Fellow writer Kyle Bishop had a great idea for us "experts" to come up with a plethora of bold predictions. So far we've see the 10 bold predictions from Kyle and Max. Now it's my turn.

I like to think I did fairly well on my more conservative predictions last year (believing in the Gerrit Cole, Bryce Harper, and Manny Machado breakouts were among them; calling Justin Verlander a mid-season sleeper was my favorite stance in retrospect), so let's hope I'm not due for regression this year. Anyways, you want bold, and I got bold. Let's see what crazy calls I came up with this year.

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Bold Predictions for 2016

1. Jung Ho Kang will finish as a top-four shortstop

I'll get my homer picks out of the way early (notice I said picks) (that means there's another one coming). The eye test is not always as persuasive as analytics these days, but this was a key example of when the eye test works. Prior to his breakout last year, I was convinced that Kang had some of the quickest hands at the plate I had seen in a long time. It translated to an above-average batting average with surprising power up until his gruesome injury. His draft stock will be lower than it should be this year because he'll start the season on the DL. However, as long as he can avoid a setback, Kang should return by the end of April, and he will be playing everyday at third base. Repeat production of last year will put him a step above the boring landscape that is the shortstop position.

2. Gregory Polanco will finish higher on the outfield ranks than teammate Starling Marte

Marte is being drafted well before Polanco in most mock drafts, and that's the way it should be. However, I think their stats will be very similar come October, and I give the edge to Polanco. I won't be drafting Polanco first, but this goes to show you why I won't be drafting Marte at his ADP, and I will likely have a lot of Polanco at his ADP. The right fielder had a rough start to 2015, but from the month of July forward he hit .274 with a BABIP that looked more like what someone of his speed should carry. His power numbers were down, but we've seen the deep ball potential in the past. Polanco has an upside of 30 steals and 110 runs in this offense. While Marte will almost surely beat him in RBI, Polanco has the ability to match him in HRs (I'm predicting a regression for Marte), and a breakout third year will surpass his highly touted teammate.

3. Anthony Rendon will be a top three second baseman and a top five third baseman

Rendon dealt with injuries for a lot of 2015, but he still managed to show flashes of of his 2014 self. If he can manage to avoid another injury this season, the numbers he produced two years ago are very reachable, and the upside is even higher yet. Rendon is a solid contact hitter who has surprising pop to all fields. In a lineup that features arguably the best hitter in baseball in Bryce Harper, Rendon should find a lot of success hitting in the top half of the order. Take Brian Dozier's numbers from last year, subtract a few home runs and add a handful of runs and RBI. That's a very attainable, high-upside season for Rendon.

4. Matt Wieters will be a top 5 catcher

Ranked largely in the 8-10 range among analysts, Wieters is a catcher that I feel can pay off his ADP and then some. If he can keep his troublesome throwing arm healthy, Wieters is guaranteed a prime spot in an Orioles' lineup that is loaded with power. Opposing pitchers will have to throw strikes to someone, right? Let's hope the inflated K% is not going to stick around this year, because in that case a return to Wieters' norm of 20-25 HRs is very reasonable. That could lead to a plethora of helpful counting stats in what should be a high octane offense.

5. Lorenzo Cain will be a top 12 outfielder

I've made the joke many times before that LoCain is a poor man's version of Andrew McCutchen. Well, last year the Royals' center fielder made that poor man very wealthy. Cain is capable of of a 20-110-80-30 season (HR, R, RBI, SB) if he improves on last year's production. While some may think that regression is coming for the 29-year-old, the opposite may actually be the case. His BABIP was not abnormally high, his batting average seemed sustainable, and there's no reason this Kansas City offense can't have the same success this year. Cain is a guy who will do whatever it takes to help his team win games, and most times that results in positive production for your fantasy team, especially in category leagues (Cain has a tendency to take walks at a below average rate).

6. Christian Yelich will bat .300, score 110 runs, and steal 25 bases

Yelich's game plan for 2016? Get on base. Then, he'll likely wait for Giancarlo Stanton to either make an out or drive him in (usually by clearing the fences). If Stanton does get out, Yelich will likely be stealing to get into scoring position for the lesser hitter behind Stanton. That mindset leads me to believe that he'll be a very successful fantasy option this season. Marlins Park is not helpful in the home run department, but its huge yard has and will help Yelich add a few more points to his average. If I can finish my draft with Polanco, Cain, and Yelich on my team, I will feel tremendous about the upside that my team provides from the outfield position, and that's without considering my first or even second round pick.

7. Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale, and Dallas Keuchel will be the three best pitchers in fantasy baseball

I don't know how much explanation I have for this one. In fact, the same might be the case for my next call too. However, I'm pretty confident that Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball, and a bump in the road last season won't sway me from that. Outside of him, I think Sale and Keuchel have the command and dominant qualities to rival the Dodgers' ace. There are way too many aces these days to firmly say that such a bold call will come true, but every time I look at a draft board these three studs stand out to me.

8. J.A. Happ will win 15 games and strikeout 200 batters

... And J.A. Happ will be the fourth best pitcher in fantasy baseball. Just kidding. This one's a stretch; I know. However, the eye test worked for me on Kang last season, and I'm leaning on it again for this pick. Happ was committed to throwing more strikes last season, and he had his best year in a while. Now he returns to the dangerous hitter's park in Toronto, and that combined with his age will drive a lot of owners away. However, I think Happ's curve ball is one of the best in the business. Add that to his command that has become near perfect over his countless years pitching, and you may have a guy who can go six innings strong on a consistent basis. He'll need to strikeout more batters to be successful in Toronto, and he'll rack up the wins if he can keep opposing teams under four runs every game. This is my late-round flyer at the starting pitcher spot.

9. Ken Giles will have the most saves in 2016

No rocket science here. Giles is a very good reliever when he can keep his head on his shoulders. The Astros have a seemingly laid back organization, and their offense is really rounding into form with stud hitters like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and George Springer. Giles should get plenty of save opportunities, and he has just as good of a chance as Craig Kimbrel and Wade Davis to lead the league in the main (and most important) closer category.

10. Brett Gardner will play 145 games or more for the fourth straight year

The Yankees marathon man has been excellent in terms of consistency the past three years. Gardner has played 145, 148, and 151 games leading up to his age 32 season. His numbers don't jump off the page at you, but you know what you'll get. If he can stay on the field all year again, we can reasonable expect 15 HR, 90 R, 65 RBI, and 25 SB. That's not going to win you a fantasy baseball championship alone, but it'll put you well on your way considering the low ADP that Gardner ends up with year after year. The boldness is not in the number themselves, but that Gardner can avoid injury for another consecutive season. Maybe it's not as bold as the other picks above, but keep in mind that the aging veteran is due for a DL stint.

 

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