Player News – Page 103 – FantasySP Blog

Draft Impact- Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson may not be a household name but he will be a solid depth player in deeper fantasy leagues this coming season.

Analysis: When I watch Tristan Thompson play I see Tyrus Thomas meets a poor man’s Josh Smith. Thompson filled up that stat sheet quite nicely his only year in college- 13 PPG, 8 RPG, 2.4 BPG and .9 SPG. If Thompson can find at least twenty-four minutes per game he will be fantasy relevant from a rebounding, field goal percentage and blocks perspective. It appears playing time may not be that big of an issue considering JJ Hickson is not a true center although he averaged 17 points and 11 boards in his final thirty games last year. It seems like Hickson will be traded at some point this off season. Although Thompson isn’t a polished scorer he will provide enough in the other categories to compensate, however, Thompson’s biggest weakness is the 48% he shot from the stripe with Texas last year. He did get to the line quite often at Texas so that may be the reason one would not draft Thompson in deeper leagues.

Projection: We’re going to need to see more from Thompson in the preseason but for now he remains a deep league sleeper. He’s capable of seven boards and one and a half blocks per game in limited minutes. If his free throw percentage can make it into the sixty percent range in the preseason you may have more incentive to draft the versatile power forward.

Draft Impact- Kyrie Irving

The NBA draft is over and it’s time to start projecting the rookies and their potential fantasy impact for the 2011-12 season.

Analysis: We shouldn’t have high expectations for Kyrie Irving this year especially after John Wall spoiled so many of us with 16.4 PPG, 8.3 APG, 1.8 SPG and 4.6 RPG. Like with so many rookies Irving will be taken in re-draft leagues well before he should. The hype machine will tout Irving as nearly a twenty point per game player and he’s just not capable of that his rookie year especially with the complete lack of talent on the Cavs. We also have to consider Irving’s playing time. Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions are still on the roster and they both averaged around 13 PPG with 6 APG last year. What the Cavs do with these point guards remains to be seen, but Irving is splitting time with one of these guys this coming year. We can expect nearly thirty minutes of playing time from Irving this year but his durability over an eighty-two game season is in question.

Projection: Kyrie Irving isn’t going to light the league on fire or become the NBA’s next elite point guard like the hype machine would have you believe. His 2011-12 season should be 15 PPG, 5-6 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG and about one three pointer made per game. Think Mike Conley type numbers not Steph Curry.

Selling High- Jhoulys Chacin

Jhoulys Chacin may have eight wins and has been Colorado’s most consistent starter this year but he is due for a drop in performance.

Analysis: Jhoulys Chacin is a solid four pitch pitcher with a plus slider and a plus curve. Chacin will develop into a respectable middle tier fantasy starter one day but not this year. Chacin’s ERA-FIP is -1.15 this year, fourth among all MLB pitchers. He may be sporting a sub three ERA but his FIP of 3.86 suggests his luck should run out. Chacin’s strand rate is over eighty percent, up seven percent over his career average and well above the league average. One must also be concerned that when his luck runs out his sub 8K/9 rate isn’t what you signed up for. Chacin sported a K/9 rate over nine each of his first two years in the bigs while this year it hovers just below eight. There is a ton to love about this righty but as well all know Coors Field isn’t the best place to pitch. His ERA at home is actually .64 lower than on the road and that will positively even out by season’s end.

Projection: You might as well sell Chacin at his current value unless you don’t mind a drop off in performance. His ERA in his remaining starts should be in the 3.8-4.0 range. Act accordingly.

Pujols Replacements?

With Albert Pujols on the disabled list for what appears to be for four to six weeks with a fractured left wrist, it’s time to start looking for fantasy replacements at first base.

Analysis: Whether you have depth at first to fill in for Pujols or not, this injury warrants a pickup. Todd Helton is still available in a few leagues nationwide and he should maintain your batting average in roto leagues while Pujols is out. If you are looking for a bit more power you may want to consider Ty Wigginton. Wigginton hits in a hitters paradise at Coors Field and has position eligibility at second and third base as well. One of the more risky options but an option none the less appears to be Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo. Trumbo’s stock has been falling since it appears that he may split some playing time with Russell Branyan but Trumbo is the better option for the Angels. Trumbo has hit twelve home runs on the year and is hitting .254 with room for improvement due to a low BABIP. If you can deal with a few less at bats for a guy with a .211 ISO then Trumbo isn’t so bad after all. There are plenty of options out there at first base, it’s just a matter of what your team needs while Pujols is out.

First Call On Dustin Ackley

The Seattle Mariners have called up second baseman Dustin Ackley from Triple A Tacoma.

Analysis: While I don’t expect Ackley to catch fire from the jump he does possess a solid set of tools. Ackley has a .418 OBP in sixty-five games with Tacoma this year. Ackley’s fifty-five walks is leading the Pacific Coast League and Ackley’s walk rate is at 16.9% to just a 14.2% strikeout rate. He obviously has a great eye and is a patient hitter but he is by no means a power hitter. Ackley has gap power and while playing at Safeco one shouldn’t expect much in terms of his home run total. Ackley’s 2011 9 HR, 7 SB, .300 BA line is solid and one might think that he may contribute in all five categories right away but he will be needing some time to adjust. For now expect a ton of doubles and a fair amount of walks, solid for points leagues or roto leagues that count OBP. It can’t hurt to take a chance on this guy but don’t expect anything elite from this rookie second baseman this year.

Projection: A .280 BA, 6 HR, 9 SB line would be a reasonable projection for Ackley if he starts for the rest of the season.