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| Xander Bogaerts (Bos - SS) |
Offense: TMO is once again led by future hall-of-famer Miguel Cabrera, who led the team in RBI's despite being injured late in the year. Rice University alum 2B/3B Anthony Rendon has begun to finally realize his potential while talented teammate OF Bryce Harper will look to stay healthy in order to do the same. Slugger 1B Anthony Rizzo remains a valuable contributor and 2B Robinson Cano, who saw a dip in his production, continues to be a producer. Cuban import OF Yasiel Puig one of the more exciting in the league while fellow OF Starling Marte has legit 20/20 or better potential. An off-season trade landed TMO 3B Nolan Arenado, a gamble that might pay off, and C Yadier Molina, who should help stabilize the backstop position. 2014 surprise OF Corey Dickerson will be hard pressed to repeat last season while former uber-prospect SS Xander Bogaerts seems to be still finding his way. It is not a secret that Rule-5 pick SS Chris Owings will be dropped during draft time and farmhand SS JP Crawford will be to be the only in-house prospect to start the season. This is a nice and talented group of bats with some crazy upside though less sure things than TMO has had in past seasons. Potentially finding a backup SS, a contingency plan for when Rendon loses 2B eligibility and a young talented outfielder if Dickerson slumps might be all this team needs.
Pitching: In a head-to-head league, sometimes all a team would need is 2014 #1 fantasy player ace Clayton Kershaw. Of course, after Kershaw there is understandably a dip with 2014 breakout Garrett Richards as the team's next best starter. Perennial Cy Young candiate Cole Hamels may argue that he is next best starter though that may take a trade to a contender for that to be true. Breakout hurlers Sonny Gray and Jake Arrieta, with his 9.6 K/9 ratio, will be counted on coming though once again while Doug Fister should do fine as long as he plays on a winner to subsidize his low K numbers. Former prospects Garrit Cole and Carlos Carrasco finally capitalized on their immense potential and it looks like TMO will give lefty Mike Minor a mulligan on a poor 2014 season. Prospects Daniel Norris finally made his debut last season and will look for more while former Sooner Jon Gray looks to be on the fast track to the majors. Closers Cody Allen and Craig Kimbrel are two of the most safe 9th inning options in the game though finding a closer of the future would help if one goes down. At the start of the 2014 season, TMO had a problem with a lack of front-line starters but did an excellent job finding capable replacements with some upside. This season's pre-season staff looks a little more rosy though the team will still be counting on a few unproven arms to get back to the championships.
Draft: TMO will be drafting from a position of strength as it has no real glaring hole. Still, finding high-yield and fast-moving pitching might be a desire here with LSU alum Aaron Nola (Phi - SP) as the potentially highest ranked arm available with Evansville lefty Kyle Freeland (Col - SP) a possibility too. If offense is the selection, Jung-ho Kang (Pit - SS), Dalton Pompey (Tor - OF), or Michael Taylor (Was - OF) could be players for this pick.
Prediction:
RD 1: Aaron Nola (Phi - SP) - LSU product will move fast and has potential to be a top arm
RD 2: Derek Hill (Det - OF) - 1st RD pick dubbed top HS bat in last year's draft
RD 3: Forest Wall (Col - 2B) - Potentially the most offensive minded 2B prospect
RD 4: Sean Newcomb (LAA - SP) - Big powerful lefty was 1st RD draft pick last season
RD 5: Austin Hedges (SD - C) - Yadier won't be around forever, Hedges amongst top C prospects
RD 6: Max Fried Atl - SP) - TJ surgery didn't stop him from Atlanta wanting him in trade
Prospect Draft:
RD 1: Gabriel Guerrero (Sea - OF) - Vlad's nephew and one the most impressive bats available
RD 2: Reynaldo Lopez (Was - SP) - One of the fastest prospect movers, 80 fastball score from BA
RD 3: Francellis Montas (ChW - SP) - Underrated with strong frame and upper 90's stuff
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