HOW TO DRAFT BRAUN

I think the question is when will Braun get suspended rather than will he be suspended. With all the information released it doesn't look like the MLB has enough evidence to get him suspended so looks like they will be getting the Feds involved. The Feds can issue subpoenas, compel testimony and call Grand Juries. The Feds brought a lot of resources to bear against Roger Clemens, only to have the prosecutors assigned to the case fuck it up at the 11th hour. They want to get it right this time and so does the league. They tried to squeeze Carillo and he wouldn't sing. Lucky for Braun. But sooner or later they'll find somebody who WILL talk, if they haven't already. Add to that the fact that the player's union is also on board with getting to the bottom of this and it's very tough to feel totally confident about drafting Braun. You gotta remember too, Braun was tested positive before and got off on a technicality. Also Braun' went to the University of Miami  where strength and conditioning coach Jimmy Goins Has been busted bringing guys to that same clinic Braun is linked to.  Bottom line I do think Braun will eventually get caught but will it be soon enough to take away from his fantasy impact for 2013. My guess is that he gets to play most of the season before there's any chance of a suspension so I'd draft him normally and probably try to move him mid season. I run a tournament of 10 leagues and so far Braun has been getting drafted accordingly. Here's a list of where Braun's been drafted so far:

1st x 2
2nd x 1
3rd x 5
4th x 1
6th x 1

So only one league was effected by the suspension rumors. So again draft Braun as you would normally have. Braun usually has a hot start so ride him until you don't feel comfortable with him and try and move him along.

3rd Year Yahoo Keeper League

3rd Year roto 6x6 Keeper League had a manager bail last day. Keepers had to be declared yesterday so the sooner I get a manager the better. Here's a list of some of the players on the team.

Erick Aybar
Emilio Bonifacio
Robinson Canó
Yoenis Céspedes
Chris Davis
Alejandro De Aza
Edwin Encarnación
Corey Hart
Ryan Howard
Brett Lawrie
Frank Francisco
Jim Johnson
Cliff Lee
Jonathan Papelbon
Jarrod Parker
J.J. Putz
Ricky Romero
Drew Storen
Justin Verlander
C.J. Wilson

 For more information about the league or an invite please E-mail me at ezak82@yahoo.com

Keepers for 2014

#1) Dylan Bundy (SP) Orioles

Minors: 9-3, 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 119 Ks, 103 IP

There's no doubt to me that this kid will be an ace one day but he might have to wait an entire year to show case it. I don't think the Orioles will force him up unless they have to late in the season. Bundy should be the one of the first prospects that you should try and grab for keeper leagues.


#2) Zack Wheeler (SP) Mets

Minors: 12-8, 3.26 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 148 Ks, 149 IP

Wheeler will be on call until the Mets decide to bring him. I see the Mets doing the same as last year and bringing him up in July like they did with Harvey. But with Wheeler we might see better results believe it or not as he could be the Mets future ace in just a few years from now.


#3) Trevor Rosenthal (SP) Cardinals

Minors: 8-6, 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 104 Ks, 109 IP

By next spring everyone will be drafting Rosenthal ahead of Miller. 100+ MPH fastball and able to control Isn't something you see with all those flame throwers. The Cardinals are so deep in pitching that he might not get to start any games this season but he'll probably be pitching out of the Pen right from the get go.


#4) Tyler Skaggs (SP) D'Backs

Minors: 9-6, 2.87 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 116 Ks, 122 IP

Skaggs just got sent back down to the minors to start the year off but I'm sure he'll be up within at some point this season. By 2014 he'll be set in the rotation and we could see 180 IP from him and 150 k upside.


#5) Gerrit Cole (SP) Pirates

Minors: 9-7, 2.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 136 Ks, 132 IP

Will be starting the year in AAA but if the Pirates start slipping in the standings I could see them calling him up sooner rather than later. Could be their future Ace on an exciting young team full of talent.


#6)Christian Yelich (OF) Marlins

Minors: .329 BA, 12 HR, 20 SB, .918 OPS

5 Tool outfielder who's been showcasing that this spring and is actually pushing to make a spot on the team. So far this spring he's batting .381 with 5 HR's, 13 RBI's, 13 Runs and a 1.326 OPS. Pretty stellar if you ask me. Marlins will have no reason to rush him to the majors since they won't be playing for much besides their pride.


#7) Xander Bogaerts (SS) Red Sox

Minors: .307 BA, 20 HR, 81 RBI, .896 OPS

Red Sox signed Stephen Drew to serve as a stop gap for the year so Bogaerts could get a year of AAA under his belt. But Drew is out now with Concussion symptoms and Iglesias Isn't gonna hold the SS job down all year if Drew misses a significant amount of time and if Bogaerts keeps mashing in the minors.


#8) Jorge Soler (OF) Cubs 

Minors: 134 AB .299 BA, 5 HR, 12 SB, .832 OPS

Cubs are disappointing year in and year out but they have got some young talent coming up through the system and might be ready to start bringing them up this season. Soler is only 21 years of age but has been playing in the Cuban League since 18 so he's a bit more experience than most of the hitters his age.


#9) Billy Hamilton (SS/CF) Reds

Minors: .311 BA, 155 SB, 37 CS, .830 OPS

I'm sure you've all heard about this speedster last year as he stole 155 bases in the minors. He's more of a slap hitter and his .311 AVG doesn't really do justice since a lot of those were infield hits and bunt singles which won't be as successful if the big leagues. Hamilton has been learning how to play CF even though he's been a SS for most of his playing years and with Cozart holding down the SS job for now, I could see Hamilton taking over for Cozart in 2014 and leading off for the Reds. Could be a 40+ SB and 100 Run candidate as early as next season if he learns how to get on base at the big league level.


#10) Jose Fernandez (SP) Marlins

Minors: 14-1, 1.75 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 158 Ks, 134 IP

Only 20 years old and experience at Class A Fernandez surprised people with his incredible pose and control. Will most certainly spend an entire year at AA but should be a name you'll be seeing a lot of next spring as Top 25 prospects.

Weekend Review

Biggest thing's I've noticed over the weekend would be some of the position battles and jobs being won.

Third Basemen Nolan Arenado of the Rockies has been crushing the ball this spring and now the Rockies are considering to use him as their everyday 3B rather than send him back down to the minors. Arenado has 4 HR's and 10 RBI's with an OPS of over 1.000. He'd sure be an upgrade both offensively and defensively over veteran Chris Johnson.

Next position battle would be the 5th spot on the Indians rotation between Trevor Bauer and Scott Kazmir. Bauer the D.Backs top prospect last year had many problems off the field which I think forced them to move him out of the organization. He was almost a sure lock the have been the 5th starter in Cleveland and be a good sleeper pick but Scott Kazmir has came out of no wheres this spring and has been striking out guys like his old self. I wouldn't take a chance on Kazmir if he wins the job but if the Tribe gives it to Bauer he'd be a guy I'd keep my eye on early in the season.

Looks like the Cardinals are gonna let Shelby Miller and Joe Kelly Duel it out as they will each pitch in Tuesdays game with Miller getting the start. Joe Kelly has Pitched very well and looks like he has the edge right now but I think the Cards are giving Miller a chance to win the job over cause I don't think they will wanna waste another year of him in the minors.

Top 10 Prospects for 2013

#1) Wil Myers (OF) Rays

Minors:.314 BA, 37 HR, 109 RBI, .987 OPS

I think Myers will have the biggest fantasy impact this season. Rays will have him start in the minors but I can see him have the same path Longoria had his rookie year when they brought him up after one week of play. Only guys in front of him are Matt Joyce and Luke Scott. Zobrist will probably start the year in the outfield but when Myers comes up they will move Zobrist back to 2B and push Kelly Johnson to a bench role.

2013 Projections: 400 AB's, .275, 24 HR, 70 RBI, 55 R, 5 SB


#2) Adam Eaton (OF) Diamondbacks

Minors: .375 BA, 7 HR, 130 R, 44 SB, .978 OPS

All winter I was debating whether or not I was gonna draft Eaton as a bench spot until he got playing time but as soon as the D'Backs traded Upon away I knew they were ready to make Eaton an everyday player. Eaton Isn't the most exciting prospect on the board but with everyday at bats he'll provide some solid fantasy stats.

2013 Projections: 500 AB's, .280, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 80 R, 25 SB


#3) Oscar Tavarez (OF) Cardinals

Minors: .321 BA, 23 HR, 94 RBI, .953 OPS

Really well rounded hitter that makes a lot of solid contact.  Tavarez will probably start the season in AAA but he shouldn't be down too long cause either Beltran will get injured or the Cards will realize that they are wasting their time having Jon Jay in the outfield rather than their highly toted prospect. When he gets the call up he'll be ready to make a fantasy impact as soon as he arrives.

2013 Projections:  300 AB's, .280, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 45 R, 12 SB


#4) Julio Teheran (SP) Braves

Minors: 7-9, 5.08 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 97 Ks, 131 IP

Don't be fooled by last years stats. There was reason why Teheran was a top 3 prospect heading into last season and he's showing why this spring. Braves were tweaking his delivery last season and he has gone to his old ways this spring and has been lights out.  He's got 18 k's in 14 innings and only 2 ER's. Braves have already gave him the last rotation spot and I'd grab him in the late rounds.

2013 Projections: 28 GS, 13-8, 4.05, 1.29 and 160 K's in 170 IP


#5) Jedd Gyorko (2B) Padres

Minors: .311 BA, 30 HR, 100 RBI, .921 OPS

Read yesterdays post on Gyorko for a full review.

2013 Projections: 500 AB's, .270, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 65 R, 3 SB


#6) Shelby Miller (SP) Cardinals 

Minors: 11-10, 4.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 160 Ks, 136 IP

Was really high on this guy especially when I found out Carpenter was seriously injured but this spring he's been out pitched by Joe Kelly. So right now he's still in a battle for that #5 spot. If he doesn't win the job out of spring I'm sure he'll be in the rotation soon enough as someone is bound to get hurt (Garcia) or pitch their way out of the rotation.

2013 Projections: 20 GS, 11-5, 3.80, 1.25 and 135 K's in 140 IP


#7) Travis D'Arnaud (C) Mets

Minors: 67 Games .333, 16 HR, 52 RBI, .975 OPS

D'Arnaud was cruising last year until he blew out his knee ending his season abruptly.  Mets will most likely start him down in the minors just to make sure his knee is fine but he should be up in no time to take over from John Buck.  A weak Catchers position makes D'arnaud even that more interesting.

2013 Projections: 350 AB's, .270, 15 HR, 50 RBI, 40 R


#8) Leonys Martin (OF) Rangers

Minors: 55 G, .359 BA, 12 HR, 42 RBI, 10 SB

Martin should finally have regular at bats all year and show how well rounded he is at the plate. So far this spring he's been showing a bit of everything and looking like he's ready to go. He could easily have similar stats to #2 ranked Eaton by year end.

2013 Projections: 500 AB's, .275, 10 HR, 50 RBI, 75 R, 25 SB


#9) Jurickson Profar (2B) Rangers

Minors: .281 BA, 14 HR, 16 SBs, .820 OPS

I'd probably have Profar ranked #2 if he had a starting job but fact of the matter is as long as the Rangers have Andrus you probably won't see Profar until the rosters widen at the end of the year. If the Rangers struggle and need to make a trade Andrus will be the first to go. His contract ends next season and they haven't been able to negotiate with him so he'll be on the move at the end of the season reagardless. I think in a few years from now we'll be seeing Profar getting drafted in the first 3 rounds easily. Even next year I could see him being close to 20/20 with a .280+ average in his first full season.

2013 Projections: 200 AB's .275, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 35 R, 10 SB


#10)Aaron Hicks (OF) Twins

Minors: .286 BA, 13 HR, 32 SB, 11 3Bs, .844 OPS

Going into spring everyone thought that Mastroianni was probably gonna win the CF battle and be the everyday starter but former top prospect hicks had a solid minor league last year and is crushing balls this spring. If Hicks indeed wins the CF job he'll probably be leading off.

2013 Projections: 550 AB's, .260, 11 HR, 40 RBI, 85 R, 25 SB

Gyorko Leads the Way

With Logan Forsythe suffering from plantar fasciitis, looks like Gyorko may be the lead candidate to take over 2B duties heading into the season.  Gyorko's been mashing the ball this spring and has 3 HR's and an OPS of over 900. If he indeed won the starting job he could be one of the biggest sleepers of the draft.  Power hitting third baseman converted to a middle infielder should have fantasy managers drooling. Between AA/AAA Gyorko boasted a .311 AVG, 30 HR's and 100 RBI's. At the end of last season when Quentin came back and was healthy, the entire team starting hitting well and with the fences getting pulled in at Petco you might not be as hesitant to grab more Padres on your fantasy squads this season. 
Projected Line Up for the Padres could look like this:

1) E.Cabrera SS
2) W.Venable RF
3) C.Headley 3B
4) C.Quentin LF
5) J.Gyorko 2B
6)  Y.Alonso 1B
7) C.Maybin CF
8) N.Hundley C
9) Pitcher

Also don't forget the Padres will be getting Yasmani Grandal back when he returns from his 50 game suspension.

Top 5 Sleepers

Mike Minor SP (Braves)

With Medlen's breakout second half season managers forgot that the Braves had another Ace that second half too. When Medlen posted a 0.97 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 9/k per Nine innings you had Minor posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 6.4/k per Nine in that same span.

Ike Davis 1B (Mets) 

When you look at Ike's overall stats from last year and see that .227 AVG, you just wanna turn away and cringe a little. But you gotta remember he had a terrible start to the season and I mean terrible. A .158 AVG and 5 HR's in 58 games is as bad as it can get. But when he finally got out of that funk, he turned things around and batted .265 with a stellar 27 HR's in the remaining 100 games that he started. If he hits the way he did the second half of the season he could possibly hit 40 Hr's with 120+ RBI's. He's been going anywhere's between 10th and 12th round so keep an eye out and see if he's still hanging around after the 10th round for you to grab.

Ryan Howard 1B (Phillies) 

Think everyone is forgetting that this former MVP was injured last season and finally looks 100% heading into the season. He's got 8 extra base hits this spring including 4 Hr's and has 12 RBI's. If the Veterans in Philly can collectively have a solid season you could see Howard put out a line like .290/25/90/80 which Isn't bad for someone going past the 10th round with potential up side.

Brett Gardner OF (Yankees)

In back to back seasons before last years injuries Gardner almost hit the 50 mark in steals with 47 and 49.  He's going at around 300 in drafts so getting a guy who could get you a .270 AVG, 90 Runs and 40 SB's in the 20th round or later looks like a steal to me.

Jedd Gyorko 3B/2B (Padres)

 I'll have a post later in the day on Gyorko so stay tuned.