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| Nelson Cruz (Sea - OF) |
Offense: HODF features some nice bats with two of the best being the sneaky fast Paul Goldschmidt (Ari - 1B) and boom stick slugger Nelson Cruz (Sea - OF) as both accounted for 77 homers and more than 200 RBIs last season. Going along with Cruz and Goldschmidt are 2016 rebounders Prince Fielder (Tex - 1B) and NL champ Curtis Granderson (NYM - OF), both of whom had their best seasons since 2012. After that, things get a lot more questionable with backstop Yan Gomes (Cle - C) regressing since being promoted to full-time catcher while veterans Brandon Phillips (Cin - 2B), Yunel Escobar (LAA - 3B,SS) and David Wright (NYM - 3B) are serviceable but figure to be well past their primes, which is especially sad for Wright as he is only 33 but oft-injured. Former All-Star Jose Reyes (Col - SS), Bill Burns (Oak - OF),Ender Inciarte (Ari - OF) and Ben Revere (Was - OF) look to be one-dimensional but are in nice advantageous offensive environments. Talented darkhorses still remain on this team with league darling Marcell Ozuna (Mia - OF), David Peralta (Ari - OF), Wil Myers (SD - OF) and Steven Souza (Was - OF) are all dynamic players yet to reach their peaks which could happen as soon as this season. Prospects Braldey Zimmer (Cle - OF), who tore up the minor last season, and Manuel Margot (SD - OF) remain fine investments but there might be too many young OF's here. HODF is a capable team but it does need some attention. Speed does not look to be a problem going forward though investing in some more rounded players might pay dividends. Third-base also appears to be a future liability but these look addressable at a later date. The possibility of keeping Rule-5 keeper Elvis Andrus (Tex - SS) fixes the same problem at shortstop.
Pitching: The pitching staff of this team, while thin, does roster a nice trio or arms with Johnny Cueto (SF - SP), Jon Lester (ChC - SP) and Gio Gonzalez (Was - SP) as the logical top men in the rotation. Next up would likely be the underrated innings eater Jose Quintana (ChW - SP) but that is where the sure things in the rotation end because there is no more starting pitchers. Lefty prospect Rob Kaminsky (Cle - SP) remains very polished but has yet to pitch above A-ball leaving a large void on this team. Also, 2016 closer Luke Gregerson (Hou - RP) has seemingly lose his 9th inning spot, K artist Dellin Betances (NYY - RP), who many thought would get a 9th inning gig will not, which gives HODF only Brad Ziegler (Ari - RP) as a resource for saves. While there are other needs on this team, addressing the pitching situation, or lack there of, seems paramount above all else.
Draft: With the lack of quality pitching in mind, the selection of Ian Snell (TB - SP) seems like the best selection as he remains the closest and likely best pitching prospect available. Many believe he could make his MLB debut as soon as this season in fact, a promotion that could not be more welcomed on this team. If pitching is not the direction for the 1st RD pick, then a shortstop with the possibility of moving to 3B might be the answer leading to Alex Bregman (Hou - SS) as a possibility.
Prediction:
RD 1: Ian Snell (TB - SP) - If pitching is the direction here, then this is a no-brainer selection here
RD 2: Jason Hammel (ChC - SP) - Good team and adds to the dire need of arms for HODF
RD 3: Anibal Sanchez (Det - SP) - Had a late season resurgence that proved he's still very talented
RD 4: Jayson Werth (Was - OF) - Might be a nice cheap source of power when healthy
RD 5: Elvis Andrus (Tex - SS) - R5 Keeper
RD 6: Rob Kaminsky (Stl - SP) - Keeper
Prospect Draft:
RD 1: Josh Hader (Mil - SP) - Nice pitching prospect with great strikeout potential
RD 2: Austin Riley (Atl - 3B) - Might be the best 3B prospect available, low risk selection
RD 3: Dorssys Paulino (Cle - SS) - Keeper
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