2012 Fantasy Baseball, Week 8: Dynasty League Players to Target
Tyler Skaggs (credits below)
Will Middlebrooks. Jason Kipnis. Drew Smyly. Plenty of names come to mind when thinking of young guys who have come up in the last year and are having a huge fantasy impact. What’s tough in a dynasty league isn’t finding the Mike Trout and Bryce Harpers of the world, but the underrated guys who you can acquire at a bargain price and watch become stars. Here are a few guys already close to the major leagues that I think can develop and grow to have a definite fantasy impact in 2013, or as soon as the second half of this year. For a more complete summary, check out my full prospect rankings from before the season HERE.
Marte is a great example of a player who will be a little more valuable to fantasy owners than his real life team. His plate discipline will hold him back, but his speed is for real and his hit tool is above average. He wowed in spring training this year, batting .520 with 3 homers and 2 steals in just 12 games, but did not get the call. He had 58 extra base hits and stole 24 bases last year in a full season in AA, and is ready to make an impact at the big league level soon.
While Adrian Beltre is a pretty huge roadblock at third base in Texas, they won’t be able to keep this kid’s powerful bat down for much longer. He is a pretty traditional power hitter who mashed 14 homers in just 240 at bats last season, and has 8 early in 2012. Despite being a righty, the Rangers tried him at first base in spring training, and that is a more likely spot for him when he does get the call (likely next season). Given the dearth of power across teams this season, many dynasty teams could use a guy like Olt in their infield any given week. Keep an eye out for him as he moves up the ladder in one of the best organizations in the league.
While Skaggs is not considered an “ace” prospect, he is very highly regarded — just as a 6’4’’ lefty with great stuff should be. While his fastball is a solid pitch that sits around 91-93 mph, it’s his curveball that serves as his out pitch and makes me feel comfortable projecting him to strike out major league batters. Mike Newman of FanGraphs said, “I’m left with no choice but to rate Skaggs’ curveball as the best I’ve seen at the minor league level – period.” Skaggs has had a lot of success at the minor league level, generating ground balls while also generating more than 11 K/9 every stop in the minors for the Diamondbacks since he was acquired in the Dan Haren deal. Skaggs should get a look in September of this season after repeating AA to start the year, and has a good shot to crack the rotation to start next season. Target him now before even more hype surrounds his prospect status.
A key piece to the Royals’ rebuilding efforts, Odorizzi was called up to AAA just last week. He was another pitching prospect acquired in a blockbuster deal, this time from the Brewers for Zack Grienke. He is not going to blow by hitters with a fastball at just 90-92 mph, but has the “pitch-ability” that leads to success at the MLB level combined with his top-notch control. He has been consistently solid through the minor leagues, with a career K/BB of 3.6. To put that in perspective, Felix Hernandez owned a K/BB of 3.3 when he won his Cy Young in 2010. Odorizzi could get the call to the bigs at any time and provide a spark in the same division that Drew Smyly has been tearing to pieces to start the year.
Starling Marte | Pittsburgh Pirates | OF
Marte is a great example of a player who will be a little more valuable to fantasy owners than his real life team. His plate discipline will hold him back, but his speed is for real and his hit tool is above average. He wowed in spring training this year, batting .520 with 3 homers and 2 steals in just 12 games, but did not get the call. He had 58 extra base hits and stole 24 bases last year in a full season in AA, and is ready to make an impact at the big league level soon.
Mike Olt | Texas Rangers | 1B/3B
While Adrian Beltre is a pretty huge roadblock at third base in Texas, they won’t be able to keep this kid’s powerful bat down for much longer. He is a pretty traditional power hitter who mashed 14 homers in just 240 at bats last season, and has 8 early in 2012. Despite being a righty, the Rangers tried him at first base in spring training, and that is a more likely spot for him when he does get the call (likely next season). Given the dearth of power across teams this season, many dynasty teams could use a guy like Olt in their infield any given week. Keep an eye out for him as he moves up the ladder in one of the best organizations in the league.
Tyler Skaggs | Arizona Diamondbacks | SP
While Skaggs is not considered an “ace” prospect, he is very highly regarded — just as a 6’4’’ lefty with great stuff should be. While his fastball is a solid pitch that sits around 91-93 mph, it’s his curveball that serves as his out pitch and makes me feel comfortable projecting him to strike out major league batters. Mike Newman of FanGraphs said, “I’m left with no choice but to rate Skaggs’ curveball as the best I’ve seen at the minor league level – period.” Skaggs has had a lot of success at the minor league level, generating ground balls while also generating more than 11 K/9 every stop in the minors for the Diamondbacks since he was acquired in the Dan Haren deal. Skaggs should get a look in September of this season after repeating AA to start the year, and has a good shot to crack the rotation to start next season. Target him now before even more hype surrounds his prospect status.
Jake Odorizzi | Kansas City Royals | SP
A key piece to the Royals’ rebuilding efforts, Odorizzi was called up to AAA just last week. He was another pitching prospect acquired in a blockbuster deal, this time from the Brewers for Zack Grienke. He is not going to blow by hitters with a fastball at just 90-92 mph, but has the “pitch-ability” that leads to success at the MLB level combined with his top-notch control. He has been consistently solid through the minor leagues, with a career K/BB of 3.6. To put that in perspective, Felix Hernandez owned a K/BB of 3.3 when he won his Cy Young in 2010. Odorizzi could get the call to the bigs at any time and provide a spark in the same division that Drew Smyly has been tearing to pieces to start the year.
Written by Matt Cott of RotoAnalysis.com, exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Matt on Twitter @KidCotti21.
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