The West has some very intriguing questions this year.
How will Josh Hamilton do in Anaheim? How will the Lastros, er, I mean, Astros, transition to the new division? Is Albert Pujols really on a downward trend? I’ll answer those questions for you, and more. That being said…
This article is for the casual fantasy guy. This is for the manager that simply wants the quick stats and advice; the guy that actually has a life and can win a draft by reading just a few previews from the ‘experts.’
Following our AL East and AL Central previews earlier this week, here is what you can expect from the AL West in 2013. Enjoy.
Mike Trout, OF – Angels – Had one of the highest WARs in baseball history last year as a rookie. Even with a digression, he will still be one of the two best hitters in the game.
Best Bargain
Mark Trumbo, 3B/OF/DH – Angels – Has multiple position eligibility and is almost a lock at 30 home runs. He’s going around pick 100.
Biggest Sleeper
Leonys Martin, OF – Rangers – If he wins a job, and the Rangers want him to, he should hit for good average and have decent speed. This rookie could contend for AL Rookie of the Year.
Who Will Jump Into Stardom
Yu Darvish, SP – Rangers – You thought he was good last year? If he can pitch in 2013 like he did all of last September we have a Cy Young winner here.
Jarrod Parker, SP – Athletics – Sabermetrics and his minor league history suggest a solid repeat performance from his rookie of the year campaign last year.
Kyle Seager, 2B/3B – Mariners – Many underestimate his athleticism because he hits in Seattle.
Rookie Watch
Jurickson Profar, SS – Rangers – Still not sure which position he’ll break camp with, but being the No. 1 prospect in the sport, the Rangers want his bat in the lineup. He has serious 20/20 potential.
Ultimate Risk/Reward
Lance Berkman, DH – Rangers – No question he can still rake. Wouldn’t shock me to see a .300 average and 25 home runs. The question is how many times will he hit the DL? Not playing the field will help his chances.
Albert Pujols, 1B – Angels – Had a rough start to last season, but raked the rest of the year. He has at least one more year of .280/30/100.
Worth A Late Round Flier
Kendrys Morales, DH – Mariners – He finally looks healthy after hitting 22 bombs last year with the Angels. He’s also still only 29 years old.
Mike Olt, 3B – Rangers – If he finds playing time, this rookie should contribute right away.
A.J. Pierzynski, C – Rangers – The 36-year-old swung for the fences last year and hit a career high 27 homers out of nowhere. Although he probably won’t repeat it, playing in hitter friendly Texas now won’t hurt.
Tommy Hanson, SP – Angels – He has told reporters he feels the best he has in years, throwing his best bullpen session that he can remember this past week in spring training.
Jed Lowrie, SS – Athletics – It’s scary what he could do if he could stay healthy for an entire season. The A’s know this.
Brandon Moss, DH – Athletics – Has sneaky power.
Josh Reddick, OF – Athletics – Could very easily hit 30+ home runs for a second season in a row and will be taken in the later rounds.
Brett Anderson, SP – Athletics – Always solid when healthy.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP – Mariners – 3.16 ERA in his first season last year and could get better.
Avoid At All Costs
Anyone on the Astros except Jose Altuve. Sorry Houston.
Players Guaranteed To Make Profit
Yoenis Cespedes, OF – Athletics
Mark Trumbo, 3B/DH – Angels
Josh Reddick, OF – Athletics
Michael Morse, OF – Mariners
Kendrys Morales, DH – Mariners
Jesus Montero, C – Mariners
Kyle Seager, 2B/3B – Mariners
Josh Helmuth is the editor for CraveOnline Sports. He has won his epic League Of Champions fantasy baseball league four out of seven years and has an appreciation for Huey Lewis. You can follow him on Twitter @JHelmuth or subscribe at Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports.
Photo Credit: Getty
AL East Fantasy Baseball Preview
AL Central Fantasy Baseball Preview
