Bet Chicago Logo
  • NFL6AxA8ZrrIkUCay6Iekgs6k

    NFL news, odds, lines and wagering analysis

  • College FootballbW88wLUtXMeaeEOikGsU4

    College Football Betting

  • NBA6u9BKVTY2ckW2iOMgUiwyc

    NBA Betting Lines, Odds, Spreads and Wagering Analysis from BetChicago

  • NCAA BBgNg3S92MjCKu0CAOYwiWg

    NCAA Basketball Betting Lines, Odds, Spreads and Analysis

    • Home
    • News
    • Schedule
    • Futures
    • Standings
  • Podcasts2178mk1KlAoY7g2jH8KrMz

    Football betting podcasts

  • MLB5nf5uAz2yAo6IMAsckq8Qa

    MLB Betting Lines, Odds and Wagering and Fantasy Analysis

    • Home
    • News
    • Scoreboard
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Odds
  • Golf7A0eylzER2uqQY2kcQqyWS

    Golf Betting

    • Home
    • News
    • Leaderboard
    • Schedule
    • World Rankings
    • Odds
  • ...
    • Sports Betting Industry News5bPejKTlZeuEsG42oyeCGe

      Sports Betting Industry News

    • Betting Guides4NyqzWkxBQXcG58JmZBGxp

      Sports betting glossaries, tutorials on advanced metrics and more

    • Soccer7d0trXzol2uICOEoIqs0Ea

      Soccer Betting News

    • NASCAR2nwagNnke8E0Q0kce2UI2M

      NASCAR Betting News, Information and Insight

    • Horse Racing1cG3403troWKYKqu8yAMuE

      Horse Racing News, Odds and Picks

    • UFC2FbKCPn5duoQeCMGMYgKEo

      UFC and MMA Betting

    • BoxingO0rvFyckMMMiG6eYKGaOc

      BetChicago Boxing Coverage

    • NHLrsDGYfODbqOaqYKaww4iq

      NHL Betting Lines, Odds and Analysis

    • Politics and election oddsnSyqwIVtZNj6DuXjn0SLb

      Odds and betting information for U.S. elections

    • Entertainment4gzKSgVG64EI2yEU2CYGOY

      Entertainment Betting Lines, Odds and Analysis

    • Fantasy Football7BTPbPIdu8iaYiiE46IQok

      Fantasy Football Analysis

    • Tennis4EpTm7Ht8sMK4g8CKwQCe0

      Tennis Odds and Betting Analysis

    • Home1GbgAvLoZC4E44cMUg2YMe

      BetChicago - Illinois | Sports Betting News, Odds, Lines, & Contests

MLB

Fantasy Baseball: Shortstop draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

Fantasy Baseball: Shortstop draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

Five of the top 11 position players in fantasy baseball last season were shortstops, and there's little reason to believe the position won't produce big numbers again.

BetChicago
Staff writers
56mYRYSeY0y46CO8c0agaC
Five of the top 11 position players in fantasy baseball last season were shortstops, and there's little reason to believe the position won't produce big numbers again. Six shortstops have an average draft position (ADP) in the top 25 according to FantasyPros. That list doesn't include notable names like Carlos Correa and Corey Seager, or high-upside players like Adalberto Mondesi. Trea Turner, who finished ranked fifth at the position last year, is the only shortstop with a first-round ADP. Francisco Lindor, Alex Bregman, Manny Machado and Trevor Story aren't far behind with each player having an argument over the other. Deeper down the rankings are players like Gleyber Torres and Mondesi looking to build off impressive debuts in 2018. Chris Mascaro and Tommy Stokke break down the position with opinions on draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and the player you're reaching for below. __Fantasy baseball previews:__ [Catcher](https://www.betchicago.com/fantasy-baseball-catchers-draft-strategy-sleepers-prospects) | [First base](https://www.betchicago.com/fantasy-baseball-first-base-draft-strategy-sleepers-prospects) | [Second base](https://www.betchicago.com/fantasy-baseball-second-base-draft-strategy-sleepers-prospects) ## Draft strategy __CM:__ I think both Tommy and I generally preach patience, realizing you can often find gems in the later rounds. This isn't one of those spots -- Jose Peraza as a top-15 shortstop, anyone? It also might not be a bad idea to to stash a guy like Didi Gregorius, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is a top-10 (if not top-five) talent at the position who should be back by June or July. __TS:__ I'm doing whatever I can to land one of Turner, Bregman, Machado, Story or Correa, not neccessarily in that order. There is potential for value later, but the upside of those five players is enough that I'd consider any of them starting near the end of the first round, with Correa more toward the end of the second or third round. Playing in many Chicago leagues makes Baez hard to get at the right value, but I'm still a believer in him, too. If I miss out on them and Gleyber Torres gets drafted a little higher than I like, I'm looking at specialists or high-upside plays late. ## Auction strategy __CM:__ You may not want to blow all your money on a limited power threat like Trea Turner, but if you're making a list of guys who had at least 40 steals and 100 runs last season, he's the only one on it. He was also one of seven players to play all 162 games last season (Manny Machado also was), and if he can continue working walks (.344 OBP last season), he'll be worth it. __TS:__ I'm interested in forcing the bidding on players like Lindor and Mondesi while targeting the aformentioned five players. My plan would be to spend 25-40 dollars on shortstop. If the bidding gets out of control for any of them, there are enough high-caliber options that I should still get one. If not, I'll settle for fliers on Asdrubal Cabrera, Ketel Marte or a healthy Dansby Swanson. ## Player going too high __CM: Carlos Correa, Astros (7 SS, 44 OVR):__ He should bounce back from a subpar 2018, but he's never hit more than 24 home runs in a season or knocked in 100 runs, and he's played more than 110 games only once in four seasons. His postseason resume is stellar, but that doesn't help fantasy owners. Until the hype meets up with the production, only take him if he falls. __TS: Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals (11 SS, 65 ADP):__ It took only 75 games for Mondesi to take the fantasy baseball world by storm, hitting 14 homers and stealing 32 bases with the Royals in 2018. The question is whether those numbers are his peak performance or just the start. Mondesi never had a season in the minors with 14 homers or 32 steals, but that pace has expectations sky high. His ADP is 65, but he's going inside the top 40 at some places. If reaches his apparent potential, he's the best fantasy shortstop in the game. I'm not willing to take that risk that early for a player with a 3.8 percent walk rate in the minors and a low OBP. ## Player going too low __CM: Francisco Lindor, Indians (2 SS, 13 OVR):__ I know, I know -- how much higher can he go? But the 25-year-old is definitely a top-10 talent as he comes into his prime. He's the model of consistency the last two seasons, with 1,468 plate appearances (most in baseball), 71 homers, 181 RBIs, 228 runs, 130 walks, 40 steals and an .857 OPS. He's as can't miss as they come this side of Mike Trout, and there's very few transcedent talents at his position. __TS: Willy Adames, Tampa Bay Rays (34 SS, 284 OVR):__ Adames is being drafted after Fernando Tatis Jr., who doesn't have a specific time frame for a promotion and Didi Gregorious, who is out until the summer. Adames will be the starter for Tampa Bay with double-digit homers and double-digit steals. He'll hit for a decent average and won't kill you in any category. Plus, there's upside for more. ## Player you won’t draft __CM: Jean Segura, Phillies:__ This is no disrespect to Segura, but he's a much better real-life player than fantasy. He's a .300 hitter, and he should steal 20 bases. But he doesn't bring much else to the table. His career OPS (.731) is pedestrian and outside of a big power year his one season in Arizona, he has 44 career homers in six seasons. He'll contribute in most categories, but he won't singlehandedly win you any like others can. __TS: Francisco Lindor, Indians:__ When healthy, he's likely a top-five pick in fantasy baseball. But he's not, and leg injuries are a scary, lingering thing for someone who uses his legs like Lindor. The Indians' shortstop will likely miss all of spring training and Opening Day due to a calf injury. Starting behind isn't as big an issue for position players as it is pitchers, but it's still enough to keep me away. Josh Donaldson was limited to 52 games last year with calf injuries. I can't make the kind of investment it'll take to draft Lindor knowing health could be an issue in 2019. ## Player I keep drafting __CM: Chris Taylor, Dodgers:__ Really like his versatility, and despite wayyyyy too many strikeouts (a league-high 178 in 155 games last year), you can do much worse than a .775 OPS, 17 homers and 85 runs with a pick outside the top 200. __TS: Eduardo Escobar, Arizona Diamondbacks:__ Players like Escobar get overlooked because there's nothing about him that stands out. I'll take the 20 homers and solid counting stats with positional versatility. He's safe, which is why I keep targeting him late. Not everyone on your team has to have a career year for you to win your league. ## Prospect to watch __CM: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays:__ The 21-year-old son of four-time All-Star Dante Bichette is going to anchor Toronto's left side of the infield with Vlad Guerrero Jr., the son of the Hall-of-Famer with the same name, for years to come. Bichette can also play second base, which makes him a likely candidate to be up with the big club soon, since the Blue Jays' middle infield is pretty weak. __TS: Fernando Tatis, Jr, San Diego Padres:__ Not going out on much of a limb here, but there is some unknown with this top prospect. He's not a lock to be two weeks away from a promotion. He's only 20 years old and has never played above Double-A. He could be held back until May or June. He's still worth a stash with his combination of power and speed. ## Bold prediction __CM:__ Lindor will finish as a top-five fantasy player this season. __TS:__ Willy Adames finishes as a top-15 shortstop.
2019-03-11T02:53:02.756Z2019-03-10T19:54-07:00
  • Fantasy Baseball: Shortstop draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

    • The story of Cheryl White, the first black female jockey in U.S. horse racing history

    • The marvelous comeback story of jockey David Cohen

    • College football advanced stats glossary: How to use today's metrics in sports betting

    • The Legend of Silky Sullivan, the greatest come-from-behind horse in racing history

    • No resolution in sight for Sammy Sosa's fractured relationship with Cubs

    • Odds to win a golf major in 2020: Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods each 5/1

    • AFC weather report: Philip Rivers' cold-weather stats cast interesting light on Patriots vs. Chargers

    • NBA Finals betting history: Can Raptors defy odds vs. heavily favored Warriors?

    • MLB division odds, 2020 season win totals: White Sox tick up with transformative offseason

    • Illinois Sports Betting

    • With 24-team playoff on horizon, NHL futures odds and series prices posted on betting boards

    • 20 questions during quarantine with Rufus Peabody: Pro bettor talks Coronavirus data, modeling the new home field and a bad beat that lasted two weeks

    • 2020 college football national championship odds: Nebraska still swimming with big boys

    • Rickie Fowler win proves point but his 2019 major championship futures lack value

    • NASCAR at Martinsville odds, key stats, bets to consider: Kyle Busch on upset alert despite dominance at track

    • How ESPN's FPI win-loss simulations compare to betting win totals for college football's worst teams

    • Fantasy football keeper leagues: Quarterbacks to hang on to, others to drop

    • Post-draft glance at betting odds indicate expectations high for Burrow, tempered for Tua

    • How sportsbooks are adjusting to new NASCAR rule which can disqualify drivers on the spot

    • 20 questions during quarantine with sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach

    • BetIndiana to launch mobile sportsbook in Hoosier State

    • NFL staff picks against the spread, Week 1: Dogs ready to bark on Sunday

    • College football staff picks, Week 2: Market overreacts to Nebraska, Colorado

    • Bears vs. Raiders kicks off slate of NFL’s 2019 international games

    • Rockets at Thunder betting lines, odds, trends: Early action shows up on red-hot Houston

    • Illinois Sports Betting

    • Fantasy Baseball: Reliever draft strategy, sleepers and busts

    • College basketball betting recap: Auburn bettors suffer bad beat vs. Florida due to missed free throw

    • Fantasy Baseball: Starting pitcher draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

    • Fantasy Baseball: Outfielder draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

    • Fantasy Baseball: Third base draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

    • Fantasy Baseball: Shortstop draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

    • College basketball top-25 betting recap: Auburn, Seton Hall burnish tournament resumes with top-25 wins

    • Fantasy Baseball: Second base draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

    • Fantasy Baseball first basemen: Draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

    • Fantasy Baseball catchers: Draft strategy, sleepers, prospects and more

    • College basketball top-25 Saturday betting recap: Louisville blows another lead in loss to Virginia

    • College basketball Saturday betting recap: Bad beat for Louisville bettors vs. Clemson

    • Sunday college basketball betting recap: Hoosiers' ATS slide continues; OVER bettors burned in Houston

    • College basketball bad beats: Late foul rewards Villanova, Purdue cedes meaningless layup in top-25 blowouts

    • Saturday college basketball betting recap: Indiana stuns Michigan State to snap losing streak

    • Super Bowl 53 predictions: BetChicago staff offers picks against spread, prop bets for Patriots-Rams

    • Sunday college basketball betting recap: Purdue stymies Michigan State's 9-game ATS streak

    • Saturday college basketball betting recap: Kentucky's big second-half earns cover vs. Kansas

    • Conference championship staff picks against the spread: Split opinion on Patriots vs. Chiefs

      • 2020 NFL Draft odds 2X95amlzTbATaKdnglGQT6

        2010 NFL Draft odds and betting information

      • 2020 NFL Playoffs odds, betting lines, analysis and insight19Cr8560G0TF5lcqygWyHU

        2020 NFL Playoff betting information and analysis

      • 2020 Oscars betting5oZGalUuNj4TmAasr1svad

        Betting odds, analysis and picks for the 2020 Oscars

      • 2020 World Series odds2kwzw7IsM1mk10hOsgjC1D

        2020 World Series odds

      • Chicago Bears14mPPILYpyg6sOWoQyKyuU

        Chicago Bears Betting

      • Chicago Bulls6NqSjORDhKSioMcWkk2gWg

        Bulls Betting Lines, Odds, Spreads and Wagering Information

      • 2019-20 college football bowl game odds, betting lines, picks3cxNagvYEMQmYugW0gWsmk

        2019-20 college football bowl game odds, betting lines, picks

      • Coronavirus' impact on sports betting3VmLnMFDo8ZCbc3XTTV5RG

        How the coronavirus is affecting the sports betting industry

      • Cubs4W58vIh9IkG6KiMEmOKcwe

        Chicago Cubs odds, lines and betting analysis

      • NBA 2019-20 season betting odds and analysislwSuFryrsiE8ca7XOOfEf

        NBA betting odds, lines and insight for the 2019-20 season

      • Fantasy football news, analysis and advice3YVUyLIiMgcQ88eeoMemaQ

        Fantasy football news, cheat sheets, analysis, and advise

      • Notre Dame Football1mSZTkIc5Gsy68ewWgImaO

        Notre Dame Odds and Betting

      • Super Bowl 54 odds, betting lines, props6hYwYjDkSZnKiRXD8P1XKk

        Super Bowl 54 odds, betting lines, props

      • Super Bowl 55 odds, betting lines, props RpsZWLyCVZ5JyaiDP3l9g

        Super Bowl 55 odds, betting lines, props

      • XFL betting odds, news and analysis3Oso75V3Q44gp8Bxcwiw13

        Betting lines and futures odds for the XFL

      Illinois Sports Betting News, Information and Insight
      Chicago sports betting news, odds and analysis
      <div><div><h3>Download the BetChicago app</h3><p>The latest version of the BetChicago app is available for download, and once you take that step, you’ll be a tap away from the most important news driving the betting market, research and analysis from our editorial team and a line into the knowledge and opinion of some of the country’s biggest and best oddsmakers. </p><p>You’ll also get the up-to-date futures odds, point spreads, moneylines and totals, as well as scores, schedules, matchups and more. </p><p>The app gives you quick access to our <a href="https://betchicago.chalkline.com/">free-to-play contests</a> that offer the chance to win cash and other great prizes. </p><p>Also, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/userregistration">create a BetChicago account</a> to receive email updates and be able to customize notifications, save stories, select your favorite teams and players and more. Download the BetChicago app at<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/betchicago/id1404462108?mt=8"> iTunes</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.betchicago.app&hl=en_UShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/betchicago/id1404462108?mt=8">Google Play</a> today.</p></div></div>
      <div><p>As legalized sports betting expands, so too are the wagering options available to gamblers. Sportsbooks are getting more and more creative in what they’re posting on their oddsboards. While traditional pre-event bets – such as point spreads, moneylines and totals – remain popular, live betting is become a larger part of the sports betting experience.  Also, prop bets aren’t just for the Super Bowl anymore. In fact, there are props to wager on for practically any sporting event around the world.</p><p>Whether it’s on the <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/nfl-betting">NFL</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/college-football-betting">college football</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/mlb-betting/home">MLB</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/nba-betting">NBA</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/ncaa-basketball-betting">NCAA basketball</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/nhl-betting">NHL</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/soccer-betting">soccer</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/nascar-betting">NASCAR</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/ufc-betting">UFC</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/boxing">boxing</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/horse-racing-odds">horse racing</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/tennis-odds">tennis</a>, entertainment or eSports, it’s difficult to win long term betting on sports. That’s why it’s important to read up on the news that impacts the markets, dig deep into advanced statistics and hear from oddsmakers about how and why lines are moving.</p><p>Here at BetChicago, we follow sports betting from a national and even international perspective, but we put a special emphasis on Chicago, Illinois and the Midwest region. That means, for example, if you’re interested in where the futures odds of the <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/bears-betting">Bears</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/cubs-betting-odds">Cubs</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/white-sox-betting-odds">White Sox</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/bulls-betting-odds">Bulls</a> and <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/blackhawks-betting-odds">Blackhawks</a> stand, look no further. If you want insight and analysis about the betting lines for <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/big-ten-football-betting-odds">Big Ten football</a> or <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/big-ten-college-basketball-betting-lines-odds-trends-predictions">basketball</a> or <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/notre-dame-football-odds-betting">Notre Dame</a> sports, you’re at the right place.</p></div>