You prepare for your Fantasy Baseball drafts like a madman, and you destroy the first few rounds, with everything falling into place the way you want. But then, as the middle and late rounds start to play out, you realize you haven’t set up a late-round gameplan.
It’s kind of like when you’re watching an awesome Saturday Night Live sketch – and it ends abruptly and un-funnily. You realize, they just didn’t know how to end that sketch – and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
So we’re going to help you figure out a late-round gameplan. Below, we’ve listed 15 players to consider with your final draft picks. Knowing these guys might be available, you can make some better moves in the middle rounds. For instance, if you know you’ll have some good middle-infielder options late, then why take a mediocre option in Round 15?
12 Options For Your Last Pick
Obviously, what you do in the earlier and middle rounds greatly affects who you’ll be picking in the final rounds. For instance, if you already have a second baseman, a shortstop, and a middle infielder, there’s no reason to draft another middle infielder as your designated hitter.
Carlos Ruiz, C, Philadelphia: Sure, he’s an old catcher that has struggled at the plate in recent years. But Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg likes his bat enough to rest him behind the plate and use him as a DH.
Marcus Semien, 2B/3B, Oakland: We’ve been touting him as a sleeper for a couple years now, and this new starting gig (albeit in a pitcher’s park) is a great thing.
Others have already forgotten him as a prospect, and his 11 runs scored were tied for most at the position this spring, along with Jean Segura.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, N.Y. Yankees: The bad news: He has been out of baseball for more than a year, fans hate him, and he’s coming back from hip surgeries. But grabbing a player with his resume at this point, hitting above .300 with three homers this spring, isn’t a crazy idea.
Dalton Pompey, OF, Toronto: He’s expected to start the season as Toronto’s center fielder, and knowing he has good speed (43 stolen bases in 113 games in the minors). He’s just 22 years old, so expect some inconsistency.
Josh Hamilton, OF, L.A. Angels: If you have spots for injured players in your league, then consider drafting Hamilton with your last pick, knowing he’s recovering from surgery – and likely has a suspension coming his way for a drug relapse this offseason. Plus, you can always cut him for a hot up-and-comer. That’s not a bad thing to have with your last pick – an easy cut.
Anthony Gose, OF, Detroit: With 15 steals in just 239 at-bats last season, Gose is a nice cheap option for steals. He could also end up hitting first or second in the Tigers’ lineup against right-handers.
Dexter Fowler, OF, Chicago Cubs: The Cubs’ lineup looks great these days, especially once Kris Bryant returns from the minors later this season, and they already rank as one of the highest-scoring teams in Spring Training. Grabbing the hitter that’s expected to hit leadoff for this crew is a good idea.
John Lackey, SP, St. Louis: The veteran looks great this spring, and besides the fact he’s not a big strikeout pitcher, he’s bound to get a great amount of wins with the Cardinals again this year.
Henderson Alvarez, SP, Miami: Alvarez’s sin is that he just doesn’t strike out a lot of batters. But he also doesn’t walk a lot, and he pitches in a great pitcher’s park. With a sub-2.70 ERA last season, it’s shocking to think Alvarez (just 24 years old) has an ADP of 21.12.
Brandon McCarthy, SP, L.A. Dodgers: His name has bounced around Fantasy owners minds for years now, so many of us have become blind to McCarthy-ism. But he joins a promising Dodgers team and he’s definitely one of the most underrated pitchers this spring.
Brett Cecil, RP, Toronto: A late announcement that he’ll be the closer to start the season makes Cecil a nice cheap option for saves. You have to figure he’ll lose the gig at some point, but you’ll have already gotten some saves from hom on the cheacp.
Santiago Casilla, RP, San Francisco: Sure, he’s not a great closer, but let’s take a step back. This is the world champion Giants, in a pitcher’s park, and Casilla is their no-doubt closer to start the season. At some point, Sergio Romo might steal the job back away from him, but Casilla has just as much of a chance of stealing it back.
Hopefully, some of these late-round grabs will be good enough to stick on your Fantasy Baseball team for a few months – or even all year! But let’s not get crazy.