Fantasy Baseball 2018: Stay away from these draft duds

Fantasy Baseball Position Player duds Round 2

Eric Hosmer: San Diego Padres

2018 stats:

Slash line: .318/.385/.882

HR: 25

RBI: 94

R: 98

SB: 6

Games Played: 162

Logging a full slate of MLB games is no issue for Hosmer, who played in all 162 contests for the Kansas City Royals in 2017. However, a change of scenery will hinder his Fantasy Baseball worth in 2018.

Playing in Petco Park is a hitter’s nightmare, where is power numbers will indeed drop off — where he’s matched a career high in long bombs the past two season with 25.

Also, playing on a roster where he’s the most significant threat won’t offer him much protection at the plate. Hosmer won’t get much to hit this season, which will make him less selective at the dish.

If you’re planning on snagging up Hosmer in your Fantasy Baseball draft, wait until the middle or late rounds — he’s not worth the risk in the initial part of the draft.

Starlin Castro: Miami Marlins

2018 stats:

Slash line: .300/.338/.454

HR: 16

RBI: 63

R: 66

SB: 2

Games Played: 112

One thing Fantasy Baseball owners have going for them with Castro is that he now wants to be in Miami. But, don’t expect much out of him this season — until he’s traded to a contender.

The three-time All-Star had a stellar 2017 campaign with the New York Yankees, hitting over .300 and launching 16 long bombs in less than 120 games. Like with Eric Hosmer, Starlin Castro will suffer going to a bottom of the barrel team, diminishing his Fantasy Baseball value.

Do not waste a pick on him, unless you’re desperate for second baseman later on in your draft.

Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels

We have Ohtani on our list of American League sleepers, and we aren’t giving mixed signals. On the mound, he’ll be worth a top-five round risk. However, at the plate is an entirely different story.

Remember, it’s a curious case with Ohtani in Fantasy Baseball, where most formats will have “two” different players — one at the mound and the other as a position player.

So far at the dish, Ohtani is struggling. Now, it’s only Spring training, but all signs indicate that he’s not quite ready to hit at the MLB level. Honestly, don’t draft him at all, unless you need another arm. Make sure you’re paying attention and that you snag the correct Ohtani in your Fantasy Baseball draft.