2018 Chevy Chase Coopers Team Preview

Cody Bellinger (LAD-1B,OF)

Summary: After review, many might consider Chevy Chase Copper's (CCC) finish last season a disappointment until you look at the cogs on this improving team.  Offensive pieces seem to be on the upswing and while its pitching is fairly shallow the arms remain fairly valuable in dynasty leagues going forward.  This could be a team that looks to improve in 2018. 

Hitting:  While much of CCC's hitting is fairly young or unproven, most showed a proficiency last season with NL ROY Cody Bellinger (LAD-1B,OF) in addition to the surprising Justin Smoak (Tor-1B) who had a career year at age 31.  Three baggers Miguel Sano (Min-1B,3B) and Rafael Devers (Bos-3B) are both capable of better than 30+ homers with Amed Rosario (NYM-SS) the newly installed captain of the infield.  Outfield boppers Kyle Schwarber (ChC-OF), who lost catching eligibility, Steven Souza, Jr. (Ari-OF), who finds himself on a new team, and Nomar Mazara (Tex-OF) are all three capable of extreme power potential with utility guy Eduardo Núñez (Bos-2B,3B,SS,OF) capable of filling in if needed.  Veterans Brian McCann (Hou-C) and Jacoby Ellsbury (NYY-OF) who are both past their peaks can be valuable at their positions with certain stats.  On top of that, youngsters David Dahl (Col-OF), who finally appears healthy, and Franklin Barreto (Oak-2B,SS), if he can stay in the infield, should be fun to watch.  Prospects Brendan Rodgers (Col-SS), Eloy Jiménez (ChW-OF) and Lewin Diaz (Min-1B) all look like solid future investments with All-Star potential to round off the bats.  This looks like an impressive crew with a lot of growth potential though making strides in batting average would help fix a weakness and potentially moving on from Ellsbury and finding an heir to McCann might make sense. 

Pitching:  As aforementioned, CCC's pitching staff isn't the deepest but it has some impressive talent with José Quintana (ChC-SP) and Trevor Bauer (Cle-SP) looking to eclipse 200Ks in 2018.  This feat and then some could also be accomplished by a healthy Noah Syndergaard (NYM-SP) with a slight production downtick from Drew Pomeranz (Bos-SP), Julio Teheran (Atl-SP) and Sean Manaea (Oak-SP).  What is promising, all of CCC's starters, if healthy, should easily be capable of repeating their 2017 numbers with a high chance of improving in 2018.  Add in high velocity swingman and Rule-5 draftee Lance McCullers, Jr. (Hou-P), relief dynamo Chris Devenski (Hou-RP) as well as closer Sean Doolittle (Was-RP) and there is little chance this squad will fall back.  The jury is still out on prospects Dylan Cease (ChC-SP) and pedigree arm Cal Quantrill (SD-SP) but both should be nice holds in 2018.  Finding at least another free agent closer and continuing to improve by adding high-yield pitching should be the prescription to follow going forward. 

Draft:  With Shohei Ohtani (LAA-SP) likely off the board, CCC would do well to draft the best arm available and should look no further than Hunter Green (Cin-SP).  Green is a dynamite prospect that is already MLB capable so he should move very quickly. 

Prediction:
RD 1: Hunter Green (Cin-SP) - See Above
RD 2: Brenden McKay (TB-1B,SP) - Like Ohtani, top college bat/pitcher without costing 2 picks currently
RD 3: Marco Estrada (Tor-SP) - Would provide a veteran presence on the mound with some upside
RD 4: Yonder Alonso (Cle - 1B) - Could be an offensive force on a better/new team
RD 5: Lance McCullers, Jr. (Hou-P) - Rule-5
RD 6: Lewin Diaz (Min-1B) - Keeper

Prospect Draft:
RD 1: Wander Franco (TB-SS) - Viewed as the top international signee in 2017
RD 2: Kristian Robinson (Ari-OF) - Toolsy outfielder with speed and power potential

RD 3: Ronaldo Hernandez (TB-C) - He could the next best catching prospect in baseball