Fantasy baseball analysts Scott Pianowski, Dalton Del Don and Andy Behrens reveal the player they’re targeting on each AL East team. The reason behind their selections could be tied to draft value, a star they want to build around or someone they’re going out of their way to take.
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• Grayson Rodriguez is going to outperform his ADP (183.4) by about 100 picks. Honestly, his draft position should be a national scandal. He’s as close to a sure thing as a pitching prospect can be. I want him. You want him. Everyone should want him. — Andy Behrens
• Kyle Bradish experienced success after changing his pitch mix post-All-Star-break last season and has seen increased velocity this spring, recording a 12:2 K:BB ratio and a 0.67 WHIP over 9.0 innings. It’s not ideal pitching for Baltimore and in the AL East, but at least Camden Yards started to decrease homers dramatically after moving its fences last year. Bradish is a major breakout candidate in 2023. — Dalton Del Don
• Ryan Mountcastle isn’t the buzziest young player in Baltimore, which is why you don’t hear much about his 55 homers the past two years. And while no one throws a parade for a .261 career average, it’s a plus number in today’s offensive environment. We often talk about veteran players who settle into old, boring values; Mountcastle is the rare young, boring value. — Scott Pianowski
• One season removed from leading the National League in RBIs (113) and hitting 38 homers, Adam Duvall has been a value while not being drafted as a top-100 outfielder in Yahoo leagues despite an upgrade in home parks. Fenway has boosted batting average (+11%) and runs scored (+19%) more than any other park in the AL the past three seasons, and it has also increased HR for RHB by 10%. Duvall should be a fixture in Boston’s revamped lineup as the team’s best defensive outfielder by far. I’m also in on Triston Casas. — Dalton Del Don
• Masataka Yoshida has on-base skills and a beautiful swing. Plus, he’s available outrageously late — generally outside the top-200 picks. He’s going to contribute in a significant way in runs and RBIs, with respectable pop. — Andy Behrens
• Ignore Triston Casas’ batting average with Boston last year, and focus on five homers and a .358 OBP in 27 games. He’s ready to be a professional hitter, and though this is the weakest Red Sox lineup in a while, Casas will be slotted in…