Fantasy baseball bold predictions: Juan Soto makes Washington forget all about Bryce Harper

Bold predictions are fun because you can’t lose. You either hit on it or it was just a bold prediction. May as well get my money’s worth because these are going to be bold! As long as they are entertaining and make you think about something you wouldn’t have considered, I like bold predictions.

1. I have to lead with one that one of my friends (@BrianBuffamonte) gave me today because I loved it. The batting champion will also be your Rookie of the Year. But here’s what makes it even more bold—it’s in the NL. The great thing is this one makes you think—is he talking about Robles, Urias...couldn’t be thinking of Alonso or Tatis Jr., right? I believe he has in mind young Nick Senzel, but we’ll leave it open to interpretation.
2. Juan Soto outproduces Bryce Harper in standard 5x5 roto. I would not be bold enough to say this in an OBP format, but Harper’s batting average and injury risk actually make this one of the least bold predictions on this list.
3. Pistol Pete Alonso will out-homer and out-RBI Vladdy and Eloy. This is predicated on the fact that he has the best bet to be up the earliest and he has the best supporting cast.
4. Randal Grichuk launches exactly 38 bombs.
5. Harrison Bader goes 20/30.
6. Anthony Alford goes 20/20.
7. Jesse Winker is a top two player on the Reds and a top-20 outfielder in OBP leagues, scoring over 110 runs.
8. Trevor Bauer and Jack Flaherty both finish 2nd in their respective leagues in strikeouts and win Cy Youngs.
9. Chris Paddack is a more valuable fantasy pitcher than Joey Lucchesi. Matt Strahm is a more valuable fantasy pitcher than Chris Paddack. Padres battle for the wild card.
10. The most valuable fantasy pitcher on the Atlanta Braves by at least 10 spots in starting pitcher rankings will be Kyle Wright. He will also make the most starts this season for the Braves. He will enter 2020 as a consensus top-30 starter.
11. Elvis Andrus will be on less than 50% of rosters by the All-Star break.
12. Clint Frazier will be on over 75% of rosters by the All-Star break.
13. Tyler O’Neil steals at least 15 bases.
14. Darwinzon Hernandez has the coolest name in baseball. Is that bold? OK, well he will have 10 or more combined wins + saves for the Red Sox this year.
15. Yandy Diaz weaves his way through a ton of competition on the Rays to a .400 OBP and 20 homers.
16. In 2018, six players walked over 100 times. This year this number will almost triple to 15. Last year you had Harper, Trout, Carlos Santana, Votto, Jose Ramirez and Carpenter. I see the top five repeating, but l also see some of the following added to the club: Soto, Bregman, McCutchen, Goldschmidt, Hoskins, Conforto, Nimmo, Judge, Bauers, and Winker.
17. Diego Castillo has more saves than Jose Alvarado. Colin Poche has a better K/9, ERA, and WHIP than both of them.
18. Ian Desmond is designated for assignment. The Rockies finish with three top-10 eligible second basemen in standard 5x5 leagues—Hampson, McMahon and Murphy. Yes, second base is bad.
19. The three pitchers fighting for the final rotation spot on the Brewers end up as their three best starting pitchers by year’s end—Woodruff, Burnes and Peralta.
20. Kyle Tucker is up by May and is a must-own player by the All-Star break. Not bold enough? Same goes for Michael Chavis.
21. Corey Kluber is the 5th best pitcher on the Indians. I just couldn't do it. I love Kluber. But that rotation is incredible.