This post should really be considered more a topic opening and a call to discussion, because I'm not sure any Royals are really valuable fantasy players.
The discussion begins with Joakim Soria. Really the Royals fantasy guy, if you are a traditional saves-centric league. Nevertheless, the Royals semi-demoted him briefly last season. Moreover, if he's traded, it might be to a contender that already has a closer.
After Soria who do you draft? Sure, in a deep league Francoeur or Gordon are decent players, as is Butler. I like all three guys in deep, weekly head to head leagues, because they'll play every day and fill the statsheet in reliably mediocre levels.
Do you take a run at Eric Hosmer? Sure, he would have an explosive, Pujols-like season. Or he could struggle or perhaps just settle in as a Butler-esque player.
As for the pitchers, The Sancheize is intriguing because of the strikeouts, as is Felipe Paulino, in an all around less combustible and possibly less interesting way.
Do you draft any Royals with your top 5 pick?
0 recs | 28 comments
think you have to take Hosmer first
Most leagues Butler will be a utility player and you can put a better player than Butler in that slot.
That said Butler would be my second Royal taken followed by Gordon. Butler is consistent and ya know what ya get.
Real question is how early do you take Brett “entourage” Lawrie? He’s gotta be the first 3b taken.
splitty - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app
Did you forget the @ @ with lawrie?
Bautista and Longoria will be the first 3B taken, in the first round, with several other after that.
Jeff Zimmerman - February 14, 2012
yeah thought the "Entourage" nickname would be enough snark
splitty - February 14, 2012
i'd be taking lawrie 1st in a keeper league...
but i think he’s going to be an absolute star…and ive thought that for awhile….i think he outperforms every 3b except for bautista THIS year
billybeingbilly - February 14, 2012
Huh?
You don’t draft Gordon or Butler, except in a deep league? I drafted Gordon last year probably somewhere around Round 12-15 and he ended up being my best all around player, and I had the best record in the league.
He won’t be the bargain that he was last year, but unless you’re in an 8 team league that goes 10 rounds, these Royals players are going to be drafted. An example of a guy that will get drafted in deep leagues is Moustakas.
hawkinscm87 - February 14, 2012
Just read the post again and I'm still flabbergasted.
You should do a mock draft.
hawkinscm87 - February 14, 2012
I totally agree
What’s a deep league? 8 teams? This post is stupid
YouDon'tPhaseMeGobble - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Gordon, Butler, and Hosmer all have value.
Draftable value too. A league would only have to be as deep as 8 teams for me to consider all three of them. At one point last year at any given time I had all 3 of these guys, Melky, and even Frenchy for awhile in a 12 team league. I kept them some of them benched for awhile, but as soon as they got hot, put them in the lineup to maximize their value. I won that league. I also had Holland and eventually traded Melky for Soria.
mitchfreakingmaier! - February 17, 2012
From MockDraftCentral
The Royals:
Jeff Zimmerman - February 14, 2012
I'd take a flyer on Paulino
Before anyone #11 on down.
RoyalsRetro - February 14, 2012
Interesting implications there.
Hosmer > Gordon – I guess that makes some sense based on the power expectations, but I would take Gordon earlier.
Paulino not listed – I’m with Retro that I would draft Paulino, even though he would be on the waiver wire in a lot of leagues anyway. Always a chance you’re in a league with another Royals fan and that person is aware of him as a sleeper. Also very possible that ESPN’s fantasy articles will out Paulino as a sleeper candidate and his draft stock could go up.
Giavotella not getting much love. Yes, his job is not locked down, but in a league with large rosters, I would take him as a backup 2B, especially if your starting 2B is someone like Gordon Beckham, Aaron Hill, or Kelly Johnson. Seems to be some volatility at the position.
hawkinscm87 - February 14, 2012
keepers
It all totally depends on whether its a roto or head to head league. In roto I’d consider taking Paulino for the ks.
I’m personally in a first year keeper league with some royals fans so I have the feeling hosmer’s value might get inflated as well.
mmiller9 - February 14, 2012
Top 5?
nobody.
There will be more Royals drafted this year than last though. Hosmer, Gordon, and Butler will be taken in most drafts, Sanchez late in the starting pitching, Moose late, Soria after the closers start going, Perez will have good value in two catcher leagues, and Holland will be drafted in any league with deep pitching. (Where non closer relievers get taken)
KHAZAD - February 14, 2012
Forget top 5 picks....
Who will be taken in the first 5 rounds? Depending on league size, there might be no one. Now, if you’re talking 30 team leagues like I play, someone is going in the first and because it’s a keeper league you’re looking at Hosmer.
If it’s an 8 team league with only 15 players, you’re talking no one going in the top 4 or 5 rounds.
I think Alex is a good one to draft. And if you miss on one of the stud 2B early just wait and get Gia late. Or Chris Getz.
306008 - February 15, 2012
you forgot these
@@@Chris Getz@@@
buddyball - February 15, 2012
I have Cain in my keepers league, pretty cheap for two more years
I have to decide if I am going to keep him or not. I like the cheapness and potential for some SB’s. Plus it is a pretty big league, so things get thin quickly.
buddyball - February 15, 2012
Just did a mock draft.
Was planning on grabbing Gordon a little early, but got beat to it. 12 team draft, he was taken in Round 4, 11th pick.
hawkinscm87 - February 15, 2012
In my
10 team league, I see hosmer going in the 4th round, gordon right after that, butler probably in the 7th and soria in the 8th.
beltran42 - February 15, 2012
This is very possible.
It’s almost exactly how I would see it going.
mitchfreakingmaier! - February 17, 2012
Is there a RR fantasy Leauge?! Or does anyone have a yahoo Leauge slot available?!
My first year was last year and I sucked buy enjoyed it! If there are any takers hit me up
Mas Cervezas - February 15, 2012 via mobile
I'll send you some info on a league that I have in yahoo.
If anyone else is interested email me at bigdaddypb2003@yahoo.com
mitchfreakingmaier! - February 17, 2012
Posted this about Hosmer on another SB Nation blog, but fits well here
Per Eric Hosmer, and “him not doing much last year”:
Is the common perception that he will actually do WORSE in 2012 than 2011?
xrayxtals - February 16, 2012
he cannot do better, he cannot do worse
he can only be the Hoz
buddyball - February 16, 2012
call me crazy...
but Gordon is a top 50 player for sure in fantasy leagues. Especially in smarter leagues where pitching is devalued for bats, he’s a solid 2nd tier OF.
Soria – People reach for closers. He’ll go 50-75.
Hosmer – I’ll never own him because someone will reach for him and kill the value. There’s always one owner in a league who loves having guys who could breakout. I’d rather draft known value. He’ll be taken in the 50-75 range in more conservative/advanced leagues.
Butler – Depends if he’s 1B eligible. If he is, he’s in the 100-150 range, if not, he probably won’t get drafted in many leagues.
Francouer – 4th OF only for me. don’t trust him one bit. Probably won’t own him.
Moustakas – He’s a solid bench prospect for me. I’d be prone to take a shot on him late once I’ve already got my everyday 3B.
Sanchez – Loved his value in SF in a pitchers park and in the NL west with other bad offenses and pitcher’s parks. Don’t love him in KC, but his K rate was fantastic, will probably take a step back and I’ll probably stay away. I love owning NL pitchers. He’ll be taken in the 150-200 range. If at all.
Bart41 - February 16, 2012
Over the last 3 years
Butler has been a top 90 guy (65th in 2011) each year. I agree that the DH only position kills a lot of his value, but in Yahoo leagues, he holds onto the 1B position for 2012. If you can get him between 100-150, that’s a major steal.
xrayxtals - February 17, 2012
Aren't almost all DH players in Yahoo leagues position eligible?
Billy is sure to see at least some time at 1B this year. No way he doesn’t keep position elegibility for the next few years.
mitchfreakingmaier! - February 17, 2012
Yahoo has less stringent rules regarding position eligibility than ESPN
Butler played 11 games at 1B last year, which is enough to retain the position for 2012.
xrayxtals - February 17, 2012
I think Hochevar has some pretty good sleeper potential...
I might take a shot on him with one of my last 2 or 3 picks
PhattStairs - February 17, 2012
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