Archive for the ‘Fantasy’ Category

First Pitch Fantasy Baseball Ranks

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Ranked the Top 200 a few days ago in preparation for a draft that ignores SB (H/R/HR/RBI/AVG/OBP & W/HLD/SV/K/ERA/WHIP).

Haven’t updated it since the draft to reflect the Motte injury, Jose Fernandez’ promotion, etc., but here it is as a matter of record.

Fantasy Baseball Top 200: 24-Mar.

• 1. Miguel Cabrera
• 2. Robinson Canó
• 3. Joey Votto
• 4. Prince Fielder
• 5. Albert Pujols
• 6. Ryan Braun
• 7. Carlos González
• 8. Andrew McCutchen
• 9. Bryce Harper
• 10. Matt Kemp
• 11. Mike Trout
• 12. Stephen Strasburg
• 13. Clayton Kershaw
• 14. Troy Tulowitzki
• 15. Justin Verlander
• 16. Adrián Béltre
• 17. José Bautista
• 18. Buster Posey
• 19. Ian Kinsler
• 20. Justin Upton
• 21. Josh Hamilton
• 22. Giancarlo Stanton
• 23. David Price
• 24. David Wright
• 25. Edwin Encarnación
• 26. Dustin Pedroia
• 27. Evan Longoria
• 28. Ryan Zimmerman
• 29. Jason Heyward
• 30. Yoenis Céspedes
• 31. Adam Jones
• 32. Cliff Lee
• 33. Félix Hernández
• 34. Matt Cain
• 35. Cole Hamels
• 36. Billy Butler
• 37. Allen Craig
• 38. Adrián González
• 39. Yu Darvish
• 40. Jay Bruce
• 41. B.J. Upton
• 42. Gio González
• 43. R.A. Dickey
• 44. Matt Holliday
• 45. Adam Wainwright
• 46. Zack Greinke
• 47. Paul Goldschmidt
• 48. Jered Weaver
• 49. Craig Kimbrel
• 50. CC Sabathia
• 51. Kris Medlen
• 52. José Reyes
• 53. Ian Desmond
• 54. Jason Kipnis
• 55. Joe Mauer
• 56. Anthony Rizzo
• 57. Shin-Soo Choo
• 58. Aroldis Chapman
• 59. Ben Zobrist
• 60. Starlin Castro
• 61. Brandon Phillips
• 62. Chris Sale
• 63. Jacoby Ellsbury
• 64. Aaron Hill
• 65. Aramis Ramírez
• 66. Freddie Freeman
• 67. Pablo Sandoval
• 68. Álex Ríos
• 69. Carlos Santana
• 70. Madison Bumgarner
• 71. Johnny Cueto
• 72. Asdrubal Cabrera
• 73. Mat Latos
• 74. Matt Moore
• 75. Max Scherzer
• 76. Hanley Ramírez
• 77. Alex Gordon
• 78. Jordan Zimmermann
• 79. Yovani Gallardo
• 80. Jimmy Rollins
• 81. Ryan Howard
• 82. Paul Konerko
• 83. Austin Jackson
• 84. Jonathan Papelbon
• 85. Eric Hosmer
• 86. James Shields
• 87. Brandon Morrow
• 88. Ike Davis
• 89. Matt Wieters
• 90. Melky Cabrera
• 91. David Freese
• 92. Brett Lawrie
• 93. Rickie Weeks
• 94. Carlos Beltrán
• 95. Elvis Andrus
• 96. Desmond Jennings
• 97. Nelson Cruz
• 98. Jake Peavy
• 99. Martín Prado
• 100. Jon Lester
• 101. Josh Johnson
• 102. Curtis Granderson
• 103. Mark Trumbo
• 104. Tim Lincecum
• 105. Yadier Molina
• 106. Rafael Soriano
• 107. Jason Motte
• 108. Hunter Pence
• 109. Chris Davis
• 110. Víctor Martínez
• 111. Miguel Montero
• 112. Ian Kennedy
• 113. Salvador Pérez
• 114. Chase Utley
• 115. Dan Haren
• 116. Matt Harvey
• 117. Roy Halladay
• 118. Derek Jeter
• 119. Sergio Romo
• 120. Chase Headley
• 121. Joe Nathan
• 122. Josh Willingham
• 123. Wilin Rosario
• 124. Mike Moustakas
• 125. Mike Napoli
• 126. Will Middlebrooks
• 127. Mariano Rivera
• 128. Andre Ethier
• 129. Nick Markakis
• 130. Nick Swisher
• 131. Adam LaRoche
• 132. Carlos Gómez
• 133. Fernando Rodney
• 134. Greg Holland
• 135. Huston Street
• 136. Tom Wilhelmsen
• 137. Jeff Samardzija
• 138. Brian McCann
• 139. Jesús Montero
• 140. Dan Uggla
• 141. Brett Anderson
• 142. Homer Bailey
• 143. J.J. Putz
• 144. Justin Morneau
• 145. Brandon Belt
• 146. Howie Kendrick
• 147. Jim Johnson
• 148. Danny Espinosa
• 149. J.J. Hardy
• 150. Michael Morse
• 151. Joel Hanrahan
• 152. Lorenzo Cain
• 153. Julio Teherán
• 154. Jeremy Hellickson
• 155. Grant Balfour
• 156. David Murphy
• 157. Todd Frazier
• 158. Pedro Alvarez
• 159. Alexi Ogando
• 160. Josh Beckett
• 161. Alfonso Soriano
• 162. Wil Myers
• 163. Bruce Rondon
• 164. Shelby Miller
• 165. David Robertson
• 166. Anibal Sánchez
• 167. Hiroki Kuroda
• 168. Andrew Cashner
• 169. Brandon Beachy
• 170. David Hernández
• 171. Kyle Seager
• 172. Michael Young
• 173. Michael Bourn
• 174. Shane Victorino
• 175. Ichiro Suzuki
• 176. Tyler Colvin
• 177. Jurickson Profar
• 178. James McDonald
• 179. Jonathon Niese
• 180. Jarrod Parker
• 181. Domonic Brown
• 182. Kyle Lohse
• 183. Manny Machado
• 184. Corey Hart
• 185. José Altuve
• 186. Neil Walker
• 187. Carlos Quentin
• 188. Carl Crawford
• 189. Doug Fister
• 190. Dexter Fowler
• 191. Alcides Escobar
• 192. Andrelton Simmons
• 193. Josh Rutledge
• 194. A.J. Pierzynski
• 195. Dustin Ackley
• 196. Trevor Cahill
• 197. Tim Hudson
• 198. Jed Lowrie
• 199. Alex Cobb
• 200. Ryan Dempster
• 201. J.P. Arencibia
• 202. Nolan Arenado

(Note: Updated with the team we are putting on the field for opening day):

C: Salvador Perez
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Ryan Zimmerman
SS: Troy Tulowitzki
LF: Bryce Harper
CF: Adam Jones
RF: Alex Rios
UTIL: Shin Soo-Choo
Bench: Jesus Montero, Brandon Belt
DL: Hanley Ramirez

SP: Yu Darvish; Zack Greinke; Matt Moore; Jake Peavy; Jon Lester; Dan Haren; Alexi Ogando; Jose Fernandez
RP: Tom Wilhelmsen; Addison Reed; Bobby Parnell; Steve Cishek
DL: Brandon Beachy

1 Game down, 240 to Go

Friday, September 9th, 2011

There are actually 255 games remaining in the NFL season, but obviously I’m referring to the FTH season (we don’t play week 17). I am fully aware that no one cares about my fantasy football team, but dammit, the players deserve some recognition…and I think I drafted well.

I was unable to land any Arian-Foster-at-pick-#55-caliber deals this time around (could a reverse jinx apply here?), but I am confident that we have a contender on our hands. With the Packers-Saints kickoff game in the books, here is the squadron as we embark upon another championship journey [draft pick # in brackets]:

MAO’S MARAUDERS ROSTER

QB: Tom Brady [15]; Donovan McNabb [95]; Jason Campbell [115]; Alex Smith (dropped Colin Kaepernick [215])
RB: Felix Jones [46]; Marshawn Lynch [75]; Michael Bush [135]; Delone Carter [175]
WR: Calvin Johnson [6]; Miles Austin [26]; Dez Bryant [35]; Percy Harvin [66]; Lance Moore [106]; Robert Meachem [126]
TE: Jermichael Finley [55]; Jimmy Graham [86]; Jared Cook [155]
K: Alex Henery [195]
DEF/ST: NE [166]
DL: Justin Tuck [186]
LB: yet to be signed (dropped Rashad Jennings [145])
DB: Eric Berry (dropped Javon Ringer [206])

Time to grade out

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

Every year I like to pinpoint a week, which is before the midpoint of the season but also not too early, that is appropriate for assessing my fantasy football team at each position.

This year that time is right about now (the onset of week 7). The upcoming week easily presents the most bye issues (due chiefly to the Texans) on my schedule and I believe we have had ample time to sort through early-season waiver wire transactions and come to grips with what we’re working with.

To recap the starting positions: QB, QB, WR, WR, WR, RB, RB, TE, WR/RB, WR/TE, K, DEF, DL, LB, DB. The report card is below.

QB: Kevin Kolb, Sam Bradford, Matt Cassel, Michael Vick
Grade: 80

No matter what happens from here on out it appears we have the Philadelphia QB position covered so that is reassuring. Sam Bradford has shown flashes of QB2 viability, and Matt Cassel is under center for a team with weapons and some soft spots on the schedule, but neither one of them is truly rock-solid.

WR: Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Marques Colston, Dwayne Bowe, Danario Alexander
Grade: 95

Nothing to be concerned about here unless serious injuries strike. Despite low early returns, Colston will never go away in the Saints’ offense. And if he’s barely even starting for you than you don’t have much to address in the wide receiver market.

RB: Arian Foster, Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshawn Lynch, Ryan Torain, Pierre Thomas
Grade: 90

Haven’t been able to utilize the PT Cruiser since acquiring him and Sam Bradford in a trade, but nevertheless his potential impact upon return really assuages any concerns about the injury risks inherent in those currently above him on the depth chart.

TE: Owen Daniels, Heath Miller
Grade: 82.5

Heath Miller may or may not be waiver wire fodder once the Texans’ bye has passed, but Daniels’ inspiring performance in week six really took some of the sting out of last week’s unfortunate loss of Jermichael Finley.

K: Olindo Mare
Grade: 85

Just signed Seattle’s Olindo Mare for this week’s home match-up with Arizona in place of the on-vacation Neil Rackers. Rackers’ performance has been solid but nothing to worry about losing.

DEF: Philadelphia San Francisco
Grade: 85

Philadelphia’s defense has allowed too many points but has put on a solid showing in terms of sacks and interceptions. In fact, I guess this is the one area of the team I’m gonna say I’m not satisfied with. Team defense is an important slot and capable of big points, so I think I’m going to see what a crawling-out-of-the-ashes 49ers team can do against the disjointed Panthers. I’d love to lock in a unit with the potential for those 30-3 drubbings that net some serious points.

IDP: DL-Osi Umenyiora; LB-James Harrison; DB-Bernard Pollard
Grade: 92.5

Pollard has been with us since the 18th round of the draft, and I’m hoping we can pull it out this week without having to drop anybody to cover for Houston’s bye. The other two marauders up front are looking like nice pick-ups.

Composite Score: 89.1
Prediction: Super Bowl Champions 🙂

Fifty Hours from Football

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

It is probably unhealthy the degree to which this time of year brings a spring to my step. Nonetheless, we are officially less than fifty hours away from NFL football. And with that reality on tap, I can begin (shamelessly at least) thinking about fantasy and tweaking my roster more than anything else. No wonder I’m broke.

Enough of that self-pity crap and on to my roster. And yes, I said roster. I made a commitment to myself to field only one team this year. While it is certainly enjoyable to stockpile tons of great players across multiple teams, where is the authenticity in that? I’m sure any NFL owner would love to have numerous top-five talents at each position distributed amongst several squads, and then actively pimp the team that finds the most success. But even if this is fantasy, it just doesn’t work that way.

Thus I stuck with my favorite league and said “good-bye” to all the others. I don’t even have any throwaway teams in free public leagues on sites such as espn.com. F*ck You Manu* is in its fifth year of operation, and all of my rival owners are active in the league as well as personal friends. For the sake of full disclosure, I am both the Commissioner and reigning champion. Based on what I’ve gathered following the draft, though, I wouldn’t call myself the favorite to repeat in 2010, at least not before I pull off a mid-season trade for an upgrade at QB. But I am certainly ready to roll with my guys. You be the judge.

HUGO CHAVEZ ROSTER

QB: Matt Cassel; Derek Anderson; Jason Campbell; Matt Moore
RB: Arian Foster; Ahmad Bradshaw; Carnell Williams; Leon Washington
WR: Andre Johnson; Calvin Johnson; Brandon Marshall; Marques Colston; Dwayne Bowe; Johnny Knox; Joshua Cribbs
TE: Jermichael Finley; Owen Daniels; Jermaine Gresham
K: David Buehler
DEF/ST: Philadelphia Eagles
DL: Julius Peppers
LB: [yet to be signed]
DB: Bernard Pollard

*Despite the enjoyment our league has provided to all its former and current members, unfortunately its nomenclature has a more troubled history that may only be cured by a Dallas Mavericks NBA Championship. F*ck You Manu was preceded in title by F*ck Tha Birdman (2009), F*ck David West (2008), F*ck Matt Barnes (2007), & F*ck Dwyane Wade (2006) – chilling references to figures who played notable roles in ousting the Mavs from their perennial championship quest.

More about the league:
-We maintain a cap of ten franchises in the league due to the use of two starting quarterbacks per team and the complications presented therein during bye weeks.
-On that note, the starting roster slots are as follows: QB, QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, RB/WR, WR/TE, K, D/ST, DL, LB, DB.
-Scoring settings have been tweaked through the years and we believe they are the best in the business. Here is the rundown:
Offensive Players
Passing Yards 1 point per 30 yards
Passing Touchdowns 6
Interceptions -3
Rushing Yards 1 point per 10 yards
Rushing Touchdowns 6
Reception Yards 1 point per 10 yards
Reception Touchdowns 6
Kickoff and Punt Return Touchdowns 10
2-Point Conversions 2
Fumbles Lost -2
Offensive Fumble Return TD 6
Kickers
Field Goals 0-19 Yards 3
Field Goals 20-29 Yards 3
Field Goals 30-39 Yards 4
Field Goals 40-49 Yards 5
Field Goals 50+ Yards 10
Point After Attempt Made 1
Point After Attempt Missed -2
Defense+Special Teams Unit
Sack 1.5
Interception 3
Fumble Recovery 3
Defensive Touchdown 6
Safety 4
Block Kick 4
Kickoff and Punt Return Touchdowns 6
Points Allowed 0 points 20
Points Allowed 1-6 points 13
Points Allowed 7-13 points 7
Points Allowed 14-20 points 3
Points Allowed 21-27 points 0
Points Allowed 28-34 points -2
Points Allowed 35+ points -6
Individual Defensive Players
Tackle Solo 1.25
Tackle Assist 0.75
Sack 3
Interception 5
Fumble Force 4
Fumble Recovery 4
Defensive Touchdown 10
Safety 7
Pass Defended 1.75
Block Kick 6

-And finally, what about the moolah? $35 is the entry fee. $250 goes to the victor. $65 for losing in the Super Bowl. And winning the 3rd place consolation game boomerangs your original $35 back to you.

Real Pumped for BBall

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

NBA action tips off in a week and both of my fantasy drafts are now in the books. Can’t wait to see how my boys come charging out of the gate. Here’s a recap:

Draft: 20-Oct.-09, 10 teams
Categories: FG%, FT%, 3PTM, PTS, OREB, DREB, AST, STL, BLK, TO, TECH

PG: Steve Nash [13]
SG: Allen Iverson [113]
G: Rajon Rondo [48]
G: Leandro Barbosa [73]
SF: Gerald Wallace [28]
PF: Amar’e Stoudemire [8]
F: Josh Smith [33]
F: Ron Artest [88]
C: Andrea Bargnani [53]
C: Roy Hibbert [108]
UTIL: Anthony Randolph [68]
UTIL: Boris Diaw [93]
Bench: Brandon Jennings [153]
Bench: Tyreke Evans [148]
Bench: Courtney Lee [133]
Bench: Hakim Warrick [168]
Bench: Greg Oden [128]

Draft: 18-Oct.-09, 10 teams
Categories: FGM, FG%, FTM, 3PTM, PTS, REB, AST, STL, BLK

PG: Gilbert Arenas [19]
SG: Kevin Martin [22]
G: Dwyane Wade [2]
SF: Rudy Gay [59]
PF: Al Harrington [62]
F: Shawn Marion [39]
C: Spencer Hawes [82]
C: Channing Frye [139]
UTIL: Jason Richardson [42]
UTIL: T.J. Ford [79]
Bench: Mike Conley [119]
Bench: Chris Duhon [122]
Bench: Josh Howard [102]
Bench: Richard Jefferson [99]
Bench: Yi Jianlian [142]