Fantasy Baseball, 2013 MLB Season, and Potential Padres Draft Picks

Over the weekend, Robert had asked me if I could write a post centered around “Fantasy Baseball” much like he did last Spring.  Due to the fact that I am a fan of “Fantasy Baseball” and the Friars, I was of course happy to do it.  So today I am going to share my thoughts on some Padres players who have the potential be solid Fantasy pickups this year.

Sep 9, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (7) hits a grand slam home run in front of Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero (26) during the seventh inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Headley

Of all the players on San Diego’s roster, Chase Headley should garner the most interest amongst fantasy owners in 2013.  And honestly, why shouldn’t he?  2012 was a break-out season of sorts for the Friars’ Third Baseman not only as a fielder (Gold Glove Award Winner), but a hitter as well.  While Headley’s numbers from April through July were decent, he simply exploded from an Offensive standpoint during the months of August, September, and October.

Over Headley’s last 57 Games and 220 At-Bats, the Padres’ Third Baseman hit .318, smacked 10 Doubles and 19 Home Runs, and recorded an incredible 63 RBI’s!  Let me repeat that, during Chase’s last 57 games, he drove in 63 Runs!  For the season, Chase logged a .286 Batting Average, slugged 31 Doubles and 31 Home Runs, and led the National League in RBI’s with 115.

If Headley performs well yet again this year, he will either force the Padres’ frugal Front Office to spend money on him, or he can sell his wares on the open market when he reaches UFA status in 2015.  With the 28 year old’s hunger for a new deal in mind, and the confidence boost from last year’s stretch run, Fantasy owners should definitely consider adding Chase if they need a Third Baseman.

Carlos Quentin

As long as he can stay healthy, Carlos Quentin could prove to be a worthy and under-the-radar pickup in a Fantasy Draft.  While Quentin’s knee gave him issues at times over the 2012 season, the veteran Left Fielder nevertheless was productive whenever he was able to suit up and play for the Padres.

In just about half of a regular season (86 games and 284 At-Bats), Quentin hit .261 and registered some productive power and run producing numbers.  On the year, Carlos not only slugged 21 Doubles and 16 Home Runs, but also recorded 46 RBI’s as well.  The veteran Outfielder is also a very patient hitter, and his 36:41 Walk to Strikeout ratio should help him log a solid On-Base Percentage (2012: .374) once again for the Friars in 2013.

As I stated above, if Quentin proves to be healthy throughout most of the year, then he could definitely be a viable pickup for any Fantasy roster.  Last year, Carlos illustrated that he can still hit for power, drive in Runs, and get on base.  Thus, if he can remain near full health over the course of the 2013 regular season, he could be of some service to any owner’s Fantasy roster.

Yonder Alonso

After some statistical peaks and valleys during his first full year in the big leagues, Yonder Alonso is set to begin his second year as the Friars’ starting First Baseman in 2013.  In the event that Alonso can continue to develop as a hitter, he could be a sleeper Fantasy pick if he improves upon his 2012 stat-line.

For a Rookie, Alonso did a solid job for the Padres, and definitely progressed as the season went along in 2012.  Overall, Alonso hit .273 in 549 At-Bats, and hit 9 Home Runs to go along with 62 RBI’s. Yonder was also “Doubles Machine” for San Diego last year, and he smacked a total of 39 in his 155 games.

What could particularly make Alonso such an intriguing Fantasy pickup is the fact that Petco Park’s fences are moving in this year, especially in the Right and Left Field alleys.  While the soon to be 26 year-old is not the Home Run-threat type of hitter like an Adrian Gonzalez, he definitely possesses enough pop to be a 15-20 Home Run per year guy once he reaches his prime.  So with a year of big league experience under his belt, plus the fences at Petco moving closer towards the plate, Alonso will have a better chance to up his power and run producing numbers.

(Wild-Card) Jedd Gyorko

My inclusion of Gyorko is wholly dependent upon him not only making the big league roster out of camp, but winning the starting Second Base job as well.  If the former West Virginia Mountaineer does both, I would definitely be interested in adding him to my Fantasy Roster as a late and under-the-radar pickup.

During his Minor League career, Gyorko made a name for himself as a consistent and productive force at the plate.  No matter which level he played at, the Second Baseman simply seemed to hit, and hit well.  Take last year for instance.  In 499 At-Bats between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tucson, Gyorko was able to record a .311 Batting Average, 28 Doubles, 30 Home Runs, 100 RBI’s, to go along with a .373 On-Base Percentage.

If Gyorko indeed wins the Second Base job by Opening Day, the meaningful At-Bats will be his for the taking.  Granted, the Friar Infield prospect must not relinquish his starting gig if he indeed earns it.  But if the talented Gyorko gets an extended chance to shine, he might be worth adding to one’s Fantasy roster if help or depth at Second Base is needed.

Readers: Who on San Diego’s roster would you pick up for Fantasy purposes?  Did I fail to mention somebody worth noting?  Let me know you think.

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference