31. Christian Bethancourt ATL
BA - .266
HR - 10
RBI - 32
Runs - 25
SB - 2
I honestly believe the Braves weren't too worried when McCann signed with the Yankees as they have Gattis, Gerald Laird and their best hitting prospect Bethancourt waiting in the wings. I see Bethancourt as a high average hitter with solid power potential. If Gattis and Laird struggle early in the season expect the Braves to go to Bethancourt without hesitation.
32. Dioner Navarro TOR
BA - .270
HR - 8
RBI - 45
Runs - 33
SB - 1
Navarro made his major league debut back in 2004, when he was 19 years old. Dioner will look to take over the full time role behind the plate in Toronto this year making him somewhat Fantasy relevant.
33. Chris Iannetta LAA
BA - .223
HR - 9
RBI - 35
Runs - 42
SB - 0
Iannetta is on a six-year streak of hitting at least nine home runs per season. Although that may not sound great, it's a statistic worth mentioning this far down on my list.
34. Derek Norris OAK
BA - .255
HR - 7
RBI - 33
Runs - 21
SB - 5
Filling in for Jaso last season, Norris hit .246 with nine long balls in 98 games. If Norris gets similar playing time this year he'll become a noteworthy free agent pickup in deep leagues.
35. Max Stassi HOU
BA - .257
HR - 8
RBI - 26
Runs - 18
SB - 1
If you're looking for a few sleepers keep an eye on Stassi and Carlos Corporan in Houston this year. One of them will backup Jason Castro and possible snipe playing time away from him if the team struggles - And because it's the Astros, I'd expect a lot of different lineup changes this year.
36. J.P. Arencibia TEX
BA - .210
HR - 9
RBI - 41
Runs - 29
SB - 1
Expect good power and a low average from Arencibia in 2014. I know his pre/post All Star splits will make many of us nervous about drafting him (.221 with 16 home runs before the ASG and .145 with 5 home runs after) but he remains one of the better power hitting Catchers in the game. If you draft Arencibia just think of him as the Adam Dunn of MLB Catchers.
37. Josh Phegley CHW
BA - .218
HR - 6
RBI - 33
Runs - 19
SB - 4
Phegley earned playing time last season because Tyler Flowers did not make the most of his. Either Phegley or Flowers will open the season in Chicago as the everyday backstop; both have zero Fantasy relevance right now.
38. Jose Lobaton TB
BA - .241
HR - 7
RBI - 34
Runs - 39
SB - 1
Jose recorded a 1.4 WAR last season but in terms of his Fantasy value; he was essentially a spot starter in deep leagues. I don't think much will change this year. If you do pick him up make sure to play him at Tropicana Field where he hit .279 last season.
39. Ryan Lavarnway BOS
BA - .277
HR - 5
RBI - 24
Runs - 19
SB - 1
I'm putting Ryan Lavarnway here because there's almost no Fantasy value with a 36 year old David Ross that won't play everyday. Larvarnway is still young and has some upside as he did manage to post a .299 batting average in 25 games with the Sox last season.
40. Rob Brantly MIA
BA - .265
HR - 5
RBI - 27
Runs - 20
SB - 1
This may come as a surprise but I think Brantly can contribute in deep (18 team) NL only leagues this season. In his rookie season Rob hit .290 with a .321 BABIP and a 41% ground ball rate. Last year he hit .211 with a .267 BABIP and a 48.5% ground ball rate. If he can split those trends I think he'll end the year as a Top 30 Fantasy Catcher. Brantly is only 24 years old and I believe he has the upside of an A.J. Ellis or John Jaso.
Alex Wiesner
December 19th, 2013
Archives
BA - .266
HR - 10
RBI - 32
Runs - 25
SB - 2
I honestly believe the Braves weren't too worried when McCann signed with the Yankees as they have Gattis, Gerald Laird and their best hitting prospect Bethancourt waiting in the wings. I see Bethancourt as a high average hitter with solid power potential. If Gattis and Laird struggle early in the season expect the Braves to go to Bethancourt without hesitation.
32. Dioner Navarro TOR
BA - .270
HR - 8
RBI - 45
Runs - 33
SB - 1
Navarro made his major league debut back in 2004, when he was 19 years old. Dioner will look to take over the full time role behind the plate in Toronto this year making him somewhat Fantasy relevant.
33. Chris Iannetta LAA
BA - .223
HR - 9
RBI - 35
Runs - 42
SB - 0
Iannetta is on a six-year streak of hitting at least nine home runs per season. Although that may not sound great, it's a statistic worth mentioning this far down on my list.
34. Derek Norris OAK
BA - .255
HR - 7
RBI - 33
Runs - 21
SB - 5
Filling in for Jaso last season, Norris hit .246 with nine long balls in 98 games. If Norris gets similar playing time this year he'll become a noteworthy free agent pickup in deep leagues.
35. Max Stassi HOU
BA - .257
HR - 8
RBI - 26
Runs - 18
SB - 1
If you're looking for a few sleepers keep an eye on Stassi and Carlos Corporan in Houston this year. One of them will backup Jason Castro and possible snipe playing time away from him if the team struggles - And because it's the Astros, I'd expect a lot of different lineup changes this year.
36. J.P. Arencibia TEX
BA - .210
HR - 9
RBI - 41
Runs - 29
SB - 1
Expect good power and a low average from Arencibia in 2014. I know his pre/post All Star splits will make many of us nervous about drafting him (.221 with 16 home runs before the ASG and .145 with 5 home runs after) but he remains one of the better power hitting Catchers in the game. If you draft Arencibia just think of him as the Adam Dunn of MLB Catchers.
37. Josh Phegley CHW
BA - .218
HR - 6
RBI - 33
Runs - 19
SB - 4
Phegley earned playing time last season because Tyler Flowers did not make the most of his. Either Phegley or Flowers will open the season in Chicago as the everyday backstop; both have zero Fantasy relevance right now.
38. Jose Lobaton TB
BA - .241
HR - 7
RBI - 34
Runs - 39
SB - 1
Jose recorded a 1.4 WAR last season but in terms of his Fantasy value; he was essentially a spot starter in deep leagues. I don't think much will change this year. If you do pick him up make sure to play him at Tropicana Field where he hit .279 last season.
39. Ryan Lavarnway BOS
BA - .277
HR - 5
RBI - 24
Runs - 19
SB - 1
I'm putting Ryan Lavarnway here because there's almost no Fantasy value with a 36 year old David Ross that won't play everyday. Larvarnway is still young and has some upside as he did manage to post a .299 batting average in 25 games with the Sox last season.
40. Rob Brantly MIA
BA - .265
HR - 5
RBI - 27
Runs - 20
SB - 1
This may come as a surprise but I think Brantly can contribute in deep (18 team) NL only leagues this season. In his rookie season Rob hit .290 with a .321 BABIP and a 41% ground ball rate. Last year he hit .211 with a .267 BABIP and a 48.5% ground ball rate. If he can split those trends I think he'll end the year as a Top 30 Fantasy Catcher. Brantly is only 24 years old and I believe he has the upside of an A.J. Ellis or John Jaso.
Alex Wiesner
December 19th, 2013
Archives