Despite winning it all in 2010, there aren’t many options for fantasy owners on this roster. Despite their pitching rotation being one of the best in baseball, all I see is a collection of offensive options that are, well, offensive.
Sure, the Giants were able to ride Cody Ross to a World Series championship, but I don’t think many fantasy owners will be spending to get him on their teams in 2011. Fluke season anyone?
This is the last of the team previews. We hope you enjoyed them!
Guys I’m Targeting
Aubrey Huff, 1B/OF – Much like Paul Konerko, Huff always sneaks up on people during the season rather than before. This is what makes him a good value come draft day. At 118, he’s being taken 25 picks after Billy Butler, but he will return similar numbers. Sure Huff will hit .275 rather than .300 and he will probably cross the plate fewer times, but he should bring more home runs and RBI at a power position. It is reasonable to expect a repeat of his 2010 season, minus the 100 runs scored.
Andres Torres, OF - I dare you to name me another 20/20 candidate going in the 20th round in drafts. OK, so he probably won’t get to 20 home runs, but at a shallow position, Torres provides you with very good production in two categories (R, SB) with some power. And if he turns out to be a one-year wonder you only wasted a 20th round pick. This is what we call a win-win.
Matt Cain, SP – Guys like Cain are the reason you are waiting on starting pitching this year. Why spend a third-round pick on C.C. Sabathia when you can get Cain—who will probably post the same numbers—in the eighth round? Cain has improved his walk rate from 3.76 in 2008 to 2.46 last year, which is a big reason why his WHIP has been steadily getting better.
Guys I’m Drafting…If They Fall Far Enough
Buster Posey, C/1B – After a spectacular rookie season, I’m afraid that people are overrating Posey. He is going in the fifth round, which isn’t crazy, but my view on catchers is simple: If it isn’t Joe Mauer, I’m waiting. And stop with the Mauer comparisons, please. Nary does one .300 season make you someone who will compete for the batting title every year.
For the same reasons as Butler, Posey shouldn’t be your starting first baseman. Catchers like Geovany Soto, Miguel Montero, Matt Wieters and Mike Napoli are going 8-10 rounds later and they are not 8-10 rounds worse in talent. You could also wait until the end of the draft and pick up someone like J.P. Arencibia or John Jaso. You are much better off drafting an outfielder or middle infielder in the fifth round and waiting on catcher. Go where the value is.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B - I’m not going to sit here (yes, I sit when I blog) and tell you why Sandoval’s 2009 and 2010 seasons were like night and day. He is a streaky hitter who needs to improve his plate discipline if he wants any chance at some consistency. That being said, he is a perennial threat to hit over .300 and should bat in the middle of the Giants’ order. That also being said, he could remain in Bruce Bochy’s doghouse and just plain suck again. He’s your classic boom-or-bust guy but I’m taking the chance if he falls past the 14th round. After all, he qualifies at a weak position and has a killer nickname.
Tim Lincecum, SP - I’ll keep this one short: I’m not letting his postseason dominance wipe out what was a disappointing 2010 season by Lincecum’s standards. Pitching is deep this year so there’s no reason to draft one in the first five rounds.
Jonathan Sanchez, SP - Sanchez was one of the game’s best pitchers in the second half last year. He posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 101 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings. While those numbers should put him clearly in the top-25 among starters, Sanchez still has trouble with his control (4.7 BB/9), which means he has to be nearly unhittable to post a respectable WHIP. He has great strikeout potential, but the lack of control is enough for me to be cautious when drafting him in the 13th round.
Brian Wilson, RP - He has the beard and the “I wanna rage, right now” quote. I get it. He’s a likable guy. But all closers must be treated equally. I’ve seen him go as high as the first closer taken, which probably means he’s not going to be on my team this year unless he falls to the 14th round. The only way that is happening is if I clone myself nine times and start a 10-team league.
Guys I’m Avoiding
Everyone else on offense - Seriously, it’s very difficult to find another decent option on the Giants roster. Ross and Pat Burrell are replacement level at best, Freddy Sanchez is an empty batting average and Miguel Tejada might be 45-years old. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
Barry Zito, SP – The good news: No one is drafting Zito in standard leagues. The bad news: It’s because he’s a very mediocre pitcher.
Guys You Should Keep an Eye On
Madison Bumgarner, SP - Bumgarner’s successful postseason (2.18 ERA/1.11 WHIP) will boost his value on draft day and he is currently going in the 18th round, but ahead of guys like C.J. Wilson and Jaime Garcia. I would still rather have those two over Bumgarner, but the 21-year-old has shown great control (2.11 BB/9) and a tendency to induce grounders (45.1%). All positive signs.
Brandon Belt, 1B - Belt rose through three levels in the minors last year posting a .352/.455/.620 line. He also added 23 home runs, 112 RBI and 22 stolen bases over a 136-game span. Now, Belt did most of that in Single-A, but we still like the potential here. Unfortunately, Huff stands in his way for 2011, but keep an eye on the situation as the Giants could look to try Belt out in right field if Burrell falters.