Whether you’re setting your championship roster or focusing on your fantasy movie league (”Rambo: Last Blood” had better perform despite its less-than-stellar reviews), it never is too early to prepare for 2020.
The best players to build around aren’t necessarily the youngest on your team, but they will have definitive roles heading into next season after outperforming their draft value this year.
Boston’s Rafael Devers, Roto Rage’s most underrated third baseman entering the season, is the perfect example.
After his solid 58-game debut in 2017 (.284, 10 HRs, 30 RBIs, .819 OPS), expectations were raised for 2018. Unfortunately, his average, on-base percentage and slugging percentages took big hits, he struck out in almost 25 percent of his at-bats, and he entered this season with a 138.4 average draft position, according to FantasyPros.
So, what happened this year? A breakout!
Devers entered Friday ranked second in the AL in RBIs and runs scored, third in hits, eighth in slugging percentage and 10th in OPS. He was also tied with teammate Xander Bogaerts for the league lead in doubles and hit 30 homers for the first time in his career. He became the second player in history to hit 30 big flies and 50 doubles before turning 23 (Alex Rodriguez was the other). He has also struck out in just 16.6 percent of his at-bats, saw his hard-hit and contact rates rise, and his swinging strike rate fall.
This was the breakout fantasy owners were waiting for, and the truly scary part is the fact Devers is just 22. He is a centerpiece of your future.
Here’s a look at some other players to build around in 2020:
First base
The most obvious choices are Pete Alonso (236.6 ADP) and Pittsburgh’s Josh Bell (252.2), despite falling off the face of the earth since the All-Star break (.233, 10 HRs, 32 RBI, .780 OPS) after his MVP-worthy first half, but you shouldn’t overlook Oakland’s Matt Olson (137.6), who has reached career marks in homers, RBIs and average despite missing all of April.
Second base
DJ LeMahieu (220.0) entered the season as a player without a definitive role, yet became indispensable to the Yankees and fantasy owners alike. He could win the AL batting crown and should get some votes in the MVP race. Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil (291.6) proved his .329 average in 63 games last years was not a fluke.
Third base
Vlad Guerrero Jr. (53.4) appeared to be overdrafted this year, before playing a game in the majors for Toronto, but it is looking like a bargain now. Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suarez (55.4) is an absolute no-brainer.
Shortstop
There is a ton of young talent at this position, and we’re not even talking about Trea Turner, Francisco Lindor or Gleyber Torres. Arizona’s Ketel Marte (248.6) has put together an impressive MVP-caliber season in Arizona, and Amed Rosario (172.8) has hit over .320 in the second half. Fernando Tatis Jr. (251.8) suffered a season-ending back injury after just 84 games for San Diego, but hit .317 with 22 homers, 53 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.
Consideration could be given to the Cubs’ Willson Contreras or Minnesota slugger Mitch Garver (365.0), who belted 31 homers in his first 88 games, but you’re better off drafting a backstop next year.
Outfield
Cody Bellinger proved his 2017 Rookie of the Year campaign for the Dodgers wasn’t a fluke, making that 40.4 ADP a steal. Trey Mancini (277.0) has been one of the few bright spots in Baltimore, reaching career marks in average, homers, RBIs and runs. Oakland’s Ramon Laureano (224.6) hits for average, power and steals bases, and is worthy of being a building block.
Starting Pitchers
Sonny Gray (271.6) has proven he can still pitch. He hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his past 15 starts for the Reds while going 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA, 114 strikeouts and a .163 opponent average. He entered Friday ranked 20th in strikeouts (11th in the NL), 13th in WHIP (eighth in NL), sixth in ERA (fourth in NL) and third in opponent average (first in NL). Other pitchers worthy of building a rotation around include: Walker Buehler (40.6), Shane Bieber (149.2), Lucas Giolito (386.0), Mike Soroka (413.8) and Sean Manaea (462.8).
Relief Pitchers
San Diego’s Kirby Yates (108.4) leads the majors in saves and entered Friday with a 1.21 ERA, .184 opponent average and 15.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Do you trust him to do that again next year? Do yourself a favor, don’t build around the bullpen.
Big Hits
Trey Mancini 1B/OF, Orioles
In his first 19 games this month, he went 27-for-74 (.365) with five homers, 19 RBIs, 12 runs and a 1.058 OPS. He was hitting .457 during his eight-game hitting streak entering Saturday.
Eduardo Rodriguez SP, Red Sox
Has lost once in his past seven starts while going 5-1 with a 1.00 ERA, 54-14 strikeout-walk rate and a .213 opponent average in that span.
Eloy Jimenez OF, White Sox
Entered Saturday on an 11-game hit streak — going 20-for-47 (.426) with five homers, 17 RBIs and a 1.322 OPS in that span. He had at least one hit in 18 of his previous 21 games.
Adam Wainwright SP, Cardinals
Has won four straight decisions and allowed just one earned run in that span (0.33 ERA). Opponents are hitting .206 against him in that stretch. He is 8-2 with a 3.25 ERA and 62-26 strikeout-walk rate since the All-Star break.
Big Whiffs
Aristides Aquino OF, Reds
After a hot start to his career (15 homers in his first 32 games), he entered Saturday 11-for-62 (.177) with two homers, eight RBIs, 21 strikeouts and a .506 OPS in his previous 16 games. He was the third most dropped outfielder this week in ESPN leagues.
Andrew Heaney SP, Angels
Allowed 20 earned runs over his first four starts this month while going 1-3 with a 9.31 ERA. He allowed seven homers and a healthy .341 opponent average during that stretch.
C.J. Cron 1B, Twins
Entered Saturday having not homered since Aug. 31 and hitting .167 (7-for-42) with 14 strikeouts and a .413 OPS in the following 15 games.
Reynaldo Lopez SP, White Sox
Has allowed 18 earned runs over his past four starts (19²/₃ innings) while going 1-3 with a 8.24 ERA and .305 opponent average.
Check Swings
Though Sean Manaea’s return and Jesus Luzardo’s promotion have gotten most of the attention in Oakland, Homer Bailey quietly has dominated his opponents. He is 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA, 45-7 strikeout-walk rate and a .201 opponent average over his past seven starts. He is owned in just 20 percent of ESPN leagues and will make his last start of the regular season on Wednesday against the Mike Trout-less Angels.
Cleveland rookie Aaron Civale might be striking out just 7.0 per nine innings, but he hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his first nine big league starts (1.82 ERA). He is 2-0 with 1.82 ERA and .235 opponent average over his past four starts, remains available in more than 60 percent of ESPN leagues and will start Tuesday against the White Sox.
On Wednesday, Gerrit Cole became the 18th pitcher since 1900 to strike out at least 300 batters in a season. He also struck out 10 or more for his seventh straight start (and 19th time this season), and has not lost since May 22 while going 14-0 with a 1.87 ERA and a ridiculous 202 strikeouts (versus just 29 walks) in his 20 starts since.
Team Name Of The Week
Yarbrough Fair