We have reached the point in the season in which we recap what has happened during the last six months. I wish the best of luck to those trying to fight for a championship.
We will look back at the hitters and pitchers that surprised and disappointed and where I was right and wrong this past season and what that means moving forward.
Hitters Who Surprised:
Arizona Diamondbacks Infielder/Outfielder Ketel Marte — It was a special season for Marte, as the 25-year-old had a monster breakout season. Heading into the last week of the season, Marte is batting .329 with 32 home runs, 92 RBIs, 97 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. Marte has established himself as a top-10 fantasy hitter in 2019, which is a huge surprise considering he had an average draft position outside the top 200. After this monster season, Marte should be a top-three-round draft pick, especially since he will be eligible as a middle infielder and outfielder once again in 2020.
Oakland Athletics Shortstop Marcus Semien — Another middle infielder who found his average position outside the top 200 is Semien, and he easily crushed that draft day value in 2019. The shortstop has a career high batting average of .287 and finally hit more than 30 home runs. He heads into the final week with 32. Semien also has scored an eye-popping 120 runs and has chipped in with double-digit stolen bases as well. At the age of 29 and coming off a career season, Semien will head into 2020 as a candidate to be overdrafted.
New York Yankees Infielder D.J. LeMahieu — It’s not often we see a hitter actually get better after leaving the hitter-friendly ballpark known as Coors Field in Colorado. That’s exactly what has happened with LeMahieu, as he is having a career season in his first year with the Yankees. The 31-year-old has hit .329 with 26 home runs, 99 RBIs, 108 runs and has even chipped in with five stolen bases. LeMahieu had an average draft position outside the top 300 and has cemented himself as a top-15 fantasy hitter in 2019. It will be interesting to see where the veteran lands prior to the 2020 season.
New York Mets First Baseman Pete Alonso — Fantasy owners love rookies, but there’s always a few who don’t get overhyped and come through in a big way. Alonso is the latest example. He was being drafted outside the top 200 in March and heads into the final week of the baseball season leading the majors in home runs with 50. I think we could see a regression in the power category in his sophomore season similar to the one we saw from Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger. Like Marte, Alonso will be drafted in the first few rounds in 2020, as many will believe another monster season is in store for the 24-year-old.