If you're entering in medias res -- in the middle of the action -- then don't forget to check out Part I of this series, which featured players 250 down to 240. No time to waste; let's get right back into it...
239. Michael Wacha, SP, Cardinals: Came up as one of the most-hyped young hurlers in the game, and he didn't disappoint with consecutive ERAs of 2.78, 3.20 and 3.38. He took a major step back in 2016, but started to regain his better form last season, striking out close to a batter per inning. He could really right the ship this year. We'll see which version of Wacha-flocka we get.
238. Jose Urena, SP, Marlins: A power sinkerballer who impressed me with his live arm out of the bullpen in '16. His numbers weren't good, but he was still feeling his way around the majors, figuring out the optimal way to use his unpredictable stuff. He really settled in last season as a starter, going 14-7 on a non-contender with a much-improved 3.82 ERA. Urena will serve as Miami's ace, and he can be particularly effective if he attacks the zone and lets his natural sink illicit ground balls and double plays. His movement has some similarities to Jeurys Familia.
237. Wilson Ramos, C, Rays: Tampa has stripped away most of its "name" talent, so Ramos is undoubtedly one of its pivotal power bats. As one of the most dangerous offensive catchers in the league, Ramos tore the cover off the ball in '16, stacking 22 HRs and 80 RBI up against his shiny .307 BA. Those are numbers we simply don't see from catchers these days. Unfortunately, his first season with the Rays was hampered by a lengthy recovery from a torn ACL. It wasn't all bad, though, as Ramos limped out to a batting average under .200 before sprinting to the finish line at .260 with 11 HRs in just 64 games. He was excellent down the stretch. I have a good feeling about him this year.
236. Eric Thames, 1B, Brewers: He was the best power hitter in baseball for about a month and a half, before big-league pitchers and coaches re-figured him out. He played his way out of the league once, and his putrid second half of '17 made us all wonder again. Thames finished with 31 blasts, though, so we'll see what he's really made of this season. My guess is Domingo Santana finds his way into the everyday lineup. That may leave Thames out in the cold.
235. Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Cardinals: Has been a fairly reliable power source over the past two seasons or so. Averaging around .260 with 25 homers and 200 TBs. However, he wasn't in today's Opening Day lineup against my Mets. Maybe the Cards could have used him.
234. Dellin Betances, RP, Yankees: You wonder how a kid with stuff like this could completely lose his confidence. Did you know he's been an AL all-star the past four seasons in a row? He has the respect and awe of teammates, opposing players, coaches and fans. And yet, in the second half of '17 and the postseason, he completely lost the strikezone. His WHIP was a career-worst 1.22 -- which would be quite decent for many others -- and he fell behind David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and (sometimes) Chad Green in the Yankees' bullpen pecking order. Dellin Betances throws 97-100 MPH with one of the most vicious hammers in the game. If he doesn't regain his dominant form, that's a damn shame.
233. Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants: So I was doing some scouting for the MLB fantasy season, at which point I stumbled upon Fangraphs' 2018 projections...and they had Belt reaaally high. I mean like, I did a double-take. Fangraphs, this very respectable, analytics-based baseball site, projected Belt to outperform Gary Sanchez, Joey Gallo, Cody Bellinger, Yoenis Cespedes and even his own teammate and captain, Buster Posey. I can't go that far and follow them off the ledge, but I will note that Belt hit 18 homers in just 382 ABs, CRUSHING any and all of his prior production paces. This is a lefty bat who was averaging 18 homers in 500-525 at bats; so, to do the same in 382 ABs, that does catch one's eye. The additions of Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria help in lineup protection, as well.
232. Jose Bautista, OF, Free Agent: Poor Joey Bats can't even find a team. How quickly the mighty fall from grace, no? This is a cocky, power-hitting ballplayer who was an all-star as recently as 2015. He was an all-star every season from 2010 through '15. He put up 40 HRs and 114 RBI just three seasons ago. Last year he mashed 23 dingers, but his BA dropped all the way down to .203. Seems like everyone thinks he's finished. Something tells me he will "find a new workout regimen" and help a contender during the second half. I haven't given up on you yet, Joey. I know you find creative ways to increase production.
231. Stephen Piscotty, OF, Athletics: OMG what a fuss Billy Beane made over this kid. He had been making calls to John Mozeliak of the Cardinals as far back as August. Goin' crazy over a kid who hit .235 last season and got demoted to the minors. Easy there, Billy Boy. Moneyball's at it again. On the bright side, Piscotty was always a highly-touted talent, and in '16 he hit 22 HRs and drove in 85 runs. Is this another Beane-inspired addition to Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing? Too early to say, but I love rooting against the perennial loser who was portrayed by Brad Pitt. Maybe Ryan Gosling will play John Frascella in a movie.
230. Jameson Taillon, SP, Pirates: More empty hype, here? As the second overall selection in the 2010 MLB Draft, Taillon has always been viewed as a big-ticket item. We'll give him an OBVIOUS pass for last season's discouraging results -- Jameson courageously battled cancer -- but I just don't know enough to rocket him up my rankings. Only 43 big-league starts. A 3.98 career ERA. He has the raw stuff and the toughness, so let's see if he puts it all together.
No. 229 down, coming soon...
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