Part Base
| Year | Team | G | PA | HR | R | RBI | SB | AVG | OBP | |
| 2014 | Cubs | 52 | 229 | 9 | 25 | 20 | 5 | .169 | .227
|
|
| 2015 | AAA | 70 | 313 | 13 | 49 | 61 | 17 | .324 | .385
|
|
| 2015 | Cubs | 28 | 80 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | .289 | .325 |
Because the Cubs have all positions filled heading into the spring, Baez will try his hand at several positions, including outfield. After and impressive post-season last year, Baez went to play winter ball down in Puerto Rico, where he played Center Field and batted .250 in 52 at bats.
He enters the season qualified at 2B, but before long, should gain eligibility at multiple positions, raising his value to Fantasy Baseballers everywhere. He is expected to play some 3B, 2B, SS and OF this spring. If you pplay in a Yahoo league, Baez is already eligible at 2B/3B as he played 17 games at second and 11 games at third in 2015.
On top of the position eligibility, Baez has the highest ceiling of any rookie or part time player entering 2016. He has the ability to hit for power as well as steal bases, and his plus defense will help him get regular at bats.
Read More:
Baez Forcing Cubs To Consider Their Options
Finding a player with a decent batting average in the late rounds of your draft will prove daunting, and although he is more successful against right-handed pitching, his splits do not throw up any red flags for a future platoon. His plus defense adds another layer of security.
He did undergo surgery in September to repair ligament damage in his thumb. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training, so add him to your watch list. He also strikes out more than he should at about 20%, but the league average strikeout rate was 20.4% so join the crowd..
Read More:
Cesar Hernandez eyeing second base
Before we write him off completely we should acknowledge his .200 BABIP, and his extremely low strikeout percentage at 8%. He rose up the ranks and maintained a nice strong average at every level, which gives us every reason to give him a few more plate appearances to make his case.
Because he is blocked at second base by Brandon Phillips, the Reds plan to use Peraza in the Outfield as well as Shortstop.
“Peraza’s stock took a hit with two real-life trades and some questions about his bat, but in fantasy I’m still sold on him as a top-50 prospect. His 40-steal potential in the middle infield is valuable in fantasy, and if he develops into a table setter it’s gravy. The latest trade to Cincy gives him a friendlier park to hit in and with the Reds rebuilding there’s not much between him and a long look in the big.”-Mike Buttil, Razzball
Read More:
Peraza to play super utility role at first for Reds, but larger role later
In 238 PA, Travis hit .304 with eight home runs and 26 extra base hits. Had he stayed healthy, Travis would be on every Fantasy Baseballers radar.
Read More:
Devon Travis Could be The Future at Second Base in Toronto
How Much Better Are the 2016 Blue Jays?
It baffles me that Kendrick is currently going so late in drafts, Lenny tells me it’s because he doesn’t do anything, but I say sometimes consistency counts a whole lot. In the late middle rounds it can be a nightmare finding a corner or middle infielder who wont ruin your batting average. For years I made this mistake, and I am still no good at maintaining a decent average, but it is players like Howie who will help you with that.
He will get some counting stats, and they pretty much stay the same every season. A-set-it-and-forget-it type. Expect .280/.330 AVG/OBP, 10 HR, 7 SB
He will also bat near the top of the order, and you know what that means.
Last year Phillips had an AVG/OBP of .294/.328 with 12 Home Runs, 69 R, 70 RBI and stole 23 bases in 623 PA. He finished the season a top five second baseman.
Here is a good tidbit for you:
Phillips has made over 500 PA in each of the past TEN seasons, and topped 600 PA in all but two of them.
Also, his K% was an all time low last year at 10.9%.
There are many arguments against Phillips, hence his falling ADP, I am a fan, especially in this contract season. He is feisty and determined to attract offers..
Listen to Lenny interviewing Brandon Phillips in the following clip, and pay attention to what he says about stealing bases…Enjoy!
Comments 2
Lenny that is how you do a interview!!!!!!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!
good stuff Andrea!