45 replies to this topic

[Orion Braun]

Coming off a disappointing year following his outstanding 2011 campaign. How does he look heading into the 2013 season?

Set to bat 6th in that strong Angels lineup, following Pujols, Hamilton, and Trumbo. He should be in a position to rack up the counting stats. He has always had a relatively low BB% and high K%, but several concerning factors in his advanced stats, including an O-Swing% of: 31.1%, 31.2%, 32.8%, and 35.6% over the past 4 seasons, so his discipline is steadily declining. Also, he had a career low (by a large margin) in FB% last year, leading to just 8 HR last year. He is just 29, so is he on the career decline or do some of these numbers balance out for a few strong seasons?

My projection: .278/13HR/77RBI/71R/13SB

Currently listed as the 15th best 2B according to FantasyPros. How does everyone feel about him this year?

[ballfan4141]

useless to me unless it is a really deep league or middle infield.

[mavsfan23]

him and aybar are very similar in my mind. ranked similarly within their position, and both could have big years in that lineup. then again they could do what they did last year.

i like waiting on a 2B, as the top three cost too much and i like him for what he's going for considering the guys near him. another one of the many 2B with big question marks, but that lineup is enticing

[Orion Braun]

Just bumping for his phenomenal spring -- 20/39 with a 1.436 OPS so far. Wow.

He moving up anyone's draft boards? Certainly has the lineup around him to help generate counting stats and he should be a solid AVG contributor, even if the HR/SB aren't great. He feels like Neil Walker but with some real upside in that lineup.

[jfuchs91]

Orion Braun, on 18 March 2013 - 09:58 PM, said:

Just bumping for his phenomenal spring -- 20/39 with a 1.436 OPS so far. Wow.

He moving up anyone's draft boards? Certainly has the lineup around him to help generate counting stats and he should be a solid AVG contributor, even if the HR/SB aren't great. He feels like Neil Walker but with some real upside in that lineup.

The kid has always been able to hit, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was in for a big year.

[Mithrandir]

I own him for the first time...so he will...................................?????

I think he has his best season this year.  For reasons stated above and the fact that he has enough years under his belt to finally break out.

[slainte]

in a 12 team mixed h2h league, i drafted him second to the last round (21st) as my primary 2B. i missed out on earlier targets and saw him and infante slipping late. so i loaded up on other positions before drafting him.

felt like i got great value. here's hoping. . .

[Theoneupper]

With the way trumbo is looking I wouldnt be surprised to see Howie bat 5th if he gets on a roll. That would be a huge draft day steal.

[Mexi1024]

I think the Angels lineup is overrated when it comes to OBP. They really have no OBP in their lineup. Just a lot of Slugging %. Pujols has been trending down in BB's a ton in the last 2 years. Hamilton trending down in BB's and up in Swings and Misses outside the strikezone. Kendrick's getting worse and worse every year in K/BB ratio. I think he's totally overrated. I'm staying away....

[ballfan4141]

kendricks never became what he was suppose to. none of the angels with outperform their ADP.

[Floor Pie]

Soooo over-rated.  A glitzier pick because he's talented and plays in a stacked lineup, but I'd rather have someone like Neil Walker who knows how to get on base even if their ADPs and/or auction values were equal

[brockpapersizer]

Floor Pie, on 27 March 2013 - 11:49 AM, said:

Soooo over-rated.  A glitzier pick because he's talented and plays in a stacked lineup, but I'd rather have someone like Neil Walker who knows how to get on base even if their ADPs and/or auction values were equal

Disagree that he's overrated. For 1 his price is pretty low this year, especially compared to last year.  Secondly, he's one of those players (like Ichiro) who doesn't walk a ton, but has a really good average.  Unless you're in an OBP, shouldn't really matter. Maybe it depresses his runs by 10.... maybe.  

Makes him a better fantasy player (if you're in a 5x5 league with average) than in real life.


I think 15-15-80 runs with a 280+ average is very useful. Some upside for more. Not being in the 2 hole isn't ideal, but he might find his way there.

[midlip]

Been saying "break out year" for 3 years now

he actually ended up on my team this year.  here's hoping Spring carries into reg season

[valensi24]

he'll most likely stick in the #6 spot (a good RBI spot) of the lineup all year long. so, i think his absolute ceiling/potential in 2013 is...

.306AVG / 20HR / 90RBI / 80R / 20SB

- He hit .322 and .306 in 2007 and 2008.
- He hit 18 home runs in 2011 in just 140 games.  In 162 games, he would've reached 20HR's.
- He crossed the plate for 86 runs in 2011 in just 140 games.
- He has stolen 14 bases in the past 3 years.  6 more stolen bases isn't too much more to ask if he's getting on base more (higher batting average, more hits) and if he has a career year.

he most likely won't reach those #'s but that IS his potential.  If he stays scorching hot in the 1st month of the season (like he's been in spring training), scioscia might actually move him up to the #2 spot which would really boost his counting stats.

[sjp263]

valensi24, on 27 March 2013 - 02:57 PM, said:

he'll most likely stick in the #6 spot (a good RBI spot) of the lineup all year long. so, i think his absolute ceiling/potential in 2013 is...

.306AVG / 20HR / 90RBI / 80R / 20SB

- He hit .322 and .306 in 2007 and 2008.
- He hit 18 home runs in 2011 in just 140 games.  In 162 games, he would've reached 20HR's.
- He crossed the plate for 86 runs in 2011 in just 140 games.
- He has stolen 14 bases in the past 3 years.  6 more stolen bases isn't too much more to ask if he's getting on base more (higher batting average, more hits) and if he has a career year.

he most likely won't reach those #'s but that IS his potential.  If he stays scorching hot in the 1st month of the season (like he's been in spring training), scioscia might actually move him up to the #2 spot which would really boost his counting stats.

Fair points. Just keep in mind that he had a strong spring last year, but then followed up with a subpar regular season...

[thecaptain]

hit a home run today, anybody watching this guy's at bats? how's he looking

[slainte]

RBI double off griffin tonight at his second AB. I don't know...this guy has been solid for where I drafted him. Much better taste than taking pedroia in the 2nd round last year...

[AdamDunnSlobGut]

Fooled by Kendrick and his spring stats again. Ugh...never again. I swear.

When is the LAAAAAA offense going to show some life already?

[Mithrandir]

AdamDunnSlobGut, on 18 April 2013 - 12:30 PM, said:

Fooled by Kendrick and his spring stats again. Ugh...never again. I swear.

When is the LAAAAAA offense going to show some life already?

He hasn't been too bad.  Only 3 runs scored is more a product of the crappy Angels hitting than an indictment of Kendrick.

[Posting In The Clutch]

Wow, what a game!