Early Spring Training Camp Odds and Ends

As MLB Spring Training gets under way this week, Fantasy Baseball players can begin preparing in earnest for the season to come, and that means tracking some of the players and storylines that have already begun flooding from down south. A few players in particular could see their draft stock rise (or fall) dramatically in the coming weeks, and we’ve highlighted a couple names we’ll be watching closely below.

Second Base, Los Angeles Angels

MLB odds listed at TopBet show that the Angels are a favorite to win the World Series in 2015, and whoever ends up slotting in at second base for Los Angeles will be a relatively valuable Fantasy commodity. The Angels scored the most runs in the league last season and even a middling bat will put up numbers in that offense.

The front runner heading into camp is Josh Rutledge, but that could change in a hurry if Grant Green or Johnny Giavotella outplay Rutledge by a significant margin in camp.

Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

Votto missed most of last season with strained muscles in his knee, as the 31-year old struggled through a slow healing process. The former NL MVP is obviously a world-class hitter, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to recover his swing this season after such a tough injury. If Votto starts hammering the ball early this spring, his draft position will rise by the week.

First Base, Oakland Athletics

Similar to the Angels’ situation at second, the outcome of the Athletics’ deliberations at first is going to be a very Fantasy-relevant story in the next few weeks. Ike Davis may have the inside track on the position coming into to camp, but there is plenty of competition, between rookie Mark Canha, Nate Freiman, and even catcher Stephen Vogt will see time there. If any of them can prove they deserve a daily start, they will be valuable in Oakland’s high-powered offense.

Photo Credit: Keith Allison