Category Power Rankings: Week 3

It’s time for your weekly dose of CPR!

 

Batting Average (AVG)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Luis Arraez, Bryan Reynolds

After missing his teams first six games due to a positive test for COVID-19, Austin Meadows is back in action. Coming off a huge breakout year in 2019 where the 25-year old slashed .291/.364/.558, Meadows looks to be a fixture atop the upper third of the Tampa Bay lineup. I like Meadows to be a contributor in several categories, but AVG should be a sure thing coming from a guy who was a consistent .300 hitter across all levels of the minors as well.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Shogo Akiyama, Nick Madrigal (injury), Gio Urshela (ownership), Miguel Andujar (demotion), David Fletcher (ownership)

Miguel Cabrera is back in the Tigers lineup and while his season-long numbers are not too appealing, Miggy has swung the stick pretty well of late. He may not be someone to target in traditional 12-team leagues, but he is worth a look in roto leagues with corner infield spots and deeper rosters.

 

Runs (R)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Carlos Santana

Despite being one of the most prolific power hitters in the entire game, Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone insists on keeping Aaron Judge in the two-hole of the Bombers’ lineup. Judge’s ability to get on base is obviously a huge factor and it has paid off as Judge is currently tied for the major league lead in runs scored.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Mike Yastrzemski (ownership), Trent Grisham (ownership), Yoshi Tsutsugo, Shogo Akiyama

In what feels like decades, the wait for the J.P. Crawford breakout might be over. He has settled in nicely atop the Mariners’ order and currently has 12 runs scored in 15 games to this point in the season. Mix in some speed, and Crawford finds himself among the most underowned guys potentially on your wire right now.

 

Home Runs (HR)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Giancarlo Stanton (injury), Mike Moustakas (injury), Gary Sanchez

Juan Soto returning for the Nationals could not have come at a better time as the team is struggling to find their footing in the early going. Soto has already come out of the gates hot and there is no reason to believe he won’t be atop several of these offensive lists very, very soon.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Willie Calhoun, Randal Grichuk

Jesus Aguilar is only two years removed from belting 35 bombs. He now finds himself batting in the middle of the Marlins lineup and if he keeps up the early success, he may get dealt to a contender and be a part of a stronger lineup. He needs to be owned more.

 

Runs Batted In (RBI)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Rafael Devers, Paul Goldschmidt, Gleyber Torres

Matt Olson’s batting average has been less than desirable, but the power and run production has certainly been there. He currently finds himself among the league leaders in RBI and as long as he is healthy, Olson will produce.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Donovan Solano (ownership), Miguel Andujar (demotion), Yoshi Tsutsugo, Jonathan Schoop

Batting behind the likes of Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez, Mitch Moreland has been a run producing machine. He has 12 RBI and 7 over the past week of games.

 

Stolen Bases (SB)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Nick Madrigal (injury), Tommy Edman

Luis Robert has been as advertised so far in 2020. The young phenom is showing the power-speed skills that he displayed in the minors and already has four swipes in the early going. He is going to be fun to watch.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Nick Madrigal (injury), Will Myers (ownership), Trent Grisham (ownership), Nick Senzel

With the injury to Giancarlo Stanton, Mike Tauchman will surely see an uptick in playing time, and deservedly so. Tauchman has been very solid for the Yankees and has even chipped in four steals already. He was a stolen base threat in the Rockies’ minor league system and even had six in about half of a season in 2019.

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Josh Donaldson (injury)

Bryce Harper’s ability to get on base doesn’t need to be spotlighted, but I am going to anyway. He is currently at a 1:1 K:BB ratio. I had him pegged for a monster season in his second season in Philly, so I am expecting big things from the 27-year old.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: David Fletcher (ownership), Jason Heyward, Kolten Wong, Ji-Man Choi

Ian Happ has been excellent thus far in 2020, to the tune of a 1.031 OPS. Despite batting towards the lower third of the Cubs’ lineup, Happ has done a great job of getting on base and turning the order over. The 25-year old has all the tools to be a fantasy asset in all formats. 

 

Wins (W)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Charlie Morton (injury)

Despite a poor outing in his most recent start, Sonny Gray has been sensational so far for the Reds. He won his first three starts all while allowing a mere two earned runs across those turns.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Rich Hill (injury), Yonny Chirinos (injury), Sandy Alcantara (COVID), J.A. Happ, Steven Matz

Dylan Cease still has not quite harnessed his ability and put it all together, but he does have a pair of wins over his last two starts. There is enough of a pedigree here to keep a close eye.

 

Earned Run Average (ERA)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Charlie Morton (injury)

Frankie Montas has picked up right where he left off before his suspension in  2019. He has a 1.57 ERA and has managed to allow only one earned run over his last 14 IP. He is beginning to earn “Ace” status.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Rich Hill (injury), Sandy Alcantara (COVID), Yonny Chirinos (injury), Zach Plesac (ownership), Aaron Civale (ownership), Matt Shoemaker, Garrett Richards, Spencer Howard

Having not allowed more than two earned runs in a start so far, Spencer Turnbull has a 2.00 ERA through three starts. While that may not be sustainable, Turnbull has shown the ability to be worthy of a roster spot.

 

Strikeouts (K)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Charlie Morton (injury), Robbie Ray

Jack Flaherty finds himself falling down these lists due to no part of his own. The Cardinals have been stricken by the virus and have not played a game in over two weeks. Very unfortunate turn of events for those who invested early draft capital in the young right-hander.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Rich Hill (injury), Zach Plesac (ownership), Aaron Civale (ownership), Freddy Peralta, Sandy Alcantara (COVID)

The “Ace” of the Red Sox, Nathan Eovaldi, has been racking up the K’s over his last couple starts. The right-hander has 16 over his last 11 IP.

 

Saves (SV)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Craig Kimbrel, Ian Kennedy, Hansel Robles, Sean Doolittle

The closing landscape has been an absolute mess this year. The perceived studs heading into the season have not performed and you have guys like Trevor Rosenthal resurfacing and dominating once again.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-Team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Greg Holland, Drew Pomeranz, Oliver Drake (injury), Jairo Diaz

Musical chairs continues to be played across the entire league in the ninth innings. Rowan Wick appears to have supplanted the struggling Craig Kimbrel for the Cubbies. Kimbrel may figure things out and get the job back at some point, but in a shortened season, teams cannot afford to wait around.

 

WHIP (Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Charlie Morton (injury), Matt Boyd, Hyun-Jin Ryu

Chris Paddack is just exceptional at limiting baserunners. Coming off of a season in which he posted a sub-1.00 WHIP, he has come out this year and put up an even 1.00. Even in his games where he is less than effective, Paddack has a great ability to keep the bases empty. 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Yonny Chirinos (injury), Rich Hill (injury), Aaron Civale (ownership), Zach Plesac (ownership), Spencer Howard

Randy Dobnak, handlebar mustache and all, has been a revelation. He currently sports a 0.87 WHIP across four starts including three victories for the Twins.

 

Quality Starts (QS)

 

Top 25

 

 

Off the list: Madison Bumgarner (injury)

After a super disappointing 2019, Trevor Bauer is back on his 2018 grind. And by that I mean he has returned to being a top five pitcher in baseball. The man has three quality starts in three outings and is striking out nearly 15 batters per nine innings. He is going to get paid this offseason.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

 

Off the list: Aaron Civale (ownership), Zach Plesac (ownership), Rick Porcello, Steven Matz, Sandy Alcantara (COVID)

Chris Bassitt continues to be a severely overlooked pitcher. The righty has allowed only two earned runs this year so far through three starts, and while he has just one quality start, he has done an excellent job of limiting damage. He is at the very least a strong streaming option in 12 team leagues.

 

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)