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

Predicting the Top 10 Finishers for RBI

Justin Klein predicts which batters will dominate the RBI production rankings in 2017. These are sluggers to target at the top of fantasy baseball drafts.

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome back to our series on 2017 predictions for fantasy baseball. In 2016 there were only three players with more than 119 RBI, but 35 players finished the season with 95 or more.

While RBI production depends on a player's ability and spot in their team's lineup, the statistic is also largely dependent upon how often a team can provide base runners in front of them.

With that I give you my predictions for the top 10 RBI leaders in 2017.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

2017 Predictions: Top 10 RBI Leaders

1. Nolan Arenado led the league with 133 RBI in 2016 after leading the league with 130 in 2015. As Nolan will turn just 26 years old on April 16th it's amazing to think that he's just now entering his power prime and still more than a full year away from his age 27 season. Hitting cleanup for the Colorado Rockies and their stacked lineup sure helps. Calling Coors Field home and playing 81 games a year at Mile High is a boon as well. This is an easy prediction folks, because as long as Arenado stays healthy and notches over 650 at bats he will either lead the league in RBI or be among the top two or three hitters in the category.

2. Edwin Encarnacion finished tied with David Ortiz for second with 127 RBI last season. In 2015 EE had the fifth most RBI in the MLB with 111. This season Edwin will be doing most of his work in a worse park for right handed hitters, but I expect him to again be among the top five RBI guys in the league. Not only is his new lineup packed with talented hitters in front of him to knock in, but the guy that Encarnacion is replacing (Mike Napoli) managed to collect 101 RBI last season in spite of a .239 batting average. Seeing as how Edwin has a career .266 average and hasn't hit below .263 in the past six seasons I think he should easily top Napoli's numbers and be among the league leaders, especially if he stays healthy.

3. Albert Pujols was fourth in RBI in 2016 with 119. After posting "just" 95 in 2015, I'm very comfortable putting Albert on this list for a few reasons. The first reason is that Pujols is a machine and has posted 103 or more RBI 13 times in his 16 year career. Two of the seasons he didn't collect that many he drove in 95 and 99. The only other time he didn't get there he played in just 99 games. The next reason I believe in Albert these days is because he plays the majority of his games at the DH position. Last season Pujols played 152 games and only manned first base in 28 of them. As he gets older it will become more important to keep him hitting productively and to keep him healthy. The last reason that I believe in Pujols as a steak eater is because of Mike Trout. The fact that Trout hits in front of Pujols is a big deal. Last season Trout posted an OBP of .441 and Albert knocked him in on the regular. I expect a whole lot more of the same again this season.

4. Mookie Betts had a huge season in 2016 as he posted 113 RBI, good for the fifth most in the league. The most impressive thing about that is that Betts did that largely out of the leadoff spot for the Red Sox. It's a tribute to the depth of Boston's lineup as much as it was to Betts himself, as there are rarely any one or two hole hitters that have that many opportunities to drive in runs. To paint you a picture of how hard it is to drive in runs near the top of the lineup, you should know that some guys by the name of Josh Donaldson and Kris Bryant only knocked in 102 and 99 runs, respectively. Both of those guys did it out of the two hole and had a much better hitter in front of them more often than Betts did. To be fair to Bryant, his team plays in the National League, and because of that he often had the pitcher hitting just two spots ahead of him. In any case it's rather impressive that Betts is on this list, and a good bet to succeed again. To say that the RBI category is team and lineup dependent is rather evident when a leadoff hitter like Betts is near the top of a prediction list like this one.

5. Anthony Rizzo posted 109 RBI in 2016, which was good for the seventh most in the Major Leagues. In 2015 Rizzo finished with 101 RBI, and as long as he stays healthy, that should be the base line for the lefty slugger as he enters his power prime. It certainly helps when you play for a team that scores a ton of runs and especially when some guy named Kris Bryant hits in front of you and posts an OBP near .400. While Rizzo is great on his own, the lineup around him and player in front of him make him a lock for the middle of this list, as long as he's healthy.

6. Miguel Cabrera has already played in 14 seasons, but is just 33 years old. He will be 34 on April 18th, but that's still remarkably young for a veteran going into his 15th season. Last year Miggy notched 108 RBI, marking the 12th time in 14 years that he put together a campaign consisting of 103 or more. The only times he failed to reach that mark were in his rookie season when he played in just 87 games, and in 2015, when he served the only disabled list stint of his career on his way to 76 RBI in 119 games. While father time is seemingly starting to catch up to Cabrera, he is a remarkably steady run producer and should continue to be as long as he's healthy.

7. Paul Goldschmidt somehow ranked 34th in the league with 95 RBI in 2016. In 2015 Goldy notched a much more impressive 110 RBI and in 2013 he had a staggering 125. This season I expect him to easily clear 100 as he'll have his leadoff man AJ Pollock back, as well as lefty masher David Peralta. When right handed pitchers toe the rubber against the snakes, he can call on Jake Lamb to slide up the order and get on base in front of him. Either way Goldy is a safe bet to be in the top ten and could even shoot up to the top five.

8. Mike Trout finally makes this list as he is the next safest bet to be a great source of RBI. Everyone else that I was considering either doesn't have the track record of past success or a history of staying healthy. Trout "only" had 100 RBI last season and 90 the year before that, but those statistics are no doubt affected by his position in the lineup. In 2016 Mike was in the third slot for 124 games and managed 81 RBI. Of the 33 games he hit in the two hole Trout had just 19 RBI. In 2015 Trout spent much of the season in the two hole. This year Trout will return to the third spot in the lineup and should see an increase in RBI as a result. More often there will be a man or men on base when he comes to bat. It doesn't' get more simple then that, and they don't get any better than Trout.

9. Hanley Ramirez posted an incredible 111 RBI last season and he did it in just 147 games. The only player on the top 30 list of the RBI leader board to appear in less than 147 games was BABIP God Daniel Murphy. The fact that Hanley isn't higher on this list is due to a history of health issues he faced recently in his career. Prior to last season Han Ram played in 128 games or fewer in three consecutive seasons. Now that he plays first base he should have an easier time staying healthy, as it's a less physically demanding position. The fact that Ramirez bats in the middle of the Red Sox lineup means that he's a shoe in to make this list again as long as he gets to 145 or so games, and I think that he can.

10. Mark Trumbo/Chris Davis are both good options to round out this list and I couldn't pick between them. In 2016 Trumbo managed to post 108 RBI, good for the ninth most in the league. Meanwhile Davis had only 84, but posted 117 in 2015 and 138 in 2013. The only other time Trumbo had 100 or more RBI was in 2013 with the Angels when he posted 100 exactly. So while Trumbo had more last season, Davis is likely the better bet to post a bunch of RBI because he's done so more often. Either way one or both of these guys should make this list or come darn close. I'd be shocked to see either one too far from the leader board in 2016 as long as they get the at bats in 2017.

 

More 2017 RotoBaller Predictions




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

Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Toronto Raptors

Sandro Mamukelashvili Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Riley Greene

Homers Twice, Drives in Six on Wednesday
Max Muncy

Exits With Apparent Knee Injury
Christian Moore

Exits Early with Thumb Irritation
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Josh Naylor

Returning to Diamondbacks Lineup
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Oronde Gadsden

an Active Pass-Catcher This Offseason
Brashard Smith

Speed Could be Put to Use
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Pat Bryant

Off to a Good Start
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
Cody Barton

Quickly Becoming a Leader With his New Team
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
Montaric Brown

has Worked With Starters
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
DET

James van Riemsdyk Joins Red Wings on One-Year Contract
Viktor Arvidsson

Traded to Boston
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Josh Jung

Sent to Triple-A
Maxwell Hairston

Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Tai Felton

Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
LeQuint Allen Jr.

to Have Receiving Role for Jaguars?
Justin Walley

Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
PHI

Dan Vladar Links Up With Flyers on Two-Year Deal
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
Los Angeles Lakers

Jake LaRavia Lands with Lakers
Orlando Magic

Tyus Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Magic
Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney Heads to New Orleans
Milwaukee Bucks

Jericho Sims Staying in Milwaukee
Denver Nuggets

Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
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
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
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
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
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
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF