5 high-risk hitters who could finish as the top fantasy player
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There's a sense of calm in selecting Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout with the No. 1 overall pick. Even with selecting Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt with the second or third selection. Both players have routinely produced at a high rate for several consecutive things and are about the safest commodities in an industry dictated by injuries and luck.
It can also be boring. While none of these five players need to be selected with the first overall pick, they have the abilities and situations to perform as the top fantasy asset in 2017:
OF Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Harper's 2016 season could've spawned the baseball version of Space Jam, in which the MonStars stole his power and replaced it with (extra) speed. Or maybe they infused him with power for the 2015 season and reversed course one year later.
After breaking out with 42 homers as a 22-year-old, Harper hit just 24 home runs in his follow-up season, but he stole 21 bases on 31 attempts, not efficient, but rewarding for fantasy owners. The man seeking the first ever $400 million contract has more closely resembled his 2016 season than 2015 over his five-year career. At 24 years of age he's far from peaking, but he may be a case of the hype always being too high and out of reach.
SS Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
Correa can be viewed as a post-hype sleeper, after he hit fewer homers and stole fewer bases in his first full MLB season than he did during his first 99 games with the Astros in 2015. He posed a higher OBP as a sophomore, but his average, slugging percentage and ISO all took hits. He hasn't fallen far, but his true production likely lies between his first two samples.
OF Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
As hard as it may, it's imperative to look beyond the injury risk rightfully associated with Stanton. Especially for owners who've been spurned before. Still, with 2B Dee Gordon, 3B Martin Prado and OF Christian Yelich hitting ahead of him, Stanton has a very real chance at leading the majors in homers and RBIs. He won't provide more than a couple steals, but he could average something around .280 like he did in 2014.
2B/OF Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
Turner could very well be following in the mold of Correa, after an awe-inspiring 73 major-league games in 2016. His 13 homers in just 324 plate appearances offer hope for 30 dingers over a full season, but represent a power display never seen at any minor-league level. He could be an elite stolen base threat, and he'll come close to 100 runs scored at the top of the Nationals' lineup, but a .388 BABIP is sure to regress.
OF Andrew Benintendi, Boston Red Sox
Benintendi's certainly a long shot to be the most valuable player in fantasy baseball in his rookie season, but so was teammate OF Mookie Betts in his second full season. Benintendi has consistently displayed more power across the minors than Betts, and he maintains 20-SB potential.
He won't have DH David Ortiz hitting behind him as Betts had last season, but he very well may hit second for a Red Sox offense which remains intact other than the retired slugger.
(Photos courtesy Action Images)