With the MLB season almost upon us, it is always fun to offer bold fantasy predictions for the upcoming season. Here is one bold fantasy prediction for each team in the AL West.
Conjuring up bold fantasy predictions is one the more intriguing offseason exercises as it blends conjecture, player situations, and stats together. While most bold predictions fail to come true, there is always that hope that one does strike gold and would be the one that fantasy owners believed in. Here is one fantasy prediction for each of the teams in the AL West.
More bold predictions here: AL East, NL East, AL Central, NL Central
Seattle Mariners: Edwin Diaz finishes the season as the best fantasy RP
The Mariners are primed to be in contention this season, opening the door for Diaz to shine further. We covered earlier this winter what makes him so filthy and his WBC performance only heightened the expectations. Armed with some of the nastiest stuff in baseball, his slider generated a 33% Whiff rate in 2016, so 100+ K are on the table. He should post a 35+ SV/100+ SV type of line.
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Texas Rangers: Carlos Gomez re-emerges as a top-30 OF
Gomez was a bust for the Astros and they cut bait last season. This opened the door for the Rangers to take a high-upside gamble. He did well with the Rangers over 33 games, .284/8 HR/5 SB/.905 OPS, and finally looked his vintage self.
Now seemingly refocused and liking his new digs, there is no reason that he can not post a 20 HR/20 SB season while hitting around .270 and will have a cushy spot atop the Rangers order. He will find his way back into the good graces of fantasy owners in 2017.
Houston Astros: Carlos Beltran remains an ageless wonder and goes for 30 HR/100 RBI
Beltran quietly had another outstanding year with the Yanks and Rangers in 2016 and parlayed that into another deal, this time with the Astros. Now getting most of his at-bats as the team’s DH, his knees will get the much-needed rest that they need, He is 40-years-old and was not going to wow the room when selected, but the dude can still hit.
He has a great spot in the middle of a stacked lineup and should be the healthiest he has been in years. Book 30 bombs and 100 RBI.
Oakland A’s: Jharel Cotton and Sean Manaea finish as top-30 fantasy SP
Two of the best fantasy breakout candidates reside in Oakland. Manaea had great K ratios in the minors and was impressive during his time with the big league club in 2016. He still has some kinks to work out, but the stuff and control are already pro ready.
Cotton may have even better raw stuff, his fastball and changeup play great of each other and he showed flashes of the potential he has last season. Making nearly half of their starts in Oakland will surely help as well, so look for both to post ERAs in the 3.50-3.65 range with at least 170 K.
Los Angeles Angels: Garrett Richards makes 25 starts and throws 180 innings
Richards has a partial tear in his UCL but decided to bypass surgery in order for stem cell treatments. That right there is enough to scare off fantasy owners, but the stuff and velocity were there in the spring. The Angels have already made it clear that he will not be a 200+ innings guy, but when he takes the rubber the results have been there.
He could have been drafted for nothing more than a flier in drafts and that should pay off great for those owners who gambled. The K numbers may take a little dip as he has reshaped his arsenal but he could be a tremendous value in 2017.
Next: Fantasy Baseball Takeaways from Opening Day of the 2017 MLB season
Some of these predictions may be bold, some may be somewhat obvious. But, fantasy owners should keep these in the back of your mind during the season. Good luck.