2018 Hair Of The Dog Fred Team Preview

Hector Neris (Phi-RP)

Summary:  Last year, Hair Of The Dog Fred (HOTDF) finished the regular season as the 6th and final seed for the playoffs but came on strong to finish 2nd overall.  HOTDF will look to find some consistency by continuing this growth in the hopes that it gets over the hump with a championship this season.  

Hitting:  While HOTDF doesn't really roster any proven super star talent, it makes do with a lot of good overall players.  The closest thing this team has to a star was the production of Marcell Ozuna (Mia-OF) and Ryan Zimmerman (Was-1B) but both will have to do it again in 2018.  This same case might be made for Rhys Hoskins (Phi-1B,OF) who hit 18 homers in just 170 ABS, Justin Turner (LAD-3B) who finished 3rd overall in NL BA, Avisail Garcia (ChW-OF), who finished 2nd in AL BA after hitting .245 the season before, and Zack Cozart (LAA-SS,3B), who had a career season during a contract year.  HOTDF though has backed up previous years before with MVP candidate David Murphy (Was-2B), who has seemingly peaked at age 32, Didi Gregorious (NYY-SS) who now has back-to-back 20 HR seasons and D.J. LeMahieu (Col-2B), who has hit over .300 each of the last 2 years.  The jury is still out on what Dansby Swanson (Atl-SS), Mitch Haniger (Sea-OF) and Bradley Zimmer (Cle-OF) will produce during a full season but one of the most concerning things is where/if backstop Jonathan Lucroy (FA-C) will sign.  Prospects Lucas Erceg (Mil-3B) and Kyle Lewis (Sea-OF) are potentially potent offensive pieces if they develop fully.  A lot to like here but not a ton to love.  HOTDF's offense looks capable but will have to prove itself in order to likely get where it needs to be. 

Pitching:  Like its offense, HOTDF's pitching staff does not have a proven bonafide superstar arm with Jacob DdeGrom (NYM-SP) and his 200+ strikeouts along with Gio Gonzalez (Was-SP) and his sub .300 ERA likely being the closest.  Starters Jameson Taillon (Pit-SP) and Jake Arrieta (FA-SP) each had close to a K per inning but uncertainty of where/if Arrieta signs remains a doubt.  Closer Hector Neris (Phi-RP) looks like a legit 9th inning man with Zach Britton (Bal-RP) currently injured, Dellin Bettances (NYY-SP) firmly blocked from save, and swingman Mike Minor (Tex-SP) unlikely to see late innings.  Youngsters Mitch Keller (Pit-SP) and Kolby Allard (Atl-SP) look to be strong holds and may soon be called up in the future.  Not a ton of depth here but HOTDF has done more with less. 

Draft:  With its solid offense, it appears pitching will be the way to go here.  Based on HOTDF's strong finish last season, the current upside of Matt Harvey (NYM-SP) might be too hard to pass up if it can win now.  NL Champ Rich Hill (LAD-SP) or former Cy Young winner Rick Porcello (Bos-SP) might also be an option in round one.

Prediction:
RD 1:  Matt Harvey (NYM-SP) - See Above
RD 2:  Matt Moore (Tex-SP) - His tools say he's better than he produced, mechanics issue?
RD 3:  Brad Brach (Bal-RP) - Will close with Britton down, would make sense to draft if possible
RD 4:  Mark Trumbo (Bal-OF) - Big bat continues to produce and would be cheap here
RD 5:  Jimmy Nelson (Mil-SP) - Keeper
RD 6:  Lucas Erceg (Mil-3B) - Keeper

Prospect Draft:
RD 1: Cole Brannen (Bos-OF) - Underrated prospect with a lot of potential
RD 2: Francisco Morales (Phi-SP) - Potential top of rotation talent with some risk

RD 3: Jared Miller (Ari-SP) - Keeper