Fantasy Baseball Articles - Hunter Denson

I am a little pressed for time this week so we're just gonna jump right into things. As always, if you have a player you would like profiled or have a question about, feel free to post in the comment section or reach out to me on Twitter @hedenson18 with that or any other questions. We will be working our way around the diamond so you can submit your player requests in advance. Jonathan Villar After setting the world on fire in 2016 with 19 home runs and 62 steals, Villar cratered in 2017 (11 HR and 23 SB), creating a great deal of uncertainty for who he was as a hitter coming into this season. The 2018 version of Villar continued to provide solid power and speed at the position, coming in second among second basemen for stolen bases (35) and notching 14 home runs as well. Other than Javier Baez and Whit Merrifield, he was the best source at the keystone for these two categories, though his struggles in other areas overshadowed that production a bit. Villar slashed...

For a long time first base was a position you could count on for power and depth. It was one to wait on in a draft, as you could be reasonably sure of landing a strong slugger there even after waiting a few rounds. That changed in 2018, as only eight first basemen notched 25 home runs (the same number seen at SS) and, more incredibly, we saw only two drive in over 100 runs. First base is thin, and a position to value in keeper leagues if you happen to be lucky enough to hold one of those remaining impact bats. This week’s report highlights four players at the position whose value changed dramatically in 2018, so read on for an in depth look at their prospects for 2019 and beyond. As always, if you have a player you would like profiled or have a question about, feel free to post in the comment section or reach out to me on Twitter @hedenson18 with that or any other questions. We will be working our way around the diamond so you can submit your player requests in advance. Tyler Whit...

Catcher is always a frustrating position to fill in fantasy, and definitely one that I struggle with each year. While I always enter a draft vehemently promising myself that I will not spend a high pick on a catcher, inevitably the allure of having that extra masher in the lineup tests my resolve. There are many reasons why depending on a catcher is tough, starting with the incredible real-life demands of the position. The strain of catching affects offensive output for catchers in general, and the pounding these players take throughout the year limits their appearances as well (only seven catchers had enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title in 2018). When considering a catcher, I typically have three types of players that I target for my teams depending on the strategy I have adopted that season: 1. Catchers who are above average in one offensive category (Typically power or speed. Think Evan Gattis in years past or someone like Jason Kendall back in the day) 2...

Another season basically in the books. September always sneaks up on me, and when it arrives, I am always shocked that only a few games remain in the 162 game marathon. Congratulations to those who brought home a title, and for those who did not, next year always remains. Whether you came up short in your league (or took home the trophy) read on to see who is ending the year with a hot streak and who is already on a beach somewhere for the offseason. Next week we will begin our off-season keeper and dynasty league coverage, looking at each position around the diamond. If you have a player you would like profiled or have a question about, starting with catcher, feel free to post in the comment section or reach out to me on Twitter @hedenson18 and I'll see if I can work them into the next installment. Robinson Cano 2018 was a rough one for Cano owners, but those who stuck with him through his 80 game hiatus (or snatched him up off waivers) have enjoyed above average production ...

Read on to see what recent performances you should be aware of as you make roster decisions for the rest of the way. As always, if you have a player you would like profiled or have a question about, feel free to post in the comment section or reach out to me on Twitter @hedenson18 with that or any other questions. Luis Castillo After a rocky first half (5.49 ERA, 1.384 WHIP, 8.4 SO/9), Castillo has found his groove since returning from the All Star break, posting a 2.98 ERA (3.66 FIP, 2.80 xFIP, 2.86 SIERA) in nine starts with an even more impressive 0.97 WHIP and 10.9 SO/9. The biggest area of improvement for Castillo over the second half has been with his control, as he has cut his BB% (-5.4%) dramatically and gotten ahead of hitters at a higher rate (+2.1% F-Strike%). He has had better luck with his LOB% (76.1%) in the second half, seeing more success at stranding base runners than he did earlier in the season (66.7%). He has also figured out how to use his sinker more effecti...

Read on to see what recent performances you should be aware of as you make roster decisions for the rest of the way. As always, if you have a player you would like profiled or have a question about, feel free to post in the comment section or reach out to me on Twitter @hedenson18 with that or any other questions. Luke Voit Voit has been a huge surprise over the past two weeks, out-performing every other hitter on the Yankees over his past 13 games. In that time he has slugged seven home runs and driven in thirteen while slashing .356/.420/.822. While Voit’s Hard% during this run (51.6%) has been outstanding, his other power predictors are right at league average (37.5% FB%, 38.7% Pull%) making this recent power run a bit inflated, especially when you take into account his out of this world HR/FB (58.3%). That being said, his batted ball profile during this run (31.3% LD%, 31.3% GB%, 37.5% FB%) supports his currently higher than usual BABIP (.360) and Statcast is very positive on...

Read on to see what recent performances you should be aware of as you make roster decisions for the rest of the way. As always, if you have a player you would like profiled or have a question about, feel free to post in the comment section or reach out to me on Twitter  @hedenson18  with that or any other questions. Johan Camargo Camargo is second in RBI’s (18) for the Braves over the past month, slashing .306/.353/.472 with three slams in that time. His BABIP (.375) during this run is similar to what he posted in 82 games last season (.364) and is backed up by strong contact rates (20.5% Soft%, 47% Med%, 32.5% Hard) and a robust batted ball profile (25.3% LD%, 39.8% GB%, 34.9% FB%). His overall season has been solidly productive (.279/.349/.452; 14 HR/63 RBI/ 49 Runs) and he has improved as a hitter in several aspects. His 10% BB% for the season is double what he posted in 2017, he has managed to decrease his GB% (45.9% in 2018, 47.6% in 2017) and has seen jumps in most p...

Read on to see what recent performances you should be aware of as you make roster decisions for the rest of the way. As always, if you have a player you would like profiled or have a question about, feel free to post in the comment section or reach out to me on Twitter @hedenson18 with that or any other questions. Melky Cabrera The “Melk Man” was one of the offseason free agents most affected by the slow winter, entering April without a MLB offer despite a solid 2017 season. After a slow first 20 games this season, Cabrera has been surprisingly productive over the past month, slashing .301/.341/.530 with all six of his 2018 home runs during this torrid 26 game stretch. His batted ball profile during this run has been very healthy (28.2% LD%, 40.8% GB%, 31% FB%) easily supporting the .292 BABIP he has generated, especially when you take into account his medium and soft contact rates as well (11.3% Soft%, 49.3% Med%). He is hitting the ball harder than he has in a few seasons, evid...