[the_ad id=”567″]”Pitchers and Catchers report.” Some of my favorite words spoken toward the end of winter’s long cold days. From the time the last pitch is thrown in the Fall Classic until the day battery mates start arriving at their respective Spring Training grounds; I eagerly await this phrase. It, of course, means the beginning of yet another baseball season. With it comes the hope of fans for all 30 Major League teams; the promise of a new year and improved teams.
For the front office, management, and the coaching staff of the major league teams it is a time to take stock in the work that was done in the off-season. Assess the talent from the minors for improvements. Check on the status of the veterans, especially those working back from injuries. Evaluate the lineup for position battles, promotions, or additional needs.
Certainly, the stats acquired during these spring training games are by in large meaningless as players put in their work for the upcoming 162 game marathon. Pitcher’s performances are short as they customarily work on stretching their arms out for a longer duration each time out. At times they choose to work only on certain pitches to gain confidence or a feel for it. Hitters’ plate appearances are fewer as they, too, get their innings in to get their bodies back into “game shape.”
[the_ad id=”693″]The average Fantasy baseball fan will casually scroll through some of the spring training news, but pay it little attention. Most fantasy players will use this time to draft and build teams. Both groups welcome spring training, but how much of it gets utilized or even paid attention to? If, as stated above, we take the approach of writing off the games and their outcomes as meaningless, then we are missing a prime opportunity in fantasy circles to scout for potential gems. Also, as fans of the sport, we are losing great sports drama unfolding day to day.
Spring Training is down to the last two weeks. Teams are sending prospects to minor league camps, and veterans are increasing workload and intensity. For those unable or unwilling to follow each and every spring training game, MLB.com offers an excellent tool with up to date sortable stats for following along statistically at one’s leisure. In any given camp there are potentially numerous spring story lines. This article will review 10 players that I believe offer intrigue for the upcoming season. These spring story lines can be labeled as two categories: Injury and Opportunity.
Injury
Michael Brantley, OF, Cleveland Indians
Once thought of as one of the most complete hitters in the American League, last season was a train wreck for Brantley. Brantley had off-season surgery in 2015 for a torn labrum. A comeback in early 2016 hit several snags. Brantley was only able to net 39 AB for the whole of the 2016 season. Ending with a follow-up procedure in August. Compounding the injury was the frustration of missing the entirety of the 2016 post-season. To date, he does not have an official at-bat in the spring. He has however progressed to a few minor league games, and signs are pointing to soon playing in Cactus League games. So far his status for opening day is very much up in the air. The watch begins to see if he can avoid any further setbacks or delays and regain his previous All-Star form. Shoulder injuries are notorious for sapping power, so the jury is still out on how he is healing until we see some in-game action out of him.
Greg Holland, RP, Colorado Rockies
Holland was a late winter signing for the Rockies on a very incentive laden deal. Colorado is gambling that he can return to the late-inning force he was in 2011 thru 2014. 2015 saw a pretty steep decline, which could be attributed to dealing with an injury that ultimately led to Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2016. Reports have him reaching low to mid 90’s on his fastball, up from mid to high 80’s when he was showcasing for teams in November. Holland will need to continue to build up strength and should work his way back to at very least a set-up role for current closer Adam Ottavino. Who in his own right has proven to be a reliable closer in that thin air, but he has had struggles at times. Holland is not a guarantee to take over the ninth inning, but a strong spring will certainly go a long way in determining his spot in the bullpen.
Greg Bird, 1B, New York Yankees
What an exciting spring it has been thus far for this young Yankee first baseman! In 31 spring AB, he has 4 HR, 5 2B, and is hitting .452/.514/1.065. Obviously, this is unsustainable, but this is a great start coming off a lost season. Bird caused quite a stir at the end of 2015 with 11 homers and a triple slash line of .261/.343/.529 in 178 AB. 2016 started with high expectations; unfortunately, a spring injury caused him to miss the whole season due to shoulder surgery. Bird could also be categorized as an opportunity candidate. New York brought in right-hand hitters Matt Holliday and Chris Carter in the off-season as possible platoon partners. So far Bird has far out-paced his right-hand competition and looking like a draft day steal.
[the_ad id=”414″]
Garrett Richards, SP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Richards started the 2016 season as the Angels ace coming off a strong showing in 2015. That only lasted six starts into the season before being diagnosed with a torn elbow ligament. Instead of choosing the traditional route for a surgical repair Richards went with stem cell treatment, rest, and rehab. This treatment is somewhat unproven so the net effects will not be known for quite some time. You can look across the country to New York and cite the success that Yankees’ right-hander Masahiro Tanaka has had with a similar situation. However, the sample size is small and hardly conclusive. If he can stay healthy his 3.11 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP since 2014 could make him a prime bounce back candidate.
Carlos Carrasco, SP, Cleveland Indians
Another Indian who missed the entirety of the post-season in 2016 due to injury. (broken hand) Carrasco enjoyed a 3.32 ERA and 1.14 WHIP albeit in a shortened season last year with only 25 starts. Even without injury, he saw an increase in hard hit balls and home run rates. To compound that he came up with a sore elbow just his last spring training start. A performance that will go down as one of his worst, (8 runs in 1 1/3 innings). The injury is worth noting for location, as elbows can cause all kinds of issues. It is definitely worth watching as most fantasy teams drafted him with a #2 starter performance level in mind.
Opportunity
Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins
[mks_col]
[mks_one_half]So is this the year!? Everyone eagerly awaits the breakout for the 23-year-old Twins CF. Once considered to be the top prospect in all of baseball, Buxton has not yet lived up to those lofty expectations. He did show signs of improvement last September hitting .287 with 9 HR in his final 101 AB. Thus far in spring signs are encouraging as he is hitting .292/.370/.625 in just 24 AB. Enough to keep optimism alive, but too small to make any prognostications just yet.
With as much raw talent as Byron Buxton has, MLB Fantasy fans will continue to anticipate his perceived greatness.
[/mks_one_half]
[mks_one_half]
[/mks_col]
Cody Bellinger, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bellinger has become one of baseball’s top power hitting prospects by hitting 56 minor league HR since the beginning of the 2015 season. Currently, he is blocked by Adrian Gonzalez at first base, but a strong spring or injury could propel him onto the team. Fortunately, he is not only a gold glove caliber first baseman but at 21 he has enough youth and agility to handle an OF position. This versatility gives him an opportunity to crack the roster at some point in 2017. Unfortunately, his spring is not going well. He currently has 14 SO in 37 AB giving him a .189 BA. There is still ample time to turn this around, plus he has youth on his side. He will just need to take advantage of opportunities as they come.
Mitch Haniger, OF, Seattle Mariners
The hype machine is starting to pick up on Haniger. He and Jean Segura were part of the trade that sent Taijuan Walker from Seattle to Arizona in the off-season. His major league debut was not very impressive last year coming off a promising season split between AA and AAA. He posted an impressive 1.098 OPS, .341 BA, with 20 HR and 20 2B in only 261 AAA at-bats. That level of production has started showing up in spring training this year as he looks to secure the right field job. In 40 AB, so far, he is hitting .425/.477/.750, with 2 HR, 5 2B, and 2 SB. If he can carry that confidence over into the season, he will be a great late round steal in fantasy.
Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis
Wong has never really put together any type of sustained success. Yet, the Cardinal organization continue to give him every opportunity to play, even sending him down late last year to learn the OF. Belief is that Wong is a solid defender with a decent hit tool that will sometimes run into a few HR. The Cardinals would like to see him grab the opportunity to be a consistent starter at the keystone. Thus far his career numbers are underwhelming with a .248/.309/.370 triple slash in over 1300 AB. in 29 spring training at-bats the averages are far worse than his career numbers. If Wong doesn’t impress in spring or at least the very early games on the schedule, his time in St. Louis may very well be coming to an end.
Keon Broxton, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Yet another dynamic talent getting an opportunity during spring training to prove himself. Broxton finished the 2016 season with a .294 average with eight homers and 16 stolen bases from July 25th on. His biggest issue might just be his propensity to strike out with 88 in 207 AB last year. He does, however, show enough patience, power, and speed. His spring numbers suggest last year’s performance may not be a fluke, (.389/.488/.750 in 36 AB). He looks to have CF all to himself in Milwaukee for now, but the Brewers have a surplus of young OF talent so his leash may not be too long if he falters for any prolonged periods.