2021 Gemini Batters
We’ve finally done it: we’ve reached the bottom of the 2021 Fantasy Astrology Baseball League barrel. This shouldn’t be taken as a slight against Gemini by any means – they do have the game’s best pitcher, after all. But there has to be a last place sign, and in the Twins’ case, their offense just simply didn’t measure up. I know I didn’t do a great job selling this post about Gemini’s batters, but here’s an in-depth-look nonetheless!
James McCann was seen by many as the Mets’ consolation prize for not signing J.T. Realmuto as a free agent… which is curious, because Realmuto (a Pisces) was still unsigned when New York brought in the McCannon. Based on 2021 points-per-game averages, Ryan Jeffers, a rookie for the real-life Twins, or Manny Pina, Milwaukee’s primary backup, would technically be better options to start. Jorge Alfaro added some versatility, qualifying in left field for the Marlins. Jason Castro is the top left-handed hitter behind the plate. Veterans Robinson Chirinos and Jonathan Lucroy round out the relevant catching options.
Gemini had precisely two (2) players whose primary positions were first base in 2021. Yuli Gurriel built on his 2019 breakout by winning the American League batting title. Rookie Bobby Bradley could emerge as the first baseman of the future for a Guardians team with an uncertain outlook. Bradley’s former teammate on the Cleveland team, Cesar Hernandez, leads the Gemini second base options. Behind the switch-hitter, we have David Fletcher, who also could back up at shortstop for the Angels. Christian Arroyo was pressed into service as the Red Sox second baseman, but didn’t break 200 plate appearances last year. And Eric Sogard brought his Nerd Power glasses to the Cubs on a minor league deal, but was released in July.
Third base is actually a position of strength for Gemini, providing everyone is at full health. Yoan Moncada had the best season in 2021, but the switch-hitter doesn’t necessarily have the highest upside moving forward. That honor likely goes to Anthony Rendon, who hasn’t yet had a full season with the Angels, after signing a massive free agent contract prior to 2020. But if he returns to anything approaching his peak performance with the Nationals, he’ll be an important lineup cog to support Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Brock Holt has a lot of versatility on his resume, but he settled in at third base for the 2021 rangers. Speaking of versatility, Isan Diaz handled a little bit of second and third for the Marlins.
Luis Urias is another player who saw time all over the infield, but as the highest-fantasy scoring shortstop, he should have that position on lock in a hypothetical offseason tournament. Another versatile infielder named Urias sits next on the shortstop depth chart – Ramon was a rookie for the Orioles with the exact same positional profile as his namesake. Speaking of names, it’s entirely too appropriate that Zack Short plays shortstop, although it would be more on-brand if his height measured a little below his 5’10” frame.
Left field was Gemini’s weakest outfield position, with Dominic Smith not able to build on his very promising 2020. The next two players on the LF depth chart also share a last name. Corey Dickerson split his 2021 between the Marlins and the Blue Jays, picking up a little center field on the way. Alex Dickerson was heavily platooned on the Giants, because everyone on the Giants was heavily platooned. The rest of the left field options are all rookies. Jake Fraley had the best points-per-game average at the position. His Mariners teammate Sam Haggerty is a switch-hitter, the first non-lefty we’ve seen in left. Ka’ai Tom was a Rule 5 pick by the A’s, but he ended up being traded to Pittsburgh during the season.
Harrison Bader is known as one of the top defensive center fielders in the league, and he also happens to have scored the most fantasy points of all Geminians at the position. Brett Phillips has never put up great numbers, but his clubhouse presence metrics are off the charts. Jake Meyers looks to have a future in the Astros outfield, despite being forced out of their 2021 playoff run due to injury. Travis Jankowski somewhat surprisingly caught on with the Phillies last year. Andrew Stevenson is a speedy defensive replacement type for the Nationals.
The top Gemini outfielder is Avisail Garcia, who signed a pre-lockout free agent deal with the Marlins earlier in the winter. He’s the only primary right fielder who put up a positive fantasy point total in 2021 – Greg Deichmann struggled in his MLB debut with the Cubs, after being acquired from Oakland in a trade for Andrew Chafin (another Gemini). Gemini had one primary designated hitter in 2021, but Yohel Pozo is a catcher by trade.
I know that was pretty rough, especially for those expecting a fantasy astrology roster to be better than that of your average MLB team. But the next post will flip the script, because Gemini has one of the strongest pitching staffs of any sign of the Zodiac.