Michael Saunders 2013 Outlook

Started by PepperPot , Feb 03 2013 02:11 AM

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#1 PepperPot

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Posted 03 February 2013 - 02:11 AM

He was real streaky last year and likely won't have mass mixed league appeal outside of streaming, but he finally showed signs of life last year.  He could be an asset in deeper mixed leagues that require more than three outfielders and AL-Only Leagues.

I didn't really follow him too much last year, but I recently came across an article that said he re-worked his swing in the 2011-2012 off season.

http://seattletimes....8_brewer16.html (Just in case)

Now Saunders likely won't ever be an asset in average, but he moved his rates in the right direction.  He cut his strikeout rate to 24% (down from 31.3% the previous, and 26.3% for his career) and increased his walk rate from the previous year, though still below his career.

Now it will be interesting to see how much better his strikeout rate will get as he gets more and more comfortable with his new swing.  But I believe his walk rate will get better, he already posted a 10.7% rate in 2010 (though only 327 appearances) and he had strong rates coming up through the minors.

But even if he makes more improvements in both those areas, he likely won't be more than a .250 hitter in the bigs.  But if you're looking at this and have any interest in Saunders, it will be because he has 20/20 potential.

But here's the question, will he see enough time in the field this year?  While Gutierrez is no guarante to say healthy, I imagine that he will start in center, Morse in left and Saunders in right.  But what are they going to do about Bay and Ibanez?  Plus they also have Casper Wells.

So will Saunders see enough time in the field (assuming he at least hits close to last year to warrant it) to reach the 20/20 plateau...or something close to it?

Edited by PepperPot, 03 February 2013 - 02:11 AM.

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#2 Primetime_21

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 08:55 AM

I dunno what the plan is for playing time, but you gotta say a lot of things are going in the right direction for him right now. As mentioned above his k% and B% are trending in the right direction, he just came off a near 20/20 season, He's going into his age 26 season, and he just played an incredible tournament for Canada... I think he batted over .700 in the three games and all in all just looked great... This guy is not getting a lot of hype which could make him a fantastic value this year....

#3 PepperPot

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 09:06 AM

Primetime_21, on 11 March 2013 - 08:55 AM, said:

As of right now, he is the starting Right Fielder. He looked locked in for the WBC. Perkins made him look somewhat bad, but I was impressed by Saunders. But it is a small sample size.

#4 RotoRaysfan

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 09:14 AM

He's never going to hit for a high .avg with a K rate - but his other progress other than BB rate (and cutting the K rate below 30 percent), was his extreme platoon split - he wasn't great, but he was OK vs. LHP in 2012. Given how they ate him for breakfast before 2012, that's as much to explain his surge as his improved eye (which is indeed a great sign of progression in young hitters).

If he continues those trends, he could be a nice power/speed combo, and not a total liability in .avg. On another team/home park, he'd be a huge breakout candidate, but his ceiling is limited in Safeco and on SEA. But, as it is he makes for a nice value pick.

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#5 Cmilne23

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 11:36 AM

He is a like a Drew Stubbs Jr. both have high K rates, Stubbs 2% higher over his career, both have very similiar walk rates, similiar power, but Stubbs has more speed. Saunders did lower his K rate but he still has a really long swing that will prevent him from ever being much of an average guy. Last years clip may be his peak. He is projected to hit near the bottom of Seattle's lineup though. As of now he will probably hit 7th or 8th which will severely hinder counting stats. But he should be near 20-20 again. He is a guy to keep an eye on, but I wouldn't want him as a starter on my fantasy team yet.

#6 uwguy98

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Posted 03 April 2013 - 06:41 AM

Saunders had a career-high 21 SBs last year & stole his first two of the season last night. He is a very sneaky source of SBs batting first or second in that line-up.

#7 FantasyShmantasy

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Posted 03 April 2013 - 07:10 AM

I love this guy as a potential breakout sleeper. 19HR/21SB in 503 ABs (maybe it was 507, but anyway), if he can get to 550 or 600 ABs in that revamped lineup, he's potentially a 25/25 guy with nearly 100 runs. The average probably won't be great but not horrible.

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#8 bigbluecrew56

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 09:18 PM

Not much talk about this kid but seems to be leading off plenty. Does anyone know if he is in a strict platoon? Looking to fill my UTL slot with 20/20 potential and he is looking very interesting especially with the pop thats behind him.

#9 FantasyShmantasy

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 09:20 PM

He's played more often than not, I don't think it's a platoon. I think he's a nice sleeper option, definitely 20/20 with 500+ ABs.

#10 PepperPot

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 09:24 PM

FantasyShmantasy, on 08 April 2013 - 09:20 PM, said:

He's played more often than not, I don't think it's a platoon. I think he's a nice sleeper option, definitely 20/20 with 500+ ABs.

He has started all but one game for them so far, I believe it was the first lefty that started against Seattle. And he's been batting lead off or second for the most part, so that does boost his run potential up, especially if guys like Guiterrez and Morse can stay healthy for the majority of the year.

And as I am writing this, he steals a base...good for him.

#11 FantasyShmantasy

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 09:24 PM

Just got a lead-off single and SB according to Yahoo, nice start.

#12 bigbluecrew56

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 09:39 PM

Been scoping him out since i got Morse and Morales on my squad. Think i am about to go scoop this kid up. Saw him play in the WBC and like what i saw.

#13 Z06vette

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 09:44 PM

I picked him up yesterday. I noticed he didn't play yesterday. Is he going to play every day?

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#14 Sine_cera

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 10:01 PM

Z06vette, on 08 April 2013 - 09:44 PM, said:

I picked him up yesterday. I noticed he didn't play yesterday. Is he going to play every day?

Seattle was facing a leftie yesterday so that could be the reason.

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#15 bigbluecrew56

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 10:09 PM

And he still ended up with two AB's. Once the righty was brought in from the pen Bay got the quick hook.

#16 mthdmn

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Posted 08 April 2013 - 10:20 PM

dropped Bradley Jr. for him

first time watching him - he looks good

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#17 spyder23

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Posted 09 April 2013 - 07:30 AM

One of the most underrated players in fantasy. Wedge is a moron to not be running Saunders out there everyday.

#18 Travis Burten

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Posted 09 April 2013 - 09:47 AM

Cheapest(and actually probable) 20-20 option. 5th place teams draft Starling Marte in hopes of a breakout. First place teams draft guys who put stats on the board 80+ picks later.