5 Bounce Back Fantasy MLB Players
Some of us remember the huge build-up before the release of Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace. Some of us then remember the extreme letdown when leaving the theater and hoping that someone could use a Jedi mind trick to make us forget the movie and the in particular, the character Jar Jar Binks. Fantasy Baseball players may have had a similar feeling when examining their teams from previous seasons and identifying players that were supposed provide an impact, but did not. Let’s take a look at 5 players that were disappointing last season, but are primed for a comeback in 2017.
Pablo Sandoval, Boston Red Sox
[the_ad id=”693″]Playing in three games, coming to camp looking heavier than, well, a Panda bear, and breaking your belt mid-swing is not an ideal season for any fantasy athlete. Unfortunately, that was the summary of Pablo Sandoval’s 2016 season. But in 2017 Sandoval came into camp much slimmer than he has looked in the past and posted plenty of videos of his grueling workouts on social media to document his progress. Sandoval also made some adjustments to his swing this spring, and that tuned-up swing certainly paid off as he has crushed three home runs and drove in 11 RBI with a .615 slugging percentage. The Red Sox are looking for him to play a significant role for their team and you can expect the same if you decide to add him to your fantasy team.
Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
After going 20-8, posting a 2.26 ERA and winning the Cy Young in 2015, Keuchel’s ERA bloated to 4.55 last season. There is really no clear answer to why Keuchel struggled. He just seemed to never get it together in 2016. His league-leading total of 232 innings fell to 168 before he went on the shelf in August with shoulder inflammation. With a loaded roster and high expectations in Houston, the Astros and Keuchel are expected to make some noise in 2017. Spring training results are showing that Keuchel could return somewhere near his 2015 form. Keuchel has yet to allow a run through the first seven innings this spring. The 29-year-old lefthander and presumed opening day starter has allowed only four hits and has not issued a walk over his first two spring outings.
Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Richards’ 2016 season came to an abrupt stop after he tore his UCL in just his sixth start. Looking like he needed Tommy John surgery, Richards instead decided to go with stem-cell therapy on his right elbow in hopes of avoiding Tommy John Surgery. His career record as a starter is 40-32 with an earned run average of 3.58. Richards best major-league season was in 2014 when he made 26 starts and finished with a record of 13-4 and a 2.61 ERA. The good news for Richards and potential fantasy owners is that so far this spring, he continues to show no issues from last year’s elbow injury. Richards is projected as the likely opening-day starter when the Angels start the season.
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Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Only a player like Bryce Harper could have a season with an 116 OPS+ and have it labeled a “down year.” His .243 batting average was the lowest of his career. Much of his struggles were blamed on an injury he suffered during the season. Harper played through it, proving he is able to deal with pain. Then the Cubs started a trend against Harper, pitching around him and forcing him to swing at pitches outside of the strike zone. Other teams tested Harper’s patience, and it seemed to work against the lefty. The good news for Harper is that he’s only 24 years old and has plenty of time to make adjustments and improve on his game. With a full offseason to rest and recuperate, look for the 2017 Harper to play more like he did in 2015.
Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs
[the_ad id=”567″]With his knee surgery of last April and ensuing rehab in the rearview mirror, the Cubs plan to bat Schwarber in the leadoff position ahead of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. This should allow Schwarber should see plenty of pitches to hit and score a bunch of runs, provided he stays healthy. The defending champs are hoping that he posts something similar to his 2015 numbers of .842 OPS and 16 homers, which he followed with a 1.308 OPS and five more homers in the postseason. The Cubs don’t envision starting him at catcher, but he could catch a portion of some games in 2017. This could keep him catcher-eligible in fantasy leagues in addition to his role in the Cubs outfield. Last year, many predicted that Kyle Schwarber would be a fantasy beast. Many are hoping that prediction is just a year late.
HONORABLE MENTION: SHIN-SOO CHOO and PATRICK CORBIN, already referred to in a previous article on sleepers. MATT HARVEY AND MICHAEL BRANTLEY, Promising news but too soon to predict in coming back from serious injuries. ERIC THAMES, who hit 154 home runs in Korea the past three years after spending 2012 in Seattle.
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