2017 Hair of the Dog Fred Team Preview

D.J. LeMahieu (Col-2B)

Summary: Hair of the Dog Fred (HOTDF) remains one of the most active teams in the league as it looks to plug and chug positions. While it might lack the big young bat everyone searches for, it might have enough veteran bats to do the job to team with its talented pitching staff and pen. 

Offense: An off season trade recently netted HOTDF future HOFer Miguel Cabrera (Det-1B) and though he's not as good as he once was he's still capable of producing stud numbers. Speaking of stud numbers, that is what Todd Frazier (ChW-3B,1B) would be capable if he can get his AVG up and stay healthy where the latter has been a problem for fellow outfielders David Peralta (Ari-OF) as well as dual threat AJ Pollack (Ari-OF) who will look to do better than 20/20 Melvin Upton (Det-OF). Interestingly enough, this team had the top 2 NL batting title finishers from DJ LeMahieu (Col-2B) and Daniel Murphy (Was-2B) though it might be hard for both to repeat last season. Additional infielders Logan Forsythe (LAD-2B) who is now in the NL, the oft-injured yet valuable Kevin Pillar (Tor-1B), the powerful Brandon Moss (Oak-1B,OF) and Japanese import Jung Ho Kang (Pit-3B) who may face sanctions resulting form a DUI charge are all capable of bettering their prior seasons. The once versatile Martin Prado (Mia-3B) looks out of place with his lack of power and the one dimensional Rajai Davis (Oak-OF) looks to be mostly used for steals. Prospect outfielder Bradley Zimmer (Cle-OF) is on the verge while shortstop prospect (Orlando Arcia (Mil-SS) looks to have untapped potential on the horizon and teaming with Rule-5 pick Amed Rosario (NYM-SS) looks smart. Adding a catcher will be a requirement for HOTDF and finding a legit 3B prospect will be a key. For an offense that usually lacks star power, can the additions of MCab and healthy seasons from some vets get this team over the hump? The possibility of playing lefty/righty matchups might be a possible strategy since much of the offensive numbers could be interchangeable. 

Pitching: HOTDF's pitching rotation is actually quite talented with reigning AL Cy Young winner Rock Porcello (Bos-SP) and hard thrower Michael Pineda (NYY-SP) who notched more than 200+ strikeouts in 2016. Teaming up with the above are Gio Gonzalez (Was-SP) and Jacob DeGrom (NYM-SP) as both average about a strikeout per inning.  Finishing out HOTDF's rotation is the underrated Jose Quintana (LAA-SP), who other than wins had similar numbers to Porcello. Youngster James Taillon (Pit-SP) got his feet wet last season with mized results and Kolby Allard (Atl-SP) looks like a legit prospect moving forward. Another strength of this team is its bullpen with closer Zach Britton (Bal-RP) though Dellin Betances (NYY-RP), Tyler Thornberg (Bos-RP) and Ryan Dull (Oak-RP) are all slated to start the season in setup duty which will likely limit save opportunities. Still, there is a lot to like here and this team as four legit top tier starters with four relievers capable of closing if all goes right. 

Draft: More so than any other pick in the 1st round, does the selection of Stenzel here make the most sense. HOTDF isn't always the most patient team and betting on the University of Tennessee hot corner in an advantageous ballpark seems logical. 

Prediction:
RD 1: Nick Stenzel (Cin - 3B) - Fast moving college bat on the verge at a thin position
RD 2: Neftali Feliz (Mil - RP) - Proved he can close a game once again if healthy
RD 3: Francisco Mejia (Cle - C) - One of the best prospect catchers in baseball
RD 4: Amed Rosario (NYM - SS) - Rule-5 Draft
RD 5: Kolby Allard (Atl - SP) - Keeper
RD 6: Josh Hader (Mil - SP) - Keeper

Prospect Draft:
RD 1: Luis Yander La O (Tex - 3B)
RD 2: Brandon Woodruff (Min - SP)
RD 3: Dustin Fowler (NYY - OF)