Roto Roundup: Carlos Gomez, Anthony Rendon and others

Consensus Rankings, Sleepers, and more

For those of you who haven't drafted yet, here is a link to all of our position rankings, sleepers, players to target, players to avoid, and more.

2015 Rankings, Sleepers, Targets and more

2015 Consensus Position Rankings

Below are links to our consensus position rankings:

Catcher: Part 1| Part 2

First Base: Part 1| Part 2

Second Base: Part 1| Part 2

Shortstop: Part 1 | Part 2

Third Base: Part 1 | Part 2

Outfielders: Part 1 | Part 2

Starting Pitcher: Part 1 | Part 2

I have one more draft this Wednesday night, an NL only redraft league. I was in the league for several years, dropped out and am now back in it. Unfortunately, it is only 9 teams, so all teams will be pretty stacked. I am working on what the best strategy is for such a shallow league. I may just draft an ace early and pick 8 hitters in 8 of the first 10-11 rounds and go from there.

Carlos Gomez to bat leadoff.....for now

I was listening to MLB Network Radio over the weekend and one of the Brewers beat writers was saying that the Brewers wanted second baseman Scooter Gennett to start the season leading off in the Brewers productive lineup. The reason was that moving Gennett to the leadoff role would allow outfielder Carlos Gomez to move to the third spot in the order, presenting more RBI opportunities. Gomez has averaged 22 home runs over the last three seasons, hitting 23 last season, 11 of which came leading off an inning. Should he move down in the order, the thought is some of those solo home runs will turn into two-run and three-run home runs.

I can see Gennett moving up in the order at some point in the season, improving his fantasy value for his owners. Gomez's fantasy value would also improve moving to the third spot in the lineup, as his RBI opportunities would increase.

NL-only draft: Clayton Kershaw first overall pick?

I am participating in a nine team, NL-only, 5 x 5 redraft league tomorrow night, and have the second overall pick in the draft. The owner with the first pick has already indicated he is taking Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw with the first pick. Yes, he is taking Kershaw with the first overall pick.

I have the second pick, so I have my choice of Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez. I am leaning toward taking one of Goldschmidt or Gomez, even though I love each of these guys.

Goldschmidt could be the best hitter in the NL this season, assuming his power returns after recovering from a broken hand last season. Gomez intrigues me, as he has averaged 22 home runs and 37 stolen bases over the last three seasons, and is a five category hitter.

Who should I take?

Anthony Rendon: Seeking a third opinion

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon is dealing with a "minor" MCL strain in his left knee, but will now seek the opinion of a third doctor, so this injury is anything but minor. At this point in spring training, it is safe to assume Rendon will miss Opening Day.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him miss all of April as he hasn't played since March 9th, which is three weeks ago. The Nationals will more than likely not push him as he has an injury history. It is safe to assume this injury hurts Rendon's fantasy value for 2015, and should quiet any talk of Rendon stealing double digit bags this season.

Jacoby Ellsbury Injury Update

Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is dealing with a strained oblique suffered in spring training, but was given clearance to get back on the field on Tuesday, playing in a minor league game. He will play with the big league club on Wednesday, and should be fine for Opening Day,

Ellsbury showed more power last season, and I think he could repeat the double digit power in 2015 due to the short porch in right field in Yankee Stadium

Cardinals hitters to run more?

The Cardinals showed last year that they are lacking power hitters. Outfielder Matt Holliday is not the power hitter he once was and pitchers are challenging him more than ever. After Holliday, the Cardinals best power hitters are shortstop Jhonny Peralta and first baseman Matt Adams. To compensate for the drop in power, the Cardinals are running more in spring training this season, and it remains to be seen if that trend continues in the regular season.

They currently have five hitters who have stolen three or more bases in spring training thus far, including Peter Bourjos, a cheap source of steals, outfielder Jason Heyward and second basean Kolten Wong. Wong has struggled in spring training, but I can see him hitting 12-15 home runs and stealing 25 bases this season, assuming regular playing time. Should manager Mike Matheny give the green light more often this season, that number could jump into the 30 range.

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