MLB Fantasy Baseball 2011: Value Home Run Options

Ryan LesterMar 16, 2011

Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera off the board when it was your time to pick? Don’t sweat it. There are other guys who specialize in the long ball that you can get at a discount. All average draft positions are from Mock Draft Central.

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Big Papi still has some power left in his bat. Sure, he got off to horrible starts the past two years, but finished with 28 and 32 home runs respectively. With Boston's lineup improvements, look for another solid year from Ortiz. His ADP is 172, which puts him in the 15th round of 12-team leagues.

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Mark Reynolds, Baltimore Orioles

You’re going to have to live with a poor average if you roll the dice on Reynolds, but with 104 home runs over the past three years, there is definitely power to be had. He’ll even get you a few stolen bases. His ADP is 129, which puts him near the end of the 11th round. Plus, he plays a shallow position (3B).

Carlos Pena, Chicago Cubs

Another slugger with a new home. He’s averaged 36 home runs over the past four seasons. His average has dropped each year, but perhaps the change of scenery will help. His ADP is 183.

Luke Scott, Baltimore Orioles

Scott gets overlooked every year, but he’s averaged 25 home runs over the past three seasons. The primary concern is whether or not he’ll get enough at bats to reach 20+ HRs thanks to Baltimore’s acquisition of Vladimir Guerrero. Scott’s ADP is 287.

Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays

Hill hit 26 home runs last year and 36 in 2009. His ADP is down to 161, but that can be attributed to his .205 average. His .196 BABIP indicates just how unlucky he was last year. Look for his luck to improve, the average to return, the power to remain and his production to be much better this year.

Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox

Quentin has averaged 27.7 home runs over the past years. Unfortunately he’s missed 126 games over that stretch. He’s also batted .236 and .243 the past two years. That could explain his 190 ADP. That said, the power is there.

Jim Thome, Minnesota Twins

Thome hit 25 home runs last year. He won’t like get as many at-bats unless the Twins have injury issues again. Only pick him up if one of the Twins gets hurt and he gets steady at bats.

Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals

LaRoche has averaged 24.7 home runs over the past six years. With a ADP of 174, he’s a solid first-base option if you missed out on the big guns.

Drew Stubbs, Cincinnati Reds

Stubbs hit 22 home runs last year, with 11 before and after the All-Star Break. Prior to the break, he hit one every 26.6 at-bats. After the break he hit one every 20.1 at-bats. At 26, there is plenty of room for power growth. Plus, he’s a 20-30 stolen base guy. His ADP is 156.

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