Author Archive for Chris McBrien
Chris McBrien is a freelance baseball writer from Barrie, Ontario. In addition to contributing to Baseball Reflections, his articles may be found at Dear Mr. Fantasy.
Part-Timers: Fantasy Baseball Players You May Have Missed
When looking for players to fill your fantasy baseball roster from free agency or the waiver wire in your league, one of the first things many owners look for is performance, and rightly so. If a player is receiving every day playing time, he is more likely to help your fantasy team, after all, right? [...]
Disaster Relief: Fantasy Baseball Closers on the Waiver Wire
In the wake of the Mariano Rivera injury, we are reminded just how volatile the closer position is in fantasy baseball. No other position is the sole contributor of an entire fantasy category (saves) and no other position sees as much turnover. With the recent demotion of Carlos Marmol, along with a rash of injuries [...]
Dear Mr. Fantasy: Selling Like Hot Cakes: Fantasy Baseball Players to Sell High
It’s getting to be that time of the season where a “small sample size” turns into a “representative sample size”. With regard to players that are over-performing, it’s time to decide whether or not the big numbers will continue. In baseball, statistics more often than not find a way to regress to the mean. Before [...]
Dear Mr. Fantasy: Thinking Outside the Batter’s Box
Boy, I have really taken some flak for my choices of players this fantasy baseball season. That’s okay. I like to think outside the box. When you state an opinion that differs from widely held beliefs, there are those that will react negatively. However, if everything went according to plan, then the so-called “experts” would [...]
Pushing the Panic Button in the Second Week of the Fantasy Baseball Season
If there is one thing that never ceases to amaze, it is the sheer number of fantasy baseball owners that panic as early as the second week of the baseball season. With such a small sample size, it is easy to overreact when players have a poor start to the season. However, there are often [...]
Thirty Something: The Verducci Effect in Fantasy Baseball
Fantasy baseball owners are always looking for an edge. From the latest news to the latest stats, trying to get a leg up on your opponents is often enough to carry you to victory. Predicting the future would be ideal (although highly unlikely) so fantasy owners have to settle for indicators of what the future [...]
Running on Empty: Cheap Stolen Bases in Fantasy Baseball
Drafting power in fantasy baseball is always a good option. After all, a home run results in an increase in batting average, a run scored and an RBI (or possibly several). Drafting speed on the other hand often helps in only one category (stolen bases). With reliable power and speed guys hard to come by [...]
Who’s Who? Fantasy Baseball Player Stats Tell the Truth
When deciding upon which fantasy baseball players to draft and which to leave for the next owner, often we are apt to go with players who get a lot of attention in the media or those “hot hands” who may (or may not) deliver the stats for your fantasy baseball team. When taking a closer look [...]
Let’s Go Blue Jays: Fantasy Baseball Options North of the Border
When considering options for your fantasy baseball team, it is never a good idea to be a “homer”. In other words, be very careful about selecting players from your favorite team just because you follow them and would like to see them on your fantasy roster. My favorite team is the Toronto Blue Jays. Always [...]
On the Rebound: Fantasy Baseball Buy Low Candidates for 2012
Many fantasy baseball owners are obsessed with the latest ‘hot prospect’, MVP candidate or a player coming off a monster season. If you like to target these types of players, then expect to pay top dollar at the draft table or auction for Brett Lawrie, Matt Kemp or Justin Verlander. When you consider some of the strongest fantasy baseball [...]
Spring Ahead: Spring Training Stats & Fantasy Baseball Roles
When considering your options for fantasy baseball in the regular season, many owners look to put stock in the performances of players during spring training games. Pitchers are often behind their batting counterparts to begin camp and often spend time working on developing or refining pitches. Also, the big names on the mound often only pitch a few [...]
Pen Pals: Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Relief Pitchers 2012
There is a popular notion among fantasy baseball owners which states, “Don’t Pay for Saves”. In other words, it can be a little risky using early round draft picks on selecting closers. The position is notably volatile and closers often come and go throughout any given season. If you subscribe to this theory, it may be in your best [...]
Fantasy Baseball Players on the Verge of a Monster Season in 2012
Success in fantasy baseball is all about staying ahead of your competitors. As those owners who drafted Curtis Granderson, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Kemp or Justin Verlander a year ago will tell you, having a player on your roster who puts up a monster season can be the difference between winning and losing your fantasy league. Sometimes it is not enough to know who [...]
Outfield of Dreams: Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Outfielders in 2012
The outfield has become a mining ground for fantasy baseball owners looking for the best players for their rosters. In fact, according to last season’s ESPN player rater, five of the top 10 fantasy players were outfielders. If you aren’t able to grab one of the top 10 fantasy outfielders for 2012, you don’t need [...]
Fantasy Baseball: An Early Form of Social Media
The year was 1992. I entered into my very first fantasy baseball league. It was limited to American League players only and featured a points-based scoring system. I was already a baseball fan but I was about to become an even bigger baseball fan in a very short time. I soon found myself watching more games [...]
Short Nap: Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Shortstops for 2012
Although there are several decent options at the top of the list of fantasy shortstops for 2012, if you find yourself fishing for a player to fill this middle infield position in your draft or auction, you’ll want to have several options available. There are several sleeper candidates for shortstop in 2012 and these are some names of interest: Stephen Drew (ARI) [...]
Must Win Situation: Chasing Wins in Fantasy Baseball
The recent trade of Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners to the New York Yankees has created a lot of buzz, both in baseball circles and fantasy baseball debates. In regard to fantasy value, many people have stated that Pineda’s value immediately increases with his trade from the lowly Mariners to the mighty Bronx Bombers. Why is this? [...]
Keystone Keepers: Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Second Basemen in 2012
Second base is an interesting position for fantasy baseball owners to be sure. There are very few elite players at the position (Robinson Cano andDustin Pedroia), so it is often a position that is left until the later rounds to be filled on most fantasy squads. As a result, finding a fantasy sleeper pick at second base can go a long way to [...]
Catching Some Z’s: Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Catchers in 2012
The position of catcher is often a tricky one for fantasy baseball owners. Often, the position is left until the later rounds in the fantasy draft and owners hope to simply pick up a catcher who will not hurt their fantasy roster too badly. One thing that can easily make or break your team is [...]
Fantasy Baseball Sleepers for Every Position in 2012
Fantasy baseball owners are no different than anyone else. Whether you are looking to buy a car, invest in a stock, pick up a CD of your favorite band or draft a player for your fantasy roster, everyone is searching for a deal. In fantasy sports, deals come in the form of players who are under-valued [...]
Brain vs. Braun: Fantasy Baseball Impact of Ryan Braun’s PED Allegations
As you are most likely aware, Milwaukee Brewer’s outfielder and reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for having a banned Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) in his system. As a result, he now faces a 50-game suspension from major league baseball. Many observers have been quick to condemn the slugger but it is probably best to reserve [...]
How to Play Fantasy Baseball
The more I play fantasy baseball, the more I love the game of baseball itself. There is no better way to closely follow box scores, standings, player trends, hot streaks, cold slumps and the inevitable friendly competition which arises from trying to best your opponents then by participating in fantasy baseball. However, more and more I am approached [...]
Fresh Prince: Why Prince Fielder is not a Good Long Term (Fantasy) Baseball Solution
Whether you run a major league franchise or a fantasy baseball team, Prince Fielder represents a risk to your team’s long term success. There has been much ado in the sports media recently about Prince Fielder perhaps joining a new team (or re-signing with his old club) as a free agent for the 2012 season. Armed with a professional [...]
Quality Starters: Top Ten Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers for the 2012 Season
There are two schools of thought when it comes to fantasy baseball starting pitchers. The first states that you should grab some quality starters early in your draft (or use keeper spots for holding onto them). The second theory states that starting pitchers are way too inconsistent and therefore you should ignore pitchers until late in [...]
Outfielders Choice: Top Ten Fantasy Baseball Outfielders for the 2012 Season
In most fantasy baseball seasons, the outfield is a prime source for all of your statistical needs. If you are in need of stolen bases, the league leaders were both outfielders. If you need power, 3 of the top 4 home run hitters in MLB were outfielders (counting Jose Bautista, who also qualifies at third base). The major league leader in [...]
The Not So Hot Corner: Top Ten Fantasy Baseball Third Basemen for the 2012 Season
One strategy many fantasy baseball owners use when assembling their roster is to quickly ‘shore up’ a player at a shallow position. If you are a fantasy owner who likes to use this approach, you will want to consider grabbing (or keeping) a third baseman in 2012. Going into the 2011 season, there were approximately 5 or 6 fantasy third [...]
Top Ten Fantasy Baseball Second Basemen for the 2012 Season
Image from Zimbio via Google Images Although most fantasy baseball owners look to first base and the outfield when drafting players to provide offensive punch to their rosters, there are some very viable options in the middle of the infield as well. A common strategy in regard to second base is for owners to forgo the position until the [...]
Top Ten Fantasy Baseball First Basemen for the 2012 Season
It is often said that you cannot win your fantasy baseball league without a premier player manning first base on your roster. While this may not be entirely true, you may want to consider utilizing a top pick (or keeper slot) on an elite first baseman to solidify your roster. Whether you are in a dynasty league and trying [...]
Catching Up: Top Ten Fantasy Baseball Catchers for the 2012 Season
With the end of the 2011 baseball season comes the preparations for the 2012 fantasy baseball season. It is never too early to get a jump on your competition and start considering your strategy for next year. If you are involved in a dynasty league (or keeper league), all the more reason to review each position and decide on who your [...]
Lessons Learned: Fantasy Baseball 2011 and Fantasy Baseball 2012
As the 2011 major league baseball regular season comes to a close, we are left to look back at the fantasy baseball season which just ended. However, it is also never too early to look ahead at the coming fantasy baseball 2012 season either. There are several lessons to be taken from this season and several which we can apply [...]
<--under the