ESPN » Free Fantasy Baseball » FSU H2H Each Category
Find a Player:
Compare Players (0)

Complete 2013 Projections

ESPN's projections are the product of an analysis of a player's past performance, growth or regression potential and expected playing opportunity. While the overall ranking is based in large part on the player's projected performance, it also takes into account risk factors such as age, injury history and past statistical fluidity, the players' ceiling (upside), as well as positional and categorical scarcity.

Position: All | Batters | Pitchers | C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | 2B/SS | 1B/3B | OF | SP | RP
     
«PREVIOUS | NEXT»
PROJECTED 2013 SEASON STATS
16. Asdrubal Cabrera, Cle SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics55570166852999.270.338.423.762
2013 Projections5968219765110914.279.342.438.780
2013 Outlook: Although Cabrera's power dropped a bit from a career-high 25 homers in 2011, he proved those gains were real. This new pop will supplement Cabrera's solid batting average and sneaky speed. Of concern is that 2011 also marked Cabrera's career high in games (151) and is the only season in his career he has surpassed 600 at-bats. So while based on skills, Cabrera belongs at the back end of the top tier of shortstops, the risk of missing games drops him down a level. But remember, you can always replace him if he's hurt, which builds in some upside if Cabrera avoids injury.
17. Hanley Ramirez*, LAD 3B, SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics6047924925413221.257.322.437.759
2013 Projections452661766489120.263.338.434.772
2013 Outlook: The perception is Ramirez markedly improved after donning Dodger Blue, but the reality is he was the same player who left Miami. He just sported a BABIP 50 points higher post-trade. The hope is the move rejuvenates Ramirez, as his skills have begun to decline at an age he should still be in his peak. Specifically, his strikeout rate is increasing while his power is capped with a decreasing fly ball rate. Aiding this is the fact that Dodger Stadium is favorable for right-handed power, so perhaps Ramirez will loft a few more batted balls. Ramirez's dual eligibility (3B/SS) adds a bit of value. If you're willing to incur some risk, including the fact that he could miss as much as the first two months of the season due to thumb surgery, Ramirez can reap a healthy reward in the middle rounds.
18. Erick Aybar, LAA SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics51767845226120.290.324.416.740
2013 Projections53977947286724.275.317.401.717
2013 Outlook: Aybar's counting numbers were down a bit last season, as the result of being moved down in the order upon the arrival of Mike Trout. With the departure of Torii Hunter, Aybar is slated to move back up, meaning more runs and possibly more steals. Aybar still doesn't draw many walks, but on the other hand, he rarely whiffs, so his average is solid. Another plus is he has become a very efficient base stealer, sporting an excellent 83 percent success rate over the past two seasons. All told, it wouldn't be a shock if he eclipsed his career-high 30 pilfers set in 2011.
19. Neil Walker, Pit 2BYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics472621469471047.280.342.426.768
2013 Projections5817616845611810.279.341.430.771
2013 Outlook: Walker is a viable fall-back plan if you miss out on the elite middle infielders early and just want someone who won't hurt you in the spot. His skills are average, but since Walker does a little of everything and hits near the top of the order, the counting stats can accumulate at a solid rate. The one caveat is Walker has played more than 129 games just once in the past three seasons, in 2011 when he totaled 159. On the other hand, this could depress Walker's market value, and you can always play someone in his stead if necessary.
20. Howie Kendrick, LAA 2BYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics550578672911514.287.325.400.725
2013 Projections5717812613211414.289.332.424.756
2013 Outlook: Kendrick sported the third-highest ground ball percentage in the majors last season, which was a big reason his homers fell from 18 in 2011 to eight. Truth be told, 2011 is the outlier, with low-double-digit bombs being Kendrick's reasonable expectation. Add in low-teens steals with a consistently solid batting average, and Kendrick can hold down the fort in the middle without hurting your squad anywhere. The trade-off for this is limited upside, although 2011's power outburst showed Kendrick has the ability to run into a few more homers. The days of expecting Kendrick to win the batting title are long gone, but he can still help you to a fantasy title with across-the-board production.
21. Danny Espinosa, Wsh 2B, SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics5948217564618920.247.315.402.717
2013 Projections5908020635217519.242.317.412.729
2013 Outlook: Espinosa is one of fantasy's rare power/speed middle infielders -- he was one of five second basemen with at least 15 home runs and stolen bases apiece last season -- but also one of the game's most free-swinging players; he had the seventh-worst strikeout rate (28.7 percent), sixth-worst swing-and-miss rate (32 percent) and fifth-worst swing rate on non-strikes (39 percent) in baseball. That made him both a batting average and on-base percentage liability, and to throw more concerns on the pile, he played through a torn left (non-throwing arm) rotator cuff -- an injury that, if it returns, might eventually require surgery -- and has a talented backup for his position in Stephen Lombardozzi. Fortunately, Espinosa is a middle-of-his-prime 26 (he turns 27 in April), so there's reason to believe he could make a run at 20/20 numbers if healthy, even if his other categories disappoint. That's a rotisserie-league asset; it's probably also a player overrated in things like points-based or head-to-head leagues.
22. Alcides Escobar, KC SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics605685522710035.293.331.390.721
2013 Projections58167548298831.265.306.360.666
2013 Outlook: Escobar is a speedy fella, and it's his legs that drive his two greatest fantasy contributions: stolen bases and batting average. The former point is obvious, as he has boosted his steals total in each of his three big league seasons and was an impressive 19-for-20 on steal attempts the second half of 2012. As for the latter, Escobar ranked second in the majors in bunt hits (11) and ninth in infield hits (24), a critical point if you consider that he has managed ground ball rates higher than 50 percent in each of the past two seasons. This is a hit-it-on-the-ground-and-leg-it-out player, but a successful, young-enough one (he's 26) at that. Though BABIP variations could always lower his batting average to the point that he's more of a one-category performer, Escobar is one of those rare players who can use his speed to influence that category, and he has as good a chance at leading his position in steals as anyone. He's a fine midrounder.
23. Chase Utley, Phi 2BYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics301481145434311.256.365.429.793
2013 Projections433681762515813.270.364.455.819
2013 Outlook: Now 34 years old, Utley's downward career slope has manifested itself in two specific aspects: First, his health. He has had disabled list stints that have cost him at least 40 games in each of the past three seasons, sitting out 185 of 486 contests during that three-year span. Second, he's back to struggling against left-handed pitching, sporting .215/.324/.355 rates against lefties in 2012. Forgive Utley those -- and they're understandable if you're familiar with age curves -- and he has actually done a brilliant job remaining a productive batsman and baserunner. Consider this: He had an 82 percent career contact rate before his 30th birthday but 85 percent since. And he has been successful on 95 percent of his stolen-base chances while attempting them on 9 percent of his opportunities since turning 30, compared to 85 percent and 5 percent, respectively, before his 30th birthday. Utley can still contribute to your fantasy team in terms of homers, steals, RBIs and runs, at least when he's healthy. Don't forget about him, but don't forget to draft a contingency plan.
24. Rickie Weeks, Mil 2BYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics5888521637416916.230.328.400.728
2013 Projections5648922636915113.250.345.429.774
2013 Outlook: Markedly improved production after the All-Star break salvaged what was looking to be a disastrous season for Weeks. After hitting a paltry .199 with eight homers and six steals, Weeks turned it on to the tune of .261 with 13 homers and 10 steals. Ignoring the splits and instead focusing on the season as a whole, Weeks' power continued its descent although his speed rebounded a bit. His contact rate also dipped, which, when combined with lower power, puts his already tenuous average in more peril. Weeks can still produce bountiful counting stats from the middle infield, just be sure to buffer his sliding average.
25. J.J. Hardy, Bal SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics663852268381060.238.282.389.671
2013 Projections652922779411050.267.311.445.756
2013 Outlook: If you like targeting players coming off a down season but who played a little better than the stats might indicate, Hardy is your man. Coming off a 2011 season that featured a career-high HR/FB and fly ball percentage, Hardy's power was sure to regress. Expect a slight bounce-back this season as the regression reverses. Hardy's average is also a candidate to bounce back because his contact rate was better than the previous season. His .238 average was the result of a drop in power (homers are hits, too) along with a lower-than-usual BABIP, which should also improve. Just don't count on another full season, since 2012 was the first year Hardy topped 150 games since 2007.
26. Dan Uggla, Atl 2BYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics523861978941684.220.348.384.732
2013 Projections563912786791533.243.343.437.780
2013 Outlook: Uggla's owners waited all season and, unlike 2011, the second-half power surge never materialized. The culprit was a significantly depressed HR/FB, which plummeted below 12 percent after averaging a healthy 18 percent from 2008 to '11. Everything else was consistent with career norms, so a bounceback is likely. This means that if you were willing to live with Uggla's low batting average before, you should be willing to live with it again. A return to the 30-HR level would not be a surprise.
27. Marco Scutaro, SF 2B, SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics6208777440499.306.348.405.753
2013 Projections6108897148517.293.344.405.749
2013 Outlook: For most, a move to San Francisco from Colorado would result in performance decline, but the opposite occurred for Scutaro as his penchant for hitting gap line drives played quite well in AT&T Park. Granted, a repeat of a .362 average is not happening, but Scutaro's excellent contact rate and line-drive ways should hover him near .300. The caveat is it will be rather vapid as the scrappy veteran no longer contributes much speed or power; however, if he remains at the top of the order, runs should be plentiful. If you need a batting average boost, Scutaro fills a need, but be careful not to pay for last season's second-half and postseason heroics.
28. Derek Jeter*, NYY SS, DHYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics68399155845909.316.362.429.791
2013 Projections581851054478612.293.350.396.745
2013 Outlook: When last we saw Jeter, he was exiting Game 1 of the American League Championship Series with a fractured ankle, potentially the result of his having pushed himself to play through a foot injury suffered five weeks earlier. Reports on his rehabilitation -- tabloid photos aside -- were positive and all indications were that he'd be ready for Opening Day, or if not then soon thereafter. But to what extend might Jeter's injury hamper his 2013 on-field performance? Let's not gloss over that he'll turn 39 years old in June, he had already seemed to lose a step before the injury, attempting a career-low 13 steals all of 2012, and he's an extreme ground-baller (his 63.7 percent rate was second in the majors last year) who is going to need speed to leg out hits and drive his batting average. Jeter's lefty/righty splits are also widening to the point where against right-handed starters -- the more sizable sample -- he should no longer be a leadoff man. The Yankees apparently aren't considering that, meaning another 90-plus run season is a virtual lock, but if they do someday, his downside will expand.
29. Alexei Ramirez, CWS SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics59359973167720.265.287.364.651
2013 Projections599701372307815.269.306.389.695
2013 Outlook: Through May 31 of last season, Ramirez was hitting .229 with only one homer (though he did have six steals). From that point on, he hit a healthy .283 with eight homers and 14 steals, reminding us why we should be patient with durable players who possess a strong track record and stable skills. If you don't worry about attacking scarcity early, Ramirez is a solid choice to fill a hole later. To be safe, expect a few less steals but more homers than last season.
30. Andrelton Simmons, Atl SSYEARABRHRRBIBBKSBAVGOBPSLGOPS
2012 Statistics1661731912211.289.335.416.751
2013 Projections52973653316321.278.319.386.705
2013 Outlook: The Braves' winter losses of Michael Bourn (free agency) and Martin Prado (trade) left them without a true leadoff man, making Simmons the most likely candidate for the role come Opening Day. While it's an odd role for him -- he had a good-not-great .335 on-base percentage during his 49-game big league stint and only a so-so 6.2 percent career minor league walk rate -- it's a plus for him in fantasy, because it means that while he adapts to life as an every-day big leaguer, he'll accrue enough at-bats and presumably be driven in enough by the Braves' retooled lineup to offer his owners a good base in terms of runs scored, batting average and stolen bases. At this stage of his career, Simmons' glove is his most polished skill -- sadly that won't count for much in most fantasy leagues -- but he's also a contact-hitting, disciplined player with less downside than your typical 23-year-old with only a half-season's experience. A major breakthrough might not be in order, but rather a stat line worthy of mixed-league middle infield or NL-only starting shortstop status.
«PREVIOUS | NEXT»
Expand Help Topics+