Going into your draft, you have to ask yourself one question: Do you believe the hype?
Kris Bryant has been hot this spring, hitting .435 with six homers and nine RBIs, and his stock is on the rise.
Is this a sign of things to come? It’s impossible to overlook his dominant performance in the minors last season — when he hit .325 with 43 home runs, 110 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and a 1.10 OPS.
Though the power-hitting prospect did strike out 162 times in 594 plate appearances, he still managed to walk 14.5 percent of the time.
Roto Files believes Bryant has a shot to make the biggest fantasy impact of all the prospects in 2015. His average draft position, according to RotoExperts.com, is 104.
He is ranked in the top 10 among third basemen (just behind the Mets’ David Wright), and he may not even start the season with the Cubs.
That, however, should not affect where you draft him, because he won’t be in the minors for long. Believe the hype and draft Bryant as early as the ninth or 10th round.
Bryant’s not the only prospect who should be on your radar. Yasmany Tomas (164.2) has yet to play a game in the majors, but if you look at the Cuban imports who came before him (Yoenis Cespedes, Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu), you can tell where this is headed. Draft him with confidence in the middle rounds.
Joc Pederson (195.3) is a five-tool player who has displayed everything you should be excited about in an outfielder while in the minors (.302, 84 homers, 271 RBIs, 133 stolen bases since 2010). Based on his upside, Roto Files believes you can reach for a few rounds earlier than his ADP.
Between stops in High-A and Triple-A, Carlos Rodon (309.4) struck out 33 in just 21 2/3 innings. Despite his struggles this spring (6.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP), the 22-year-old lefty is worth a late-round pick even if he doesn’t break camp with the White Sox.
If you want to play the draft-and-stash game with Noah Syndergaard (324.4), go for it, but Roto Files suggests use the roster spot another way and wait until he gets the call. …Third base prospect Maikel Franco (420.5) is struggling this spring, but if he breaks camp with the Phillies he could be a huge steal late in drafts. …Steven Souza (250.7) is worth the late-round investment, whereas the Nationals’ Michael Taylor (444.5) isn’t worth drafting but could make an excellent waiver pickup, as he starts the season in center field for Denard Span. …Don’t waste a draft pick on left-hander Daniel Norris (395.8), but watch for him in mid-July when the Blue Jays call on him.
Team Name of the Week: The Gregorius B.I.G.
Fantasy Spring Draft preview special
Part 4 of 5 (Part 1; Part 2; Part 3)
Post Roto Files columnist Jarad Wilk and the Fantasy Sports Network’s Nando Di Fino rank outfielders. Next week: corner infielders.
Outfielders Player (TM) Wilk Nando
Mike Trout (LAA) 1 1
Andrew McCutchen (Pit) 2 2
Giancarlo Stanton (Mia) 3 3
Carlos Gomez (Mil) 4 4
Adam Jones (Bal) 5 5
Bryce Harper (Was) 7 6
Jose Bautista (Tor) 6 8
Jacoby Ellsbury (NYY) 8 7
Yasiel Puig (LAD) 9 11
George Springer (Hou) 11 9
Justin Upton (SD) 10 12
Carlos Gonzalez (Col) 15 10
Michael Brantley (Cle) 12 15
Ryan Braun (Mil) 13 16
Matt Kemp (SD) 17 13
Corey Dickerson (Col) 16 14
Yoenis Cespedes (Det) 14 18
Billy Hamilton (Cin) 18 21
Starling Marte (Pit) 21 17
Nelson Cruz (Sea) 19 19
Ryan Zimmerman (Was)* 22 20
Christian Yelich (Mia) 20 26
Jason Heyward (StL) 26 22
Kole Calhoun (LAA) 24 24
Hunter Pence (SF) 28 23
Matt Holliday (StL) 25 27
Charlie Blackmon (Col) 23 32
Jorge Soler (CHC) 27 29
Jay Bruce (Cin) 29 28
Marcell Ozuna (Mia) 30 30
Leonys Martin (Tex) 38 25
Brett Gardner (NYY) 31 36
Mookie Betts (Bos) 32 35
Alex Gordon (KC) 35 33
J.D. Martinez (Det) 34 34
Melky Cabrera (CHW) 33 37
Oswaldo Arcia (Min) 36 39
Josh Harrison (Pit)* 37 42
Avisail Garcia (CHW) 39 31
Adam Eaton (CHW) 42 38
Mark Trumbo (Ari) 41 41
Shin-Soo Choo (Tex) 44 40
Gregory Polanco (Pit) 40 46
Chris Carter (Hou)* 43 43
Ben Zobrist (Oak)* 45 48
Jayson Werth (Was) 46 45
Brandon Moss (Cle)* 49 50
Ben Revere (Phi) 44
Yasmany Tomas (Ari)* 47
Carlos Beltran (NYY) 47
Joc Pederson (LAD) 48
Rusney Castillo (Bos) 49
Khris Davis (Mil) 50
*Multiple position eligibility