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2016 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep: Blind Resumes (SS)
In the fantasy baseball world, the shortstop position has a couple big boppers at the top of the rankings, but the rest are mainly speedsters. In 2015, 15 percent of the leagues stolen bases came from shortstops (373 of 2505).
Teams averaged 83.5 stolen bases last season. Seven players tallied at least 30 swiped bags. Of that group, six recorded a .287 AVG or better (sorry, Billy Hamilton).
While I wouldn't recommend drafting players solely on their stolen base prowess, when you combine that stat with a high batting average and ability to score a run, you have three of the potential five roto categories working for you.
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Time for some surprises from Blind Resumes: Shortstop Edition:
Three-year stats (2013-2015)
These two veterans have each been in the league for at least 10 years. Player A has produced at least a .270 AVG for five consecutive seasons. In that time, Player B surpassed .246 once. Player A wins the AVG and SB categories while averaging 54 RBI in the last five years. Player B averaged 69 RBI during that span. He also smacked an average of 15 home runs in the last three years, besting Player A by 10 homers. Both shortstops are on new teams this season. Player A is slated to bat second in the lineup and Player B could be buried towards the basement in the batting order.
These guys are playing for division rivals. Player A is Erick Aybar (Braves) and Player B is Asdrubal Cabrera (Mets).
Three-year stats (2013-2015)
In the stats that are pertinent to the position, Player C wins. He swiped at least 20 bases in each of the last three seasons and is moving to a better hitter's park as a potential lead-off candidate, too. Player D set a new season-high with 21 homers in 2015. His opponent maxed out at 12 in 2013. Player C is Jean Segura of the Diamondbacks and Player D is Brandon Crawford.
Two-year stats (2014-2015)
To be fair, Player F was only a full-time starter in 2015 (231 ABs in 2014). However, Player E has a consistent RBI contribution to add to his resume. Player E has supplied his owners with between 47-52 RBI in each of the past four seasons. Player F posted 45 RBI. While Player F trails in stolen bases, RBI, and batting average, he did hit 15 homers. Player E's career-high was five dingers in 2012.
Player E is Alcides Escobar and Player F is Marcus Semien.
Two-year stats (2014-2015)
With only two picks separating these shortstops, making the right call could be crucial to your fantasy team. Both players are on new teams in 2016. Player G set a career-low with a .249 AVG last season, but that is still better than Player H's batting average over the last two seasons (.241 AVG). I'm not hiding HR or RBI numbers either. Player G averaged 13 homers and 68 RBI over the past two seasons. Player H averaged 10.5 home runs and 41 RBI during that same span.
Player G is Alexei Ramirez, now with the Padres. Player H is Brad Miller, currently with the Rays.
2015 stats
There might as well be a Grand Canyon between the average draft positions of these two shortstops. I should include a few more stats for context: Player J tallied 81 RBI in 2015, while Player I only produced 23 RBI. However, Player J's numbers are not consistent. In 2014, he delivered 46 RBI on top of a .240 AVG. The ceiling might be greater for Player J, but is it worth a fifth-round pick?
Player I is Jose Iglesias and Player J is Xander Bogaerts.
I'm not trying to pick on Bogaerts. He could become an elite level talent for Boston. I'm just saying that Iglesias is a great value for those waiting until the final rounds to select a shortstop.
For more Blind Resumes click on the links below:
Starting Pitcher Blind Resumes
