Matt O’Halloran | April 13th, 2019
Catcher- Mitch Garver (2.1%)
Catcher is the weakest fantasy position, so when there is an overachiever likely not rostered, you need to take a shot. Garver, 28, has had a hot start to the season, with a .474 AVG and three home runs. The problem with Garver is that he splits time with Willians Astudillo so do not really on him to be in the lineup every night. The Twin is averaging 4.8 fantasy points per game and is good for 5th among catchers.
Honorable mentions: Omar Navárez (24.2%) Josh Phegley (3.8%) Kurt Suzuki (2.3)
First baseman- Mitch Moreland (14.8%)
One of the few bright spots on the Red Sox this season, 2018 all-star has been arguably the best player on the squad all season. He carries an OBP of .356 and already has five home runs and twelve RBI’s. Moreland averages 3.4 fantasy points per game and ranks ninth among first basemen. The only concerning thing with Moreland is that he does a platoon with Steve Pearce so playing time is not a guarantee.
Honorable mentions: Daniel Vogelbach (37.2%), Christian Walker (23.6)
Second baseman- Chad Pinder (14.6%)
Pinder is especially tempting to pick up because he is listed as an outfielder and a second baseman which gives owners flexibility when making lineups. Pinder is hitting .333 with a .604 slg% and three home runs. Pinder, in his fourth year, has progressed every year and is more than capable of having a breakout campaign. The Athletic Pinder averages 2.5 points per game and is good for fifth among 2nd basemen.
Honorable mentions: Niko Goodrum (16.4%) Tommy La Stella (2.1%) Jeff McNeil (30.6%)
Third basemen- J.D. Davis
In his first season with the Mets, J.D Davis is making an immediate impact. He only played in a combined 66 games over two years with the Astros. The Met has a .378 OBP and two home runs on the season. Davis averages 2.6 fantasy points per game and ranks ninth among third basemen.
Honorable mentions: Tommy La Stella (2.1%) Hunter Dozier (0.9%)
Shortstop- Nick Ahmed (17.4%)
Already six years into the league, Ahmed has not made a name for himself yet but is showing the signs of a breakout year. He has never been a power hitter but has a .314 average and seven runs batted in. The 29-year-old averages 2.5 fantasy points per game and ranks eighth among shortstops.
Honorable mentions- Orlando Arcia (4%) Miguel Rojas (3.5%)
Outfielders- Kevin Pillar (25.5%), Kevin Kiermaier (23.3%), Clint Frazier (23.9%)
Despite the low average, Pillar has been on a tear since being traded from the Blue Jays to the Giants. It will be difficult for him to keep going at the pace he is at now, but a change of scenery may make him into a starting option in fantasy. He averages 2.2 fantasy points per game and is 12th among outfielders.
Kevin Kiermaier is a part of a very underrated Rays team that is off to a very hot start. He is hitting .282 with two home runs and seven runs batted in. He averages 2.6 fantasy points per game and ranks seventh among outfielders.
Clint Frazier was called up to take place of the injured Giancarlo Stanton but he has shown that he is good enough to stay in the bigs. Even if Frazier were to get sent back to Triple-A at some point, it is worth it to stash him on the bench should he get called up again. He has only played in eight games but already has three home runs and ten runs batted in.
Honorable mentions- Brett Garnder (17.2%) and Dwight Smith Jr. (4.1%)
Starting pitcher- Yonny Chirinos (34.6%)
Chirinos is listed as both a relief pitcher and starting pitcher so he used in various ways by Kevin Cash. The 25-year-old is 2-0 with a 0.72 ERA, 0.42 WHIP, and eleven strikeouts over eleven innings. Chirinos thrived with the Rays last year and should get even better as the year goes on. He averages 25.0 points per appearance and ranks seventh among pitchers
Honorable mentions- Domingo German (32.8%) Trent Thorton (14.3%)
Relief pitcher- Jordan Lyles (2.4%)
Similarly to Chirinos, Lyles is listed as both a relief pitcher and a starting pitcher. Lyles has been in the bigs for nine years, and the Pirates are already his fifth team. He only appeared in five games in 2017 but had a solid 2018 and maybe a late bloomer in Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old averages 19.0 points per appearance and ranks 12th among pitchers.
Questions and comments?
thescorecrowsports@gmail.com
Follow Us on Twitter @thescorecrow
Follow Us on Reddit at u/TheScorecrow
Follow Us on Facebook at The Scorecrow
Follow Us on Instagram at The Scorecrow
Follow Matt O’Halloran on Twitter @PrimeChavis
Main Image Credit: [getty src=”1142178187″ width=”594″ height=”384″ tld=”com”]
