Fansided

JB’s Fantasy Baseball Advice: Position battles to monitor

By Justin Buckhanan

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs warms up on deck during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 18, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs warms up on deck during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 18, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 12: Brandon Lowe #8 of the Tampa Bay Rays bats in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 12: Brandon Lowe #8 of the Tampa Bay Rays bats in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

So Many IFs, So Few Spots

It didn’t take long for Tampa Bay to completely rebuild their roster to the point they almost have too many players. Actually, not almost. They simply do have too many players at this point and it’s only going to get more crowded when Matt Duffy (.285 BA for his career) returns.

The Rays are currently juggling Yandy Diaz, Willy Adames, Joey Wendle, Daniel Robertson, Brandon Lowe and Ji-Man “He Man” Choi in the infield. The injury over the weekend to outfielder Austin Meadows, who ended up on the injured list with a finger problem, could ease the burden a little bit since Wendle and Robertson can both play in the outfield.

The top two players to watch in this group are Diaz and Lowe. Diaz is something of a late bloomer because of his long trek to defect from Cuba. But Diaz is an exit-velocity king, which should be no surprise given his strong build. He’s hitting .288 with 5 HR, 15 runs and 9 RBI so far as he alternatives between the top and middle of the order. Likewise, Lowe is a serious power bat (6 HR, .280 BA, .929 OPS) the Rays love so much they already gave him a contract extension.

Of the rest, Adames is clearly the best shortstop and defense matters at that spot. Choi has interesting power, but hasn’t shown it much this season with only one home run. Wendle was brilliant last season and just got off the injured list and Robertson is a former prospect. Adjust accordingly.

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