Bleacher Report - Articles by Jonathan Bentz

All-Time Fantasy Baseball Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Jonathan Bentz — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:08:19 -0400

The following slides are my selections for the St. Louis Cardinals All-Time Fantasy Baseball Team. Some ground rules I used for selecting this all-time, all-star, all-Redbird roster: • This starting lineup was assembled using standard fantasy baseball rosters • Players were selected using traditional 5×5 fantasy baseball statistics • The player had to play for the Cards for at least five seasons While some of the selections for this team were easy, a good bit of research and elimination of productive Cardinals players was done in the assembly of this roster. For fantasy baseball advice all season long, please check out Fantasy Baseball Dugout. Now onto my selections for the All-Time St. Louis Cardinals fantasy baseball roster:

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10 Tips For Winning Your 2009 Fantasy Baseball League

Jonathan Bentz — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:03:23 -0500

Drafting Hanley Ramirez will definitely help you win your fantasy baseball league, but you need to know more before you draft than who the best player is. To help you prepare for the draft, here are my 10 hottest tips. Fantasy Baseball Dugout, the top site for fantasy baseball rankings, has a full list of 50 tips to win your league in 2009. If you'd like to get 40 more FREE tips to win your league, check us out.

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Juice Williams: Surprise Performance Vs. Mizzou Earns Him Co-MVP

Jonathan Bentz — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:57:00 -0400

Each week, College Fantasy Coach, a new site covering college fantasy football created by the founders of Fantasy Baseball Dugout, will profile the top players in college fantasy football, both BCS and non-BCS.

Three quarterbacks stepped up with major college fantasy football performances in the first week of action. College Fantasy Coach's Week 1 MVPs are:

Chase Clement, Quarterback, Senior (Redshirt), Rice Owls
Week 1 Points: 54*
Stats: 24 completions, 258 pass yards, 87 rush yards, six touchdowns

Juice Williams, Junior, Illinois Fightin' Illini
Week 1 Points: 45*
Stats: 26 completions, 451 passing yards, 10 rushing yards, five touchdowns

Kellen Lewis, Junior, Indiana Hoosiers
Week 1 Points: 45*
Stats: 17 completions, 144 pass yds, 185 rush yds, four total TDs

* - weekly fantasy points are based on scoring settings established by CBSSports.com.

Quarterback is the most important position in college fantasy football, as these three signal-callers clearly prove. It's also interesting that these three QBs are dual-threats— they can beat defenses with their feet, but they can air it out also.

From a fantasy football perspective, Clement and Lewis should be owned by college fantasy football players in every league they have availability.

Juice Williams was the most surprising player with his Week One performance. After an inconsistent season throwing the ball in 2007, Juice totaled 451 yards through the air against Missouri and only ran for 10 yards. He should certainly be added to the watch lists of college fantasy owners, but hold off on adding him to your roster until he proves he can produce numbers like last week's on a consistent basis.

For constant analysis of college fantasy football in 2008, be sure to check out College Fantasy Coach.

Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet's Week 22 Ranks

Jonathan Bentz — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:45:19 -0400

Similar to having quality starting pitching, understanding hitter trends and setting your lineup with the best hitters is essential to winning in fantasy baseball.

Week 22's Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet is designed to give you a full view of the top hitters—by position—in fantasy baseball.

Grady Sizemore of the Cleveland Indians is the top hitter in fantasy baseball over the past week. He’s batting .333, with six runs scored, two home runs, 10 RBI, and four stolen bases in the past seven days of competition.

Below you will find a breakdown of the top statistical hitters—by position—over the past seven days, 30 days, and the entire season. Statistics are listed based on a standard 5×5 league (batting average, runs scored, home runs, RBI, stolen bases).

Players with multiple position eligibility could be listed more than once on this list (for example, see Lance Berkman’s rankings below).

Catcher

Seven Days: Kelly Shoppach, Cleveland Indians (.294/5/3/6/0)
30 Days: Shoppach, Indians (.276/21/7/16/0)
Season: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins (.321/80/8/62/1)

First Base

Seven Days: Nick Swisher, Chicago White Sox (.318/6/4/8/0)
30 Days: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals (.404/25/1o/31/2)
Season: Lance Berkman, Houston Astros (.330/99/26/93/15)

Second Base

Seven Days: Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles (.407/4/1/5/3)
30 Days: Mark DeRosa, Chicago Cubs (.322/21/7/26/2)
Season: Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers (.319/102/18/71/26)

Third Base

Seven Days: DeRosa, Cubs (.435/4/4/6/0)
30 Days: Melvin Mora, Baltimore Orioles (.385/22/7/33/1)
Season: David Wright, New York Mets (.293/91/25/99/14)

Shortstop

Seven Days: Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox (.333/4/3/11/0)
30 Days: Ramirez, White Sox (.292/13/7/23/2)
Season: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins (.296/97/28/58/29)

Outfielders

Seven Days: Sizemore, Indians (.333/6/2/10/4)
30 Days: Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies (.336/32/7/18/8)
Season: Berkman, Astros (.330/99/26/93/15)

Play College Fantasy Football with Fantasy Baseball Dugout

Jonathan Bentz — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:54:48 -0400

Fantasy Baseball Dugout is proud to announce the debut of our first college fantasy football league.

We are in the process of launching a new site, CollegeFantasyCoach.com, and would love to have you be a part of the fun with us by joining our 2008 college fantasy football league on CBSSports.com.

In case you weren’t aware, CBSSports is bringing player names to the college fantasy football game for the first time in 2008.

Instead of piling up statistics for ambiguous positions like “Florida QB,” you can now actually draft and play Tim Tebow each week. That's a pretty cool development in the game of college fantasy football.

CBS is legally able to provide player names because of the results of the Supreme Court case dismissed earlier this summer.

We have a few spots open in our 10-team, free college fantasy football league on CBSSports.com.

If you would like to get in on the action with us, please e-mail webmaster (at) fantasybaseballdugout (dot) com or fantasybaseballdugout (at) gmail (dot) com for full details.

What the Oakland Athletics Got in the Rich Harden Trade

Jonathan Bentz — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:06:02 -0400

On Tuesday evening, the Oakland Athletics traded ace Rich Harden and spot starter/reliever Chad Gaudin to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for four players - pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.

Athletics GM Billy Beane obviously has his own approach to making trades, but did the A’s get taken for a ride on this deal? Is there anyone you should add to your fantasy team now that they wear an A’s uniform? Beane is sure he got a good deal, but if you’re not so sure, you’ve got Fantasy Baseball Dugout here to break it down for you.

Sean Gallagher, Pitcher (3 wins, 4 losses, 4.45 ERA, 49 strikeouts, 1.36 WHIP): Gallagher has made ten starts for the Cubs this season, and logged 14.7 innings in 8 games for the Cubs in 2007. He’s only 22, but the start to his Big League career has been rough. While logging a save in 2007, his ERA was 8.59 and he only struck out five batters. 2008 has been better, but not great. After starting the season with two bullpen stints, Gallagher joined the Cubs rotation May 11 and went 3-1 in his first five starts. He hasn’t won a start since June 1, hasn’t lasted past the sixth inning since May 27, and only has one start since the beginning of June that he has given up less than 3 earned runs. He will be pitching for Oakland, so the potential is definitely there for improvement, but don’t add Gallagher just yet.

Matt Murton, Outfielder (.250 batting average, 6 RBI, 2 runs scored): You probably remember Murton from his 2006 rookie season, and rightfully so - he batted .297, scored 70 runs, hit 13 homers, drove in 45, and a stole 5 bases. He was a useful reserve outfielder that season, but only played in 94 games last season, and 19 so far this year. In 2005, he was ranked the 12th best prospect in the Southern League. Keep an eye on Murton, because if he can stay healthy he definitely has potential to be a solid fill-in outfielder. Sleeper alert! But don’t add him just yet.

Eric Patterson, Outfielder (.237, 1 homerun, 7 RBI, 5 runs, 2 steals): Patterson has played 20 career Major League games - 13 of which came this season. He’s only 25, and needs to further develop as a player before having significant fantasy value. He scored all 5 of his runs this season in a two-game stretch against the White Sox in late June. Expect Patterson to log mostly bench time or minor league time for the A’s initially. At this time, Patterson does not need to be on your fantasy baseball radar.

Josh Donaldson, Catcher (Class A Stats - .217, 6 homers, 23 RBI, 27 runs, 7 steals): Donaldson was a second round draft pick of the Cubs in 2007, and was being groomed as catcher after playing college ball at Auburn. He was the highest draft pick out of the university in several years, and batted .346 with 9 homeruns and 35 RBI in 49 games last season. Donaldson has potential, but unless you are playing in a A-ball fantasy league, he doesn’t need to be on your fantasy baseball radar until a season or two down the road.

Fantasy Baseball Effects of Rich Harden, Cubs Trade

Jonathan Bentz — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:51:35 -0400

In a move that seems to be in direct response to the Brewers’ acquisition of C.C. Sabathia, the Chicago Cubs acquired Oakland Athletics ace Rich Harden in a trade Tuesday evening.

Harden was the crown jewel of a six-player deal between the two teams. Starter Chad Gaudin also goes to the Cubs, while right-handed spot starter Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson will become members of the Athletics.

On the year, Harden is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA, 92 strikeouts, and a 1.14 WHIP in 77 innings of work. Harden’s injury history is well-documented and always a frustration, but he is a must-start pitcher when healthy. The guy averages 7 strikeouts per start!

How should your plan of attack in fantasy baseball change now that Harden has been dealt? Check out Fantasy Baseball Dugout for analysis.

Cynthia Rodriguez Withdraws from "Baseball's Hottest Wives" Competition

Jonathan Bentz — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:23:25 -0400

Cynthia Rodriguez (aka C-Rod), wife of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod), announced today that she has officially removed herself from Fantasy Baseball Dugout’s first annual “Baseball’s Hottest Wives” competition.

(OK, so not really…but we wish we mattered that much).

The AP reported late Thursday a.m. that the New York Daily News reported on its website that Alex and Cynthia split less than three months after the birth of their second child, amid rumors that the couple have been experiencing “problems” since the birth of the child.

Reports linking C-Rod to rocker Lenny Kravitz have been denied, as have rumors linking A-Rod to Madonna. The couple was married in November 2002 and has two children.

Fantasy Baseball Dugout will release its first annual top 10 countdown of Baseball’s Hottest Wives on Friday, August 15, after the announcement of all 10 finalists. Site visitor search results will be used as part of the voting to determine popularity.

Edinson Volquez Headlines Week 11 Two-Start Pitchers

Jonathan Bentz — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:52:50 -0400

Quality starting pitching is essential to winning in fantasy baseball. If you have a pitcher that hasn’t been carrying their weight on your roster, consider adding a starting pitcher who will make two starts in Week 11.

Edinson Volquez of the Cincinnati Reds, who is 8-2 with a 1.32 ERA, 91 strikeouts, and a 1.16 WHIP in 75 innings, tops our list of two-start fantasy baseball pitchers in Week 11. He takes the mound Monday on the road against the Florida Marlins and Mark Hendrickson, then Saturday at home against the Boston Red Sox and Justin Masterson.

Jesse Litsch of the Toronto Blue Jays, John Danks of the Chicago White Sox, and Paul Maholm of the Pittsburgh Pirates are also on Fantasy Baseball Dugout's list of two-start pitchers to watch in Week 11.

Be sure to visit Fantasy Baseball Dugout every Sunday night or Monday morning for information on pitcher planning for your upcoming fantasy baseball weekly matchup.

Fantasy Baseball Week 9 Players of the Week: Chase Utley, Scott Kazmir

Jonathan Bentz — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:07:45 -0400

Fantasy Baseball Dugout Player of the Week awards are given to the top statistical hitter and pitcher in fantasy baseball during a normal fantasy baseball week (Monday - Sunday).

A standard 5×5 league is used for scoring (runs scored, home runs, RBI, steals, batting average for hitters; wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP for pitchers).

Hitter of the Week: Chase Utley, Second Baseman, Philadelphia Phillies.

Utley has been one of the few top draft picks in 2008 to actually fulfill his lofty preseason expectations.

Currently rated as the No. 2 overall player in standard 5×5 fantasy baseball leagues behind Astros outfielder Lance Berkman, Utley produced his best week of the season in week nine.

Similar to teammate Ryan Howard, who was the top player in fantasy baseball’s week eight, Utley made the most of a limited amount of hits.

Chase batted .391 last week and put the ball in play off his bat nine times, scoring nine runs.

Five of his hits fell in the cheap seats and he drove in 14. Speed is also a part of Utley’s game, and he stole two bags.

Pitcher of the Week: Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays.

Kazmir’s performance in week nine continues to make Mets fans cringe at the thought of trading him for Victor Zambrano.

In a two-start week for Kazmir, he pitched 14 innings and struck out 16 for two wins. He followed a seven-inning performance on May 26 at Texas in which he struck out 10 and gave up one earned run with a second seven-inning, three hit shutout effort with six strikeouts against the White Sox.

His ERA and WHIP on the week were 0.64.

Fantasy MLB Two-Start Pitchers: Week 10

Jonathan Bentz — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:28:41 -0400

Quality starting pitching is essential to winning in fantasy baseball. If you have a pitcher that hasn’t been carrying their weight, consider adding a starting pitcher who will make two starts in week eight. If the pitcher you consider isn’t at the top of the rankings, there’s often a chance he’ll throw at least one good...

Alfonso Soriano-Jered Weaver: Week Seven Fantasy Baseball Players of the Week

Jonathan Bentz — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:07:24 -0400

Fantasy Baseball Dugout Player of the Week awards are given to the top statistical hitter and pitcher in fantasy baseball during a normal fantasy baseball week (Monday - Sunday).

A standard 5×5 league is used for scoring (runs scored, homeruns, RBI, steals, batting average for hitters; wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP for pitchers). Hitter of the [...]

Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers: Week Eight

Jonathan Bentz — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:27:11 -0400

Fantasy Baseball Waiver-Wire Warriors—Week Seven

Jonathan Bentz — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:13:54 -0400

The list of players below are owned in less than 50 percent of fantasy baseball leagues (according to statistics from CBS Sportsline), and can provide some valuable numbers to carry your team into the long summer months. Several former stars of fantasy baseball are readily available out there on your local waiver wires. Maybe you can stock up [...]

Kevin Youkilis, James Shields Week Six Fantasy Baseball Players of the Week

Jonathan Bentz — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:14:28 -0400

Fantasy Baseball Dugout Player of the Week awards are given to the top statistical hitter and pitcher in fantasy baseball during a normal fantasy baseball week (Monday—Sunday).

A standard five by five league is used for scoring (runs scored, homeruns, RBI, steals, batting average for hitters; wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP for pitchers).

Attention Fantasy Baseball Managers: Jason Isringhausen and Eric Gagne Canned

Jonathan Bentz — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:50:35 -0400

Closers Jason Isringhausen of the St. Louis Cardinals and Eric Gagne of the Milwaukee Brewers have both have been demoted from the closer’s role after getting off to slow starts. Both of the veteran closers have blown five saves this season. Isringhausen, with 11 saves, has a 7.47 ERA; Gagne, who is earning $10 million this season, has a 6.89 ERA and 10 saves to his name.

Matt Kemp, Roy Halladay: Fantasy Baseball Players of the Week

Jonathan Bentz — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:07:17 -0400

Fantasy Baseball Dugout Player of the Week awards are given to the top statistical hitter and pitcher in fantasy baseball during a normal fantasy baseball week (which is Monday through Sunday).

A standard five-by-five league is used for scoring, i.e. (runs scored, home runs, RBI, steals, batting average for hitters; wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP for pitchers).

Hitter of the week: Matt Kemp

Pitcher of the week: Roy Halladay

Cliff Lee is Early Season Fantasy Baseball Stud

Jonathan Bentz — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:24:36 -0400

The Indians’ Cliff Lee is looking like an early season version of Sandy Koufax. Through five starts, Lee is 5-0 with a 0.96 ERA. Lee had his worst outing of the year on Friday against the Mariners, when he got touched for eight hits in six innings and gave up 3 earned runs, yet came away with [...]