2023 Asset group analysis – (s,a)
(Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire)
by Curt Brooks
Asset groups are a key component of the BABS system. They are our means to assemble players with comparable skills profiles and then review how the marketplace ranks them. The philosophy is that, if several players are comparable, they should be valued at about the same level. But that’s not always the case. Here is where we can uncover opportunities to build profit into our rosters.
| ADP | R$ | BATTER | Pos | Lg | Tm | PT | Pw | Sp | Av | * | Pk | Rg | Sk- | Inj | Ex | Nw | Ag | Pk- | Rg | Risk | |
| 169 | $7 | Hayes,Ke’Bryan | 3 | N | PIT | F | s | a | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 177 | $7 | Estrada,Thairo | 2S | N | SFG | F | s | a | e | 1.00 | |||||||||||
| 189 | $6 | Merrifield,Whit | 2O | A | TOR | F | s | a | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 226 | $4 | Stott,Bryson | S2 | N | PHI | F | s | a | EX | 2.00 | |||||||||||
| 259 | $3 | Kim,Ha-Seong | S3 | N | SDP | F | s | a | e | 1.00 | |||||||||||
| 553 | $ (3) | Kemp,Tony | 2O | A | OAK | F | s | a | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 308 | $1 | Margot,Manuel | O | A | TBR | F | s | a | -P | INJ | 4.00 | ||||||||||
| 470 | $ (2) | Wendle,Joey | 3S2 | N | MIA | F | s | a | -P | INJ | 4.00 | ||||||||||
| 746 | $ (6) | Freeman,Tyler | 3 | A | CLE | P | s | a | – | -P | EX | 3.00 | |||||||||
| 748 | $ (6) | Reyes,Victor | O | A | CWS | M | s | a | – | Pk+ | -P | INJ | Nw | 4.25 |
This is a small, but incredibly valuable asset group that one can use to judiciously supplement your roster. Pairing players from this group with your power hitters devoid of these needed speed and batting skills is a great way to fill your BABS roster grid. As far as liabilities go, only a handful of these players will add much to your risk budget either. And, almost unbelievably, seven of the nine players in this group are full-timers, meaning you can chalk up significant chunks of playing time here. There is even an argument here that these could be fringe candidates to benefit from the larger bases.
If you miss out on the top names at 3B, KeBryan Hayes (s,a), pictured, looks to be a solid, low risk pick somewhere in Rds 8-12. Thairo Estrada (s,a|e) carries only the minor experience tag, but carries multi-position eligibility at middle infield, at approximately the same cost.
While Whit Merrifield (s,a) may not have the wheels he used to have, he should still provide double-digit SBs while carrying eligibility at both 2B and OF. Bryson Stott (s,a|EX) is entering his second MLB campaign where he is presently ticketed as the opening day 2B in Philadelphia; he’s available at upwards of a four-round discount behind the leaders in this group. Likewise, Ha-Seong Kim (s,a|e) is targeted as the starter for his club, where once again one only needs to plan for the small experience liability. Finally, Tony Kemp (s,a|) must be feeling the ghost of Rodney Dangerfield as a full-timer with these skills, no liabilities, but an ADP over 500?! He certainly fits the bill of “I don’t get no respect!”
Lastly, some higher-risk end-game members of this group, each with similar assets, though lesser power, and liabilities that will have to be planned around. Both Manuel Margot, being drafted around Round 20, and Joey Wendle, in the high 30s, are both slated for full-time ABs. Tyler Freeman and Victor Reyes have ADPs on the fringes of 50-round draftability. As a projected mid-timer, Reyes could be a worthwhile pick in draft-and-hold leagues.
NOTES: The ratings in the above analysis may vary slightly from the latest database update which was run after this analysis was written. To engage with other readers on this topic, head over to the Reader Forums. If you have a question that would be best answered by one of our experts and benefit everyone, submit it on our Contact Page and put MAILBAG in the Subject Line.