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Here is an updated look at the top 200 fantasy baseball rankings (position eligibility provided by Yahoo!):
Tier 1
Rank | PLAYER | TEAM | Position | TREND |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mike Trout | LAA | OF | |
2 | Paul Goldschmidt | ARI | 1B | |
3 | Bryce Harper | WAS | OF | ▲ |
4 | Freddie Freeman | ATL | 1B | ▲ |
5 | Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | ▲ |
6 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B | |
7 | Kris Bryant | CHC | 1B/3B/OF | |
8 | Anthony Rizzo | CHC | 1B | |
9 | A.J. Pollock | ARI | OF | ▲ |
10 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | SP | |
11 | Daniel Murphy | WAS | 1B/2B | ▲ |
12 | Manny Machado | BAL | 3B/SS | |
13 | Mookie Betts | BOS | OF | ▼ |
14 | Chris Sale | BOS | SP | ▲ |
15 | Charlie Blackmon | COL | OF | |
16 | Trea Turner | WAS | 2B/SS/OF | |
17 | Max Scherzer | WAS | SP | |
18 | Corey Seager | LAD | SS | |
19 | Carlos Correa | HOU | SS | ▼ |
20 | Josh Donaldson | TOR | 3B | ▼ |
Trout and Goldschmidt remain untouched at the top, but a trio of players slides in behind them. Harper is walking more than he strikes out and scoring more runs than he drives in while centering a Nationals offense with production up and down the order. Freeman has been the best hitter in the major leagues over the past year. He finally has some level of help in Atlanta's offense.
Pollock has been hitting doubles with an increased line-drive rate. The homers will come when his fly-ball percentage and HR/FB ratio improve. He has shown his elite base-stealing ability. Sale struck out 10-plus hitters in five of his first six games with the Red Sox. He won just two of those games but the run support will normalize.
Tier 2
Rank | Name | Team | Position | TREND |
---|---|---|---|---|
21 | Francisco Lindor | CLE | SS | ▲ |
22 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | SP | ▲ |
23 | Corey Kluber | CLE | SP | |
24 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | SP | ▲ |
25 | Brian Dozier | MIN | 2B | ▲ |
26 | Robinson Cano | SEA | 2B | |
27 | Joey Votto | CIN | 1B | |
28 | Aaron Judge | NYY | OF | ▲ |
29 | Eric Thames | MIL | 1B | ▲ |
30 | Giancarlo Stanton | MIA | OF | |
31 | Michael Brantley | CLE | OF | ▲ |
32 | Xander Bogaerts | BOS | SS | |
33 | Jake Arrieta | CHC | SP | |
34 | Kyle Seager | SEA | 3B | |
35 | Billy Hamilton | CIN | OF | ▲ |
36 | Wil Myers | SD | OF/1B | ▲ |
37 | Carlos Gonzalez | COL | OF | |
38 | Christian Yelich | MIA | OF | |
39 | Ryan Braun | MIL | OF | |
40 | Jonathan Villar | MIL | 2B/3B/SS |
Lindor is on pace for a career best in home runs, with his run and RBI totals following suit. His slash line started with career bests in each category, even with the lowest BABIP he has had in the majors.
Judge and Thames began the year unheralded by most in the industry. They were taken as nothing more than late-round lottery tickets in 2017 re-draft leagues. They rank first and T2 in home runs, respectively. Judge has moved up a superior Yankees batting order, providing more run and RBI chances.
The only concern for Thames is that his elite plate discipline could work against his fantasy production, as opposing pitchers could choose to simply walk Milwaukee's one true power threat.
Tier 3
Rank | Name | Team | Position | TREND |
---|---|---|---|---|
41 | Miguel Sano | MIN | 3B/OF | ▲ |
42 | George Springer | HOU | OF | ▼ |
43 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | SP | |
44 | Jon Lester | CHC | SP | |
45 | Nelson Cruz | SEA | OF | |
46 | Mitch Haniger | SEA | OF | ▲ |
47 | Miguel Cabrera | DET | 1B | ▼ |
48 | Johnny Cueto | SF | SP | |
49 | Odubel Herrera | PHI | OF | ▲ |
50 | Dee Gordon | MIA | 2B | |
51 | Matt Kemp | ATL | OF | ▲ |
52 | Yu Darvish | TEX | SP | |
53 | Jose Ramirez | CLE | 2B/3B/OF | ▲ |
54 | Chris Archer | TB | SP | |
55 | Ryan Zimmerman | WAS | 1B | ▲ |
56 | Ryon Healy | OAK | 1B/3B | ▲ |
57 | Edwin Encarnacion | CLE | 1B | ▼ |
58 | Justin Verlander | DET | SP | |
59 | Matt Carpenter | STL | 1B/2B/3B | |
60 | Jose Bautista | TOR | OF |
Strikeouts remain an issue for Sano, but he has vastly improved his walk rate in the process. His BABIP is high enough to cause some hesitation before sending out trade offers, but he's locked in near the top of the order and should easily exceed 30 homers.
Haniger was one of the top storylines of the year, before his injury. He led the majors in plate appearances at the time of his injury. Seattle's offense is having little trouble scoring runs, and he could quickly catch up to the league's run leaders.
Tier 4
Rank | Name | Team | Position | TREND |
---|---|---|---|---|
61 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | SP | ▼ |
62 | Adam Jones | BAL | OF | ▲ |
63 | Justin Upton | DET | OF | |
64 | DJ LeMahieu | COL | 2B | |
65 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | SP | |
66 | Yoenis Cespedes | NYM | OF | ▼ |
67 | Adrian Beltre | TEX | 3B | ▼ |
68 | Rougned Odor | TEX | 2B | |
69 | Ian Desmond | COL | OF | ▲ |
70 | Buster Posey | SF | C | |
71 | Hanley Ramirez | BOS | 1B | ▼ |
72 | Jose Abreu | CWS | 1B | ▼ |
73 | Evan Longoria | TB | 3B | |
74 | Gregory Polanco | PIT | OF | ▼ |
75 | Todd Frazier | CWS | 1B/3B | |
76 | Chris Davis | BAL | 1B | ▼ |
77 | Jason Kipnis | CLE | 2B | |
78 | Andrew Benintendi | BOS | OF | ▲ |
79 | Carlos Martinez | STL | SP | |
80 | Aroldis Chapman | NYY | RP |
Tanaka's drop is more due to those jumping ahead of him than his own performance. He has been vastly improved since a horrendous season-opening performance. Jones has upped his batting average and on-base percentage from recent season's, but his power numbers are slightly down.
Benintendi is fulfilling his role as the Red Sox's No. 2 hitter to perfection. He is showing tremendous plate discipline for a rookie. He has already matched or bested his outputs in all standard fantasy categories from last year's 34-game MLB sample.
Tier 5
Rank | Name | Team | Position | TREND |
---|---|---|---|---|
81 | Khris Davis | OAK | OF | ▲ |
82 | J.D. Martinez | DET | OF | ▼ |
83 | Zack Greinke | ARI | SP | ▼ |
84 | Ian Kinsler | DET | 2B | ▼ |
85 | Kenley Jansen | LAD | RP | |
86 | Zach Britton | BAL | RP | |
87 | Troy Tulowitzki | TOR | SS | ▼ |
88 | Jeurys Familia | NYM | RP | ▲ |
89 | Mark Trumbo | BAL | OF | |
90 | Craig Kimbrel | BOS | RP | |
91 | Mark Melancon | SF | RP | |
92 | Trevor Story | COL | SS | ▼ |
93 | Jonathan Lucroy | TEX | C/1B | |
94 | Wade Davis | CHC | RP | |
95 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | SP | ▼ |
96 | Jose Quintana | CWS | SP | |
97 | Albert Pujols | LAA | 1B | ▼ |
98 | Danny Salazar | CLE | SP | |
99 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | SP | |
100 | Jean Segura | SEA | SS | ▲ |
Davis' 2016 production was mired by a horrendously slow start which caused many of the owners who drafted him to cast him aside to the waiver wire at some point of the season. He still finished with 42 home runs. He hit 10 homers in his first 26 games of 2017, indicating much more regular production for fantasy owners in head-to-head leagues.
Tier 6
Rank | Name | Team | Position | TREND |
---|---|---|---|---|
101 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | SP | ▲ |
102 | Kyle Schwarber | CHC | C/OF | ▼ |
103 | Justin Turner | LAD | 3B | ▲ |
104 | Julio Teheran | ATL | SP | |
105 | Gary Sanchez | NYY | C | ▼ |
106 | Michael Fulmer | DET | SP | |
107 | Carlos Santana | CLE | 1B | |
108 | Alex Bregman | HOU | 3B/MI | |
109 | Lorenzo Cain | KC | OF | ▲ |
110 | Roberto Osuna | TOR | RP | ▼ |
111 | Aaron Sanchez | TOR | SP | |
112 | Julio Urias | LAD | SP | ▲ |
113 | Jackie Bradley Jr. | BOS | OF | |
114 | Stephen Piscotty | STL | OF | |
115 | Andrew McCutchen | PIT | OF | ▼ |
116 | Dustin Pedroia | BOS | 2B | |
117 | Marcell Ozuna | MIA | OF | |
118 | Gerrit Cole | PIT | SP | ▲ |
119 | Rick Porcello | BOS | SP | |
120 | Cesar Hernandez | PHI | 2B | ▲ |
The two catchers predicted by many to usurp Buster Posey at the top of the end-of-season positional ranks have either not played, or made owners wish they weren't playing regularly. Sanchez remains without a timeline for a return, while Schwarber is in jeopardy of losing his alluring spot at the top of the Cubs order if unable to improve on a woeful batting average. Hernandez has a 20/20 season in his sights, and he has been reaching base at any elite rate.
Tier 7
RANK | NAME | TEAM | Position | TREND |
---|---|---|---|---|
121 | Ken Giles | HOU | RP | ▼ |
122 | Anthony Rendon | WAS | 3B | ▼ |
123 | Starling Marte | PIT | OF | ▼ |
124 | Kevin Gausman | BAL | SP | |
125 | Andrew Miller | CLE | RP | |
126 | Brandon Belt | SF | 1B | |
127 | Addison Russell | CHC | SS | |
128 | Adrian Gonzalez | LAD | 1B | ▼ |
129 | Aledmys Diaz | STL | SS | |
130 | Dellin Betances | NYY | RP | |
131 | David Robertson | CWS | RP | |
132 | Danny Duffy | KC | SP/RP | ▼ |
133 | Jon Gray | COL | SP | |
134 | Josh Bell | PIT | 1B/OF | ▲ |
135 | Edwin Diaz | SEA | RP | ▼ |
136 | Maikel Franco | PHI | 3B | |
137 | Hunter Pence | SF | OF | |
138 | Ender Inciarte | ATL | OF | ▲ |
139 | Nomar Mazara | TEX | OF | ▲ |
140 | David Price | BOS | SP | ▼ |
Marte's suspension will continue to handcuff his owners, but he must be stashed for duration of his punishment. His return will come at the most important time of the year, with enough games remaining to help owners secure a playoff spot. Bell has been one of the Pirates hitters who have stepped up to replace his production. His playing time is becoming more consistent and a quality OBP compensates for a low batting average.
Tier 8
Ranking | Name | Team | Position | Trend |
---|---|---|---|---|
141 | Matt Harvey | NYM | SP | ▼ |
142 | Eugenio Suarez | CIN | 3B | ▲ |
143 | Eduardo Nunez | SF | 3B/SS | |
144 | Kendrys Morales | TOR | 1B/OF | |
145 | Elvis Andrus | TEX | SS | ▼ |
146 | Salvador Perez | KC | C | ▲ |
147 | David Dahl | COL | OF | ▼ |
148 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | SP | ▼ |
149 | Jonathan Schoop | BAL | 2B | ▲ |
150 | Jake Lamb | ARI | 3B | |
151 | Logan Forsythe | LAD | 2B | |
152 | Jake Odorizzi | TB | SP | |
153 | Brandon Crawford | SF | SS | |
154 | Madison Bumgarner | SF | SP | ▼ |
155 | Dexter Fowler | STL | OF | |
156 | J.T. Realmuto | MIA | C | |
157 | Steven Matz | NYM | SP | |
158 | Willson Contreras | CHC | C/OF | |
159 | Yasmani Grandal | LAD | C | |
160 | Lance McCullers | HOU | SP | ▲ |
Syndergaard and Bumgarner take massive falls with extended absences. They can be sold for pennies on the dollar in rotisserie leagues, while head-to-head owners must wait it out in order to win those late season matchups. McCullers is working to replace them in the SP1 tier. He is striking out an elite 11.72 per nine. His 4.08 ERA has been grossly subpar, but his 2.49 xFIP signals superior production is en route.
Tier 9
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Trend |
---|---|---|---|---|
161 | Nick Castellanos | DET | 3B | ▲ |
162 | Carlos Gomez | TEX | OF | ▲ |
163 | Tony Watson | PIT | RP | ▲ |
164 | Joc Pederson | LAD | OF | ▼ |
165 | Robbie Ray | ARI | SP | ▲ |
166 | Brad Miller | TB | 1B/2B/SS | ▼ |
167 | Seung Hwan Oh | STL | RP | ▼ |
168 | Melky Cabrera | CWS | OF | ▲ |
169 | Matt Moore | SF | SP | ▼ |
170 | Rich Hill | LAD | SP | ▼ |
171 | Felix Hernandez | SEA | SP | ▼ |
172 | Eric Hosmer | KC | 1B | ▼ |
173 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | SP | |
174 | Adam Duvall | CIN | OF | |
175 | John Lackey | CHC | SP | |
176 | Yasiel Puig | LAD | OF | ▲ |
177 | Josh Harrison | PIT | 2B/3B | ▲ |
178 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | SP | |
179 | Cole Hamels | TEX | SP | ▼ |
180 | Drew Smyly | TB | SP |
Castellanos is demonstrating an improved walk rate which is keeping him at the top of the Tigers' order. He started the year with some early power, but it has since faded. He should set career highs in runs scored and RBIs. Gomez is following his end-of-year surge in home runs and stolen bases with the Rangers in 2016. His batting average remains below his career norm, but he is still getting on base at a quality rate.
Hamels is on a similar injury timeline as Syndergaard and Bumgarner, but he lacked the impressive start to the season of the other two. He owns a 4.13 K/9 through 32 2/3 innings.
Tier 10
Rank | Name | Team | Position | Trend |
---|---|---|---|---|
181 | Michael Conforto | NYM | OF | ▲ |
182 | Zack Cozart | CIN | SS | ▲ |
183 | Avisail Garcia | CWS | OF | ▲ |
184 | Greg Holland | COL | RP | ▲ |
185 | Cody Allen | CLE | RP | ▲ |
186 | Alex Colome | TB | RP | ▼ |
187 | Steven Souza Jr. | TB | OF | ▲ |
188 | Kole Calhoun | LAA | OF | ▼ |
189 | Greg Bird | NYY | 1B | ▼ |
190 | Scott Schebler | CIN | OF | ▲ |
191 | David Peralta | ARI | OF | ▲ |
192 | Starlin Castro | NYY | 2B | |
193 | Mark Reynolds | COL | 1B | ▲ |
194 | Michael Pineda | NYY | SP | |
195 | Jose Peraza | CIN | 2B/SS/OF | ▼ |
196 | Russell Martin | TOR | C | |
197 | Aaron Nola | SP | PHI | ▼ |
198 | Joey Gallo | 3B | TEX | ▲ |
199 | Francisco Liriano | SP | TOR | |
200 | Brian McCann | C/1B | HOU |
Bird's horrible start to the season was interrupted and partially excused by injury, but he he is drastically disappointing owners who bought into his preseason slugfest. The upside remains, particularly for a left-handed power hitter at Yankee Stadium, but he holds a very tenuous grip on any roster spot.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)