Oakland Athletics 2016 Fantasy Preview

Mar 26, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Khris Davis (2) hits a pitch during the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Oakland Athletics 2016 Fantasy Preview

The Athletics are still rebuilding from a failed playoff run a couple of years ago. Once again, this team is littered with players that get on base. That can be a good thing for your fantasy teams.

Oakland Athletics 2016 Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Stephen Vogt (.261, 18HR, 71RBI)
1B: Yonder Alonso (.282, 5HR, 31RBI in 354 AB with SD)
2B: Jed Lowrie (.222, 9HR, 30RBI in 230 AB)
SS: Marcus Semien (.257, 15HR, 45RBI)
3B: Danny Valencia (.290, 18HR, 66RBI with TOR/OAK)
LF: Khris Davis (.247, 27HR, 66RBI with MIL)
CF: Billy Burns (.294, 5HR, 42RBI, 26SB)
RF: Josh Reddick (.272, 20HR, 77RBI)
DH: Billy Butler (.251, 15HR, 65RBI)

Vogt is the rare catcher that hits for a good average and still has some power to go with it. He will likely still get some at bats at first base and DH because the A’s need his bat in the lineup. Vogt is worth taking in the 7th or 8th rounds if you like to have a consistent catcher.

Alonso goes from one cavernous ballpark to another. He can hit for average, but he will likely never reach is power potential playing in a place like Oakland. Still, in leagues that count OBP and in deeper leagues, Alonso is a good asset for your fantasy squad.

Lowrie had a disappointing season last year, and it may not get any better. He still does enough to warrant a look in deep leagues though.

Valencia smacked 11 home runs in only 183 at bats with the A’s last year. He responded well to consistent playing time, and has been a popular target at the end of standard league drafts so far. I would rather go for someone with more upside, but Valencia in a 12 team league or larger is a good idea.

Davis showed his power with the Brewers last year, but hitting 27 homers again in Oakland could be a chore. It could be hard enough to get to 20, and with that average, Davis is probably better left for larger leagues unless he gets hot. Keep an eye on him. The potential is there.

Burns was a revelation taking over for the struggling Coco Crisp last year. He is a great source of cheap steals later in a standard league draft, and he wont hurt your average either.

Reddick had a nice year last year. He sacrificed some power for average, but it is much easier to trust a .270 hitter with 20 homers than it is to trust a .230 hitter with 30. This version of Reddick is worth rounding out your outfield with in standard leagues.

Butler is not the beast that he was in Kansas City. He has found hits harder to come by in Oakland, and due to the fact that you have to use at UTIL slot on him, Butler is best left for deeper leagues.

Next: How Will The Rotation Shape Up?

Mar 21, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Oakland Athletics 2016 Projected Pitching Rotation:

Sonny Gray (14-7, 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 169K)
Rich Hill (2-1, 1.55 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 36K in 29 IP with BOS)
Chris Bassitt (1-8, 3.56 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 64K in 86 IP)
Kendall Graveman (6-9, 4.05 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 77K in 115.2 IP)
Felix Doubront (3-3, 5.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 56K in 75.1 IP with TOR/OAK)
Sean Doolittle (1-0, 3.95 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 15K in 13.2 IP, 4/5 saves)

Gray isn’t among the elite pitchers, but he is close. The only thing separating him is the lower strikeout totals. He is a very good option at the top of your fantasy rotation.

The A’s are trying Rich Hill in the rotation again. Boston started him in four games last year after a seven year stint in the bullpen, and he was brilliant, but buyer beware. Hill has had a rough spring and he is 36 years old. I may take a chance on him in deeper leagues, but chances are he will be on waivers if you want him. Hill has only pitched more than 100 innings once is his career. That was in 2007.

Bassitt was a hard luck loser a lot last year. He doesn’t have great stuff, but he is good enough to use at the back of your rotation in leagues of 12 or more teams.

Graveman is much the same. His peripheral numbers aren’t good enough to really use him outside of deep leagues, but the potential is there for him to be a serviceable option.

Doubront was a mess once again. It’s getting harder and harder to ignore the “bust” tag. I wouldn’t touch him in any league right now.

Henderson Alvarez (0-4, 6.45 ERA in four starts; 12-7, 2.65 ERA in 2014 including a no-hitter with Miami) should return some time in May to displace Doubront. Alvarez is not an elite strikeout pitcher, but as you can see from his 2014 numbers, he can be a fantasy asset. Grab him late and stash him in the DL if you can.

After saving 22/26 games in 2014, Doolittle was going to take the next step last year until injuries hit. He looks to be healthy this spring, and is a solid later option if you need saves. He wont hurt you much, but he also wont see a bunch of opportunities.

Next: What Prospects Are Worth Watching?

Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

We will take a look at a few prospects that could crack the majors for the A’s this year, and in what type of leagues you should be looking for them in. The A’s have quite a few prospects. Will any make an impact? Let’s get started!

Sean Manaea, LHP: Manaea has been on prospect lists for a long time. This could be the year that he makes good on it. He went 7-1 with a 2.66 ERA in the minors last year. The A’s rotation is far from set in stone. If Manaea pitches well in the minors early on, he could be up soon. If he does get the call, he is worth a look in all leagues.

Matt Olson, 1B: The A’s have been experimenting with Olson in a corner outfield spot, possibly to use him as a utility player when he gets up. The acquisitions of Khris Davis and Yonder Alonso block him, but his power could have him in the majors before too long. He is worth a look in deeper leagues if he earns consistent playing time.

Chad Pinder, INF: The A’s moved Pinder to SS last year, but with Lowrie struggling at the plate, he could move back to second if he looks ready for the majors. Pinder hit .317 with 15 homers at AA last year, and could crack the majors by June. If he does, he can be added in leagues of 12 or more teams.

Joe Wendle, 2B: The Indians named Wendle their minor league player of the year in 2013. Last year he hit .289 with 10 homers at AAA, and could be more ready than Pinder if inconsistency strike at the major league level. If he gets the call, he is worth taking a chance on in deep leagues.

Next: MLB FanDuel Picks For Opening Day

Stay tuned for the rundown of every MLB team before Opening Day, our daily FanDuel picks, and the round by round picks for the NCAA Tournament!

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