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 NL 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 NL West.
More bold predictions here: AL East, NL East, AL Central, NL Central, Â AL West
Colorado Rockies: Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado mash 40 HR
Arenado already has back to back 40+ HR seasons under his belt and nothing seems to be threatening his chances at reaching it once again this season.
Story, on the other hand, has the chance to really explode. He hit a gazillion homers during the first few months of the season in 2016 before tearing ligaments in his thumb. It is tough for fantasy owners to bank on the ridiculous production he was able to post in 2016, but the power is undeniable and those fantasy owners that were willing to gamble, will be rewarded with 40 bombs this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Yasmani Grandal joins the 35 HR club
This may not seem as a bold prediction for a guy that belted 27 HR a season ago and went deep twice on opening day, but it is an aggressive projection for a guy that has struggled to stay on the field during his career.
Now the bonafide starter behind the dish and in what seems to be a solid lineup, he has a chance to improve on his line from 2016 season. The power is legit, it is just a matter of him staying on the field. My bet is that he mashes in 2017 and reaches the 35 HR plateau.
Arizona Diamondbacks:: Brandon Drury finishes as a top-10 fantasy 2B
Drury quietly had a tremendous season in 2016, finishing with a .282/16 HR/53 RBI line. He is now the everyday second basemen for the D’Backs and he has simply hit at every level he has reached.
There is a lot to like his batted ball profile, he has a favorable home ballpark and a solid supporting class around him. There is no reason he can not flirt with a .270/25 HR/80 RBI type of line, making him a top-10 second baseman.
San Francisco Giants: Eduardo Nunez repeats 15 HR/40 SB outputs in 2017
It seemed as though the fantasy community was on the fence about Nunez coming off his career  best season out of nowhere. He was battling an injury during draft time, only further lowering his stock But, he came out guns a blazing on opening day, showing the same skills that propelled him last season.
He had 16 HR/40 SB in 2016, and even though those are healthy totals to repeat, it is time to believe in the new and improved Nunez.
San Diego Padres: Manuel Margot steals 40 SB
Earlier this offseason we covered why Margot could be a great fantasy value this season and that still optimism still remains. He batted leadoff for the club on opening, showing the confidence the team has in him in 2017. Even if he loses some at-bats due to the Padres’ c rowded OF, he will get plenty of chances to fly on the bases.
The AVG may not be there in 2017, but he has enough contact and bat skill to get on base at the necessary clip to run with reckless abandon. Pure speed threats are harder and harder to find nowadays, only furthering his value.
Next: Bold Fantasy Baseball Predictions for the AL West
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.
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