5 Fantasy Baseball Players To Target In New 60-game season
2020 Fantasy Baseball 2.0
Baseball is back as MLB has salvaged a 60-game season. This adjusted season makes things difficult for fantasy owners, especially for those leagues that have already had their fantasy drafts back in the spring. Due to the shortened season, and the small list of players that have opted out in returning, I'm guessing there are some leagues that will scrap their fantasy drafts and hold a re-draft. For those of you holding second drafts or to those looking to join a new league here are five players to target that I have found on my teams in early drafts to have good value in this new shortened league.
1) Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox (ADP: 59.0, 61st overall according to FantasyPros)
The White Sox are an exciting young team and Eloy Jimenez is a big reason why. In his rookie season last year, Jimenez slugged 31 homers and drove in 79 runs with a .829 OPS in 123 games played. He is the 18th outfielder off the board in drafts this season and could deliver big on his late 4th/early 5th round price tag. He could stand to improve on his .267 batting average from his rookie season, but he has elite raw power already as a second-year player. His 6.2 home run rate was 41st overall last season and he closed the season with nine homers in his last 25 games. He hit .292 overall in the second half of 2019 so there is room to improve on his .267 batting average. In a shortened season, Jimenez should be a nice source of power (home runs and RBIs) and his hot hitting the last month of the 2019 season could lead to a quick start to the 60-game schedule.
2) Victor Robles, OF, Washington Nationals (ADP: 80.4, 80th overall)
After winning the World Series, the Nationals said goodbye to one of their best hitters in Anthony Rendon as the third baseman signed with the Los Angeles Angels. Victor Robles, a promising young player, will be looked upon to step up and be a solid piece of the Nationals lineup in 2020. Robles should be a nice combination of speed and power in his fourth season in the majors. Last season, Robles hit just .255 but he finished with 17 homers and 65 RBIs along with 86 runs scored and 28 stolen bases. With Trea Turner and Adam Eaton likely to hit at the top of the Nationals batting order, Robles should hit at the bottom of the order, which is not ideal for fantasy purposes. However, Robles showed last season that he could thrive at the bottom of the lineup. Going 80th overall, Robles offers a nice upside in a roto league as he is a solid five-category contributor.
3) Jesus Luzardo, SP, Oakland A's (ADP: 116.6, 113th overall)
Oakland has a track record of finding talented young pitchers and Jesus Luzardo could be the next gem. Coming off of an injury, Luzardo pitched in relief at the end of the season for Oakland. In 12.0 innings, Luzardo pitched to a 1.50 ERA and 0.67 WHIP and more than a strikeout per inning as he punched out 16 batters while walking just three. At just 22 years old, Luzardo is a big part of the future plans of the A's and could be a rotation mainstay moving forward. In a shortened season, Luzardo could provide some quality starts and the strikeout rate he demonstrated in limited action last year out of the bullpen is ideal for a limited 60-game schedule. With fantasy pitchers, you look for strikeouts and Luzardo has the stuff to rack up the K's and help fantasy owners enormously given his ADP.
4) Brandon Woodruff, SP, Milwaukee Brewers (ADP: 85.0, 85th overall)
A bit underrated, Brandon Woodruff has the stuff to pitch at the top of the Brewers rotation. He made 22 starts last season and went 11-3 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. In 121.2 innings, Woodruff fanned 143 batters, an elite strikeout rate (10.58 K/9) for a starting pitcher. Again strikeouts are at a premium for starting pitchers in a 60-game season and Woodruff can be a fantasy ace at an affordable price. Going 23rd among starting pitchers in drafts, Woodruff is someone worth targeting in drafts and is someone I consider a steal at his ADP.
5) Taylor Rogers, RP, Minnesota Twins (ADP: 105.6, 102nd overall)
After breaking through for 30 saves last season, Taylor Rogers is locked and loaded as the Twins closer this season. Last season, Rogers was dominant with a 2.61 ERA and 1.00 WHIP and 90 strikeouts in 69.0 innings pitched. Rogers has demonstrated a good strikeout rate out of the bullpen even when he wasn't in the closer role. In a shortened season, fantasy owners should target a closer who has a tight grip on the role, is on a good team, and has an elite strikeout rate. Rogers fits the bill and as the seventh closer off the boards in drafts he offers a great option for his price tag. The 29-year-old is poised for a big season and should be counted on as a top closer.
Brian Buckey
Brian Buckey is an avid fantasy sports player dating back to his first fantasy baseball league in junior high school, with fantasy experience in all four of the major sports. Brian currently is a sports writer for The Toledo Blade newspaper in Toledo, Ohio where he grew up. Brian is a proud Indiana University graduate, with a degree in journalism and is excited to provide fantasy analysis for FantasyData.