Welcome back to the 2015 Last Word on Fantasy Baseball Guide. Over the next several months we will be releasing player profiles, projections, position rankings, and a number of other articles that will help you dominate your fantasy league this season. Whether you play rotisserie or head-to-head; whether you have a standard draft, a snake or an auction league, and whether its keeper league or a one-year deal; we have all the fantasy information you need.
For the rest of our fantasy baseball profiles and articles please check out our Fantasy Baseball Guide Page.
This series will take a look at Late Round Category Helpers that can help your fantasy team win a specific category. Whether it’s stolen bases, home runs or wins, these undervalued players excel in one or more categories and can provide you with great late round value.
The Stolen Bases category was highlighted in the first article of this series Late Round Category Helpers: Stolen Bases.
Brandon Moss, 1B/OF, Cleveland Indians, Avg. Draft Position 178.0
2014 Stats: .234 AVG, 25 HR, 81 RBI, 70 R
In 2014 Brandon Moss hit .268 with 21 HR before the All-Star break. However, in the second half of the season, Moss was plagued by a hip injury, and hit just .173 with 4 HR. Moss had surgery to repair his torn labrum in the offseason and hopes to be cleared for baseball activities by mid-March. This is great news for his fantasy value. Moss will slide into the 13th or 14th round due to this injury, and that is great value for a player that has hit 21+ HR in three straight seasons. Also, moving from the A’s to the Indians will help his power numbers, as Progressive Field gave up the 11th most HR last season. Moss should be ready for Opening Day and I would except another 30 HR season.
2015 Projection: .255 AVG, 29 HR, 78 RBI, 68 Runs
Steve Pearce, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles, Avg. Draft Position 213.0
2014 Season: .293 AVG, 21 HR, 49 RBI, 51 Runs
Steve Pearce came out of nowhere last season, hitting 21 HR in only 102 games. Pearce has been great against lefties his entire career, but finally learned to hit righties in 2014, smacking 12 HR with a .279 AVG. This sudden success made him more than just a platoon player. In fact, his Isolated power of .263 ranked 7th in the league and his HR/FB ratio at 17.5% ranked 26th. Steve Pearce’s 2014 season wasn’t a fluke. I expect him to hit 25-30 HR in 2015 and help your team win the HR department.
2015 Projection: .269 AVG, 26 HR, 71 RBI, 67 Runs
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Minnesota Twins, Avg. Draft Position 281.0
2014 stats: .231 AVG, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 46 R
Oswaldo Arcia suffered through injuries and a horrendous slump early last season, but still finished with 20 HR in only 410 plate appearances. That’s very impressive, considering he plays at pitcher friendly Target Field. Arcia will be the Twins starting right fielder and will get enough AB to produce in the HR category. Arcia has the potential to hit 30 HR this seasons and is a great source of power late in drafts.
2015 Projection: .246 AVG, 26 HR, 78 RBI, 66 R
Marlon Byrd, OF, Cincinnati Reds, Avg. Draft Position 226.3
2014 Stats: .264 AVG, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 71 R
Marlon Byrd quietly has back-to-back seasons of 24+ HR and 85+ RBI. He’s played atleast 147 games in both those seasons. Power and durability – what else could you want in a player this late in drafts? Byrd was traded to the Reds this off-season, which will improve his power numbers. Great American Ballpark surrendered the 4th most HR last season. Marlon Byrd is slated to be the Reds starting LF and will provide good power numbers for your fantasy team.
2015 Projection: .260 AVG, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 67 R
Mike Zunino, C, Seattle Mariners, Avg. Draft Position 239.0
2014 Stats: .199 AVG, 22 HR, 60 RBI, 51 R
Yes, Mike Zunino’s batting average is horrible, but his 22 HR was tied for 3rd most among catchers in 2014. Zunino isn’t drafted for his average. If he hits his HR and is driving in runs his bad average is worth it. Zunino has unquestionable power, power that is hard to find late in drafts, especially at the catcher position. Zunino should hit over 20 HR and provide some late round pop to your fantasy team.
2015 Projection: .211 AVG, 21 HR, 61 RBI, 58 R
** Average Draft Position found on fantasypros.com
For the rest of our fantasy baseball profiles and articles, please check out our Fantasy Baseball Guide Page.
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