Spring Training Dynasty Notes: March 9
Chris Clegg breaks down all the action from Thursday, March 9.
Thank you for all the great feedback on the dynasty Spring Training reports. I have enjoyed providing content that hopefully you provide helpful each day. If you missed any of the reports, go back and check them out. What was discussed a week ago, is likely still applicable today! Check out yesterday’s post below for info on Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Massey, Gabriel Moreno, and more!
Michael Conforto, OF, SF
Michael Conforto is a forgotten man, but one that could be a great buy low in dynasty leagues right now. His value has tanked with the absence of his 2022 season and a poor performance in 2021, which was likely due to injury.
Conforto got off to a hot start on Thursday, leading off the game with a home run. It was his third home run of the spring, bringing his bating average up to .313. Spring Training stats may be fairly useless overall, but it is good to see Conforto swining a hot bat after an extended absence from the game due to a shoulder injury.
Conforto has remained rostered in most Fantrax dynasty leagues, only being available in eight percent, but I would check in with the person who rosters him and see what the acquisition cost might be. You could get a very solid contributor at his lowest value.
Christian Yelich, OF, MIL
Christian Yelich unplugged from the game this offseason and spent time with family and friends to recharge for the 2023 season. Some may see that as a negative, but for Yelich it was much needed after his down 2022 season. Yelich was so unplugged he missed the news of the Carlos Correa saga and the fact Trea Turner had moved to Philly.
So far, so good for Yelich this spring. Despite a small sample of 12 at-bats, Yelich has lifted the ball more and already hit two home runs while adding two more doubles. Will this translate into games and can Yelich get back to hitting for more power? We certainly hope so.
Last year Yelich had an 89th percentile average exit velocity and a 90th percentile hard-hit rate. It was just his launch angle and ground balls that really hurt him. If he gets back to lifting it a bit more the home runs should certainly come.
Ryan Pepiot, RHP, LAD
I have been asked quite a bit if I think Ryan Pepiot is going to be in the Dodger’s rotation this year. While I think its possible, i’m not sure Pepiot remains a starter long term.
Pepiot has looked great this spring, pitching six innings with nine strikeouts and just one earned run allowed. More impressively, he has walked just one batter. So as I am writing them, I might be convincing myself more and more he can stick as a starter.
Pepiot is armed with an elite fastball that sits in the mid-90s and gets up to 98 mph. His changeup is devasting and plays well off the fastball. His slider is still developing, but he does develop a plus third pitch, watch out. The command does seem improved a bit this spring which is a another huge sticking point.
Hunter Greene, RHP, CIN
Hunter Greene had another strong start which led to him being announced as the Reds opening day starter. Green threw four scoreless innings, while walking two and striking out three. You obviously don’t want to see two walks in four innings, but he has just three walks through 8 and a third this spring.
Greene made just six starts in the second half last year due to injury, but he finished those 35 innings with a 1.02 ERA, a 36.7 perent strikeout rate and a 5.8 percent walk rate. This stemmed from increased fastball velocity.
Can it all stick? I believe so. If it does, we are talking about Hunter Greene in the ace level tier.
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