X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

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
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Pierre Camus' 10 Bold Predictions for 2018

As we steamroll toward Opening Day, our experienced writers will be offering their most bold predictions for the 2018 fantasy baseball season.

Although I will never be able to replicate last year's successes in calling Giancarlo Stanton's mammoth season, I will do my best. Feel free to ignore the majority of those other predictions from 2017.

I can't promise there won't be at least one Marlins prediction somewhere in here, and it just might be the boldest one... Let's get to it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:

 

Bold Predictions for 2018

1. Starling Marte brings first-round value to savvy owners

You want speed, you target a guy like Marte in the fourth or fifth round and then compensate in the other categories later on. But what if you don't need to? Marte is being treated like another Billy Hamilton, but if you have a memory that stretches beyond last season, you'll know he can bring much more to the table. In the second half of last year, he hit .282, stole 19 bases and scored 41 runs. This is after a three-month hiatus from the game in the middle of the season. In his three prior seasons, his batting average stood at .311, .287, and .291. He should score 85+ runs easily, as the Pirates lineup is just as formidable as last season (they aren't tanking, contrary to popular belief). I won't say he'll surpass his previous high of 19 home runs, but it is interesting to note he's gone deep three times already this spring, along with a .405 average. If you like the idea of a .290 hitter who can go 20/40, maybe don't wait so long to grab Marte.

2. Yoan Moncada just doesn't get it going

These things take time, you know? Moncada has all the talent in the world, but may not be ready to harness it yet. He was rushed to the majors at age 21 last year and managed just a .231/.338/.412 slash line. A 32% strikeout rate and 27.9% O-Swing% show a lack of readiness at the dish. If the average isn't there, what about that power/speed combo? Moncada swiped just three bags on five attempts over 54 games with Chicago. He wasn't very successful at the Triple-A level either, getting caught eight times on 25 attempts. If all we're holding on for is 20-30 HR power, let me introduce you to 126 other guys who can do the same thing. I'll hold in dynasty, but pass in redraft.

3. Brad Brach finishes top-10 in saves and RP value

Technically, he is just holding Zach Britton's job until he comes back, but when will that be? The All-Star break is the current target, but Britton has now suffered serious injuries in consecutive years and Achilles injuries can be tricky. Even if Britton is 100% by early August, Brach will have racked up 25 saves by that point, along with a K-rate just below 30% and an ERA below 3.00. While 20 other teams are playing musical chairs at the closer spot, Brach is unlikely to be shuffled or traded and is one of the safer RP picks this season.

4. Jose Quintana finishes top-three in the NL Cy Young race

I almost went all the way on this and predicted an outright victory, but after my failed Jake Arrieta prediction a year ago, I'll hedge a bit. Quintana was solid down the stretch after being traded, but we haven't seen the best of him in a Cubs uniform. For four straight seasons, he maintained an ERA between 3.20-3.51 for that other Chicago team. He's already good at keeping the ball on the ground, but Wrigley Field should help lower last year's 13.2% HR/FB rate even further. Wins won't be an issue and he no longer has the pressure of being a top-of-the-rotation guy. The strikeout totals won't be enough to make him a fantasy MVP, but he may be more effective than people are giving him credit for.

5. Lucas Giolito is a top-20 SP

On the other side of the Windy City, big-time prospect Lucas Giolito is officially a post-hype breakout candidate. He failed to impress in his cup of coffee with the Nats in 2016 and then was shipped to Siberia the White Sox for Adam Eaton. As I mentioned earlier with teammate Moncada, these things don't happen right away. Giolito may already be there, however. He looked razor-sharp at the end of last season, posting a 2.38 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Critics will point to a 4.42 xFIP and unsustainable 92% strand rate, but all of this goes with a big grain of salt since we're talking about seven starts altogether. Giolito has the skill set and the opportunity, he just needs to maintain his confidence.

6. Scott Kingery is your waiver wire MVP

Although he's owned in many a dynasty league by now, I haven't seen Kingery drafted in many redraft formats (other than the ones where I picked him). Don't expect him to mash 50 homers like Judge, but there is an undeniable skill set here that could make him a five-category contributor. He's doing all he can in spring training to claim a roster spot, but even if he doesn't start out with the big club, it won't be long before he's up. This Phillies team clearly thinks it can contend, as evidenced by the Carlos Santana and Jake Arrieta signings. Throw out your Cesar Hernandez shares--Kingery is the late-rounder you want to stash so you aren't burning all your FAAB a month from now.

7. Eric Thames is not worth owning by May

The thrill is gone. Thamesmania swept the country (at least the baseball-watching part of it) last April as he was seemingly going deep on every pitch thrown his way. We all know what happened after that. The novelty of throwing to an ex-KBO member must have worn off on opposing pitchers, I suppose. While Thames finished with a 31-HR season, it only resulted in 63 RBI. His inability to hit lefties (.182) might have something to do with the fact that the Brewers are moving Ryan Braun to first base, rather than trying to actively trade him or Domingo Santana. In the end, Thames may only see occasional starts against righties and he may not be effective enough to own, even in a platoon situation.

8. Jake Lamb doesn't regress at all

A popular bust pick due to humidor-induced panic, Lamb's 30 bombs and 105 RBI from a year ago have earned him no higher than the 14th-ranked third baseman according to NFBC ADP. I'm not discounting the humidor's potential to impact the 'Zona offense, but how much will it affect him personally over those 82 games? Maybe he hits 27 HR instead? Lost in all the speculation is the fact that Lamb improved his plate discipline a great deal in his third full Major League season and at age 27 he's in his prime. Lamb cut down his swinging strike rate to 8.7% and upped his contact rate back to 77%. His walk rate has climbed each year and finished at an impressive 13.5% BB% in 2017. My guess is whatever effect the humidor has are negated by the strides Lamb could continue to make and he could be a bargain for those who wait on 3B.

9. Austin Hedges finishes as a top-five catcher and outproduces Salvador Perez

Let's face it, there are precious few catchers worth spending your time even thinking about, much less drafting. Once Sanchez, Posey, and Contreras are off the board, you can wait til the bitter end to fill the position (unless you're in a dreaded two-catcher league, which should be outlawed by the way). Yet, Sal Perez is being drafted within the top 100 overall, nearly 100 spots ahead of players that could produce comparable value.

Hedges is my favorite pick as a dollar-day bargain at the catcher spot and someone I am definitely trying to secure in my two-C leagues. Hedges is extremely streaky, but wound up swatting 18 HR in 120 games last year after putting up 21 HR in 82 games in Triple-A the previous year. His surrounding cast is better, so with more experience and good health, he could put up a line of .240/25/70. Perez is good for 20 or more bombs and a decent average around .260, but there's no way he's repeating his 80 RBI from a year ago. If you didn't notice, the Royals are no longer a contender, which Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, and Melky Cabrera replaced by the likes of Jon Jay, Lucas Duda, and Paulo Orlando. It'll be close, but at an ADP 150 spots later, I'm definitely willing to bet on Hedges.

10. Lewis Brinson will outperform Christian Yelich in roto leagues

Talk about saving the best for last, huh? I sorta hinted this wouldn't be crazy in a tweet several weeks ago and was unsurprisingly challenged by crack staffer and man-who-doesn't-miss-a-chance-to-call-you-out-on-social-media, Kyle Bishop. If you know me, I don't conform to group-think projections and don't feel compelled to shy away from controversial picks, so I have no choice but to double-down on the crazy here.

I've seen respected analysts predict as much as second-round value and top-10 OF finishes for Yelich this season. I'm not. Miller Park is certainly a better hitting environment than Marlins Park, but it's not exactly a band box either. It was 11th in Ballpark Factor for hits and 12th for homers last year. We're talking about a guy who has a career fly ball rate of 19.2% and a career-high of 21 homers. Don't hold your breath counting on 30 jacks this year. The steals are a nice bonus, but again he has a career-best 21 SB and that was four years ago. Sure, he could go 20/20 with an average around .300. Why couldn't Brinson?

We're talking about a top prospect who's hit .331 and .382 at the Triple-A level the past two years. 15 homers should be no problem and a Marlins team that has nothing to lose could let him loose on the basepaths regularly. The Fish tied for 11th in SB attempts per game last year, but that number should surge with Brinson and Cameron Maybin in town. Sure, his ceiling as a rookie might not approach Yelich in his prime, but there's always a chance...

 

More RotoBaller Predictions




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Igor Shesterkin21 mins ago

Stops 40 Shots Versus Senators
Aleksander Barkov31 mins ago

Amasses Four Points In Finland
Dan Vladar38 mins ago

Shuts Out Devils Friday Night
Adam Pelech45 mins ago

Makes Early Exit Versus Sabres
Mike Reilly53 mins ago

Exits Friday's Action With Injury
NHL59 mins ago

Nathan Bastian Suffers Jaw Injury On Friday
Jordan Clarkson8 hours ago

Out At Least A Week
Kyle Kuzma9 hours ago

Out Again On Saturday
Jamal Murray9 hours ago

Won't Return On Friday Night
Giannis Antetokounmpo9 hours ago

Anticipated To Play Versus Cleveland
Puka Nacua10 hours ago

Shot To Play Week 9
Jordan Love10 hours ago

Tracking To Play In Week 9
Stephen Curry13 hours ago

Unavailable Saturday
Yves Missi13 hours ago

Expected To Take The Court Friday
Karl-Anthony Towns13 hours ago

Available On Friday
Eric Comrie13 hours ago

Faces Blue Jackets Friday
Daniel Theis13 hours ago

Likely To Suit Up Friday
David Savard13 hours ago

Sits Out Practice For Maintenance Purposes
De'Anthony Melton13 hours ago

Unavailable Saturday
Jordan Hawkins13 hours ago

Expected To Play Friday
Alexander Romanov13 hours ago

Ready To Play Friday
Al Horford14 hours ago

Resting Against Charlotte
Evgeni Malkin14 hours ago

Takes Maintenance Day On Friday
Andrew Wiggins14 hours ago

Probable For Saturday's Matchup With Houston
Rose Namajunas14 hours ago

An Underdog At UFC Edmonton
D'Angelo Russell14 hours ago

Will Suit Up Versus Toronto
Devon Levi14 hours ago

Returns To Sabres Crease
Clayton Kershaw14 hours ago

To Undergo Two Surgeries
Anthony Davis14 hours ago

Available Against Toronto
Erin Blanchfield14 hours ago

Returns At UFC Edmonton
Brandon Lowe14 hours ago

Rays Pick Up Club Option On Brandon Lowe
Ryan Hartman14 hours ago

Rejoins Wild Lineup Friday
Zach LaVine14 hours ago

Will Play Against Brooklyn
14 hours ago

Nick Martinez Headed To Free Agency
Erik Cernak14 hours ago

Available On Friday
Marc-Andre Barriault14 hours ago

Dustin Stoltzfus Set To Face Marc-Andre Barriault At UFC Edmonton
Brent Suter14 hours ago

Inks Extension With Cincinnati
Immanuel Quickley14 hours ago

Out Again On Friday Night
CJ McCollum14 hours ago

Out At Least Two Weeks
14 hours ago

Yankees, Mets Among Teams In Battle For Juan Soto
Anthony Black14 hours ago

Starting Versus Cleveland
Franz Wagner14 hours ago

Cleared For Friday Night
Herbert Jones14 hours ago

To Miss A Significant Amount Of Time With Shoulder Injury
Marc-Andre Barriault14 hours ago

A Favorite At UFC Edmonton
Blake Snell14 hours ago

Opts Out Of Deal With San Francisco
Desmond Bane15 hours ago

Won't Face The 76ers
Josh Jacobs15 hours ago

Questionable For Sunday
Drake Maye15 hours ago

Questionable For Week 9
Tyler Boyd15 hours ago

Tony Pollard, Tyler Boyd Listed As Questionable
Tyjae Spears15 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
Calvin Ridley16 hours ago

Off The Injury Report
Trevin Giles16 hours ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Noah Fant16 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
Brian Robinson Jr.16 hours ago

Questionable For Week 9
Mike Malott16 hours ago

Opens Up UFC Edmonton Main Card
Dallas Goedert16 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
DK Metcalf16 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
Zach Benson16 hours ago

Could Play Next Week
Jani Hakanpaa16 hours ago

And Connor Dewar Sent On Conditioning Stint
Dmitri Voronkov16 hours ago

Ready For Season Debut Friday
Jordan Love16 hours ago

Questionable Vs. Lions
Mathew Barzal17 hours ago

Getting Tests Done For Upper-Body Injury
Vladimir Tarasenko17 hours ago

Ready To Go For Saturday
Mark Stone17 hours ago

Misses Practice Due To Birth Of Child
Puka Nacua18 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Week 9
Will Levis18 hours ago

Questionable For Week 9
David Njoku18 hours ago

Good To Go For Week 9
Bucky Irving19 hours ago

Absent During Friday's Practice
David Njoku19 hours ago

Returns To Practice On Friday
Adam Thielen19 hours ago

Doubtful For Week 9
Jonathon Brooks19 hours ago

Not Expected To Play In Week 9
Tee Higgins19 hours ago

Listed As Doubtful For Sunday
Tyreek Hill19 hours ago

Expected To Play In Week 9
Tomás Nosek22 hours ago

Tomas Nosek Ready For Panthers Debut On Friday
Leon Draisaitl22 hours ago

Leads Oilers To Victory With Three-Point Effort
23 hours ago

Royals Decline Option On Adam Frazier
23 hours ago

Manuel Margot, Kyle Farmer Headed To Free Agency
23 hours ago

Milwaukee Declines Option On Wade Miley
Lucas Giolito23 hours ago

Staying In Boston
Chris Stratton23 hours ago

Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton Returning To Kansas City
Jordan Montgomery23 hours ago

Staying In Arizona
1 day ago

Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn Headed For Free Agency
Roansy Contreras2 days ago

Claimed By Texas
2 days ago

Alex Kirilloff Announces Retirement
Jorge Soler2 days ago

Traded To Los Angeles
Brendson Ribeiro2 days ago

Searching For 1st UFC Win At UFC Edmonton
Caio Machado2 days ago

Drops Down To Light Heavyweight At UFC Edmonton
Jhonata Diniz2 days ago

Gets Big Step-Up At UFC Edmonton
Derrick Lewis2 days ago

Faces An Unranked Heavyweight At UFC Edmonton
Amir Albazi2 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Edmonton
Brandon Moreno2 days ago

Ends Layoff At UFC Edmonton
2 days ago

Daniel Hudson Retires After World Series Victory
Freddie Freeman2 days ago

Drives In Two More Runs, Earns World Series MVP Honors
Chase Elliott5 days ago

Comes Up Short at Homestead
William Byron5 days ago

Rallies to Sixth at Homestead
Kyle Larson5 days ago

Tire Issue at Homestead Could Doom Kyle Larson's Championship Hopes
Tyler Reddick5 days ago

Charges To A Thrilling Victory At Homestead
Ryan Blaney5 days ago

Loses At Homestead On The Final Corner To Tyler Reddick
Christopher Bell5 days ago

Quietly Nabs A Top-5 Finish At Homestead
Khamzat Chimaev5 days ago

Remains Undefeated
Robert Whittaker5 days ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 308
Aleksandar Rakic5 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC 308
Armen Petrosyan5 days ago

Knocked Out At UFC 308
Shara Magomedov5 days ago

Gets Highlight-Reel Knockout Win At UFC 308
Joey Logano5 days ago

Intentionally Sleepwalked Through Homestead to Focus on Phoenix
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Advances to Championship 4 as Owner but Not as Driver
Dan Ige5 days ago

Loses Second-Straight Fight At UFC 308
Lerone Murphy6 days ago

Remains Undefeated At UFC 308
Magomed Ankalaev6 days ago

Wins Lackluster Decision Win At UFC 308
Max Holloway6 days ago

Gets Knocked Out For First Time At UFC 308

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Ladd McConkey - Fantasy Football Rankings, Rookies, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Key Starters and Tough Calls - Week 9 Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman, Joe Flacco

Scott Engel’s Lineup Spotlights are an essential weekly feature on RotoBaller.com for the 2024 fantasy football season. Every week, he focuses on players to choose as starting options when you are dealing with tight lineup decisions. The lineup picks included in this rundown are based on Scott’s Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller […]


Zay Flowers - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Week 9 Fantasy Football Busts? Players Who May Disappoint Include Josh Jacobs, Zay Flowers, Tank Bigsby, Rachaad White, Nick Chubb, Bucky Irving

Welcome to Week 9, the midway point of the 2024 fantasy football season. It's arrived quickly for most, but there's still plenty of season left! Injuries to wide receivers have left a sour taste in the mouths of fantasy managers, therefore propping up running backs. However, some running backs may have a rough week while […]


Ladd McConkey - Fantasy Football Rankings, Rookies, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Wide Receiver Matchups to Target in Week 9 - Terry McLaurin, Chris Olave, Ladd McConkey, Jakobi Meyers

Welcome to WR Matchups to Target for Week 9. Last week’s picks yielded one “in the money” pick (3x multiplier on DraftKings salary) in Keon Coleman, giving us 11 such picks over the first eight weeks of the season. Each week we will use matchup data from PFF to determine wide receivers to target based […]


Jayden Reed - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Football Landmines to Avoid for Week 9 - Tua Tagovailoa, Jayden Reed, Alexander Mattison, and more

As we hit the thick of the fantasy season, every lineup decision matters. One poorly chosen starter can ruin an entire week, especially with playoffs on the horizon.  In Week 9, we're taking a hard look at some players who are typically start-worthy but could land you in fantasy disaster zones this week due to […]


Josh Jacobs - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For NFL RBs: Week 9 Updates for Alvin Kamara, Josh Jacobs, Tank Bisgby, Brian Robinson Jr.

Below is our fantasy football injuries report for running backs in Week 9, as of November 2. The injury statuses for various NFL running backs are up in the air for Week 9, including Alvin Kamara, Josh Jacobs, Tank Bisgby, and Brian Robinson Jr. As the fantasy football season continues, every decision, transaction, and lineup […]


Puka Nacua - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 9 Updates For Puka Nacua, DK Metcalf, Brian Thomas Jr., Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper

We've already run the gauntlet of wide receiver injuries, but NFL action never stops, and player ailments never stop piling up throughout the season. It's odd how brutal they've been to the WR position especially. We've seen a number of star wideouts go on injured reserve, some for the rest of the season. Chris Godwin, […]


Bryce Young - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

High-Upside Bench Stashes: Weekend Waiver Wire Adds for Week 9 Includes Jaylen Wright, Troy Franklin, Erick All Jr., and more

Mastering the waiver wire is a crucial skill that can lead you to a fantasy football championship. It's not just about strategically placing your FAAB budget on specific players but also about knowing when to stash players. This dual strategy keeps you engaged and focused on your ultimate goal of winning a fantasy championship. As […]


Lamar Jackson - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Injury Updates for Week 9: Lamar Jackson, Puka Nacua, Tee Higgins, Jordan Love, Brian Thomas Jr.

The fantasy football gods don't care about your hopes and aspirations for your team. They dole out what they want when they please. It's common for players to get injuries in a sport that involves crashing into each other at high speeds and changing direction with extreme force. It's Week 9, which means some fantasy […]


Dallas Goedert - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Injury Reports for Tight Ends: Week 9 - Updates for T.J. Hockenson, Dallas Goedert, Noah Fant, Will Dissly

It’s time to check in on the injuries to some of the tight ends around the National Football League. The volatility at this position has been a nightmare for fantasy managers this season, and injuries across the board haven’t helped.   Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league […]


Jalen Hurts - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Survivor Pool Picks: Week 9 Targets and Avoids (2024)

Welcome to our NFL Survivor Pool Picks for Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season! There are so many different pools, fantasy leagues, weekly bets, and futures bets that it's hard to decide what to do with these choices. But survivor pools are the oldest and simplest leagues out there. All you have to do […]


Chase Brown - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Week 9 DraftKings NFL DFS Picks - Main Slate (2024): Jalen Hurts, Chase Brown, Evan Engram, and more

After raiding my daughter's trick-or-treat bag leftovers, I'm battling a Halloween hangover. It's probably a similar feeling to what lots of DFS players were experiencing after last week's Main Slate, as injuries and muted outputs from several popular players were hallmarks of Week 8. That said, we're on to a Week 9 slate that features […]


Puka Nacua - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For Week 9 (Friday Updates): Puka Nacua, DK Metcalf, Josh Jacobs, Jordan Love, more

We have now hit the halfway point of the NFL season, but over halfway for most fantasy football seasons. As has been the norm this season, there are plenty of injuries to top fantasy players at every position. Some remain out for the foreseeable future, some are potentially playing through injury, and some are returning […]


Jayden Daniels - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Pick'em Pool Picks (Week 9) - Targets, Avoids, Predictions for Pick'em Contests (2024)

Just two teams will be on a bye during Week 9, leaving a busy slate across the NFL. Injuries will once again impact the slate, as well as some teams making changes at quarterback. Each week of the NFL season, I’ll share my picks for each game and rank their selections for those who play […]