As the 2017 MLB season comes to a close, now is a very good time to reflect on what transpired over the previous six months. There is a lot to focus on, but today will be on the topic of American League players who had some unexpected seasons in 2017. Going into 2018, these players will see a significant change in their pre-draft rankings, some climbing the board while others descent down the ranks. Here are the top American League players, whose value in fantasy has changed from the start of 2017, going into the 2018 season.
Justin Smoak, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
Entering the 2017 season, Justin Smoak had never hit more than 20 home runs or topped 59 RBIs in a single campaign. Everything changed for Smoak this season. The Blue Jays’ first baseman has had a career year, setting new highs in just about every meaningful batting statistic. Smoak will finish the 2017 season leading the Blue Jays in home runs, RBIs and extra-base hits. Smoak should continue to be a big part of Toronto’s offense next season and will be a top-12 first base option in most fantasy leagues.
The Jays have had a tumultuous season this year. They enter Saturday with just 72 wins, which is the fourth-fewest in the American League so far. Only the Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox have compiled a worse record so far.
David Price, P, Boston Red Sox
Although his first season in Boston was not specular, Price did manage to lead the Majors in innings pitched en route to a 17-9 record with 228 strikeouts. This year has been much worse. Price has been dealing with nagging injuries all season long. This has resulted in Price having his highest WHIP since his rookie season and setting career lows in starts and innings pitched. Price is now risky moving forward. Price will be 32 to start next season, and it is beginning to look like his best days are behind him.
Aaron Judge, RF, New York Yankees
Even with his stark decline following the All-Star break, Aaron Judge will go into 2018 as one of the top outfielders in fantasy baseball. The rookie has set many records this season, including most home runs by a Yankees’ rookie and the most walks by a rookie in MLB history. Most baseball pundits could see the talent in Aaron Judge coming in 2017 season. However, few could have predicted him realizing it so early in his career. Expect him to be drafted very early next year in fantasy baseball.
Felix Hernandez, P, Seattle Mariners
Once one of the most feared arms in the American League, Felix Hernandez is now a coming off back-to-back seasons where injuries limited his usage and affected his pitching abilities. Hernandez will finish 2017 with an ERA over 4.00, which will be the first time since 2006, his sophomore season that the righter has finished a year with an ERA that high. Hernandez is also giving up home runs at a career-high rate this season, while advanced metrics such as FIP and ERA+ have this season as the worst in Hernandez’s career. Expect to see his pre-draft rankings plummet when comparing 2017 to 2018.
Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Indians
It is likely Jose Ramirez was on your draft board for 2017, but he has well outperformed the expectations set for him coming into 2017. Ramirez had 61 extra base hits in 2016 but is on pace for almost 90 this season. Ramirez is also leading the American League in doubles entering the final week of the MLB season. Most impressive may be the fact he more than doubled his 11 home runs from 2016 and could finish the year with 30 dingers. Add in an OPS of over .900 and Ramirez will be one of the top 3B’s drafted next year in fantasy baseball.
Heading into Saturday’s action, the Indians hold a 1.5 game lead atop the American League over the Houston Astros. The top three teams in the AL are hot right now, though, as the Indians, Astros and Boston Red Sox have all won eight of their last 10 games.
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