By Chase Jacobs
Follow on Twitter @chasehunterj
The infield are mostly peaking high draft picks, including a Strong catcher in Castro, who has shown a very hot bat at times in an incredibly cold lineup in Houston. Chris Davis is highly paid for this fictional team, making over three million dollars and posting one of the best first halves of baseball in recent memory. A no-brainer for the All-Star game and a logical front runner for AL MVP. Kipnis is developing into what looks like a franchise player, much like Josh Donaldson, who not only can play third as well as a three hole hitter and a strong catcher. Alcides Escobar is a terrific fielder and blazing base stealer in Kansas City.
C- Jason Castro, HOU ($496,000 this year) .264 BA 12 HR .787 OPS
1B- Chris Davis, BAL ($3.3 million) .314 37 HR 97 RBI + Second best Fielding percentage in First Basemen
2B- Jason Kipnis, CLE ($509,400) .299 15 HR .903 OPS
SS- Alcides Escobar, KC ($1 Mil) Fielding wizard + 100% Stolen Base Percentage
3B- Josh Donaldson, OAK ($480,000) .303 16 HR + Plays very effective role as Third Basemen
Outfield is highlighted by LF Mike Trout, who is on pace to be one of the greatest, most well rounded players in MLB history. This season, he has posted not only great stats with his bat, but continues to show his mastery of the glove. Jennings is turning into a legitimate star in center. Stubbs is an all around solid utility outfielder. Nava is DH on this roster mainly due to his streaky bat and failures to develop as a fielder this year.
LF- Mike Trout, LAA ($480k) .323 16 HR 21 SB .967 OPS .994 FLD %
CF- Desmond Jennings, TB ($486,900) 11 HR 15 SB + 2nd best AL FLD %
RF- Drew Stubbs, CLE ($527,500) Excellent Utility bat/glove
DH- Daniel Nava, BOS ($505,000) .287 10 HR
The starting pitchers are mostly innings eating Aces, including Sale, who regardless of wins and losses on a weak White Sox team, is showing that he is worth building around on the south side. Griffin and Colon are big reasons why the A’s may just hold out and take the AL West this year. Moore dazzles with high strikeout ratios and effective pitches when they count. Gonzalez is the highlight on a shaky Baltimore staff.
SP- Chris Sale, CHA ($850,000) 2.85 ERA 120 IP 131 SO 1.01 WHIP
SP- Bartolo Colon, OAK ($3 MIL) 2.52 ERA 13-3 Record 1.08 WHIP
SP- AJ Griffin, OAK ($492,500) 3.82 ERA 127.1 IP 98 SO 1.13 WHIP
SP- Matt Moore, TB ($1.1 MIL) 13-3 3.44 ERA 108 SO
SP- Miguel Gonzalez, BAL ($502,000) 3.34 8-3 1.19 WHIP
Greg Holland rounds out the relievers with an incredible first half of closing out games and an All-Star appearance. Frieri was an unknown quantity… until now. His contract might be one the few on the Angels roster that are team friendly. Reed, like Sale, are shining gems on an old, overpaid basement occupying team.
CL- Addison Reed, CHA ($520,000) 3.77 ERA 25 Saves 1.05 Strikeout/IP Ratio 1.05 WHIP
CL- Ernesto Frieri, LAA ($530,000) 2.76 ERA 24 SV 1.52 SO/IP
CL- Greg Holland, KC ($539,550) 1.70 ERA 24 SV 1.65 SO/IP .89 WHIP
Is this roster complete? No. Middle relievers and Setup men are easy to find for a frugal budget. There is value to be had at marquee positions and the American league is full of it, despite being home of the Angels, Rangers and Yankees.
