AL EAST STUDS AND DUDS: Toronto Blue Jays
By The Phantom Scout www.profantasybaseball.com
As we continue to delve into the intricacies of fantasy projections and who should produce this year and who won't, fantasy owners need to remember that projections are just that, projections. When drafts start, many fantasy owners put on the blinders and look at what a player might be projected for in the next season. Rarely do fantasy owners ever start to consider roster breakdowns, batting lineups and injury histories when they draft. Looking ahead into the 2009 season for the Toronto Blue Jays, you have to wonder who is really going to produce consistently this year. The lineup looks to be shaping up quite well as both Vernon Wells and Alex Rios look healthy and prepared for the season. For Wells, he will produce as he has in the past, forget the 2007 season, injuries for wells are an aberration. Rios took a rather large step back after signing a lucrative deal in the off season last year. It seemed as though he was trying to live up to that contract with every swing of the bat. He should rebound nicely this year. Rios picked up the pace last year towards the end of the season and showed the Blue Jays faithful a glimpse of what they could expect in the future and I don't think he'll disappoint. So here are my picks for fantasy stud and dud.
STUD: Alex Rios - It is difficult to try and pick between Rios and Vernon Wells this year, but Wells has started this spring with a hamstring injury, requiring an MRI, and might cause him to start off slower and less prepared than he have wanted to be. Rios was truly disappointing this past season as he struggled with even the most pedestrian pitching. He often looked as though he was trying too hard to produce and live up to the multi-year contract that he received before the season started. With all that being said, I am going with Rios. Rios has power and run producing potential and can hit for average. His speed is a definite plus and it shows in his base stealing potential, swiping 32 bags last season. If Rios rediscovers his power swing, evidence suggest that he has, he could easily put up a 30-30 season. Expect a .300 / 30 HR / 95 with 25-30 SB.
DUD: Scott Rolen - Stay away from Rolen. He continues to battle shoulder injuries and although he has been tinkering with his swing to make it more compact and quicker, it won't help him that much. For a position that requires power, Rolen has stepped back and his ability to hit for power has declined gradually over the past four seasons. I like Rolen and think he is a gritty player who would rather have his arm fall off than give up on his team. Unfortunately there is no fantasy statistic that favors the makeup of a player.
So, there you have it. The Blue Jays will not contend for the division crown this year but they have a good lineup and young talent is on the way up. Take Rios early in the draft and avoid Scott Rolen like hepatitis.
As we continue to delve into the intricacies of fantasy projections and who should produce this year and who won't, fantasy owners need to remember that projections are just that, projections. When drafts start, many fantasy owners put on the blinders and look at what a player might be projected for in the next season. Rarely do fantasy owners ever start to consider roster breakdowns, batting lineups and injury histories when they draft. Looking ahead into the 2009 season for the Toronto Blue Jays, you have to wonder who is really going to produce consistently this year. The lineup looks to be shaping up quite well as both Vernon Wells and Alex Rios look healthy and prepared for the season. For Wells, he will produce as he has in the past, forget the 2007 season, injuries for wells are an aberration. Rios took a rather large step back after signing a lucrative deal in the off season last year. It seemed as though he was trying to live up to that contract with every swing of the bat. He should rebound nicely this year. Rios picked up the pace last year towards the end of the season and showed the Blue Jays faithful a glimpse of what they could expect in the future and I don't think he'll disappoint. So here are my picks for fantasy stud and dud.
STUD: Alex Rios - It is difficult to try and pick between Rios and Vernon Wells this year, but Wells has started this spring with a hamstring injury, requiring an MRI, and might cause him to start off slower and less prepared than he have wanted to be. Rios was truly disappointing this past season as he struggled with even the most pedestrian pitching. He often looked as though he was trying too hard to produce and live up to the multi-year contract that he received before the season started. With all that being said, I am going with Rios. Rios has power and run producing potential and can hit for average. His speed is a definite plus and it shows in his base stealing potential, swiping 32 bags last season. If Rios rediscovers his power swing, evidence suggest that he has, he could easily put up a 30-30 season. Expect a .300 / 30 HR / 95 with 25-30 SB.
DUD: Scott Rolen - Stay away from Rolen. He continues to battle shoulder injuries and although he has been tinkering with his swing to make it more compact and quicker, it won't help him that much. For a position that requires power, Rolen has stepped back and his ability to hit for power has declined gradually over the past four seasons. I like Rolen and think he is a gritty player who would rather have his arm fall off than give up on his team. Unfortunately there is no fantasy statistic that favors the makeup of a player.
So, there you have it. The Blue Jays will not contend for the division crown this year but they have a good lineup and young talent is on the way up. Take Rios early in the draft and avoid Scott Rolen like hepatitis.
posted by The True GURU at
Friday, February 27, 2009
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