Chicks dig the long ball. A home run is the biggest single play in fantasy. It’s the only time, one swing of the bat can boost your totals in four categories; in rotisserie leagues, it adds to HR, RBI, R and boosts your batting average. In H2H leagues, they are typically at least six points; four points for each total base, a run and at least one RBI. Guys that can hit 30-plus home runs consistently will always be worth a roster spot in any fantasy league.
Below, are the only players in Class A+ or higher that finished with 30-plus long balls in one league.
30 Home Runs in One League
Brandon Wood, Class A+ Rancho Cucamonga, LAA, 43 HR (536 AB)
John-Ford Griffin, Triple-A Syracuse, TOR, 30 HR (512 AB)
Shelley Duncan, Double-A Trenton, NYY, 34 HR (523 AB)
Luke Scott, Triple-A Round Rock, HOU, 31 HR (398 AB)
Mike Napoli, Double-A Arkansas, LAA, 31 HR (439 AB)
Todd Linden, Triple-A Fresno, SF, 30 HR (340 AB)
Scott McClain, Triple-A Iowa, CHC, 30 HR (423 AB)
Aaron Guiel, Triple-A Omaha, KC, 30 HR (496 AB)
As we look inside the numbers, there were only eight players that bashed 30-plus home runs in one minor league level. Linden, Scott and Guiel have major league experience and could each be there to stay. Remember the name Brandon Wood though. He’s got the talent to be a major home run hitter in the next couple years. He’ll likely start the 2006 season in Double-A Arkansas, but is a great player to draft if your fantasy league has minor league roster spots. What’s not to like about a 20-year-old shortstop that had 101 extra-base hits in 134 games this year?
Premier base stealers can completely control your entire rotisserie team’s chances in the stolen base category. Jose Reyes, Chone Figgins, Scott Podsednik and Juan Pierre all eclipsed the 50-steal mark this season. A player like that is as valuable as Andruw Jones is in the home run race. These guys are unique fantasy players because they are studs in roto leagues, but are nothing special in head-to-head formats.
The Minor League ranks are full of many future speed demons. As we take a look inside the numbers throughout the minors, there were 15 players that stole 40-plus bases at one level.
40 Stolen Bases in One League
Todd Donovan, Double-A Jacksonville, LAD, 62-for-75
Christopher Walker, Class A+ Daytona, CHC, 60-for-81
Josh Anderson, Double-A Corpus Christi, HOU, 55-for-69
Robert Valido, Class A+ Winston Salem, CHW, 52-for-57
Erick Aybar, Double-A Arkansas, LAA, 49-for-62
Esix Snead, Triple-A Richmond, ATL, 46-for-60
Rajai Davis, Double-A Altoona, PIT, 45-for-54
Rich Thompson, Double-A Altoona, PIT, 45-for-51
B.J. Upton, Triple-A Durham, TB, 44-for-57
Esteban German, Triple-A Oklahoma, TEX, 43-for-49
Wayne Lydon, Double-A Binghamton, NYM, 42-for-56
Bernie Castro, Triple-A Ottawa, BAL, 41-for-47
Ruddy Yan, Double-A Frisco, TEX, 41-for-52
Jaime Bubela, Double-A San Antonio, SEA, 40-for-46
Vincent Blue, Class A+ Lakeland, DET, 40-for-69
The names you need to remember for next year are B.J. Upton, Esteban German, Bernie Castro, Esix Snead and Todd Donovan. Each has a legitimate chance to see decent playing time in 2006 and will post good SB numbers if they get the PT.
When your team has a small lead and you enter the final frame, you need to have a hurler come in that you can count on; somebody that will come in and slam the door. Players like Brad Lidge, Francisco Rodriguez, Huston Street and Chad Cordero are relatively new to the stopper roles and were earning promotions in the minor leagues as late as 2004. Who is next in line to land an important closer’s role?
Below are the only players in the minor leagues that racked up 25-plus saves in one minor league level.
25 Saves in One League
Mark Worrell, Class A+ Palm Beach, STL, 35 SV
Edwin Almonte, Double-A Erie, DET, 33 SV
Justin Pope, Double-A Trenton, NYY, 29 SV
Chris Homer, Class A+ Lakeland, DET, 29 SV
Mark Corey, Triple-A Indianapolis, PIT, 28 SV
Matt Whiteside, Triple-A Syracuse, TOR, 27 SV
Brad Baker, Triple-A Portland, SD, 27 SV
Leonel Roales, Class A+ Lake Elsinore, SD, 27 SV
Dale Thayer, Double-A Mobile, SD, 27 SV
James Miller, Class A+ Modesto, COL, 25 SV
Jermaine Van Buren, Triple-A Iowa, CHC, 25 SV
Paul Thorp, Class A+ Tampa, NYY, 25 SV
The Padres have three on the list and the Tigers and Yankees each have two. San Diego and New York already have two of the best in the game occupying the save position, but each is approaching the end of his storied career.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at Matt@CREATiVESPORTS.com.