Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton a powerful force for fantasy owners
As the 2017 fantasy baseball season approaches, we take a look at the biggest news and story lines from each club. We'll feature one team each weekday ... and we'll finish up on Feb. 15, the first day all teams will have their pitchers and catchers on the field for workouts.
There’s no way to discuss the 2017 Miami Marlins without first mentioning the tragic September boating accident that claimed the life of ace pitcher Jose Fernandez. It took away not only their best player, but also their clubhouse leader. The Marlins made some significant offseason additions to the pitching staff to combat the loss of Fernandez, but they’ll need full seasons from stars Dee Gordon and Giancarlo Stanton.
2016 at a glance
Record: 79-82 (3rd in NL East)
Hitting: 27th (4.07 R/G)
Pitching: 10th (4.05 ERA)
Arrivals
SP Edinson Volquez
SP Dan Straily
RP Brad Ziegler
The signings of free agents Volquez and Jeff Locke reunite them with their former pitching guru in Pittsburgh, Jim Benedict – who’s now the Marlins’ vice president of pitching development.
Quietly, Straily had an excellent second half for the Reds, going 10-2 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Miami acquired him for a pair of minor leaguers.
Ziegler had 22 saves and a 2.25 ERA for Arizona and Boston. He'll likely be in a setup role, but could work his way into some save situations.
Players to watch
OF Giancarlo Stanton
OF Christian Yelich
2B Dee Gordon
C J.T. Realmuto
As Stanton goes, so go the Marlins. The 27-year-old slugger possesses the greatest raw power of anyone in the game. However, he’s missed significant time throughout his career with a variety of injuries, and last season hit a career-low .240.
With an elite contact rate and excellent speed, Yelich could wind up winning a batting title someday. Last season, he took a major step forward in the power department, posting career highs of 21 home runs and 98 RBI, while still maintaining a near-.300 average.
After leading the National League in batting average and stolen bases in 2015, Gordon failed a drug test last spring and was suspended for 81 games. When he returned, he was nowhere near the same player.
At age 25, Realmuto is coming off a season in which he hit .303 and was the only catcher with double-digit stolen bases.
Sleepers
OF Marcell Ozuna
RP Kyle Berraclough
Ozuna had an excellent first half in 2015, hitting .307 with 17 home runs and making his first All-Star appearance. However, he tailed off dramatically after the break (.209, 6 HR) as his OPS went from .892 to .609.
Hard-throwing Barraclough led all National League relievers in strikeouts with 113 in 72 2/3 innings. He’ll see plenty of action in high-leverage situations, especially if he can improve his walk rate (5.4 BB/9). His skills scream "future closer."
Bullpen
Closer: A.J. Ramos
Next: Brad Ziegler
Although Ramos was solid last season (2.81 ERA, 40 saves in 43 opportunities), the Marlins made a serious run at free agent Kenley Jansen. Veterans Ziegler and Junichi Tazawa are solid setup men the Marlins signed to beef up the bullpen.
Position battles
Justin Bour provides some decent left-handed power and should get the majority of at-bats at first base, primarily against right-handed pitchers. Utilityman Miguel Rojas figures to start against lefties.
Acquiring Straily means Locke, Tom Koehler and Adam Conley will vie for the final two spots in the starting rotation.
Prospects
SP Braxton Garrett
The Marlins traded their presumed top prospect, pitcher Luis Castillo, to the Reds for Straily -- and no one jumps out as the definitive No. 1 in their system. Garrett, 19, was their first round pick in the 2016 draft, but he's several years away from contributing in the majors.
Projected batting order
1. 2B Dee Gordon
2. 3B Martin Prado
3. CF Christian Yelich
4. RF GIancarlo Stanton
5. LF Marcell Ozuna
6. C J.T. Realmuto
7. 1B Justin Bour
8. SS Adeiny Hechavarria
Projected rotation
1. LHP Wei-Yin Chen
2. RHP Edinson Volquez
3. RHP Dan Straily
4. LHP Adam Conley
5. RHP Tom Koehler