Originally Posted by
stevenash
Ken Giles (RP-PHI) Jonathan Papelbon is the closer for now in Philadelphia, but it seems that he is likely to be moved at some point this season. In the waiting, is a youngster by the name of Ken Giles. Ken Giles boasts a hard FB (97mph) and hard slider (87mph). Giles managed to strikeout 38.6% of batters that he faced in 2014. Giles peripherals support his monstrous 2014 season (1.18 ERA, 12.61 K/9, and 2.17 BB/9). Papelbon is being drafted 137th and Giles 245th in NFBC drafts. Giles is a must own regardless of being a hand-cuff or not.
Joc Pederson (OF-LAD) Joc Pederson is the ultra-talented prospect for the Dodgers that pushed Matt Kemp out of town. The Dodgers still have the same conundrum they did a year ago, four outlfielders (Crawford, Puig, Either, and Pederson), plus the LHP masher Andy Van Slyke to play three OF spots. At this point it seems like the Dodgers are going to ease their top prospect into action among a four-man rotation. This might limit his value initially, but he is always a Crawford injury away from a full time-gig. Pederson offers the coveted power/speed combo that many fantasy owners love. Pederson posted a 30/30 season at Triple-A, but that was in the very hitter friendly Pacific Coast League. It is not a reach to project Pederson with a 20/20 season, albeit with a low batting average for upcoming 2015 season.
Dalton Pompey (OF-TOR) Dalton Pompey is the favorite to win the final OF spot in Toronto. Pompey may be unknown to some, but his meteoric rise through the Jays farm system last year should make him a very interesting fantasy option in 2015. Pompey went all the way from rookie ball to the big leagues in one year. Pompey has the potential to go 10/20 in first extended look at the major league level. The risk here is high, but the reward could be as equally high. He is one to keep an eye on during Spring Training.
John Jaso (C-TB) John Jaso is going 285th overall in NFBC drafts. I find this to be interesting because Jaso is primarily going to be a DH with C eligibility. Jaso hit .264/9/40 in 344 PA. The Rays are going to use Jaso properly, meaning he is going to hit mostly against RHP, which he crushes to the tune of a .349 wOBA. Catching this year is hideous and you could do worse than Jaso as your second catcher or primary catcher in leagues in which you can utilize his strengths such as crushing RHP and .OBP leagues.
Barry Zito (SP-OAK) The Athletics have signed Barry Zito to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Zito is no spring chicken (37 yrs. old) and he posted a 5.74 over 133 innings with the Giants in 2013. The soft tossing left-hander is a nice story for the Athletics, but has zero fantasy value.
Masahiro Tanaka (SP-NYY) Masahiro Tanaka is due to arrive in Spring Training this week and all eyes are going to be on him, as he is recovering from a partially-torn ulnar collateral ligament. He has not had any setbacks during the off-season. Tanaka was electric when on the mound last year (2.77 ERA, 9.31 K/9, 1.70 BB/9). The biggest concern is whether he is truly healthy or not. The UCL is very delicate and he will be one pitch away from Tommy John surgery all year long. At this point Tanaka is a true gamble. He is being drafted in the 13th RD, but has top 5 potential. Take the plunge if you dare choose.
Carlos Martinez (P-STL) The Cardinals are still discussing the workload for Carlos Martinez for 2015. While he is considered the favorite to win the 5th spot in the rotation, he has never thrown over 108 innings in a season. Martinez is a two-pitch pitcher, triple digit FB and average CV. He needs to develop a change-up to combat LHH, which have a career .355 wOBA against him. Martinez can be drafted as a late-round flier with upside, but do not expect much out of Martinez until he figures out how to get LHH out.
Justin Verlander (SP-DET) Verlander has reportedly put on 20lbs of muscle this off-season. He was not able to workout last off-season due to core muscle surgery. Verlander threw a bullpen on Tuesday and reports are that he looked good. There is no way around it, Verlander had a terrible 2014 and is going 242nd overall in 12-team leagues. The outlook on Verlander is not good, because his velocity has declined each year for the past four and so has his strikeouts. Verlander has yet to show that he can pitch without his top-notch velocity.