Fantasy Baseball: Which Orioles Should be on Your Team This Year?
The calendar has turned to March and for many sports fans that means one thing… Fantasy Baseball Season. Over the past seven years or so, there were many Orioles that fantasy players could count on as solid draft picks. Machado, Jones, Davis, Britton, Markakis, Hardy, Wieters and others were considered integral parts to fantasy champion hopefuls as they approached their drafts each March. As the calendar turned this year the fantasy outlook for the Orioles is bleach, to say the least. That doesn’t mean, however, the birds should be ignored. So which players can fantasy owners look to draft this year?
Jonathan Villar, Second Base
Villar is the highest ranking Oriole in fantasy this year, and he is going in the tenth round in typical twelve team drafts. Villar’s last three years have been a roller coaster ride, fantasy wise. A breakout 2016 led to a very disappointing 2017 and beginning of 2018. Once traded to the Orioles, however, Villar was given regular playing time and a green light to steal. Fantasy owners will hope the momentum carries over and there is no reason why it shouldn’t. The Orioles will look to scratch out runs and play small ball, meaning that they will need Villar to swipe so bags. Count on Villar to give you close to 15 home runs and close to 40 stolen bases. That should be enough to put him near the top five second basement.
Trey Mancini, Outfield / First Base
Mancini is going in the nineteenth round in fantasy drafts. That is nice value for a team that needs cheap power.Mancini is projected to match his 24 home runs from last year and drive in over sixty runs. Advance metrics suggest that Mancini’s batting average should rebound from last year’s .242. Owners can expect something closer to his .268 career average. A return to 2017’s stats could be an improvement in value of seventy spots over his current average draft position of 230.
Mychal Givens, Relief Pitcher
The belief by many that Givens will be the Orioles closer this year has led to him being drafted in round twenty. After taking over the closer role in August, Givens posted eight saves and a 2.25 ERA. If he can carry that over in to the new season, save hungry owners will get a steal in round twenty. Of course, if the experts are correct, save opportunities will be few and far between. Draft Givens with the hope that he will collect 25 saves and an ERA just north of 3.00.
Mark Trumbo, Outfield
Trumbo is on the fringe of draftable Orioles in standard leagues, going in round twenty-one. If healthy, he will hit a bunch of home runs and drive some in, and he will severely hurt your team’s average or OBP. Trumbo is a last resort for an owner in need of cheap power late.
Chris Davis, First Base
There was a time that Chris Davis was a fantasy stud and helped many an owner secure a championship. Those times are long, long gone. Davis is going in the last round or two if he is going, at all. Owners understand that the home runs that he delivers, now south of thirty, just do not justify his pitiful .168 batting average. He may hold a bit more value for those in leagues that use OBP as he does take some walks and finished last year with an OBP of .279. Draft Davis as a bench player in the hopes that he rekindles the magic, just don’t count on it.
Dylan Bundy, Starting Pitcher
Like Davis, Bundy is on the fringe of not being drafted, going in the final rounds, if at all. Those drafting Bundy are doing so on the basis of the potential that he flashes, at times. Advanced stats tell us that Bundy had terrible luck last year on his way to posting a 5.45 ERA. His K rate of over one per inning can be tempting to owners, especially those looking to stream based on match-up. He may be worth a stash very late in case he is able to harness his talent and have his luck turn around.
Dynasty and Deep League Possibilities
- Cedric Mullins, OF – Mullins is good for mid-level speed and mid-level power for those in deep leagues. He will garner plenty of at bats so could be an option for those in AL only leagues, as well.
- DJ Stewart, OF – Stewart took full advantage of his call-up last year hitting three home runs in seventeen games. If he makes the club out of camp, he would be someone to draft and stash.
- Austin Hayes, OF- If healthy, he has the power to be an impact player, if not this year then in the near future.
- Ryan Mountcastle, 3B – The O’s third baseman of the future has 25 home run potential. If he can show some patience at the plate, a .260 batting average is not out of the question. The real question is, will his turn come this year?
- Chance Sisco, C – Sisco is having a nice spring thus far and seems to have the O’s starting catcher job under wraps. He should be considered for those in AL only leagues or those that draft two catchers.
- Hunter Harvey, SP – Harvey is on the list simply because the talent is still there, somewhere, if his body would simply cooperate. If he gets some starts it may be worth a streaming start or two.
