Roto Roundup: Mookie Betts, Josh Donaldson, Brock Stewart, and others

2016 Fantasy Football Rankings

Fantasy football season is here and our fantasy football writers have published their early position rankings, some breakout candidates and some ADP analysis from the early mock drafts, and you can find all of these articles in one spot. Check out the articles in the link below.

Note: Our fantasy football writers will be updating their position rankings beginning on Monday.

Early 2016 Fantasy Football Rankings

Updated 2016 Quarterback Rankings

Garrett Hobgood authored his 2016 tiered rankings to help you in your drafts as well.

2016 Fantasy Football Tiered Rankings

In addition, Robert Kohnfelder took a look at the top fantasy players for each NFL team in the fantasy football team previews linked below.

Fantasy Football Team Previews

Brock Stewart: Keeper League Target

I didn’t get a chance to write up the Roto Roundup yesterday, so I am writing about Dodgers SP prospect Brock Stewart today. On Sunday afternoon, Stewart made a spot start vs the stacked Cubs lineup and pitched like he has been pitching in the big leagues all season. Stewart shut out the Cubs on 2 hits, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts over 5 innings in the Dodgers 1-0 win. It was his best start of his young major league career, after three disaster starts going back to late June.

Stewart started the season in High A, where he went 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in two starts before a promotion to Double A. With Double A Tulsa, Stewart made nine starts, going 3-3 with a 1.12 ERA and a 62-10 strikeout to walk rate in 56.1 innings. He was then moved up to Triple A Oklahoma City, where he made nine starts, going 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA and a 54-6 strikeout to walk rate in 50.2 innings.

As you can see from his performance this season, he strikes out about a batter per innings and limits the walks, a very good recipe for success in the big leagues. Here is a quick scouting report on Stewart from Eric Longenhagen, prospect writer at FanGraphs, from his chat yesterday:

Guest - 11:53

How would you grade Brock Stewart's fastball, changeup, and slider/cutter and what do you think his upside is? FB looks super impressive with great arm-side run and good velo difference/fade with the change up.

Eric A Longenhagen - 11:53

plus fastball, plus cutter, fringe to average change

For those of you in keeper leagues, I would take a shot at grabbing him if he is still available. I think he has a chance to make the Dodgers rotation next season, or could be a trade candidate.

Roto Roundup

On Sunday, Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson had himself a day at the plate, going 3-5 with 3 home runs and 4 RBI in the Blue Jays 9-6 win over the Twins. Donaldson is having another MVP-like season, hitting .294-.407-.578 with 33 home runs, 105 runs scored, 91 RBI and 6 stolen bases. With Donaldson, Kris Bryant, and Nolan Arenado putting up monster seasons once again in 2016, there will be plenty of offseason arguments about which one is the top third baseman for fantasy purposes. I think I would lean Bryant as my #1 fantasy third baseman if I was ranking them for 2017, with Donaldson and Arenado battling it out for the #2 spot. It is no secret that the Blue Jays got the better end of the trade with the Athletics two years ago.

I wrote about Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts a few weeks ago, opining that he is going to give Angels outfielder Mike Trout some competition for the #1 fantasy outfielder in 2017. He might be the best fantasy outfielder right now, and Betts will get serious consideration for the #1 OVERALL pick next season, as well. Last night, he went 2-4 with a double, home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI in the Red Sox win over the Rays (they are up 9-3 in the 7th inning as I write this). Betts is now hitting .322-.361-.567 with 30 home runs, 35 doubles, 102 runs scored, 91 RBI and 21 stolen bases. He is on pace for 37 home runs, 126 runs scored, 119 RBI and 26 stolen bases. Yep. He just might be the #1 overall pick next season with that stat line. Since the All Star break, he is hitting .362 with a 1.043 OPS, 12 home runs and 37 RBI in 180 plate appearances.

Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez completely dominated the Brewers last night, setting a career high in strikeouts, but his bullpen let him down after he left with a 3-1 lead. Martinez limited the Brewers to just one run on 4 hits, 2 walks a 13 strikeouts, but left with a no decision. Martinez is now 12-7 with a 3.07 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.17 WHIP and a 137-56 strikeout to walk rate in 158.1 innings. He continues to induce ground balls at a 56% clip, walks just over three batters per nine....all good, but his strikeout rate is down from 9.33 K/9 to 7.79 K/9 this season.

Where would the Nationals be without Tanner Roark this season. I have to think he is helping quite a few teams compete in fantasy leagues this season. Last night, Roark shut out the Phillies on 4 hits, a walk and 5 strikeouts in 7 innings in the Nationals 4-0 win. He is now 13-7 with a 2.87 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.17 WHIP and a 139-55 strikeout to walk rate in 175.1 innings. He currently ranks in the top 10 in the National League in wins, ERA and innings pitched this season, but I wonder if he can repeat his 2016 performance in 2017.

Fantasy Rundown

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