With spring training starting up around the majors, now is the time for the predictions to start raining down with baseball fans and experts doing their best to forecast what to expect in 2017. No fans will pay closer attention to spring training than the hardcore fantasy enthusiasts that will be scouting players across the league in addition to closely following their own teams. Here is a look at five bold fantasy predictions for the 2017 MLB season.
Trea Turner Will Be A Superstar
Turner is going to be taken in the first round of many fantasy baseball drafts and while that is largely the result of the incredible hype that has followed him throughout his career the reality is that he will be worth the pick. Turner has the potential to be an elite fantasy player that brings a bit of everything to the table with speed, contact ability and sneaky good power ability. Turner will put up big numbers with an average over .500 and more than enough home runs, RBI, runs and steals to be considered a fantasy superstar in 2017.
A.J Pollock Will Bounce Back
Anybody that took Pollock high in their 2016 fantasy baseball drafts might be hesitant to take a chance on him again but there is a good chance he will reward the faith that those who select him show this season. It’s important to remember that Pollock was the seventh-highest scoring fantasy player in 2015 and now that he is healthy again he should return to form. Pollock hit .315 with 20 home runs, 76 RBI, 111 runs and 39 stolen bases in 2015 and if he comes even close to hitting those totals in 2017 then he will be a major fantasy stud once again.
Andrew Benintendi Will Shine
The Red Sox teased fantasy owners with Benintendi’s fantasy potential a year ago when they moved him in and out of the lineup but he will be a full-time starter in 2017 and he should be in for a big year. Benintendi is an outstanding hitter that is capable of providing a bit of everything for fantasy owners including an average above .300 and some decent power numbers. There has been a lot of talk about Benintendi’s potential as an everyday starter in Boston and fantasy owners should expect big things with a chance for him to put up big numbers while challenging for AL Rookie of the Year award honors this season.
Jonathan Villar Due For Slight Regression
Villar has the potential to be a sneaky good fantasy asset once again in 2017 if he can maintain his stolen base totals but the numbers indicate he is due for a slight regression. Villar’s .285 batting average came with a .373 BABIP that was extremely high, and should come down a little bit this coming season. His home run totals were also aided by a home-run-to-fly-ball rate that jumped from 10.0 to 19.8 and could also be due to come back down. Villar still has the potential to be a quality fantasy contributor but those looking to take him in their drafts should expect a slight regression in his overall numbers in 2017.
Jon Gray Will Dominate In Colorado
The majority of fantasy baseball managers tend to flat out ignore Rockies pitchers but the times have changed and it won’t be a surprise if Jon Gray changes the way people think about Colorado pitchers this season. Gray’s 4.61 ERA last year wasn’t elite by any means but his 3.60 FIP is a sign of good things to come and he registered a solid 1.26 WHIP along with 185 strikeouts in 168 innings. Gray is only beginning to tap in to his potential as a 25-year-old and he has the potential to dominate for the Rockies and for his fantasy owners this coming season.
The Rockies are an interesting team to watch as they have some pop in their lineup (as per usual) with Carlos Gonzalez, Nolan Arenado, D.J. LeMahieu, Charlie Blackmon and Ian Desmond. If they can find a way to get some quality innings out of their starters, they could be one of the surprise teams of the 2017 MLB season.
The 2017 MLB season is rapidly approaching, so if you’re looking at some early lines and World Series futures, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
