2020 Best BABS Targets

by Doug Gruber

We love BABS for many reasons, but one of her most alluring features is her ability to identify highly skilled players who the general market may undervalue. A year ago, within the top 100 players listed in the BABS report were several players that the market ranked outside the top 150 picks — players like Ketel Marte, Shane Bieber, Austin Meadows, Will Smith as examples.

Let’s explore this year’s hidden treasures among low-ranked multiple asset players. For this drill, we will look at the last 16 rounds (rounds 8-23), and into the reserve selections, to identify players that BABS says have the skills, and could be difference-makers to your fantasy teams.

Rounds 8-9: A year ago, Michael Brantley (A+) brought his significant batting effectiveness skills to Houston, along with some lingering health concerns. The market discounted him to the 8-9 round range, but his savvy owners were well rewarded. Brantley had an outstanding season…hitting .311 with 22/90 in his second consecutive injury-free season. For 2020, he is one of only six players with that elite (A+) rating. Yet Brantley’s market price is lower heading into 2020 than a year ago. At an ADP of 128, BABS can’t resist. Honorable mention: Carlos Carrasco (e,KK | INJ).

Rounds 10-11: Ken Giles (E+,K+,SV) is one of four pitchers to have BABS’ highest asset rating for a closer, extreme skills in both pitching effectiveness and strikeouts while also being projected for 30 or more saves. In 53 games for Toronto in 2019, Giles (pictured) posted microscopic ratios…a 1.87 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP to go with 23 saves. Giles is currently the ninth closer off the board and seems like a great target in round 10. Honorable mention: David Dahl (PW,AV | inj-,e).

Rounds 12-13: An 8th round selection a year ago, Justin Turner (PW,AV) produced 27 home runs and a .290 BA in 550 plate appearances. Despite a very solid season, Turner has fallen to the 12th round for 2020. Turner’s skill set puts him in an asset group with big names like Arenado, Rendon and Meadows. BABS is thrilled with a selection of Turner 10 rounds later. Honorable mention: David Price (e,KK | inj-).

Rounds 14-15: Brandon Lowe (PW,s | INJ,EX) emerged in Tampa a year ago, and displayed a combination of power and speed during his 300+ PAs before a leg injury ruined his 2nd half. Lowe comes with risks…injuries, experience, contact issues…but a power/SB middle infielder at pick 200 is very intriguing if you can plan around his liabilities. Honorable mention: Brandon Workman (ER,KK,SV).

Rounds 16-17: A top 100 pick in 2019, AJ Pollock (p,s,a | INJ) was slowed by elbow inflammation that cost him 75 games early in the season. Once he returned, Pollock quietly put together a remarkable 2nd half…13/33/.288 with 5 steals in 227 PAs. BABS rates Pollock as a rare triple asset player, rarer is seeing him available at ADP 241. Honorable mention: Wil Myers (p,s).

Rounds 18-19: Ross Stripling (e,k | INJ) brings assets in both pitching categories, and has performed well when called upon, especially in ERA and WHIP. He has made 36 starts the past two seasons and appears to be well positioned to grab a spot in the Dodgers rotation now that Ryu, Hill and Maeda have all departed. It seems to be Stripling and several youngsters for the 4th and 5th spots behind Buehler, Kershaw and Price. BABS says Stripling has the skills to succeed. Honorable Mention: Dylan Carlson (p,s,a | EX).

Rounds 20-21: Corey Dickerson (p,AV | INJ) arrives in Miami with a new two-year, $17.5 million contract, and is being counted on to be a veteran presence in the middle of the order. A year ago, injuries limited him to only 260 ABs, but he still displayed power and the ability to hit for a high average. A possible full-time player with a skills combo of power and batting effectiveness is a profit opportunity in round 20. Honorable mention: Howie Kendrick (A+ | inj-).

Rounds 22-23: The Blue Jays’ Teoscar Hernandez (P+) has flaunted great power over the past few seasons but contact issues has kept him from being a lineup regular. However, after being recalled from Triple-A last season he put together an impressive streak, finishing the year with 26 HRs in only 464 PAs. BABS says the power metrics are extreme, and he is available at pick 350. Honorable mention: Ryan Pressly (E+,K+ | inj-).

Reserve Rounds: BABS places Josh James (e,K+ | inj-,e) in one of the highest asset groups for 2020. And it appears that James could get a decent opportunity at an Astros rotation slot. Outside of Verlander and Greinke, the other options of McCullers, Urquidy and Peacock are no locks to contribute a full season, given their health or other concerns. BABS says James has the best skill set of the contenders… Brandon Nimmo (p,s | INJ) was a $16 player in 2018, as he exhibited a desirable combination of power, speed and batting average. Injuries spoiled his 2019 season, but he showed glimpses of 2018 down the stretch last season. BABS thinks his multi-assets in power and speed contain profit upside for a reserve round selection… Ji-Man Choi (PW,a | e) mashed lefties in 2019, finishing the year with a slash of 19/63/,261. He also showed continuous improvement in contact %, bb% and his expected batting average. It is crowded at 1B and DH in Tampa, but Choi has the requisite skills to be much better than his 30th round ADP.