Elvis Andrus, Tex	SS9	83
7	Chris Davis, Bal	1B2	6	82	Alejandro De Aza, CWS	OF35	95
8	David Wright, NYM	3B2	8	83	Pedro Alvarez, Pit	3B9	61
9	Edwin Encarnacion, Tor	1B3	11	84	Shane Victorino, Bos	OF36	101
10	Joey Votto, Cin	1B4	10	85	Jimmy Rollins, Phi	SS10	86
11	Adrian Beltre, Tex	3B3	18	86	Aramis Ramirez, Mil	3B10	118
12	Prince Fielder, Det	1B5	14	87	Nick Markakis, Bal	OF37	121
13	Jose Bautista, Tor	OF4	17	88	Kendrys Morales, Sea	1B13	92
14	Adam Jones, Bal	OF5	13	89	Nate McLouth, Bal	OF38	116
15	Troy Tulowitzki, Col	SS1	23	90	Chase Headley, SD	3B11	80
16	Evan Longoria, TB	3B4	12	91	Martin Prado, Ari	3B12	79
17	Dustin Pedroia, Bos	2B2	21	92	Pablo Sandoval, SF	3B13	88
18	Buster Posey, SF	C1	16	93	Alfonso Soriano, ChC	OF39	120
19	Bryce Harper, Wsh	OF6	20	94	Norichika Aoki, Mil	OF40	136
20	Carlos Gomez, Mil	OF7	15	95	Matt Wieters, Bal	C7	111
21	Jason Kipnis, Cle	2B3	24	96	Carl Crawford, LAD	OF41	94
22	Hanley Ramirez, LAD	SS2	9	97	J.J. Hardy, Bal	SS11	93
23	Jacoby Ellsbury, Bos	OF8	22	98	Jonathan Lucroy, Mil	C8	84
24	Allen Craig, StL	1B6	30	99	Victor Martinez, Det	C9	90
25	Ian Kinsler, Tex	2B4	25	100	Curtis Granderson, NYY	OF42	69
26	Jean Segura, Mil	SS3	26	101	Adam LaRoche, Wsh	1B14	106
27	Justin Upton, Atl	OF9	34	102	Jayson Werth, Wsh	OF43	98
28	Jay Bruce, Cin	OF10	29	103	Adam Lind, Tor	1B15	100
29	Jose Reyes, Tor	SS4	27	104	Leonys Martin, Tex	OF44	105
30	Alex Rios, CWS	OF11	39	105	Brian McCann, Atl	C10	76
31	Yasiel Puig, LAD	OF12	43	106	Alexei Ramirez, CWS	SS12	110
32	Michael Cuddyer, Col	OF13	54	107	Daniel Murphy, NYM	2B12	97
33	Albert Pujols, LAA	1B7	36	108	Adam Dunn, CWS	1B16	107
34	David Ortiz, Bos	DH1	32	109	Wil Myers, TB	OF45	89
35	Shin-Soo Choo, Cin	OF14	35	110	Erick Aybar, LAA	SS13	104
36	Yadier Molina, StL	C2	42	111	Melky Cabrera, Tor	OF46	132
37	Adrian Gonzalez, LAD	1B8	37	112	Michael Brantley, Cle	OF47	126
38	Ian Desmond, Wsh	SS5	38	113	Colby Rasmus, Tor	OF48	112
39	Manny Machado, Bal	3B5	45	114	Jed Lowrie, Oak	SS14	102
40	Brandon Phillips, Cin	2B5	48	115	Jhonny Peralta, Det	SS15	123
41	Freddie Freeman, Atl	1B9	33	116	Justin Morneau, Min	1B17	140
42	Starling Marte, Pit	OF15	50	117	Todd Frazier, Cin	3B14	142
43	Giancarlo Stanton, Mia	OF16	28	118	Alcides Escobar, KC	SS16	139
44	Alex Gordon, KC	OF17	55	119	Ichiro Suzuki, NYY	OF49	133
45	Carlos Beltran, StL	OF18	44	120	Chris Carter, Hou	1B18	128
46	Nelson Cruz, Tex	OF19	49	121	Brett Lawrie, Tor	3B15	131
47	Ryan Zimmerman, Wsh	3B6	31	122	Salvador Perez, KC	C11	85
48	Hunter Pence, SF	OF20	62	123	Raul Ibanez, Sea	OF50	134
49	Matt Holliday, StL	OF21	41	124	Jedd Gyorko, SD	2B13	109
50	Austin Jackson, Det	OF22	40	125	Brandon Belt, SF	1B19	113
51	Ben Zobrist, TB	2B6	60	126	Rickie Weeks, Mil	2B14	115
52	Domonic Brown, Phi	OF23	46	127	Brandon Moss, Oak	1B20	137
53	Yoenis Cespedes, Oak	OF24	52	128	David Freese, StL	3B16	129
54	Everth Cabrera, SD	SS6	47	129	Dan Uggla, Atl	2B15	108
55	Carlos Santana, Cle	C3	67	130	Michael Morse, Sea	OF51	114
56	Matt Carpenter, StL	2B7	63	131	Andre Ethier, LAD	OF52	127
57	Anthony Rizzo, ChC	1B10	75	132	Justin Ruggiano, Mia	OF53	144
58	Joe Mauer, Min	C4	57	133	Jason Castro, Hou	C12	122
59	Chase Utley, Phi	2B8	64	134	Nick Franklin, Sea	SS17	117
60	Billy Butler, KC	1B11	68	135	Anthony Rendon, Wsh	2B16	119
61	Matt Kemp, LAD	OF25	71	136	A.J. Pierzynski, Tex	C13	124
62	Mark Trumbo, LAA	OF26	77	137	Nolan Arenado, Col	3B17	141
63	Josh Hamilton, LAA	OF27	53	138	Trevor Plouffe, Min	3B18	143
64	Dexter Fowler, Col	OF28	70	139	Nick Swisher, Cle	OF54	146
65	Josh Donaldson, Oak	3B7	65	140	Nate Schierholtz, ChC	OF55	NR
66	Desmond Jennings, TB	OF29	56	141	Neil Walker, Pit	2B17	NR
67	Jose Altuve, Hou	2B9	51	142	Carlos Ruiz, Phi	C14	NR
68	Howie Kendrick, LAA	2B10	72	143	Brad Miller, Sea	SS18	NR
69	Starlin Castro, ChC	SS7	81	144	Marco Scutaro, SF	2B18	NR
70	Torii Hunter, Det	OF30	82	145	Eric Young Jr., NYM	OF56	NR
71	Mike Napoli, Bos	C5	103	146	Matt Adams, StL	1B21	NR
72	Michael Bourn, Cle	OF31	58	147	Paul Konerko, CWS	1B22	NR
73	Aaron Hill, Ari	2B11	91	148	Daniel Nava, Bos	OF57	NR
74	Wilin Rosario, Col	C6	78	149	Kelly Johnson, TB	2B19	NR
75	Brett Gardner, NYY	OF32	87	150	Logan Morrison, Mia	1B23	130

HacheMan · Jul 24, 2013

Bits: Marlins sport new-look lineup

Eric Karabell

Things haven't been going so well for the Miami Marlins lately, a fact underscored by the team literally not scoring a run in Milwaukee this past weekend, but perhaps all it takes is a few top prospects to change fortunes. On Tuesday, the Marlins not only scored, but won their second consecutive game at Coors Field, and did so after promoting outfielders Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick from Double-A Jacksonville.

Yelich, the sweet-swinging lefty who was on display at the Futures Game at Citi Field recently, had three singles and a pair of RBIs out of the No. 2 lineup slot. Marisnick, a right-handed hitting center fielder secured in the seemingly lopsided offseason trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, went hitless in four at-bats from the No. 6 spot. The third starting outfielder, by the way, is someone you've probably never heard of. Get used to Giancarlo Stanton hitting plenty more home runs the rest of 2013 and in future years. It really is an impressive outfield, and we can finally say goodbye to the likes of Juan Pierre and Justin Ruggiano having value, though it'd be nice if they were on other teams supplying some.

As noted in this Tuesday video, Yelich is the better prospect, but he has had a challenging season dealing with injuries, and Marisnick might offer more initial fantasy value because he has run more. I can't make a great case for either in 10- or 12-team formats this season, but if you're in a dynasty league, act now. Of course, that's not why the Marlins won Tuesday: They did so because right-hander Jose Fernandez is really special. He might not have quite the numbers of young New York Mets ace Matt Harvey, but the Cuban import seems to be flying way under the radar in terms of value for 2013 and the future. With his seven innings of two-run ball at Coors Field Tuesday, Fernandez boasts a 2.74 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a strikeout per inning. He's got only two fewer wins than Harvey in one fewer outing and it's worth reminding that both pitchers are likely to be shut down before the second half of September. Why not enjoy their numbers the next six or seven weeks?
Harvey could really end up as one of the top five starting pitchers in 2014 drafts, and I won't deny how good he is. Where is Fernandez going? Why isn't he being discussed as a top-20 possibility? Well, I'm not downgrading him based on the Marlins franchise. After all, which outfield would one prefer between the Mets and Marlins? Remove David Wright and New York's infield doesn't impress, either. Miami is building something, too, and Fernandez plus the young outfielders is a great start. For now, let's call Fernandez a sure top-20 starting pitcher in 2014 drafts, but certainly a better value than Harvey.
Box score bits (NL): The Milwaukee Brewers traded closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Baltimore Orioles for a prospect Tuesday, with the immediate fantasy news being that Jim Henderson will likely re-inherit the ninth inning. It's also possible former closer John Axford is back in play; after all, Axford has permitted only one run in 18 innings since June began. For now, add Henderson. As for the Orioles, Jim Johnson is safe in his role, but if he struggles, K-Rod would be next in line. … Speaking of closers, the Pittsburgh Pirates officially shelved Jason Grilli Tuesday with a forearm strain. Mark Melancon is now very popular. Do not trade for Grilli in fantasy, as this might unfortunately take a while. … Struggling Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig got back on track Tuesday (hopefully), with a pair of singles, a walk, two runs scored and his sixth stolen base. Look, you didn't think he'd hit .400 all year, did you? He's still pretty good! … Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons is pretty good, too. He launched his 10th home run of the season Tuesday. You can count the number of shortstops with more on one hand. … Quietly, Martin Prado of the Arizona Diamondbacks has reached nine home runs with his blast Tuesday. And his batting average keeps rising. Teammate Adam Eaton had three hits and scored three runs as well. Get them both now while you still can.
Box score bits (AL): Texas Rangers right-hander Alexi Ogando came off the disabled list Tuesday and tossed five reasonable innings against the New York Yankees, allowing three runs and six hits. Ogando, who has been on the DL twice this season, was successful as a starter in 2011, but it's tough to expect he'll stay healthy the rest of the way. … Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera isn't healthy right now, as he sat out Tuesday with a sore left hip flexor muscle. Don't panic; Cabrera is day-to-day, and when he plays he's the best fantasy option in the game. … Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton was once considered one of the best. He isn't anymore. Hamilton sat Monday and Tuesday and will miss a few more games with a sore right ankle. While Hamilton has hit for power the past few weeks (four home runs), the .220 batting average and .250 OBP in that span isn't so exciting. The Angels will likely use former New York Met Collin Cowgill in right field, but don't get excited about his .444 batting average in limited time. … It was an awful outing for Angels closer Ernesto Frieri, as he permitted five Minnesota Twins runs in the 10th inning Tuesday while recording one out. Frieri is not wearing down, it was just one bad night, and it's doubtful manager Mike Scioscia wants to change to lefty Scott Downs or setup man Garrett Richards.

HacheMan · Jul 24, 2013

Closer Chart

By Fantasy Staff | ESPN.com

[h=4]Fantasy bullpen organization chart (last updated July 24)[/h]The chart below breaks down all 30 major-league teams' bullpens in terms of relievers' proximity to the closer role, not their overall fantasy value. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
"Closer" is either that team's officially designated closer, or the pitcher most likely to get the team's next save chance. "Next in line" is the pitcher next-most likely to take over if something happens to the closer, or the one who might get any save chances on the closer's nights off. "Stealth" is a dark-horse candidate for saves, for those digging deep. These pitchers typically don't pose an imminent threat to the closer's job security, but might, given time. "Looming" is a pitcher who has his sights set on the closer role but whose circumstances might currently prevent him from doing so. Generally speaking, usual closers who are on hurt and/or on the disabled list (designated as "Inj." or "DL"), bereavement list ("BL") or restricted list ("RL"), closer-worthy pitchers currently working out of the rotation, specialists (especially lefties) or "next in line" options presently in the minors fit the description.

Team <CENTER>Closer </CENTER> <CENTER>Next in line </CENTER> <CENTER>Stealth </CENTER> <CENTER>Looming </CENTER>

Brad Ziegler J.J. Putz David Hernandez Heath Bell

Craig Kimbrel Jordan Walden Luis Avilan Anthony Varvaro

Jim Johnson Francisco Rodriguez Tommy Hunter Troy Patton

Koji Uehara Junichi Tazawa Matt Thornton Craig Breslow

Kevin Gregg James Russell Blake Parker Pedro Strop

Addison Reed Nate Jones Matt Lindstrom Jesse Crain (DL)

Aroldis Chapman J.J. Hoover Sam LeCure Tony Cingrani

Chris Perez Joe Smith Cody Allen Vinnie Pestano

Rafael Betancourt Rex Brothers Matt Belisle Wilton Lopez

Joaquin Benoit Drew Smyly Bruce Rondon Al Alburquerque

Jose Veras Jose Cisnero Wesley Wright Josh Fields

Greg Holland Aaron Crow Luke Hochevar Kelvin Herrera

Ernesto Frieri Scott Downs Kevin Jepsen Ryan Madson (DL)

Kenley Jansen Paco Rodriguez Ronald Belisario Brandon League

Steve Cishek Mike Dunn A.J. Ramos Chad Qualls

Jim Henderson John Axford Brandon Kintzler Mike Gonzalez

Glen Perkins Casey Fien Josh Roenicke Jared Burton

Bobby Parnell LaTroy Hawkins David Aardsma Josh Edgin

Mariano Rivera David Robertson Boone Logan Shawn Kelley

Grant Balfour Ryan Cook Sean Doolittle Pat Neshek

Jonathan Papelbon Antonio Bastardo Justin De Fratus Jacob Diekman

Mark Melancon Justin Wilson Bryan Morris Jason Grilli (DL)

Edward Mujica Trevor Rosenthal Seth Maness Carlos Martinez

Huston Street Dale Thayer Luke Gregerson Joe Thatcher

Sergio Romo Santiago Casilla Jose Mijares Jeremy Affeldt (DL)

Tom Wilhelmsen Oliver Perez Yoervis Medina Charlie Furbush

Fernando Rodney Joel Peralta Kyle Farnsworth Jake McGee

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Joe Nathan Tanner Scheppers Neal Cotts Joakim Soria

Casey Janssen Steve Delabar Brett Cecil Sergio Santos (DL)

Rafael Soriano Drew Storen Tyler Clippard Craig Stammen

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HacheMan · Jul 25, 2013

[h=1][/h]
What's next for Atlanta Braves rotation?

By Eric Karabell | ESPN.com

On the surface, it appears that the Atlanta Braves have been blessed with much luck concerning the health of their starting pitchers this season. But that the luck is changing. They entered Thursday having used a mere six starting pitchers all season, tied with the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics for fewest this season, and one of those fellows has started only once. But things have changed recently, of course, as underrated lefty Paul Maholm hit the disabled list with a left wrist contusion and veteran right-hander Tim Hudson saw his season end prematurely in a fluke incident Wednesday with New York Mets speedster Eric Young Jr.

From a fantasy and even real-life perspective, though, I don’t think the Braves are going to be worse off when Alex Wood and Brandon Beachy join the rotation permanently. And both are really, really good. Wood has made one start this season and had been scheduled to pitch Thursday before the Hudson injury. I’ve been touting him as a fantasy addition for 12-team leagues and deeper ones for a while, waiting for his eventual promotion. A few weeks ago, the Braves sent the left-hander to Triple-A Gwinnett to get stretched out -- he’s been a long reliever for the Braves after starting throughout the minors -- and word is that he’ll be capped at 90 pitches against the New York Mets. No matter, he’s sticking around.

Beachy, of course, is a bit more accomplished at the big league level, having struck out 169 hitters in a mere 141 2/3 innings in his breakout 2011 season and then posting a league-leading 2.00 ERA over 13 starts in 2012 before his elbow blew out. Beachy’s WHIP was 0.963 in that injury-shortened season, and his strikeout rate remained strong. He’s been close to returning to the Braves from Tommy John surgery for a month now, and the unfortunate Hudson injury clears room for him. Nothing against Maholm and Hudson, but Wood and Beachy can certainly be upgrades, and fantasy owners should get interested quickly.

Hudson was owned in more than 70 percent of ESPN standard leagues entering his Wednesday start at Citi Field, which he won with 7 2/3 strong innings. Then Young awkwardly and unintentionally stepped on and broke Hudson’s ankle on a play at first base. Hudson had won four consecutive outings, always helps fantasy owners with WHIP and has been durable for more than a decade, and we should thank him for that, but now he must be dropped in all formats. His season is over and, at 38, he’s a poor keeper candidate. Plus, he might be on another team, and in this case, it would likely adversely affect his projection.

Here’s what I see happening with the Braves rotation from here on out: Wood, 22, has made an impressive and quick run through the Braves system after being a second-round choice in the 2012 draft. He will strike hitters out, and after he pitches well Thursday, he’ll be a top-50 mixed league starter the rest of this season. I have trusted Atlanta starters for two decades as the coaches rarely make poor decisions about who should be in the rotation. I would take Wood over a few names among the top 50 starting pitchers on the Player Rater, including Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, A.J. Griffin, Jorge De La Rosa, Kyle Lohse, Scott Feldman, Eric Stults, Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman.

Beachy returns for a pair of enticing starts next week, at home against the Colorado Rockies and at Philadelphia against an underachieving team that thought it was wise to hit Delmon Young cleanup Wednesday. I like Beachy, due to the strikeout potential, more than Wood, and more than what Hudson would have done, and what Maholm will do. With underrated lefty Mike Minor -- tops among Braves starters this season on the Player Rater -- and young, improving right-hander Julio Teheran locked in place, that leaves three rotation spots. Wood and Beachy take two of them. I think Maholm’s health situation is minor. In fact, if the Braves didn’t have incredible depth, he probably would have avoided a DL stint in the first place. I think the Braves will promote Maholm back to the rotation next week, and Kris Medlen, the darling of 2012 but who has been merely average in 2013, will assume a bullpen role, perhaps a prominent one setting up.

Medlen has not looked like the same guy from last season, with an inflated hit rate, depressed strikeout mark and a lot more walks. His strand rate from 2012 has dropped quite a bit, and his .261 BABIP has risen, not surprisingly. He’s still useful, but I have to admit his fall from grace isn’t a surprise. I didn’t draft him anywhere. I didn’t expect him in a bullpen, but still, that’s the Braves. They develop great arms all the time. If only they could help the underwhelming offense. Medlen is scheduled to start this weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals, but based on a 5.45 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over the past month, I don’t know why you’d want to use him in that matchup regardless.

Rank (May), name, eligibility, team	TC	EK	BR	AJM	TZ	SC	DH	AVG
1. (1) Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Det	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1.0
2. (4) Mike Trout, OF, LAA	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2.0
3. (5) Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Col	4	3	4	3	3	4	3	3.4
4. (3) Robinson Cano, 2B, NYY	3	4	3	4	6	3	4	3.9
5. (24) Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Ari	7	7	6	9	4	7	7	6.7
6. (6) Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pit	5	5	5	14	10	5	6	7.1
7. (9) Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD	8	16	10	8	17	8	9	10.9
8. (68) Chris Davis, 1B/OF, Bal	6	6	11	24	7	10	23	12.4
9. (12) Joey Votto, 1B, Cin	12	17	16	7	21	6	11	12.9
9. (11) David Wright, 3B, NYM	9	8	15	6	27	15	10	12.9
11. (22) Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/3B, Tor	13	10	23	15	5	13	21	14.3
12. (20) Adrian Beltre, 3B, Tex	24	9	22	12	9	14	17	15.3
13. (8) Prince Fielder, 1B, Det	18	14	8	20	28	16	8	16.0
14. (19) Jose Bautista, OF, Tor	22	18	7	18	12	20	18	16.4
15. (17) Adam Jones, OF, Bal	17	22	9	36	11	12	12	17.0
15. (10) Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Col	32	15	14	5	23	25	5	17.0
17. (28) Adam Wainwright, SP, StL	11	28	12	11	34	9	20	17.9
18. (15) Evan Longoria, 3B, TB	14	11	18	17	31	31	13	19.3
19. (15) Felix Hernandez, SP, Sea	15	23	19	10	36	29	14	20.9
20. (2) Ryan Braun, OF, Mil	25	12	28	21	8	41	16	21.6
21. (26) Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Bos	29	19	20	19	26	17	25	22.1
22. (23) Buster Posey, C/1B, SF	21	35	13	13	24	37	28	24.4
23. (14) Bryce Harper, OF, Wsh	28	13	31	22	45	11	22	24.6
24. (29) Cliff Lee, SP, Phi	26	32	27	16	32	19	26	25.4
25. (41) Carlos Gomez, OF, Mil	19	26	21	25	13	21	55	25.7
26. (67) Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cle	34	20	24	44	22	23	15	26.0
27. (167) Hanley Ramirez, 3B/SS, LAD	10	21	35	33	14	34	37	26.3
27. (31) Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Bos	31	31	17	38	16	27	24	26.3
29. (47) Allen Craig, 1B/OF, StL	44	27	36	40	15	26	31	31.3
30. (21) Ian Kinsler, 2B, Tex	35	33	39	32	43	24	19	32.1
31. (27) Yu Darvish, SP, Tex	20	25	26	26	59	30	51	33.9
32. (54) Max Scherzer, SP, Det	16	56	30	28	75	18	29	36.0
33. (87) Jean Segura, SS, Mil	36	24	25	68	42	22	56	39.0
34. (55) Matt Harvey, SP, NYM	38	42	32	27	64	32	39	39.1
35. (7) Justin Upton, OF, Atl	50	44	38	42	25	43	34	39.4
36. (36) Madison Bumgarner, SP, SF	27	54	41	30	44	36	46	39.7
37. (32) Stephen Strasburg, SP, Wsh	30	39	40	41	57	28	47	40.3
38. (62) Jay Bruce, OF, Cin	43	30	42	49	38	39	52	41.9
39. (154) Jose Reyes, SS, Tor	39	29	33	85	19	47	42	42.0
40. (40) Alex Rios, OF, CWS	58	51	53	48	20	35	43	44.0
41. (NR) Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD	67	50	34	53	30	54	30	45.4
42. (13) Justin Verlander, SP, Det	23	36	29	45	85	73	35	46.6
43. (49) Jordan Zimmermann, SP, Wsh	42	76	63	23	52	40	33	47.0
44. (44) Chris Sale, SP, CWS	46	48	54	29	29	48	79	47.6
45. (127) Michael Cuddyer, OF/1B, Col	88	40	37	73	18	56	40	50.3
46. (25) Albert Pujols, 1B, LAA	53	66	45	43	51	51	44	50.4
47. (80) David Ortiz, DH, Bos	47	41	56	37	35	57	82	50.7
48. (33) Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Cin	52	65	48	34	55	58	45	51.0
49. (51) Craig Kimbrel, RP, Atl	41	87	43	31	62	49	48	51.6
50. (75) Yadier Molina, C, StL	64	45	44	47	53	42	70	52.1
51. (39) Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, LAD	55	64	59	35	61	60	38	53.1
51. (60) Ian Desmond, SS, Wsh	56	43	62	46	77	38	50	53.1
53. (82) Manny Machado, 3B, Bal	71	37	52	58	72	33	53	53.7
54. (43) David Price, SP, TB	33	47	61	70	96	52	27	55.1
55. (29) Matt Holliday, OF, StL	62	62	46	50	33	101	36	55.7
56. (34) Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cin	77	53	51	72	56	44	41	56.3
57. (59) Aroldis Chapman, SP/RP, Cin	51	93	64	39	83	59	54	63.3
58. (76) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atl	49	74	60	59	70	55	84	64.4
59. (104) Starling Marte, OF, Pit	81	34	74	98	40	74	58	65.6
60. (88) Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Mia	40	38	50	128	65	82	57	65.7
61. (37) Alex Gordon, OF, KC	91	68	58	61	47	76	68	67.0
62. (105) Carlos Beltran, OF, StL	70	52	55	75	68	55	102	68.1
63. (94) Nelson Cruz, OF, Tex	79	63	70	66	88	61	65	70.3
64. (70) Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Wsh	45	81	66	67	99	63	81	71.7
65. (74) Hunter Pence, OF, SF	103	58	68	79	54	46	98	72.3
66. (58) Austin Jackson, OF, Det	59	71	91	94	63	68	62	72.6
67. (69) Gio Gonzalez, SP, Wsh	37	79	49	89	103	78	76	73.0
68. (45) Ben Zobrist, OF/2B/SS, TB	99	55	76	71	90	64	61	73.7
69. (262) Domonic Brown, OF, Phi	73	60	57	162	66	45	66	75.6
70. (18) Matt Kemp, OF, LAD	123	89	72	115	49	50	32	75.7
70. (64) Mat Latos, SP, Cin	65	73	65	54	118	77	78	75.7
72. (42) Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Oak	84	75	79	92	39	108	73	78.6
73. (161) Everth Cabrera, SS, SD	74	49	47	141	109	67	71	79.7
74. (53) Carlos Santana, C/1B, Cle	114	70	77	51	128	66	64	81.4
75. (46) Cole Hamels, SP, Phi	63	61	78	80	101	103	88	82.0
76. (214) M. Carpenter, 1B/2B/3B/OF, StL	105	46	93	137	48	91	60	82.9
77. (83) Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA	86	78	89	113	80	86	49	83.0
78. (52) Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC	134	85	82	56	79	70	94	85.7
79. (77) Joe Mauer, C/1B, Min	93	96	67	57	136	75	87	87.3
80. (56) James Shields, SP, KC	78	69	92	76	152	69	80	88.0
81. (71) Chase Utley, 2B, Phi	108	99	108	63	73	94	72	88.1
82. (38) Billy Butler, 1B, KC	116	67	73	69	119	115	63	88.9
83. (73) Mark Trumbo, OF/1B, LAA	137	77	80	78	78	72	101	89.0
84. (96) Dexter Fowler, OF, Col	120	83	102	86	69	71	93	89.1
85. (107) Mariano Rivera, RP, NYY	57	109	84	65	100	83	130	89.7
86. (135) Hisashi Iwakuma, SP/RP, Sea	97	104	88	87	94	100	59	89.9
87. (209) Josh Donaldson, 3B, Oak	109	57	71	132	67	81	114	90.1
88. (81) Desmond Jennings, OF, TB	92	86	83	82	116	97	77	90.4
89. (57) Matt Moore, SP, TB	69	115	85	88	127	65	86	90.7
90. (141) Jason Grilli, RP, Pit	75	107	81	77	124	62	112	91.1
91. (79) Zack Greinke, SP, LAD	48	72	98	147	126	88	69	92.6
92. (117) Joe Nathan, RP, Tex	85	124	69	60	133	89	95	93.6
93. (108) Jered Weaver, SP, LAA	61	82	104	150	71	110	83	94.4
94. (86) Jose Altuve, 2B, Hou	83	98	97	117	91	87	89	94.6
95. (90) Hiroki Kuroda, SP, NYY	68	92	105	83	108	105	104	95.0
96. (63) CC Sabathia, SP, NYY	60	100	90	64	161	116	85	96.6
97. (200) Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD	54	136	113	122	60	84	120	98.4
98. (130) Howard Kendrick, 2B, LAA	126	94	99	110	84	85	97	99.3
99. (97) Sergio Romo, RP, SF	125	135	106	52	74	92	117	100.1
100. (34) Starlin Castro, SS, CHC	144	84	75	101	132	119	67	103.1
101. (98) Torii Hunter, OF, Det	146	116	103	96	46	106	115	104.0
102. (131) Mike Minor, SP, Atl	72	91	101	95	140	93	137	104.1
103. (94) Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Phi	102	142	109	55	113	99	116	105.1
104. (102) Mike Napoli, C/1B, Bos	188	117	86	105	58	79	109	106.0
105. (85) Anibal Sanchez, SP, Det	107	97	110	62	163	98	106	106.1
106. (60) Michael Bourn, OF, Cle	95	127	95	120	98	144	75	107.7
107. (142) Aaron Hill, 2B, Ari	164	59	126	130	50	95	134	108.3
108. (47) Matt Cain, SP, SF	101	80	87	103	82	250	74	111.0
109. (146) Homer Bailey, SP, Cin	66	125	129	102	117	122	123	112.0
110. (197) Edward Mujica, RP, StL	112	132	107	106	120	96	128	114.4
111. (111) Rafael Soriano, RP, Wsh	82	141	114	81	146	113	125	114.6
111. (136) Shelby Miller, RP/SP, StL	104	88	94	97	182	104	133	114.6
113. (128) Wilin Rosario, C, Col	138	137	96	119	95	80	143	115.4
114. (122) Brett Gardner, OF, NYY	156	126	121	121	41	111	142	116.9
115. (158) Greg Holland, RP, KC	80	149	118	91	134	102	155	118.4
116. (84) Jason Heyward, OF, Atl	131	102	125	153	87	140	92	118.6
117. (139) Kyle Seager, 3B, Sea	129	143	130	99	92	112	127	118.9
118. (99) Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Cle	98	118	119	129	142	123	107	119.4
119. (176) Eric Hosmer, 1B, KC	111	101	136	143	97	164	90	120.3
120. (131) Coco Crisp, OF, Oak	173	123	111	100	76	130	131	120.6
121. (110) Jeff Samardzija, SP, CHC	87	106	112	125	139	154	124	121.0
122. (113) Clay Buchholz, SP, Bos	94	108	116	93	174	138	126	121.3
123. (121) Alejandro De Aza, OF, CWS	171	129	115	131	102	109	105	123.1
123. (92) Elvis Andrus, SS, Tex	147	114	133	135	110	120	103	123.1
125. (220) Patrick Corbin, SP, Ari	89	111	124	155	164	90	154	126.7
126. (112) Lance Lynn, SP, StL	96	147	117	90	176	152	110	126.9
127. (114) Jim Johnson, RP, Bal	110	145	122	109	157	126	122	127.3
128. (140) Addison Reed, RP, CWS	121	154	140	84	129	114	152	127.7
129. (209) Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pit	100	103	100	159	187	155	100	129.1
130. (170) Glen Perkins, RP, Min	106	151	123	104	144	125	162	130.7
131. (134) Fernando Rodney, RP, TB	90	161	143	114	131	143	141	131.9
132. (100) Doug Fister, SP, Det	133	164	127	74	177	107	146	132.6
133. (102) Jake Peavy, SP, CWS	124	150	139	112	160	118	139	134.6
134. (109) Shane Victorino, OF, Bos	185	172	153	134	81	129	108	137.4
135. (106) Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phi	155	110	146	136	154	149	118	138.3
136. (77) Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Mil	216	95	131	133	112	179	113	139.9
137. (126) A.J. Burnett, SP, Pit	132	113	150	124	202	136	132	141.3
138. (164) Nick Markakis, OF, Bal	222	121	142	146	115	117	129	141.7
139. (177) Kendrys Morales, 1B, Sea	165	134	162	140	93	150	149	141.9
139. (192) Nate McLouth, OF, Bal	213	130	120	148	150	121	111	141.9
141. (50) Chase Headley, 3B, SD	143	179	128	116	151	187	91	142.1
142. (93) Martin Prado, OF/2B/3B, Ari	141	122	132	126	191	157	136	143.6
143. (65) Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF	159	105	137	123	NR	133	96	144.7
144. (148) Casey Janssen, RP, Tor	136	166	161	108	138	145	165	145.6
145. (190) Grant Balfour, RP, Oak	127	155	148	152	122	153	172	147.0
146. (173) Alfonso Soriano, OF, CHC	219	140	152	142	105	127	147	147.4
147. (207) Travis Wood, SP, CHC	174	119	151	167	125	166	158	151.4
148. (147) Derek Holland, SP, Tex	140	128	144	111	226	139	174	151.7
149. (203) Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM	117	183	134	127	130	159	214	152.0
150. (189) Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD	139	131	138	186	208	132	135	152.7
151. (244) Ernesto Frieri, RP, LAA	142	167	164	180	107	137	178	153.6
152. (144) Norichika Aoki, OF, Mil	245	146	171	107	111	147	151	154.0
153. (119) Matt Wieters, C, Bal	203	144	147	138	178	124	148	154.6
154. (71) Carl Crawford, OF, LAD	170	138	158	118	200	234	99	159.6
155. (252) Justin Masterson, SP, Cle	169	205	149	197	155	128	140	163.3
156. (182) J.J. Hardy, SS, Bal	168	156	167	161	184	146	164	163.7
157. (236) Jonathan Lucroy, C, Mil	150	168	157	203	147	134	189	164.0
158. (242) Matt Garza, SP, CHC	76	229	156	228	156	162	144	164.4
159. (185) Victor Martinez, C, Det	162	188	145	182	123	182	170	164.6
159. (123) R.A. Dickey, SP, Tor	128	162	155	175	195	216	121	164.6
161. (228) Ervin Santana, SP, KC	157	112	165	183	234	131	176	165.4
162. (186) C.J. Wilson, SP, LAA	113	211	168	164	165	171	177	167.0
163. (66) Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY	119	90	135	204	104	NR	NR	167.4
164. (183) Adam LaRoche, 1B, Wsh	194	139	170	168	179	148	180	168.3
165. (204) Jayson Werth, OF, Wsh	177	159	175	169	148	168	185	168.7
166. (275) Adam Lind, 1B, Tor	183	200	184	196	114	170	138	169.3
167. (125) Kris Medlen, SP/RP, Atl	166	194	141	151	180	192	171	170.7
168. (NR) Leonys Martin, OF, Tex	193	178	166	NR	37	173	190	171.0
169. (302) Bartolo Colon, SP, Oak	153	173	159	200	207	189	119	171.4
170. (241) Brian McCann, C, Atl	135	186	154	189	213	135	206	174.0
171. (213) Alexei Ramirez, SS, CWS	201	158	169	207	143	161	188	175.3
172. (253) Jose Fernandez, SP, Mia	118	175	172	173	250	160	183	175.9
173. (250) Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM	176	152	179	226	159	151	201	177.7
174. (179) Jeremy Hellickson, SP, TB	151	212	188	149	167	214	167	178.3
175. (91) Johnny Cueto, SP, Cin	211	177	190	144	223	175	145	180.7
176. (89) Jon Lester, SP, Bos	145	133	173	139	NR	NR	160	181.4
177. (245) Steve Cishek, RP, Mia	158	226	197	171	172	188	163	182.1
178. (281) Adam Dunn, 1B, CWS	195	171	181	241	89	191	224	184.6
179. (NR) Koji Uehara, RP, Bos	180	184	196	NR	106	141	227	184.9
180. (NR) Francisco Liriano, SP, Pit	122	160	194	NR	204	167	198	186.4
181. (288) Wil Myers, OF, TB	160	120	160	250	186	207	225	186.9
182. (160) Erick Aybar, SS, LAA	190	195	183	178	231	172	173	188.9
183. (165) Rafael Betancourt, RP, Col	182	198	211	170	212	181	186	191.4
184. (124) Melky Cabrera, OF, Tor	240	230	185	174	86	NR	166	191.6
185. (277) Michael Brantley, OF, Cle	230	208	187	238	137	198	157	193.6
186. (256) Colby Rasmus, OF, Tor	204	234	198	206	141	218	159	194.3
187. (227) Jed Lowrie, SS/2B, Oak	186	181	217	166	209	174	228	194.4
188. (279) Jhonny Peralta, SS, Det	225	165	177	222	232	158	197	196.6
189. (NR) Julio Teheran, SP, Atl	115	239	176	237	NR	156	194	196.7
189. (258) Jarrod Parker, SP, Oak	130	182	195	NR	153	197	NR	196.7
191. (149) Alex Cobb, SP, TB	167	232	204	145	NR	221	153	197.4
192. (202) Justin Morneau, 1B, Min	NR	206	180	191	181	165	203	198.0
193. (256) A.J. Griffin, SP, Oak	184	204	210	NR	145	195	192	198.6
194. (145) Todd Frazier, 3B/1B, Cin	NR	196	163	158	239	163	221	200.0
195. (188) Chris Perez, RP, Cle	149	223	213	246	199	178	193	200.1
196. (116) Alcides Escobar, SS, KC	NR	233	192	156	189	224	150	200.6
197. (211) Ichiro Suzuki, OF, NYY	241	189	191	202	211	203	181	202.6
197. (170) Tim Lincecum, SP, SF	199	153	203	184	193	NR	226	202.6
199. (NR) Jeff Locke, SP, Pit	205	187	189	NR	188	183	208	202.9
200. (222) Chris Carter, 1B/OF, Hou	233	203	212	192	166	208	207	203.0
200. (NR) John Lackey, SP, Bos	148	213	178	236	NR	142	244	203.0
200. (157) Tim Hudson, SP, Atl	221	219	225	160	168	NR	168	203.0
203. (131) Brett Lawrie, 3B, Tor	238	163	207	219	169	NR	187	206.1
204. (219) Salvador Perez, C, KC	152	201	240	224	NR	177	204	208.3
205. (152) Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC	NR	169	208	165	183	NR	219	209.1
206. (150) Tom Wilhelmsen, RP, Sea	NR	192	219	154	171	212	NR	209.7
207. (153) Tommy Milone, SP, Oak	179	246	216	172	216	NR	182	210.1
208. (NR) Raul Ibanez, OF, Sea	243	148	174	233	NR	185	241	212.0
209. (231) Josh Johnson, SP, Tor	154	190	201	NR	192	NR	229	212.3
210. (230) Jedd Gyorko, 2B/3B, SD	200	185	233	195	NR	196	222	213.0
211. (180) Huston Street, RP, SD	189	225	234	245	185	205	210	213.3
212. (267) Brandon Belt, 1B, SF	207	176	231	220	230	233	209	215.1
213. (187) Paul Maholm, SP, Atl	202	180	202	201	NR	202	NR	215.3
214. (223) Mitch Moreland, 1B, Tex	NR	217	222	177	206	211	216	215.6
215. (118) Yovani Gallardo, SP, Mil	224	202	182	163	221	NR	NR	216.0
216. (168) Rickie Weeks, 2B, Mil	210	242	199	188	NR	229	202	218.6
217. (196) Brandon Moss, 1B/OF, Oak	247	227	205	181	NR	201	211	218.9
218. (NR) James Loney, 1B, TB	NR	174	209	223	238	180	249	219.0
219. (NR) Mike Leake, SP, Cin	187	220	193	NR	243	184	247	219.1
219. (170) Andrelton Simmons, SS, Atl	NR	231	229	187	218	230	179	219.1
221. (NR) Joaquin Benoit, RP, Det	172	NR	227	NR	158	199	NR	219.4
222. (310) Gerardo Parra, OF, Ari	NR	209	214	244	121	NR	231	219.9
223. (271) Brandon Beachy, SP, Atl	191	240	NR	243	229	193	184	220.0
224. (303) Jose Veras, RP, Hou	215	210	238	NR	196	176	NR	222.1
225. (301) Rajai Davis, OF, Tor	NR	157	223	NR	NR	206	195	223.0
225. (NR) Daniel Nava, OF/1B, Bos	NR	191	200	249	NR	186	215	223.0
227. (151) Nick Swisher, OF/1B, Cle	NR	222	218	157	224	246	243	224.3
228. (233) David Freese, 3B, StL	235	214	186	239	244	236	217	224.4
229. (195) Dan Uggla, 2B, Atl	197	228	242	210	NR	245	196	225.4
229. (239) Kyle Lohse, SP, Mil	161	248	228	225	241	215	NR	225.4
231. (101) B.J. Upton, OF, Atl	NR	224	230	193	NR	NR	156	226.1
232. (155) Mark Reynolds, 1B/3B, Cle	NR	247	206	176	NR	190	248	226.7
233. (280) Matt Joyce, OF, TB	NR	241	215	230	173	231	240	227.1
234. (175) Michael Morse, OF, Sea	208	NR	249	212	NR	210	199	228.3
235. (184) Andre Ethier, OF, LAD	231	216	244	179	NR	NR	213	229.0
236. (NR) Ricky Nolasco, SP, LAD	175	237	243	235	NR	194	NR	229.1
237. (293) Kevin Gregg, RP, CHC	178	197	247	NR	NR	232	234	229.7
238. (229) Tony Cingrani, RP/SP, Cin	217	170	235	NR	NR	247	223	230.3
239. (221) Omar Infante, 2B, Det	NR	NR	245	194	205	227	232	231.9
240. (137) Paul Konerko, 1B, CWS	NR	NR	232	211	170	235	NR	232.6
241. (194) Justin Ruggiano, OF, Mia	NR	245	224	205	NR	NR	175	232.7
242. (264) Andrew Cashner, RP/SP, SD	232	NR	226	NR	194	220	242	233.4
242. (163) Ryan Dempster, SP, Bos	228	199	NR	227	NR	NR	200	233.4
244. (234) Marco Scutaro, 2B/SS, SF	NR	215	NR	185	240	242	233	233.6
245. (159) Lance Berkman, 1B, Tex	NR	NR	NR	208	149	NR	NR	236.7
246. (NR) Marcell Ozuna, OF, Mia	NR	NR	NR	NR	190	204	235	238.4
247. (NR) Dan Straily, SP, Oak	237	NR	NR	NR	135	NR	NR	238.9
248. (NR) Chris Tillman, SP, Bal	163	243	241	NR	NR	NR	246	239.0
249. (169) Michael Saunders, OF, Sea	NR	NR	NR	209	NR	NR	169	239.7
250. (NR) Jason Castro, C, Hou	223	NR	NR	240	NR	200	237	240.0

<CENTER>Rank</CENTER>	Player	<CENTER>Team</CENTER>	<CENTER>2013 Elig. Pos.</CENTER>	<CENTER>Age</CENTER>	<CENTER>2013 Pre</CENTER>	<CENTER>Prev. Peak</CENTER>	<CENTER>Peaked When?</CENTER>
1	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	21	1	1	2013 Preseason
2	Miguel Cabrera	Det	3B	30	3	2	2012 Preseason
3	Carlos Gonzalez	Col	OF	27	11	6	2012 Midseason
4	Bryce Harper	Wsh	OF	20	7	7	2013 Preseason
5	Andrew McCutchen	Pit	OF	26	4	2	2012 Midseason
6	Manny Machado	Bal	3B	21	56	56	2013 Preseason
7	Giancarlo Stanton	Mia	OF	23	5	5	2013 Preseason
8	Buster Posey	SF	C/1B	26	13	13	2013 Preseason
9	Paul Goldschmidt	Ari	1B	25	43	43	2013 Preseason
10	Ryan Braun	Mil	OF	29	2	1	2012 Preseason
11	Chris Davis	Bal	1B/OF	27	156	124	2010 Preseason
12	Robinson Cano	NYY	2B	30	8	6	2011 Preseason
13	Prince Fielder	Det	1B	29	10	5	2010 Preseason
14	Adam Jones	Bal	OF	27	30	30	2013 Preseason
15	Joey Votto	Cin	1B	29	12	1	2012 Midseason
16	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	25	15	15	2013 Preseason
17	Troy Tulowitzki	Col	SS	28	18	1	2011 Midseason
18	Felix Hernandez	Sea	SP	27	20	8	2011 Midseason
19	David Wright	NYM	3B	30	22	5	2010 Midseason
20	Evan Longoria	TB	3B	27	23	4	2011 Preseason
21	Hanley Ramirez	LAD	3B/SS	29	26	1	2011 Preseason
22	Jay Bruce	Cin	OF	26	24	21	2011 Midseason
23	Stephen Strasburg	Wsh	SP	24	17	17	2013 Preseason
24	Justin Upton	Atl	OF	25	9	3	2012 Preseason
25	Matt Harvey	NYM	SP	24	171	171	2013 Preseason
26	Jean Segura	Mil	SS	23	215	215	2013 Preseason
27	Jacoby Ellsbury	Bos	OF	29	50	14	2012 Preseason
28	Jason Kipnis	Cle	2B	26	68	44	2012 Midseason
29	Carlos Gomez	Mil	OF	27	138	138	2013 Preseason
30	Matt Kemp	LAD	OF	28	6	4	2012 Preseason
31	Yu Darvish	Tex	SP	26	63	63	2013 Preseason
32	Madison Bumgarner	SF	SP	23	33	33	2013 Preseason
33	Pedro Alvarez	Pit	3B	26	124	77	2011 Preseason
34	Wil Myers	TB	OF	22	70	70	2013 Preseason
35	David Price	TB	SP	27	25	25	2013 Preseason
36	Dustin Pedroia	Bos	2B	29	27	21	2012 Preseason
37	Freddie Freeman	Atl	1B	23	61	61	2013 Preseason
38	Justin Verlander	Det	SP	30	19	19	2013 Preseason
39	Jose Bautista	Tor	OF	32	35	14	2012 Midseason
40	Max Scherzer	Det	SP	28	97	86	2011 Preseason
41	Adrian Beltre	Tex	3B	34	40	40	2013 Preseason
42	Adam Wainwright	StL	SP	31	77	14	2010 Midseason
43	Domonic Brown	Phi	OF	25	--	78	2011 Midseason
44	Jordan Zimmermann	Wsh	SP	27	65	51	2012 Midseason
45	Ian Desmond	Wsh	SS	27	57	57	2013 Preseason
46	Carlos Santana	Cle	C/1B	27	47	38	2012 Preseason
47	Edwin Encarnacion	Tor	1B/3B	30	45	45	2013 Preseason
48	Yasiel Puig	LAD	OF	22	--	--	--
49	Cole Hamels	Phi	SP	29	31	23	2012 Preseason
50	Yoenis Cespedes	Oak	OF	27	39	39	2013 Preseason
51	Gio Gonzalez	Wsh	SP	27	42	42	2013 Preseason
52	Chris Sale	CWS	SP	24	67	66	2012 Midseason
53	Shelby Miller	StL	SP/RP	22	133	133	2013 Preseason
54	Starlin Castro	ChC	SS	23	21	21	2013 Preseason
55	Matt Moore	TB	SP	24	48	48	2013 Preseason
56	Homer Bailey	Cin	SP	27	182	182	2013 Preseason
57	Austin Jackson	Det	OF	26	52	52	2013 Preseason
58	Ryan Zimmerman	Wsh	3B	28	49	14	2011 Midseason
59	Allen Craig	StL	1B/OF	28	85	85	2013 Preseason
60	Desmond Jennings	TB	OF	26	62	37	2012 Preseason
61	Jason Heyward	Atl	OF	23	14	14	2013 Preseason
62	Zack Greinke	LAD	SP	29	41	21	2010 Preseason
63	Mat Latos	Cin	SP	25	82	40	2011 Preseason
64	Jose Reyes	Tor	SS	30	32	18	2010 Preseason
65	Yadier Molina	StL	C	31	91	79	2012 Midseason
66	Adrian Gonzalez	LAD	1B	31	55	10	2011 Preseason
67	Jose Fernandez	Mia	SP	20	--	--	--
68	Dexter Fowler	Col	OF	27	119	116	2012 Midseason
69	Eric Hosmer	KC	1B	23	44	29	2012 Preseason
70	Craig Kimbrel	Atl	RP	25	64	61	2012 Preseason
71	Matt Cain	SF	SP	28	36	26	2012 Midseason
72	Aroldis Chapman	Cin	RP/SP	25	71	69	2012 Midseason
73	Asdrubal Cabrera	Cle	SS	27	76	54	2012 Midseason
74	Albert Pujols	LAA	1B	33	16	2	2010 Preseason
75	Alex Gordon	KC	OF	29	79	31	2012 Preseason
76	Josh Donaldson	Oak	3B	27	--	--	--
77	Mike Minor	Atl	SP	25	207	207	2013 Preseason
78	Jose Altuve	Hou	2B	23	74	74	2013 Preseason
79	Anthony Rizzo	ChC	1B	23	66	66	2013 Preseason
80	Joe Mauer	Min	C/1B	30	73	10	2010 Preseason
81	Ian Kinsler	Tex	2B	31	28	19	2012 Midseason
82	Jered Weaver	LAA	SP	30	46	33	2012 Midseason
83	Matt Carpenter	StL	2B/1B/3B/OF	27	--	--	--
84	Mark Trumbo	LAA	OF/1B	27	72	59	2012 Midseason
85	Jurickson Profar	Tex	2B	20	95	95	2013 Preseason
86	Jarrod Parker	Oak	SP	24	118	115	2012 Midseason
87	Shin-Soo Choo	Cin	OF	31	88	33	2011 Preseason
88	Oscar Taveras	StL	OF	21	107	107	2013 Preseason
89	Chase Headley	SD	3B	29	51	51	2013 Preseason
90	Starling Marte	Pit	OF	24	168	168	2013 Preseason
91	Gerrit Cole	Pit	SP	22	163	163	2013 Preseason
92	Everth Cabrera	SD	SS	26	244	190	2010 Preseason
93	Kenley Jansen	LAD	RP	25	129	84	2012 Midseason
94	Salvador Perez	KC	C	23	87	87	2013 Preseason
95	CC Sabathia	NYY	SP	32	86	29	2011 Preseason
96	Matt Wieters	Bal	C	27	38	38	2013 Preseason
97	Jeff Samardzija	ChC	SP	28	170	170	2013 Preseason
98	Julio Teheran	Atl	SP	22	242	109	2011 Midseason
99	Elvis Andrus	Tex	SS	24	59	27	2012 Midseason
100	Kyle Seager	Sea	3B	25	149	149	2013 Preseason
101	Billy Butler	KC	1B	27	37	37	2013 Preseason
102	Cliff Lee	Phi	SP	34	84	18	2010 Midseason
103	Johnny Cueto	Cin	SP	27	69	69	2013 Preseason
104	Alex Rios	CWS	OF	32	93	31	2010 Midseason
105	Pablo Sandoval	SF	3B	26	53	30	2010 Preseason
106	Lance Lynn	StL	SP	26	164	164	2013 Preseason
107	Anibal Sanchez	Det	SP	29	122	105	2011 Midseason
108	B.J. Upton	Atl	OF	28	54	28	2010 Preseason
109	Curtis Granderson	NYY	OF	32	58	39	2012 Midseason
110	Wilin Rosario	Col	C	24	103	103	2013 Preseason
111	Howie Kendrick	LAA	2B	30	159	78	2012 Preseason
112	Jedd Gyorko	SD	2B/3B	24	155	155	2013 Preseason
113	Brandon Beachy	Atl	SP	26	139	130	2012 Preseason
114	Patrick Corbin	Ari	SP	23	--	--	--
115	Greg Holland	KC	RP	27	157	157	2013 Preseason
116	Josh Reddick	Oak	OF	26	101	101	2013 Preseason
117	Brett Lawrie	Tor	3B	23	34	20	2012 Midseason
118	Matt Holliday	StL	OF	33	60	29	2010 Midseason
119	Matt Garza	ChC	SP	29	146	72	2012 Preseason
120	Billy Hamilton	Cin	SS/OF	22	113	113	2013 Preseason
121	James Shields	KC	SP	31	104	82	2012 Preseason
122	Zack Wheeler	NYM	SP/RP	23	195	158	2012 Midseason
123	Michael Bourn	Cle	OF	30	81	56	2012 Midseason
124	Nolan Arenado	Col	3B	22	--	197	2012 Preseason
125	Brandon Belt	SF	1B	25	176	112	2011 Midseason
126	Brandon Phillips	Cin	2B	32	83	34	2010 Midseason
127	Todd Frazier	Cin	3B/1B	27	115	115	2013 Preseason
128	Kris Medlen	Atl	SP/RP	27	80	80	2013 Preseason
129	Jonathan Lucroy	Mil	C	27	134	134	2013 Preseason
130	Anthony Rendon	Wsh	2B/3B	23	225	225	2013 Preseason
131	Kendrys Morales	Sea	1B	30	202	46	2011 Preseason
132	Derek Holland	Tex	SP	26	191	129	2012 Preseason
133	Addison Reed	CWS	RP	24	148	123	2012 Midseason
134	Jeremy Hellickson	TB	SP	26	114	79	2011 Midseason
135	Rafael Soriano	Wsh	RP	33	137	112	2010 Midseason
136	Brett Gardner	NYY	OF	29	130	91	2010 Midseason
137	Colby Rasmus	Tor	OF	26	200	62	2012 Midseason
138	Ben Zobrist	TB	OF/2B/SS	32	78	69	2010 Midseason
139	Nick Franklin	Sea	SS/2B	22	--	244	2011 Midseason
140	Jon Lester	Bos	SP	29	128	17	2010 Midseason
141	Hunter Pence	SF	OF	30	152	41	2012 Preseason
142	Tim Lincecum	SF	SP	29	112	13	2010 Preseason
143	Jonathan Papelbon	Phi	RP	32	127	89	2010 Midseason
144	Jed Lowrie	Oak	SS/2B	29	193	143	2012 Midseason
145	Ernesto Frieri	LAA	RP	27	172	133	2012 Midseason
146	Lorenzo Cain	KC	OF	27	226	226	2013 Preseason
147	Carl Crawford	LAD	OF	31	120	4	2010 Midseason
148	Nick Castellanos	Det	3B	21	240	240	2013 Preseason
149	Doug Fister	Det	SP	29	154	154	2013 Preseason
150	Tyler Skaggs	Ari	SP	22	199	199	2013 Preseason
151	Brian McCann	Atl	C	29	160	42	2010 Preseason
152	Aaron Hill	Ari	2B	31	105	64	2010 Preseason
153	Sergio Romo	SF	RP	30	237	237	2013 Preseason
154	Clay Buchholz	Bos	SP	28	--	70	2011 Preseason
155	Chris Tillman	Bal	SP	25	--	--	--
156	Andrelton Simmons	Atl	SS	23	169	169	2013 Preseason
157	Leonys Martin	Tex	OF	25	--	--	--
158	Mike Zunino	Sea	C	22	--	--	--
159	Matt Adams	StL	1B	24	--	--	--
160	Martin Prado	Ari	3B/OF/2B	29	116	84	2010 Midseason
161	David Ortiz	Bos	DH	37	175	67	2012 Midseason
162	Josh Hamilton	LAA	OF	32	29	22	2011 Preseason
163	Adam Eaton	Ari	OF	24	192	192	2013 Preseason
164	Bobby Parnell	NYM	RP	28	--	--	--
165	Brett Anderson	Oak	SP	25	99	83	2010 Preseason
166	Christian Yelich	Mia	OF/1B	21	214	214	2013 Preseason
167	Ian Kennedy	Ari	SP	28	108	94	2012 Preseason
168	J.J. Hardy	Bal	SS	30	180	126	2012 Preseason
169	Tony Cingrani	Cin	SP/RP	24	--	--	--
170	Xander Bogaerts	Bos	SS	20	223	223	2013 Preseason
171	Jim Johnson	Bal	RP	30	197	150	2012 Midseason
172	Glen Perkins	Min	RP	30	--	--	--
173	Josh Johnson	Tor	SP	29	110	11	2010 Midseason
174	Alcides Escobar	KC	SS	26	131	131	2013 Preseason
175	Miguel Sano	Min	SS	20	188	188	2013 Preseason
176	Yonder Alonso	SD	1B	26	217	182	2012 Preseason
177	Michael Wacha	Stl	RP/SP	22	--	--	--
178	Hisashi Iwakuma	Sea	SP/RP	32	--	--	--
179	Jimmy Rollins	Phi	SS	34	121	44	2010 Preseason
180	Trevor Rosenthal	Stl	RP	23	--	--	--
181	Nick Markakis	Bal	OF	29	158	36	2010 Preseason
182	Ben Revere	Phi	OF	25	135	135	2013 Preseason
183	Jason Castro	Hou	C	26	--	--	--
184	Yovani Gallardo	Mil	SP	27	89	49	2012 Preseason
185	Daniel Murphy	NYM	2B	28	243	219	2012 Midseason
186	Logan Morrison	Mia	OF/1B	25	--	80	2011 Midseason
187	Mike Napoli	Bos	C/1B	31	181	56	2012 Preseason
188	R.A. Dickey	Tor	SP	38	102	102	2013 Preseason
189	Matt Joyce	TB	OF	28	234	183	2012 Preseason
190	Nelson Cruz	Tex	OF	33	126	37	2011 Preseason
191	Travis d'Arnaud	NYM	C	24	174	174	2013 Preseason
192	Brandon Morrow	Tor	SP	28	94	94	2013 Preseason
193	Oswaldo Arcia	Min	OF	22	--	--	--
194	Carlos Martinez	StL	SP/RP	21	233	223	2012 Midseason
195	David Freese	StL	3B	30	144	88	2012 Midseason
196	Miguel Montero	Ari	C	30	142	126	2010 Preseason
197	Michael Morse	Sea	OF	31	132	92	2012 Preseason
198	Carlos Beltran	StL	OF	36	147	82	2010 Preseason
199	Chris Perez	Cle	RP	28	218	115	2011 Preseason
200	Drew Smyly	Det	RP/SP	24	--	236	2012 Midseason
201	Jake Peavy	CWS	SP	32	161	130	2010 Preseason
202	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LAD	SP	26	250	250	2013 Preseason
203	Erick Aybar	LAA	SS	29	206	137	2012 Preseason
204	Jhoulys Chacin	Col	SP	25	--	69	2011 Midseason
205	David Robertson	NYY	RP	28	--	233	2012 Midseason
206	Melky Cabrera	Tor	OF	28	100	100	2013 Preseason
207	Alejandro De Aza	CWS	OF	29	208	149	2012 Midseason
208	Yasmani Grandal	SD	C	24	151	151	2013 Preseason
209	Will Middlebrooks	Bos	3B	24	92	92	2013 Preseason
210	Gordon Beckham	CWS	2B	26	238	53	2010 Preseason
211	Ike Davis	NYM	1B	26	90	90	2013 Preseason
212	Huston Street	SD	RP	29	178	136	2010 Preseason
213	Tommy Milone	Oak	SP	26	165	165	2013 Preseason
214	Jacob Turner	Mia	SP	22	--	174	2012 Preseason
215	Alexei Ramirez	CWS	SS	31	--	94	2011 Preseason
216	Taijuan Walker	Sea	SP	20	209	209	2013 Preseason
217	Evan Gattis	Atl	C/OF	26	--	--	--
218	Aaron Hicks	Min	OF	23	--	--	--
219	George Springer	Hou	OF	23	--	--	--
220	Shane Victorino	Bos	OF	32	140	88	2010 Preseason
221	Rickie Weeks	Mil	2B	30	109	37	2011 Midseason
222	Aramis Ramirez	Mil	3B	35	166	70	2010 Preseason
223	Mitch Moreland	Tex	1B	27	--	219	2011 Midseason
224	Rex Brothers	Col	RP	25	--	--	--
225	Fernando Rodney	TB	RP	36	210	210	2013 Preseason
226	Michael Pineda	NYY	SP	24	232	52	2011 Midseason
227	Alex Cobb	TB	SP	25	--	--	--
228	Justin Masterson	Cle	SP	28	--	221	2012 Midseason
229	Marcell Ozuna	Mia	OF	22	--	--	--
230	Michael Cuddyer	Col	OF/1B	34	245	102	2012 Midseason
231	Jesus Montero	Sea	C	23	96	73	2012 Preseason
232	Jonathan Singleton	Hou	1B	21	--	201	2011 Midseason
233	Tom Wilhelmsen	Sea	RP	29	222	222	2013 Preseason
234	Mark Appel	Hou	SP	22	--	--	--
235	C.J. Wilson	LAA	SP	32	203	100	2012 Midseason
236	Jhonny Peralta	Det	SS	31	--	178	2012 Preseason
237	Kevin Gausman	Bal	SP	22	--	--	--
238	Victor Martinez	Det	C	34	145	52	2010 Preseason
239	Jarrod Saltalamacchia	Bos	C	28	--	242	2012 Midseason
240	Adam Lind	Tor	1B	30	--	32	2010 Preseason
241	Chase Utley	Phi	2B	34	216	12	2010 Preseason
242	Dan Uggla	Atl	2B	33	185	39	2011 Preseason
243	Adam LaRoche	Wsh	1B	33	183	152	2010 Midseason
244	Delino DeShields Jr.	Hou	2B/OF	20	229	229	2013 Preseason
245	Steve Cishek	Mia	RP	27	--	--	--
246	Chris Archer	TB	SP	24	--	--	--
247	Francisco Liriano	Pit	SP	29	--	43	2010 Midseason
248	Cameron Maybin	SD	OF	26	123	63	2012 Preseason
249	Mark Teixeira	NYY	1B	33	98	13	2010 Midseason
250	Travis Wood	ChC	SP	26	--	238	2011 Preseason

Team	<CENTER>Closer </CENTER>	<CENTER>Next in line </CENTER>	<CENTER>Stealth </CENTER>	<CENTER>Looming </CENTER>
	Brad Ziegler	J.J. Putz	David Hernandez	Heath Bell
	Craig Kimbrel	Jordan Walden	Luis Avilan	Anthony Varvaro
	Jim Johnson	Francisco Rodriguez	Tommy Hunter	Troy Patton
	Koji Uehara	Junichi Tazawa	Matt Thornton	Craig Breslow
	Kevin Gregg	James Russell	Blake Parker	Pedro Strop
	Addison Reed	Nate Jones	Matt Lindstrom	Jesse Crain (DL)
	Aroldis Chapman	J.J. Hoover	Sam LeCure	Tony Cingrani
	Chris Perez	Joe Smith	Cody Allen	Vinnie Pestano
	Rafael Betancourt	Rex Brothers	Matt Belisle	Wilton Lopez
	Joaquin Benoit	Drew Smyly	Bruce Rondon	Al Alburquerque
	Jose Veras	Jose Cisnero	Wesley Wright	Josh Fields
	Greg Holland	Aaron Crow	Luke Hochevar	Kelvin Herrera
	Ernesto Frieri	Scott Downs	Kevin Jepsen	Ryan Madson (DL)
	Kenley Jansen	Paco Rodriguez	Ronald Belisario	Brandon League
	Steve Cishek	Mike Dunn	A.J. Ramos	Chad Qualls
	Jim Henderson	John Axford	Brandon Kintzler	Mike Gonzalez
	Glen Perkins	Casey Fien	Josh Roenicke	Jared Burton
	Bobby Parnell	LaTroy Hawkins	David Aardsma	Josh Edgin
	Mariano Rivera	David Robertson	Boone Logan	Shawn Kelley
	Grant Balfour	Ryan Cook	Sean Doolittle	Pat Neshek
	Jonathan Papelbon	Antonio Bastardo	Justin De Fratus	Jacob Diekman
	Mark Melancon	Justin Wilson	Bryan Morris	Jason Grilli (DL)
	Edward Mujica	Trevor Rosenthal	Seth Maness	Carlos Martinez
	Huston Street	Dale Thayer	Luke Gregerson	Joe Thatcher
	Sergio Romo	Santiago Casilla	Jose Mijares	Jeremy Affeldt (DL)
	Tom Wilhelmsen	Oliver Perez	Yoervis Medina	Charlie Furbush
	Fernando Rodney	Joel Peralta	Kyle Farnsworth	Jake McGee
$tex.gif$	Joe Nathan	Tanner Scheppers	Neal Cotts	Joakim Soria
	Casey Janssen	Steve Delabar	Brett Cecil	Sergio Santos (DL)
	Rafael Soriano	Drew Storen	Tyler Clippard	Craig Stammen

MLB Fantasy News 2013

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