Red Sox: Ranking players for fantasy baseball drafts

Fantasy baseball drafts are on the horizon, so let’s see what prices Red Sox players will cost and what round they are likely to be taken.

If you’re a Boston Red Sox fan who is into fantasy baseball, you may be preparing for your annual draft, wondering: What is Mookie Betts worth in an auction? What round will he be snatched in?

Combining our reading of the available fantasy sources from print magazines and internet experts, we will provide an answer to those questions and more.

[We will use the 5×5, 12-team, mixed AL/NL format and offer a price range from low to high.]

MOOKIE BETTS

The highest rated Red Sox player is Betts. He is seen as a safe pick, maybe even a bargain, after a fluke year and he is expected to bounce back with his batting average and generate stats across five categories. He is priced from $34-48 and is ranked among Charlie Blackmon, Bryce Harper, and Aaron Judge.

Especially in leagues loaded with Red Sox fans, expect him to go in the top ten, Round One.

CHRIS SALE

Although most fantasy managers will pick power and leave pitching for later, Chris Sale may be the exception. While he may not go in the top ten or even round One, he is unlikely to last into Round Three.

Recognizing that he faded a bit toward the end of the season, his ERA was 4.09 and he allowed 11 home runs in 13 starts in the last two months, some experts believe that he will make adjustments in his exercise routine to allow him to be strong all season. Some touts believe he is the best pitcher to pick first and even suggest grabbing him early.

Despite posting the highest OppOPS in five seasons [.651], Sale is still seen as at least one of the top four starters in MLB.

Expect to spend about $38-42 for Sale and don’t wait until the third round.

ANDREW BENINTENDI

Although left-handed pitchers had success against him [.232/.336/.286], he was one of just nine players to record a 20/20 season and most pundits believe he will avoid the Sophomore Sag. Wags also like that he had more walks than strikeouts in the minors. Price range: $24-28.

Although he was a local favorite, most fantasy pundits believe in his batting eye and his stolen base potential. Do not wait until round Five to take Benny.

CRAIG KIMBREL

About round Six many fantasy managers are thinking they need a Saves anchor and, while some may opt for the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen first, many will select Kimbrel, who led all relievers with a 0.68 and a K/9 16.43 and finished second to Jansen’s ERA 1.43.

Although some will pay up to $42 for Jansen, you can probably buy Kimbrel for half of that price, $18-21. He would represent a bargain before round Seven.

RAFAEL DEVERS

Fantasy managers from the Northeast will be all over Devers, while non-NESN viewers will draft him in late rounds. The national gurus place him with the likes of Jake Lamb and Nick Castellanos; Sox savvy cranks will be ready to pounce on Devers earlier than round Ten.

$9-12, but Sox fans may go to $15, noting that he can hit lefty pitchers and projects to .280, 24/82/74.

The national experts project him for 25-30 home runs, but are leery of the Sophomore Slump with a 20-year-old, so they place him between an upside of a Justin Turner and a downside of a Jake Lamb.

If your league has a lot of Northeast managers, you better plan on snagging Devers in round Eight or Nine.

DAVID PRICE

Around round Eleven, managers will start to pick up a quality starter and that would include David Price. The doubters note his elbow issues but most believe that he will rebound and be a bargain in the draft.