- Brian Murphy
We look at a trio of performers who powered their fantasy baseball teams in May
- Brian Murphy
Jordy Nelson and Kelvin Benjamin were expected to be top fantasy options in 2015 until injuries ended the fun. Who is the best bet for a rebound season?
- Brian Murphy
Pickups here, get your weekly dose of fantasy baseball pickups here.
- Brian Murphy
We are two weeks away from some mandatory mini-camps opening and two months from training camp. This seems like a perfect time to roll out some early rankings.
- Brian Murphy
Tweak, adjust and always look to improve your roster throughout the season. This edition includes a batter the we have long awaited to put it altogether who might finally be doing just that.
- Brian Murphy
"Don't want to pay for saves". Let's cover what's going on in the 9th with these teams to find new quality closers.
- Brian Murphy
Last week, I wrote about a few players whom you should think about adding to your fantasy team even though they aren’t playing in the majors right now. I regretted not mentioning Julio Urias in that article, but that’s OK because I can devote a full writeup to him here. But first, a short story.
In 1980, an unimposing, 5-foot-11 lefthander from Mexico named Fernando Valenzuela made his debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the age of 19. He didn’t allow an earned run in 17.2 innings that year and followed that up in 1981 by becoming the first player to ever win the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young awards. He began that season by posting five shutouts and allowing just two earned runs through his first seven starts. He ended it as the best player on a World Series champion. Through it all, Valenzuela was so beloved by Los Angeles’ large Latino – specifically, Mexican – community, his starts became must-see events. The craze was known as “Fernandomania.”
Thirty-five years later, there’s another 19-year-old, 5-foot-11 lefty from Mexico ready to become the Dodgers’ next phenom.
That’s Urias, a pitcher whom MLB.com has listed as a top-10 prospect two years running. He has done nothing to second-guess that ranking this season as he has a 1.25 ERA and a 39:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 36 innings at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He threw six no-hit innings in a start earlier this month.
Urias does compare slightly to Valenzuela as a pitcher, but that doesn’t mean he will throw a bunch of shutouts right away – it’s a different era. However, Urias pitches with more power and better control. His career K-to-walk rate through more than 250 minor league innings is better than 3:1. Scouts have marveled at his feel for pitching at such a young age, and there was a belief that Urias was MLB-ready last year, at the age of 18, when he was baffling mature hitters in Double-A. Even at age 16, Urias was striking out more than 11 men per nine with a sub-2.50 ERA and a WHIP barely over 1.10. He is a player well beyond his years.
Urias has a full repertoire of pitches, too. A mid-90s fastball, an excellent changeup, a developing curveball and a slider. He can throw all of those pitches for strikes and spot them on different horizontal and vertical planes. His combination of age and stuff has led to comparisons with not so much Valenzuela, but Felix Hernandez.
The only obstacle in Urias’ way to Chavez Ravine is the Dodgers’ own rotation. It’s deep and bound to get deeper once Hyun-jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy return from injury. However, the Dodgers’ bullpen is much more of a question mark, and there could at least be an important role for Urias in there very soon. He’s proven everything he can in the minors; it’s time for a promotion. Although a middle-innings gig may not sound sexy to fantasy owners, Urias’ strikeout potential and control could be a boon for teams that need to improve in the ERA and WHIP categories.
But, thinking optimistically, we could get even more than that out of Urias. The Dodgers’ rotation depth isn’t exactly overflowing with talent – at least not the type of talent Urias brings to the table. OK, Clayton Kershaw and Kenta Maeda aren’t going anywhere. But Scott Kazmir has largely struggled this year, and there’s not special about neither Alex Wood nor Ross Stripling. Plus, how can you assume that Ryu or McCarthy will pitch like their previous selves following major shoulder and elbow surgery, respectively?
Whether the Dodgers want some more high-end talent in their rotation or someone to help bridge the gap to closer Kenley Jansen, Urias can wear either hat and miss plenty of bats while doing it. L.A. will protect him from throwing too many innings, but I think we will see him in the majors before July. We know he’s ready now. Maybe it won’t be like “Fernandomania,” but how about “U-phoria”?
- Brian Murphy
Finding players that can help your team immediately that others might miss is never easy. Check out these four players.
- Brian Murphy
The 2014 class of wide receivers spoiled us. Amari Cooper was the only 2015 newcomer to finish in the top 30 WRs. Let's look at these four 2016 rookies.
Some players changed teams, others stayed put. We examine five whose values -- and wallets -- changed during the offseason.
Alshon Jeffery
Alshon Jeffery led the Chicago Bears in receiving yards last season. Jeffery caught 54 out of 93 targets, for 807 yards and 4 TDs. With an average of 89.7 yards per game, Jeffery is one of the top picks for free agency. Though Jeffery only played in nine games due to nagging injuries last season, the Bears recognized the value of Jeffery, and used the franchise tag on the veteran receiver. Jeffery will look to earn around 14.5 million next season.
Marvin Jones
Marvin Jones signed with the Detroit Lions for a five-year, $40 million deal. With the loss of Calvin Johnson, the Lions are in need of a #1 WR. Jones is looking to fill that position. Last season Jones received for 816 yards and 4 TDs. His numbers will likely go up with QB Matthew Stafford under center and a renewed Detroit offense for this coming season.
Travis Benjamin
Last season Travis Benjamin became a breakout star in Cleveland. Benjamin caught 68 out of 124 targets for 966 yards, and 5 TDs. Taking advantage of the best season of his career, Benjamin looked to capitalize on his free agency. The San Diego Chargers, in need of a deep threat receiver, signed Benjamin to a four-year, $24 million contract.
Rishard Matthews
The Tennessee Titans signed Rishard Matthews to a three-year, $15 million contract. As the #2 WR in Miami, Matthews will gain an updated receiving role with the Titans. Matthews received for 662 yards and 4 TDs, with an average of 60.2 yards per game last season. The receiving threat will greatly help second year QB, Marcus Mariota, giving the offense much needed support next season.
Mohamed Sanu
Despite receiving for only 394 yards and 0 TDs, Sanu was able to sign a five-year, $32.5 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. In Atlanta, Sanu will support Julio Jones, but will benefit from the fast-paced, pass heavy offense. The move for Sanu is an upgrade, not only in pay, but also in playtime opportunities.
