Team Fantasy Preview - St. Louis Cardinals
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Throughout the preseason, we will be previewing all 30 teams and what their rosters bring to the fantasy baseball table. This edition covers the St. Louis Cardinals:
Projected Lineup
| ORDER | POSITION | NAME | BATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF | Dexter Fowler | S |
| 2 | SS | Aledmys Diaz | R |
| 3 | 1B | Matt Carpenter | L |
| 4 | RF | Stephen Piscotty | R |
| 5 | C | Yadier Molina | R |
| 6 | 3B | Jedd Gyorko | R |
| 7 | 2B | Kolten Wong | L |
| 8 | LF | Randal Grichuk | R |
| Bench | 3B/SS | Jhonny Peralta | R |
| Bench | 1B | Matt Adams | L |
Projected Rotation
| ORDER | NAME | THROWS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Martinez | R |
| 2 | Adam Wainwright | R |
| 3 | Mike Leake | R |
| 4 | Lance Lynn | R |
| 5 | Michael Wacha | R |
Bullpen Hierarchy
| Role | Name | THROWS |
|---|---|---|
| Closer | Seung Hwan Oh | R |
| Set-Up | Kevin Siegrist | L |
| RP | Trevor Rosenthal | R |
Top Prospect to Watch in 2017
This was easily RHP Alex Reyes until mid-February when it was announced that he would undergo Tommy John surgery. The mantle has now shifted to RHP Luke Weaver who, like Reyes, debuted in 2016. Weaver was electric in the minor leagues in 2016, and he has big strikeout potential. If RHP Michael Wacha doesn't return to form, Weaver could find his way into the rotation.
Who Will Drive You Crazy?
Wainwright's time as a top fantasy SP is, barring a miracle, over. He turns 36 in August and has a litany of injuries over the course of his career. His 3.93 FIP suggests he was better in 2016 than his ERA indicated. History and occasional flashes of brilliance will convince owners he's worth the headaches, but any earlier than a late-round pick will be wasted.
The One to Own
The most tried and true offensive weapon is Carpenter. He has multi-position eligibility, hits for power and won't kill you in batting average. If Carpenter hits in the middle of the lineup as expected, the RBIs will follow, too. Like the rest of the lineup, there's little fantasy hype and he can be had later than perhaps he should be going.
Top Sleeper
Lynn just missed an entire season and that automatically raises red flags. He'll be passed over on draft day in most mixed leagues, but will be an excellent streaming option to start. Take him for a spin because of the high-K upside, and consider holding onto him if his stamina and durability remain intact.