Post-April predictions
April was a crazy month filled with plenty of surprises and disappointments. Former scrubs shined while superstars slumped. It's important to note that the baseball season has a very long way to go before all is said and done. With that in mind, I asked a few fellow baseball writers to make some quick predictions on the future numbers of some of fantasy baseball's biggest storylines.
The panel:
Myself
Chip Buck, Fire Brand of the American League
Andrew Holm, Sons of Roto
Mark Schruender, Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove
For the rest of the season...
| Jose Bautista home runs | ||
| Charlie | 31 | |
| Chip | 26 | |
| Andrew | 43 | |
| Mark | 33 | |
| Lance Berkman home runs | ||
| Charlie | 20 | |
| Chip | 20 | |
| Andrew | 18 | |
| Mark | 13 | |
| Russell Martin home runs | ||
| Charlie | 5 | |
| Chip | 7 | |
| Andrew | 8 | |
| Mark | 9 | |
| Adrian Gonzalez home runs | ||
| Charlie | 33 | |
| Chip | 32 | |
| Andrew | 31 | |
| Mark | 37 | |
| Sam Fuld stolen bases | ||
| Charlie | 26 | |
| Chip | 42 | |
| Andrew | 35 | |
| Mark | 23 | |
| Jacoby Ellsbury stolen bases | ||
| Charlie | 52 | |
| Chip | 50 | |
| Andrew | 45 | |
| Mark | 45 | |
| Hanley Ramirez HR/SB | ||
| Charlie | 25/28 | |
| Chip | 26/26 | |
| Andrew | 20/30 | |
| Mark | 23/26 | |
| Carlos Gonzalez HR/SB | ||
| Charlie | 25/18 | |
| Chip | 26/19 | |
| Andrew | 24/23 | |
| Mark | 24/23 | |
At the end of the season...
| Carl Crawford's AVG | ||
| Charlie | 0.291 | |
| Chip | 0.290 | |
| Andrew | 0.281 | |
| Mark | 0.280 | |
| Alex Gordon's AVG | ||
| Charlie | 0.287 | |
| Chip | 0.285 | |
| Andrew | 0.275 | |
| Mark | 0.297 | |
| Jeff Frencouer's AVG | ||
| Charlie | 0.270 | |
| Chip | 0.260 | |
| Andrew | 0.278 | |
| Mark | 0.290 | |
| Jered Weaver's ERA | ||
| Charlie | 3.05 | |
| Chip | 3.25 | |
| Andrew | 3.19 | |
| Mark | 2.60 | |
| Michael Pineda's ERA | ||
| Charlie | 3.95 | |
| Chip | 3.90 | |
| Andrew | 3.65 | |
| Mark | 3.15 | |
| Francisco Liriano's ERA | ||
| Charlie | 3.75 | |
| Chip | 4.05 | |
| Andrew | 4.72 | |
| Mark | 3.90 | |
| Yovani Gallardo's ERA | ||
| Charlie | 3.75 | |
| Chip | 3.70 | |
| Andrew | 3.89 | |
| Mark | 3.90 | |
| Struggling player about to breakout | ||
| Charlie | Crawford | |
| Chip | Crawford/Hanley | |
| Andrew | Figgins | |
| Mark | Morneau | |
| Hot player going to cool off | ||
| Charlie | Berkman | |
| Chip | Ethier | |
| Andrew | Kendrick | |
| Mark | Polanco | |
Mark's take on Adrian Gonzalez: He'll still hit 38. He had months of 2, 3, and 4 home runs in his career, so they'll come in bunches. Interesting to note, Petco isn't that much worse than Fenway in terms of home run potential, but Fenway is the best park for doubles and Petco is the worst.
Mark's take on Jacoby Ellsbury: In 2009 he stole 60 from May through the end of the season, but I think he is transitioning into more of a power threat. Not to say he'll be compared to Maris, but he has gotten stronger and isn't the same build he was a few years ago.
Andrew's take on Chone Figgins: Chone's .231 BABIP is 100 points below his career average for BABIP despite him lacing Line Drives (21.6% LD%). He's also making more contact this season (career high 11.7% K%). His .214 Batting Average is a fluke and it is hindering his Stolen Base attempts.
Andrew's take on Howie Kendrick: Howie leads the league in BABIP despite his well below-average 16.9% LD%. The luck doesn't stop with the balls in play. Unless he sprouted Ryan Howard-like muscles overnight, his 24% HR/FB% is going to crash like a diabetic without a sugar fix. The power display is far from real. Also, Howie is injury prone and the Angels have four Middle Infielders playing three positions. This has disaster written all over it.
