Fantasy Baseball: Learning from the Playoffs

Where leagues have ended, only the few with way too much time on their hands continue to evaluate fantasy baseball players and rosters. Since this falls into that category, we should be good.

It might be normal to think that the playoffs show us very little when it comes to the following season. Given the smaller number of teams and the usually set lineups, that can be the case.

Still, the last few postseasons have given us at least one player to think about heading into the following year. This year, there are candidates to do just that again.
 
In 2007, Coco Crisp was the center fielder of choice in Boston. While Jacoby Ellsbury had come onto the scene late, there was certainly skepticism as to if he would be able to stand the pressure of the playoffs.

Ellsbury came through, even though there are some that would argue it was largely the failure of Crisp down the stretch. Still, the at-bats he had during the postseason were what allowed Boston the flexibility to deal Crisp this past offseason.
 
Crisp had been marginalized, and it was proven out that the younger and cheaper Ellsbury could perform the same job. While Crisp stayed on in 2008 and shared the duties, it was only a matter of time before the job was solely Ellsbury’s to have. That has brought a great benefit to fantasy owners that watched it unfold in the fall of 2007.
 
Last season, there is no doubt that the biggest story was the emergence of pitching in Tampa. David Price may have come up at the end of September, but few could have anticipated the impact he would have in the playoffs. His role in shutting down the Red Sox in the ALCS caused fantasy owners to salivate at the possibility of him in the 2009 rotation.
 
For Price, 2009 did not unfold the way he would have wanted. After starting the season in the minors, Price was roughed up in a majority of his road outings before settling into a groove during the season’s final month.

His youth alone will have owners ready to draft him again in 2010. It is much more likely that he spends a full season in the rotation and could very well experience a similar growth path to the one taken by Ellsbury.
 
This year, the focus for a player that could break through needs to start in Colorado. The key player that many will look at initially is Carlos Gonzalez

Gonzalez provided many owners a late-season boost based on some strong August production in terms of power and speed. Still, his numbers were already receiving attention, and he is likely to be on many sleeper lists heading into 2010.
 
There are a few other names still that did not receive enough recognition over the course of the season that could do so with some strong playoff work. Pitchers Jorge De La Rosa and Ubaldo Jimenez could do just that.

De La Rosa was one of the best in the National League from July through September, but his ownership never reflected the strong numbers he posted. While the Rockies will be without him for the Division Series, look for him should the team move on.
 
Jimenez had strong strikeout totals in 2009, closing in on 200 before the season came to an end. He drew Game One against the Phillies and would likely get another start in Game Four or Five. Jimenez has the ability to take the next step, and a national stage would do wonders to show those outside of the fantasy world what he can bring to the table.
 
In Minnesota, there are plenty of unsung heroes that could see their draft stock bettered with a good series against New York.

Look first at Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer came off an injury-plagued 2008 season to be an effective replacement for Minnesota after the injury to Justin Morneau. Even with 32 home runs in 2009, he was not able to gain universal acceptance as an option at the corners or in the outfield. Watch out for him.
 
Do not forget about Francisco Liriano as well. He was a complete disappointment this season, but a good run in the playoffs would make owners forget many of their reasons for cutting him.
 
It is possible that these players are around only briefly, but there are some options even in New York. Phil Hughes has made a name for himself in the bullpen, but he could make enough of a stance to move in to the rotation.

In St. Louis, keep an eye on young outfielder Colby Rasmus. He spent the season with the Cardinals but only hit .251. His power numbers were decent, as he posted 16 home runs and 52 RBI. Rasmus was up and down, having a good month followed by a bad one. The playoffs are a time to shine, and he will have the opportunity.

The fact is, the playoffs make names for players. Those that can show success on the biggest of stages can garner expanded roles in the seasons that follow. Keep an eye out for these players, as they look to gain the same fame taken by those before them.