X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

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
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Reviewing Jeff Kahntroff's Bold Predictions for 2016

What Appears In This Article? hide

Back in March, RotoBaller staff writers (including yours truly) published a series of bold predictions for the 2016 fantasy baseball season. Now that the year is in the books, it's time to look back at how we all did.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through the playoffs. Premium DFS research, lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Grading the Predictions

(1) Jonathan Schoop will lead all second basemen in home runs.

Fail!  Schoop did knock 25 balls out of the park this year despite previously never hitting more than 16 homers in a season as a minor or major leaguer. But the prediction was not that he would set a career high; instead, I went bold and must pay the consequences. Schoop's 25 homers were merely 7th among second basemen behind Dozier (42), Cano (39), Odor (33), Gyorko (30), Miller (30), and Kinsler (28). If you drafted Schoop for power, you likely were not disappointed, but that does not make my bold prediction correct. (But please keep reading as I get hot in the second half of my predictions). Grade: C

(2) Justin Verlander will win 20 games.

Two predictions in and we reach our second player who did well but failed to make the prediction a success. Verlander finished 10th in MLB with 16 wins. He was the 24th ranked fantasy player after posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.00 whip, and 254 strikeouts.  While the prediction was wrong, you would still be very happy to have drafted Verlander who was coming off a year in which he went 5-8 in only 20 starts; the year before he had a 4.54 era. When you play with fire (predicting unpredictable stats), you get burned, and I'm searching for some aloe as I type. Grade: B-

(3) Victor Martinez will be a top 100 player.

Ouch - a close miss!  V-Mart finished the year as the 106th ranked player. He did bounce back from a poor 2015 (.245 with 11 homers in 120 games) to hit .289 with 27 homers and 86 RBIs. The issue was that he only scored 65 runs despite a .351 OBP. Even though this prediction was technically wrong, V-Mart did finish the year poorly, hitting .235 in Sept/Oct. Because many fantasy seasons ended before then, however, he was likely in the top 100 when your fantasy season ended. As a result, I will consider this a push. Grade: B

(4) Chris Davis will eclipse his career high of 53 homers.

Davis did set a career high this year, but unfortunately it was in strikeouts instead of homers. Davis missed a few games due to an illness which reportedly lingered and zapped some of his power. He also played most of the year with a sore hand that also may have affected his swing. Despite these ailments, he did produce 38 homers. But for someone who hit 47 and 53 long balls two of the prior three seasons, 2016 was a major disappointment. If you drafted Davis for his power, you likely were not happy. A bounceback next year is possible, but this prediction was a clear failure. Grade: D

(5) AJ Ramos outperforms Trevor Rosenthal.

At the time of this prediction, Ramos was the 16th closer taken while Rosenthal was the 4th. Well, this is the first home run among predictions.  Rosenthal imploded as predicted, pitching to a 4.46 era, 1.91 whip, and amassing only 14 saves before losing the closer gig. Ramos, despite some struggles, finished with a very respectable 40 saves, 2.81 era, 1.36 whip and 73ks.  Ramos finished as the 169th ranked player while Rosenthal was 651st. Grade: A

(6) Chris Bassitt will be a top 70 starter.

Unfortunately, there's not much to say here. Bassitt made only five starts before requiring Tommy John surgery.  The good news for fantasy purposes is that you were able to cut bait early. Nonetheless, the injury bug ate this prediction alive. Grade: F

(7) Dustin Pedroia will outperform Matt Carpenter.

At the time of this prediction, Pedroia was going as the 16th second baseman, while Carpenter was going as the 4th. Nonetheless, Pedroia finished as the 48th ranked fantasy player while Carpenter finished as the 148th. Pedroia bounced way back to post a line of .318/105/74/7, while Carpenter regressed in every category to .271/21/81/68/0. Consider this another major win. Grade: A

(8) Mark Trumbo will hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs.

This may have seemed like the boldest prediction of all heading into the year, and like Trumbo, I smashed one out of the park. You could find Trumbo in my first base and outfield sleepers and in my bold prediction column; I was all in. He did not disappoint one bit as he posted an MLB-leading 47 homers to go with a career high 108 RBIs. He also came in with 94 runs and an average of .256, which was above his career mark. Finishing as the 36th ranked player overall, he was one of the biggest fantasy successes this year. Grade: A+

(9) Carlos Beltran will slash .285/30/85/85.

Beltran had hit .233 and .276 with 15 and 19 homers in his two years in New York, with highs of 57 runs and 67 RBIs. Nonetheless, he finished 2016 with a line of .295/29/93/73. That looks pretty darn close to .285/30/85/85 if you ask me! The 10 points extra in average and the eight extra RBIs make up for the one homer and the 12 runs. As a result, my run of successful predictions continues. Grade: A-

(10) Chris Carter will set a new career high in homers (37+)

Carter entered 2016 coming off a year with 24 homers. In three years prior, he hit 37, 29 and 16. That did not stop me from going out on a limb and predicting a new career high. Carter was up to the task, leading the NL (along with Nolan Arenado) with 41 homers . As a player who went undrafted in many leagues, that was quite a treat, and I hope you took advantage. Grade: A+




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nick Senzel8 hours ago

Expected To Miss 3-4 Weeks
Jon Gray8 hours ago

To Start On Sunday
Justin Steele8 hours ago

Likely To Go On Injured List
Anfernee Simons10 hours ago

Out Against The Heat
Max Kepler11 hours ago

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Max Kepler
Keldon Johnson11 hours ago

Questionable For Friday
Justin Steele11 hours ago

Has Left-Hamstring Tightness
Matisse Thybulle11 hours ago

Questionable For Friday
Davis Bertans11 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Friday
Jusuf Nurkic11 hours ago

Questionable Against Oklahoma City
Dario Saric11 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Friday
Noah Clowney11 hours ago

Probable For Nets Friday
Jonathan Kuminga11 hours ago

Questionable For Warriors Friday
Jerami Grant11 hours ago

Considered Doubtful For Friday
Dennis Smith12 hours ago

Jr. Probable For Friday
Lauri Markkanen12 hours ago

Questionable Against Houston
Toumani Camara12 hours ago

Will Not Play Friday
Justin Steele12 hours ago

Exits Thursday's Start
Richaun Holmes12 hours ago

Out Versus Pistons
Cameron Johnson12 hours ago

Out Against Chicago On Friday
Luka Doncic12 hours ago

On The Injury Report For Friday
David Bednar12 hours ago

Still Dealing With Lat Injury
Deandre Ayton12 hours ago

Is Questionable For Friday
Rudy Gobert12 hours ago

Might Miss Friday's Game
Tyus Jones12 hours ago

Unavailable For Friday
Zeke Nnaji12 hours ago

Ruled Out Against Minnesota
Jaden Ivey12 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Friday
Rhys McKee12 hours ago

Searching For First UFC Win
Anthony Edwards12 hours ago

Uncertain For Friday Night
Chidi Njokuani12 hours ago

Drops Back Down To Welterweight At UFC Atlantic City
Kyle Nelson12 hours ago

An Underdog Again At UFC Atlantic City
Bill Algeo13 hours ago

Eyes Sixth UFC Win
Joaquin Buckley13 hours ago

Gets Ranked Opponent At UFC Atlantic City
Vicente Luque13 hours ago

Gets Short-Notice Opponent At UFC Atlantic City
Eduardo Rodriguez13 hours ago

Could Throw Off Mound In 5-7 Days
Max Kepler14 hours ago

Leaves On Opening Day With Injury
Nick Senzel14 hours ago

Suffers Broken Thumb
Jason Foley14 hours ago

Earns The Save For Tigers
Tarik Skubal14 hours ago

Tosses Six Scoreless Innings On Opening Day
Corbin Burnes15 hours ago

Pitches A Gem On Opening Day
Royce Lewis15 hours ago

Exits With Quad Injury
Max Scherzer17 hours ago

Throws Bullpen Session
Clayton Kershaw17 hours ago

"Ahead Of Things" Timetable-Wise
Walker Buehler17 hours ago

Ahead Of Schedule
Corey Seager17 hours ago

Active On Opening Day
Oneil Cruz17 hours ago

Batting Sixth On Opening Day
Bryan Reynolds19 hours ago

In Opening Day Lineup
Jordan Romano21 hours ago

Not Expected To Be Out Long
Aaron Ekblad22 hours ago

Returning To Panthers Lineup Thursday
Nikita Kucherov22 hours ago

Establishes New Career High With 42nd Goal
Shane Pinto22 hours ago

Collects Career-High Four Points
Valeri Nichushkin22 hours ago

Nursing A Lower-Body Injury
Samuel Girard22 hours ago

Battling An Illness
J.K. Dobbins22 hours ago

Visiting With Chargers On Thursday
Oskar Sundqvist22 hours ago

To Miss Rest Of Season With Torn ACL
Ethan Bear22 hours ago

Enters Player Assistance Program
Mark Hubbard2 days ago

Coming Off A Career Performance
Davis Thompson2 days ago

Looking To Pay Off A Stellar Run Of Ball-Striking
Akshay Bhatia2 days ago

Coming Into Houston With Confidence
Thorbjorn Olesen2 days ago

Still Trying To Find Footing On U.S. Soil
Patrick Rodgers2 days ago

Fighting Inconsistencies Heading Into Houston
Malik Nabers2 days ago

Shines At Pro Day
Carolina Panthers2 days ago

Jadeveon Clowney Signing Two-Year Deal With Panthers
Wyndham Clark2 days ago

Battling Back Injury Ahead of Houston Open
San Francisco 49ers2 days ago

Talanoa Hufanga Expected To Return At Training Camp
Jayden Daniels2 days ago

Raiders To Meet With Jayden Daniels
Tank Bigsby2 days ago

Jaguars Want Tank Bigsby More Involved
Josh Reynolds2 days ago

Signs Two-Year Deal With Broncos
Doug Ghim2 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back At Houston Open
PGA2 days ago

Cameron Davis Seeking Consistency Ahead Of Houston Open
Thomas Detry2 days ago

A Gamble At Houston Open
Ryan Fox2 days ago

Lacks Upside Heading Into Houston Open
Andrew Novak2 days ago

Will Be Chalk At Houston Open
Josh Doan2 days ago

Scores Twice In His NHL Debut
Filip Forsberg2 days ago

Makes History In Big Comeback Win
Jamie Benn2 days ago

Scores In Fifth Consecutive Game
Sidney Crosby2 days ago

Collects Three Points Versus Carolina
Artemi Panarin2 days ago

Continues Scoring Tear With Three Assists
Joey Daccord2 days ago

Shuts Out Ducks
Sahith Theegala2 days ago

Showing Consistency This Season
Wyndham Clark2 days ago

Working Toward Star Status
Scottie Scheffler2 days ago

Heads To Houston At His Best
Sam Ryder2 days ago

Putting The Lights Out Of Late
Joel Dahmen2 days ago

All Systems Go For Joel Dahmen In Houston
Kurt Kitayama2 days ago

Ready For Houston Debut
Ben Griffin2 days ago

Finding Form Heading To Houston
Taylor Moore2 days ago

Continues Made-Cut Streak Heading To Houston
Adam Svensson2 days ago

Hoping For Consistency In Houston
Taylor Montgomery2 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back In Houston
Amon-Ra St. Brown3 days ago

Discussing Extension With Lions
Jared Goff3 days ago

Lions Discussing New Deal
J.K. Dobbins3 days ago

Cleared For Football Activities
Los Angeles Rams3 days ago

Tre'Davious White To Join Rams
PIT3 days ago

Sam Poulin Recalled From AHL
Jack Quinn3 days ago

Could Return Wednesday
Scott Mayfield3 days ago

Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
TOR3 days ago

Mitch Marner Skates On His Own Tuesday
Trevor Zegras3 days ago

To Return Tuesday
Justus Annunen3 days ago

Inks Two-Year Extension
Nick Chubb3 days ago

Expected To Start Load Running Next Month
D'Andre Swift3 days ago

Bears View D'Andre Swift As Receiving Weapon
Cordarrelle Patterson3 days ago

Signing With Steelers
Sam Howell3 days ago

Seahawks Believe Sam Howell Can Be A Full-Time Starter
Tennessee Titans3 days ago

L'Jarius Sneed Agrees On Four-Year Contract With Titans
Dak Prescott3 days ago

No Indication A Deal Is Coming For Dak Prescott
Calvin Ridley3 days ago

To Have Big Role In Tennessee
Josh Jacobs3 days ago

To Be Used More In Passing Game
Brandon Saad3 days ago

Gets Another Goal In Monday's Loss
Logan Thompson3 days ago

Stretches Winning Streak To Three Games
Pittsburgh Steelers3 days ago

Cameron Heyward Expected To Be Healthy For Training Camp
Zach Wilson3 days ago

Jets Could End Up Keeping Zach Wilson
Amanda Ribas4 days ago

Takes Decision Loss
Rose Namajunas4 days ago

Snaps Losing Streak
Edmen Shahbazyan4 days ago

Scores Vicious Comeback Knockout
AJ Dobson4 days ago

Knocked Out In The First Round At UFC Vegas 89
Fernando Padilla4 days ago

Gets Back On Track With Submission Win
Luis Pajuelo4 days ago

Submitted In UFC Debut
William Byron4 days ago

Dominates For Victory At COTA
Ty Gibbs4 days ago

Grabs Another Solid Finish At COTA
Chris Buescher4 days ago

Texas Native Chris Buescher Finishes Eighth At COTA
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Kyle Busch Confronts Christopher Bell Following A Top-10 Finish At COTA
Justin Haley4 days ago

Disqualified After Strong COTA Run
Martin Truex Jr4 days ago

. Rounds Out Top Ten At COTA
NASCAR4 days ago

A.J. Allmendinger Worms Way Up To Sixth At COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen4 days ago

Shane van Gisbergen Comes Down to Earth After Mediocre COTA Run
Ross Chastain4 days ago

Ran Well at COTA as Usual Despite Late-Race Fade
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Furious Charge Falls Just Short at COTA
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

Scores Strong Finish of Fifth at COTA
Chase Elliott4 days ago

Finishes 16th at COTA After Lackluster Performance
Billy Quarantillo5 days ago

Suffers Submission Loss At UFC Vegas 89
Youssef Zalal5 days ago

Gets Submission Win In Return To The UFC
Cameron Saaiman5 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 89
Payton Talbott5 days ago

Scores KO Win At UFC Vegas 89
Justin Tafa5 days ago

Drops To .500 In The UFC
Karl Williams5 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Kyle Larson5 days ago

Is One Of The Optimal DFS Options For COTA
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Should Denny Hamlin Be Rostered For DFS Lineups At COTA?
Kaz Grala5 days ago

Is A Serviceable DFS Play For COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen5 days ago

Will Start 12th In First COTA Cup Start
Todd Gilliland5 days ago

Is A Sneaky DFS Play With Upside For COTA
William Byron5 days ago

Is One Of The Top Favorites To Win At COTA
Christopher Bell5 days ago

Is A Comfortable DFS Play For COTA
Tyler Reddick5 days ago

the Favorite to Win at COTA
Ty Gibbs5 days ago

Looking for First Career Win at COTA
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF