X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Cactus League Analysis 2014: AL Teams I’ll Be Watching in Spring Training

As the calendar turns to February and the NFL season is put to rest, it is time to focus on the upcoming season and begin preparations in earnest for another rotisserie fantasy baseball season. Pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Arizona next week for the Dodgers and D-Backs, a week earlier this year because of their two regular season games in Australia later this month.

I reported to Scottsdale, Arizona last week, also ahead of schedule, and have already begun formulating my plan-of-attack for seeing as much baseball as possible. In the past few springs, I’ve seen upwards of 30 games.  The Cactus League setup allows for easy travel to all 10 stadiums. I’ll be out to all of them this year watching games and practices and hopefully providing some information for other roto enthusiasts who are looking for Spring Training news.

Each season, before I embark on this month-plus journey of spring training games, I jot down a few notes on what I’m looking for from each MLB team during the spring. Today, I’ll share some of my thoughts on the Cactus League’s American League teams. Then I’ll follow later in the week with what I’m watching for from some NL teams.

 

American League Preview - Spring Training 2014

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Jose Abreu, 1B: In last year’s Cactus League I feasted eyes on another Cuban import for the first time, the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig. I’m not a scout, but from day one, it was clear that Puig was a stud. He looked like a man amongst boys next to the other prospects in Dodgers’ camp and feasted on Cactus League pitching. When he was called up in early June, I couldn’t hit the waiver wire fast enough and it paid off. This year, I’m looking to see if Abreu has that same look. The White Sox thought enough of him to give him a six-year deal and the first base job. He is a hitter that once hit 33 HR in a 66-game Cuban season. How does that translate to American ball? Who knows? But this spring’s games should shed some light on his potential.

 

CLEVELAND INDIANS

By SD Dirk on Flickr (Originally posted to Flickr as "Carlos Santana") [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsCarlos Santana: Rumors are that the Indians will take a look at Santana at 3B. If he can add the hot corner to his positional eligibility, that could add a boost in his fantasy value as he’d add versatility to his resume of fantasy assets. Santana is not a stranger to the position, having played there a bit when he first arrived in the majors. But after several seasons of squatting behind the plate or filling in at 1B, I’m curious to see how he looks in the field and whether he’ll be a passable regular at the position.

 

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Fifth Starter: The Royals are one of the most intriguing teams fantasy-wise. The once number-one farm system in baseball has graduated its young players to the major league level with mixed results. While this is a make-or-break year for 3B Mike Moustakas and a potential breakout for 1B Eric Hosmer, I’ll be keeping my eyes on the battle at the back-end of the KC rotation. Manager Ned Yost has already said his front four will be James Shields, Jason Vargas, Jeremy Guthrie and Bruce Chen, leaving one open spot for Danny Duffy, Wade Davis, Yordano Ventura amongst others. I’ll be interested in seeing if either Duffy or Ventura can perform well enough this spring to nab that final spot.

Duffy won a rotation spot out of spring in 2012 and tore his UCL after only six starts. He returned at the end of last season for a very successful five-start sample. He’s a guy who, with a full, healthy season, can easily provide double-digit wins with about a strikeout per inning. The problem is that the Royals already have two lefty starters and may be hesitant to add a third – assuming that Chen can hold off both young guys when they break camp.

From everything I’ve read, Ventura is a rookie-of-the-year candidate and potential ace. Is it too early to count on him fantasy-wise? I’m looking forward to see what he has to offer against major league hitters this spring, as this could be the beginning of a long, successful career.  If Duffy or Ventura wins the job at the back end of the Royals’ rotation, either will be a fantasy steal in the mid-to-late rounds.

 

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

rotoballer-fantasy-baseball-advice-mike-troutStars on the rebound? I remember fondly last spring, sitting in the stands at Tempe Diablo Stadium in March and wondering if any MLB lineup could match the Angels. I watched as they trotted out Trout, Hamilton, Pujols, Trumbo, etc. and wondered how this team wouldn’t score six runs every game. Well, the answer was that Hamilton and Pujols haunted fantasy owners with the worst seasons of their careers. Hamilton was mostly mired in a season-long slump where he may as well have been blindfolded at the plate.  Pujols was hampered by a foot injury that cut his season short.  Their 2013 performances will certainly free fall both former MVP’s down draft boards, but how far?  Is it possible that either Pujols or Hamilton could be considered a “sleeper” on draft day? Or are both men too far past their prime to bother with on draft day?  A glimpse of both fallen Angels in Cactus League play could go a long way to answering those questions.

 

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Scott Kazmir: I’ve never run so hot AND cold over a fantasy pitcher as I have over Scott Kazmir. After leading the league in strikeouts in 2007, I thought I was the smartest guy in the room when I drafted him as my first starter in the 8th round of a 12-team draft. Then I watched as his career plummeted first off the fantasy radar, then off a Major League roster.  I watched him get torched in the 2011 Cactus League before making one horrendous start for the Angels in 2011 that I figured would end his career.

Kaz somehow resurfaced with the Indians in 2013, surely went undrafted in all leagues, yet returned ten wins and 162 strikeouts in 158 innings.  I still wasn’t convinced. Then the A’s signed him to a two-year contract this season. Typically, in Billy Beane I Trust, but I’m still skeptical. The A’s plan to put the former ace in the number two rotation spot to take some pressure off their young pitchers. With a full workload in a pitcher-friendly stadium, he may be able to pay dividends to those who believe. It will take a solid spring to count me amongst the believers.

 

SEATTLE MARINERS

Outfield: The Mariners are another interesting fantasy situation with their offseason acquisitions and young starters stepping up to rotation spots. I’ll probably have a lot more to write on the Mariners later, as I’m certain they are not done with their roster construction, but as of now I have some interest in how their outfield situation develops.

It seems that Dustin Ackley has been plopped down in center (maybe In a platoon with Franklin Gutierrez) and Logan Morrison will be installed in left. I’m not so hot on either of those guys’ fantasy potential, though in leagues where Ackley qualifies at 2B, he could be a desperation play. The player I am interested in checking out Michael Saunders. In real life, I don’t see Saunders as an everyday starter, but if given 500 at bats, he could turn in a 20 HR/20 SB season. He’ll likely kill your batting average while he’s at it, but when looking for that late-round pick as your last outfielder, you could do worse. Of course, if the M’s sign Nelson Cruz, Saunders’ fantasy value is toast. I’d like to see how the M’s handle the outfield situation in the spring and if they commit to Saunders out there every day.

 

TEXAS RANGERS

Prince Fielder: The blockbuster of the offseason landed Prince in Arlington and into the Cactus League for the first time since his Brewers days. Fielder, a former first-rounder in some formats, did not perform at that level in 2013 as he fell off in every 5x5 category (except SB, where it’s impossible for him to drop off). Paul Goldschmidt, Chris Davis, Edwin Encarnacion and others have passed Fielder on most preseason fantasy rankings – which means the big guy may be a sneaky pick if he falls as far as projected. The big question will be if the hitting environment in Texas (and protection from Adrian Beltre) will provide an uptick in value or if 2013 is the beginning of a fantasy decline a la Ryan Howard.

 

These are just some of initial thoughts as I await the guys to take the field in the coming weeks.  If anyone else has any players or position battles to watch that interest you, please contact me through Rotoballer or via Twitter @baseballscotty or email: [email protected].  I’m in Arizona for the next few months and can check in with any players or teams that are training out here.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout with Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF