A Hidden Gem
The following are the basic stat lines for five players in 2007, sorted by mockdraftcentral.com’s ADP reports:
First thing that jumps off the list, is that player E is ranked tremendously lower than the other four. You also note that none of these players provide much of any stolen bases, most of which resulted from lucky situations. All of these players have quality numbers. It’s also worth mentioning that Players D and E had around 510 at bats, while the other three (all ranked higher) had at least 549 or more.
Batting average is the first category featured, and player’s A, B, and E all have excellent averages. Player E managed to hit .337 while going through a season of nagging injuries, and completing a 15 day stint on the DL. Although player C’s average isn’t as high as the others, it is still acceptable.
Players A and D are the only two of the five with 30+ home runs, however had player E avoided his incidental hand injury, he would have been around the 33-34 mark. Player D would also have been close to the 30 mark. So far, player A seems favorable, and many drafters feel that way, and a strong case is being made for Player E.
Player B takes the RBI category, but it’s more important to note the lack of RBI’s for Player C who played a full season. With a lower RBI total and the lowest average, Player C is no longer in contention as the best of the five. Both Players D and E however would have been in-between the mark’s set by A and B.
Stolen bases don’t factor in here, because none of the players used in this very scientific study had more than 7. Player B however, has had numerous double-digit stolen base seasons in the past.
Runs are an interesting category and really set the difference between Player D and the field, knocking him out of contention. Player E would have scored nearly as many times as Player A had he been healthy.
Basically what you can take from this is that Players A, B, and E are all very good and are the best of the five. Because of the lacking power and runs scored, Player B becomes our third best player involved. Players A and E have almost identical resumes, however Player A is a DH and Player E is a 3B. With only DH eligibility in most leagues, Player E becomes more of an asset.
At this point, you probably wonder why Player E is being drafted last. Had you done your research, you are probably the guy stealing him come draft day.
It turns out, Player A is David Ortiz, Player B is Vladimir Guerrero, Player C is Lance Berkman, Player D is Aramis Ramirez, and Player E is Chipper Jones.
Wow.
Sure Chipper is 35 years old, going on 36 in April. Sure Chipper lost Andruw. Sure Chipper has been injured each of the last two seasons. Better yet, sure Chipper’s real name is Larry.
The fact remains that each of the past two seasons that Chipper has been injured, the injuries that have knocked him out for a period of time were incidental. Flipping over infielders and slipping on wet dirt/mud are hard to avoid, but it happens.
In fantasy baseball, you win your league by getting value for your picks. Currently, Chipper is typically taken towards the end of the 5th round, or the beginning of the 6th.
Judging by the stats presented above, Chipper clearly brings the most value. In fact, he can bring 2007 David Ortiz value, which is being granted a second round pick. Getting second or third round value in the fifth round is value if you ask me.
Back to the age factor. Chipper has hit over .324 each of the past two seasons, kept a contact rate above 85% (which is spectacular). Each of the past three years, Chipper has improved, and aged. Sure he was the 1999 NL MVP and will never return to that form, but fact is, he is nothing short of a solid 3B.
Chipper can make up for an Adam Dunn with the high average, and can supplement your team with power and run support, especially with his new buddy, Mark Teixeira.
So now your sold, or at least considering Chipper, but you don’t know where to draft him. Be sure not to overpay, as in a 3rd round pick, but towards the end of the 4th, begin to make him a serious consideration. If around in the 6th, don’t let him get by you, regardless if you already have a 3B.
Don’t expect 2007 numbers, but if Chipper can stay remotely healthy, he deserves a spot on any team.
First thing that jumps off the list, is that player E is ranked tremendously lower than the other four. You also note that none of these players provide much of any stolen bases, most of which resulted from lucky situations. All of these players have quality numbers. It’s also worth mentioning that Players D and E had around 510 at bats, while the other three (all ranked higher) had at least 549 or more.
Batting average is the first category featured, and player’s A, B, and E all have excellent averages. Player E managed to hit .337 while going through a season of nagging injuries, and completing a 15 day stint on the DL. Although player C’s average isn’t as high as the others, it is still acceptable.
Players A and D are the only two of the five with 30+ home runs, however had player E avoided his incidental hand injury, he would have been around the 33-34 mark. Player D would also have been close to the 30 mark. So far, player A seems favorable, and many drafters feel that way, and a strong case is being made for Player E.
Player B takes the RBI category, but it’s more important to note the lack of RBI’s for Player C who played a full season. With a lower RBI total and the lowest average, Player C is no longer in contention as the best of the five. Both Players D and E however would have been in-between the mark’s set by A and B.
Stolen bases don’t factor in here, because none of the players used in this very scientific study had more than 7. Player B however, has had numerous double-digit stolen base seasons in the past.
Runs are an interesting category and really set the difference between Player D and the field, knocking him out of contention. Player E would have scored nearly as many times as Player A had he been healthy.
Basically what you can take from this is that Players A, B, and E are all very good and are the best of the five. Because of the lacking power and runs scored, Player B becomes our third best player involved. Players A and E have almost identical resumes, however Player A is a DH and Player E is a 3B. With only DH eligibility in most leagues, Player E becomes more of an asset.
At this point, you probably wonder why Player E is being drafted last. Had you done your research, you are probably the guy stealing him come draft day.
It turns out, Player A is David Ortiz, Player B is Vladimir Guerrero, Player C is Lance Berkman, Player D is Aramis Ramirez, and Player E is Chipper Jones.
Wow.
Sure Chipper is 35 years old, going on 36 in April. Sure Chipper lost Andruw. Sure Chipper has been injured each of the last two seasons. Better yet, sure Chipper’s real name is Larry.
The fact remains that each of the past two seasons that Chipper has been injured, the injuries that have knocked him out for a period of time were incidental. Flipping over infielders and slipping on wet dirt/mud are hard to avoid, but it happens.
In fantasy baseball, you win your league by getting value for your picks. Currently, Chipper is typically taken towards the end of the 5th round, or the beginning of the 6th.
Judging by the stats presented above, Chipper clearly brings the most value. In fact, he can bring 2007 David Ortiz value, which is being granted a second round pick. Getting second or third round value in the fifth round is value if you ask me.
Back to the age factor. Chipper has hit over .324 each of the past two seasons, kept a contact rate above 85% (which is spectacular). Each of the past three years, Chipper has improved, and aged. Sure he was the 1999 NL MVP and will never return to that form, but fact is, he is nothing short of a solid 3B.
Chipper can make up for an Adam Dunn with the high average, and can supplement your team with power and run support, especially with his new buddy, Mark Teixeira.
So now your sold, or at least considering Chipper, but you don’t know where to draft him. Be sure not to overpay, as in a 3rd round pick, but towards the end of the 4th, begin to make him a serious consideration. If around in the 6th, don’t let him get by you, regardless if you already have a 3B.
Don’t expect 2007 numbers, but if Chipper can stay remotely healthy, he deserves a spot on any team.
