C Christian Vazquez — I can’t really think of a good reason to draft Vazquez unless I was in a 12-team AL only league and even then, I would try to look elsewhere.
1B Mitch Moreland — Expect to see Moreland continue to play against RHP while Steve Pearce gets most of the starts against LHP. Moreland is the king of hitting .240 with 15-20 HRs. If Pearce (and even Brock Holt) get more chances at 1B this season, I can see those HR numbers heading downward. (BUST)
2B Dustin Pedroia — The time is almost done for Pedroia who will go down as one of the more popular players in Red Sox history. The team is hoping that he will play 120 games this season, but I would be shocked to see him get more than 80. It’s a good thing the Red Sox have Eduardo Nunez around as he will see a ton of time at 2B. Nunez should hit about .280 with 15/15 if he can get 400 plate appearances.
SS Xander Bogaerts — Bogaerts looked like a different hitter last year and it was obvious from Spring Training. He got bigger, stronger, faster, and added serious power to his game. He ended the season with 23/103 and I think he can replicate those numbers again this season. Last year he only had 513 at-bats. If he can stay healthy enough for 600 at-bats in 2019, he might even see 25/110 numbers in this stacked lineup.
3B Rafael Devers — Some people might look down on Devers’ season in 2018, but I was impressed with his overall play. In 450 at-bats, Devers flashed nice power (21 HRs) and proved that he could be the answer at the hot corner for the Red Sox for the next decade. Devers needs to continue to work on pitch recognition, avoiding Ks, and getting into better overall shape. He will eventually be a consistent 30 HR hitter; it might just not begin until 2020 or later. (STASH and CASH)
OF Mookie Betts — If you have the second overall pick in your Fantasy Baseball draft, do not hesitate to take Mookie. He is a five-category monster and will continue to build on last year’s success. I can see a slight drop off in batting average this season, but the rest of his numbers should remain the same, making him a special talent in Fantasy and reality.
OF Jackie Bradley Jr. — Maybe it’s because he is surrounded by Martinez, Betts, Boegarts, and Benintendi that JBJ gets overlooked, but he is a solid player in his own right (especially defensively). He is never going to blow anyone away with his stats, but he should finish with a season of .250/15/65/80/15.
OF Andrew Benintendi — Look for Benintendi to man the leadoff spot this season for Boston, which should allow him to take better advantage of his speed. However, even though his stolen bases and runs scored numbers will go up, expect his power numbers to drop slightly. That said, he is a terrific pick in the third round of drafts, and he could finish the year with better numbers than anticipated.
DH JD Martinez — Martinez was arguably the best hitter in MLB last season and there is no reason to think that he might slow down in 2019. Lock him in for 40/100 and make sure you draft him in the mid-first round.
SP Chris Sale — I might be the only one down on him, but I have significant worries about Sale heading in the season. Firstly, his drop in velocity scares me as he was only reaching the low-90s towards the end of last season. I also fully expect Sale to see at least two stints on the DL as the Red Sox try to manage his innings so they can make sure he is able to pitch deep into October in case they make a playoff run. Sale is still a fantastic pitcher, but I would much prefer to take him in Round two rather than Round one in my drafts.
SP David Price — Admittedly, I was happy to see Price get his World Series Ring as he earned it after pitching for many years on terrible teams. Although still a solid number two starter in reality, I look at Price as a potential Fantasy liability in 2019. He is no longer the top starter that we remember from years ago. Now it seems like Price pitches to the level of his competition and has the occasional letdown, blow up game that can kill a team’s ERA. I am still smarting from a six-run nightmare of his that cost me a big win in Tout Wars last season. Am I holding a grudge? Maybe. Or maybe I am just having a visionary moment where I realize I don’t want to be left holding the bag on a pitcher who is just slightly past his prime. (BUST)
SP Rick Porcello — Porcello’s 2016 season seems to be an outlier. For the most part, he is a solid, innings eater type pitcher who keeps his team in games and does enough to get the win. Wins are hard to predict (and come by) but Porcello should have a good chance to get 15 this season. I just would expect his ERA to be close to 4.00 and his WHIP to hover around 1.20—decent numbers but not CY Young worthy.
SP Eduardo Rodriguez — When other Fantasy owners are selecting David Price, I will wait another four or five rounds and take ERod. The only thing holding ERod back right now from stardom is health, as he has never thrown for more than 140 IP in the majors. His K:BB ratio is terrific, and he should be good for 12-14 wins pitching on one of the top teams in the AL. (SLEEPER)
SP Nathan Eovaldi — When healthy, Eovaldi has as good of an arm as anyone in the AL. The problem is that I really don’t trust him, and it’s going to require me to spend an earlier pick on him than I really want. My suggestion to the Red Sox is in order to preserve him, I would move him to the bullpen to be their new closer. I don’t think this will happen, but if it does, just remember who said it first!
RP Matt Barnes — Barnes was outstanding in 2018, striking out 96 batters in 61 IP. Although I like his arm and his makeup, I can see the Red Sox using him in the “Effector” type role where they bring him in from the 7th inning onward to face the toughest opposing hitters. I think Barnes will vulture a few wins, get a bunch of holds, and even a few saves, but I don’t feel confident right now in projecting him much further than that.
RP Ryan Brasier — Brasier was nothing short of brilliant in 2018, but nothing in his pedigree says that he can hold onto the closer’s job in 2019. A big part of becoming closer is not only having the stuff to close but the personality and makeup to close. That said, he should get a shot to see what he can do, so he might end up surprising by season’s end. Feeling lucky?
RP Tyler Thornburg — People may forget that Thornburg was in the mix for saves when he pitched in Milwaukee back in 2016. The Red Sox originally had plans for him to be a top setup man before he suffered thoracic outlet syndrome. He made it back to the mound last year but is expected to be fully healthy and back in form in 2019. Thornburg might just get a chance to close if Barnes/Brasier disappoints. (Rip Van Winkle Sleeper)
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