Fantasy Value of the 2016 Cincinnati Reds

If you are in the Ohio area or really anywhere up north, the cold and snow could make baseball seem years away. Down here in Florida, we know it is right around the corner. Although, there is a certain baseball game that is ready to get going no matter where you live and that is fantasy baseball! With the Cincinnati Reds in full on, 100 percent, no-doubt-about-it rebuild mode. Who will hold fantasy value on your favorite team? No worry, folks, I am here to help you out. Let’s get it on!

Joey Votto

A no-brainer in the minds of fantasy owners everywhere. He moves from a first/second-round pick last year to a top-five round pick this year. If Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips get moved, and in all likelihood they will, there will be no reason to pitch to Votto. The first baseman refuses to change his approach and go out of his zone and will accept a walk at every at-bat if he has to. If walks are a category in your league or hold a high value, you may want to take Votto in the first three rounds. Look for the average to be above .300 with around 20 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Billy Hamilton

This has got to be the year he gets on base or else he may find himself out of Cincinnati. After recovering from offseason surgery, Hamilton should be ready to go by spring training. Let’s face it. If you draft the speedster you are going for stolen bases and he will not let you down. Even after a 2015 OBP of .274 he still swiped 57 bags in 114 games. He is worth a flyer as a fourth outfielder and can maybe be a third outfielder if you draft a highly touted prospect behind him.

Raisel Iglesias

Assume this will be the ace of the staff in 2016. Yes, Homer Bailey is coming back, but will be on an innings limit. Anthony DeSclafani will be better, but the ceiling for Iglesias is huge. Down the stretch last season we witnessed what he was capable of. The hard throwing righty had 10 starts with eight of them qualifying as quality starts. Iglesias posted 104 strikeouts in just 95 innings during his rookie season. If you want a pitcher from the Reds, Iglesias is the one you want!

Eugenio Suarez

Most likely the starting 3B for the Reds, Suarez showed his prowess at the plate throughout the 2015 season. After taking over for an injured Zack Cozart, Suarez drilled 104 hits in 97 games, including 19 doubles and 13 home runs. Does he have Todd Frazier’s personality? Absolutely not. Could he put up his numbers? Now that’s a possibility. Suarez could be the sleeper of any fantasy draft, but he is unproven for a 162-game season. Although, that is why he is called a “sleeper.”

Those four are the players you should be targeting if you want to take a Cincinnati Red in the draft. Of course there are other names, but we will have to wait and see what spring training holds in store for us.

Keep an eye on…

More from Blog Red Machine

Tony Cingrani: He could be the next closer for the Reds. It make sense with his longevity issues and arm trouble as a starter.

Brandon Phillips: Not sure what to expect from the second baseman after vetoing a trade to Washington and possibly to Arizona. He is turning 35 in June.

Jay Bruce: I would draft a lot of outfielders before I draft Bruce. A lackluster 2015 season saw his power numbers dip to just 26 home runs and a .226 batting average. A change of scenery could help Bruce a lot.

Devin Mesoraco: A year removed from being a top-10 catcher in the bigs, Mesoraco is recovering from hip surgery. If you want to wait and take a flyer on him as your starter, I get it. Just make sure you get a solid backup.

Anthony DeSclafani: It was boom or bust on the mound in 2015 for the young righty. He has major league stuff and if he puts it together, could be a stud. DeSclafani could be viewed as a number four or five fantasy option as a SP.

Robert Stephenson/Jesse Winker: These two could have electrifying springs and make a case to stay with the big club. Stephenson will be more likely to stay than Winker.

Jose Peraza: If and when Phillips gets traded, pick this guy up. If you can stash him away in your league, do it! He is the 2B of the future in the Queen City and has the talent to stay there.

As with any and all fantasy advice anyone gives out, there will be people telling them how wrong they are. As a die-hard Reds fan and die-hard fantasy owner, this is the best advice I have if you want players from your favorite team. Best of luck to everyone during this fantasy baseball draft season!

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