2024 Sagittarius Preview
The 2024 Fire Division looks likely to end with a battle between Sagittarius and Aries for the top spot, at least according to MLB.com’s rankings of the top 300 fantasy players. I’m inclined to give the advantage to the Archers, since they’re the sign of the number one ranked player in all of baseball. Read on to find out who, in my position-by-position preview of Sagittarius heading into the 2024 Fantasy Astrology Baseball League season.
Rankings from MLB.com’s top 300, as of Valentine’s Day.
Lindy’s Fantasy magazine ranks players at each position by specific skill, or tool. And it just so happens that the catcher with the best power – Cal Raleigh (127) – and the first bsaeman with the best power – Pete Alonso (22) – are both Sagittarians. At second base, Gleyber Torres (89) landed in the “Value Play” category: as one of the few bright spots on a disappointing Yankees team in 2023, his production should improve with better lineup support around him.
Among primary third basemen, new Cincinnati Reds signee Jeimer Candelario (227) and Colorado Rockies fixture Ryan McMahon (236) are fairly close in the rankings. But expanding the search to secondary positions, I would give the hot corner to Spencer Steer (101), who also spent time at first base and the corner outfield last year. Sagittarius shortstop is a position to watch, given that the highest ranked option there – Jackson Holliday (194) – has yet to make his Major League debut. It appears that the Orioles have decided to give the number one prospect some more time in the minors, so the unranked Javier Baez will serve as a placeholder, possibly for the last time ever.
I’m scheduled to pick second in my fantasy draft that’s coming up (checks notes) later today, and if Ronald Acuna Jr. (1) isn’t already off the board, then something has gone horribly awry. Acuna is just that good – no one in history has ever hit 40 home runs and stolen 70 bases in the same season. Christian Yelich (74) is not the same player as when he won his own MVP award six years ago, but he’s a solid top of the order presence to take the other corner spot opposite Acuna. Other corner options include Taylor Ward (210), Bryan De La Cruz (265), and converted catcher MJ Melendez (277).
Despite the star power at the very top, the effectiveness of the Archers outfield wil greatly depend on the health of Byron Buxton (235). The Twins used him exclusively as a designated hitter last year, but if he can quickly return to center field, it will keep SAG from giving too many at-bats to Brandon Marsh or Mike Tauchmann. Either way, DH looks to be occupied by some combination of Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (137) and White Sox DH Eloy Jimenez (151), with Justin Turner (229) also around for depth.
Rankings from Lindy’s magazine, by position.
Even before the Blake Snell (60) free agency saga finally came to a close – with the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner signing with the Giants last week – Sagittarius already had their ace in place for the upcoming season. Luis Castillo (33) has the most upside on a very strong Mariners pitching staff. Snell’s former San Diego teammate Joe Musgrove (98) just pitched a game in Korea, and will occupy the third spot in this rotation. Cole Ragans (117) is fairly unrpoven as a starter, with a great half-season in Kansas City basically consisting of his entire resume.
Health-permitting, Carlos Rodon (167) should round out the starting five, but he was limited to 14 bad starts (6.85 ERA) with the Yankees last year. Waiting in the wings are his New York teammate Nestor Cortes (267), who is himself an injury risk, and Phillies fifth starter Cristopher Sanchez (276). Looking beyond the options ranked by MLB.com, prospect Sawyer Gipson-Long could step up for Detroit, Kyle Hendricks has some World Series heroics under his belt, and Paul Blackburn and Josiah Gray could be the best starting pitchers on very weak A’s and Nationals teams, respectively.
When the Astros signed Josh Hader to supplant Ryan Pressly (291) as the closer, they also cemented Pete Fairbanks (126) as the best closer option in a deep Sagittarius bullpen. Jose Leclerc (202), closer for the World Series champion Rangers, would serve as the primary setup man. Hunter Harvey (274) is by all accounts a better pitcher than Nats closer Kyle Finnegan, but it remains to be seen who will grab the ninth inning job. It's also worth keeping an eye on Justin Lawrence (nominal closer for the Rockies) and Bryse Wilson (who could pick up save opportunities for the Brewers during Devin Williams’s injury absence).