2024 Gemini Preview
Perhaps this is appropriate, given Gemini’s dual nature, but no sign has more separation between their pitchers and batters, in terms of fantasy upside. In fact, the Twins have the best pitching depth in the game (according to MLB.com’s ranking of the top 300 players and Lindy’s fantasy preview magazine), but struggle to find enough position players to fill out their starting lineup. Here’s my position-by-position preview of Gemini heading into the 2024 Fantasy Astrology Baseball League season.
Rankings from MLB.com’s top 300, as of Valentine’s Day.
Gemini is actually pretty set at catcher, with Ryan Jeffers (296) just barely sneaking into the top 300 thanks to the power upside he brings to the real-life (Minnesota) Twins. On the Giants, Patrick Bailey has leapfrogged former top prospect Joey Bart on the depth chart, and when top pospect Endy Rodriguez returns from a season-long injury, he should solidify the position. First base is another story, with Dominic Smith (who signed a minor league deal with the Cubs during the offseason) their top fantasy scorer from last season. Thankfully, the eligibility rules of my custom fantasy league allow for any infielder to take the first base slot.
Similar eligibility rules will allow utility player Ezequiel Duran to slide over from shortstop to second base, despite not getting the 20 games needed to technically qualify there. That’s because Gemini’s one superster batter – Bobby Witt Jr. (3) – handles the shortstop position. Although despite his outstanding power-speed combination, Witt’s poor defense might eventually push him to third base. That’s unfortunate, because GEM already has a deep collection of talent at the hot corner. Let’s start with another real-life Twin, Royce Lewis (62), who can truly mash if able to stay healthy. Behind him, we have Anthony Rendon, who has not been able to stay on the field since signing a massive contract with the Angels, and Yoan Moncada, who has not lived up to his mega-prospect billing since being traded to the White Sox. Both of them will likely be in the lineup, however, perhaps as some sort of twisted first base platoon.
Jordan Walker (119) of the Cardinals will have right field locked up, given his prospect pedigree and power upside. For left field, we have two members of Cincinnati’s revolving-door of a roster, which does not translate well to bulk fantasy points: Jake Fraley (253) and Will Benson (unranked as of Valentine’s Day). Those two are also both lefty hitters, so it doesn’t make sense to platoon them. In center field, new Met Harrison Bader is available, although that seems like a strange signing, given the presence of Brandon Nimmo already on their roster. Other depth options are two Texas players – Travis Jankowski (Rangers) and Jake Meyers (Astros) – and Marlins bounceback candidate Avisail Garcia.
Rankings from Lindy’s magazine, by position.
Now we get to the fun part: the Gemini rotation, which is fronted by two players recently signed by Philadelphia. Zack Wheeler (27) got an extension that will delay his previously impending free agency by three years. Aaron Nola (45) actually hit free agency, but was promptly re-signed for seven years by the only organization he’s ever known. For ace number three, we have Freddy Peralta (57), who will take over the top spot in the Brewers rotation, thanks to the trade of Corbin Burnes and the injury of Brandon Woodruff. Joe Ryan (96) of the real-life Twins gives the Gemini Twins four starters ranked within MLB.com’s top 100.
For the fifth spot, the rankings point to a battle between Shane Bieber (149), who had an injury-shortened season with Cleveland last year, and Jose Berrios (163), whose career has had some ups and downs. But the depth doesn’t stop there. Shane Baz (199, as of Valentine’s Day) took a tumble in the rankings (231 as of Daylight Savings Time), as he recovers from 2022 Tommy John surgery. Aaron Civale (245) struggled after going from the Guardians to the Rays last season, but Tampa Bay has a knack for getting the best out of their pitchers. Andrew Abbott (257) could be a breakout candidate for Cincinnati. Yusei Kikuchi (284) will pitch in the same Blue Jays rotation as Berrios. And that’s not even counting World Series particpant Andrew Heaney, Cardinals lefty Steven Matz, and consensus best-pitcher-in-the-game-when-healthy Jacob deGrom.
Similar to the situation with deGrom, Gemini’s best bullpen arm Felix Bautista is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Fortunately, they still have D-Backs closer Paul Sewald (102) ready to pick up plenty of save opportunities. In a funny coincidence, Baltimore signed the veteran Craig Kimbrel (146) to fill in for his sign-mate Bautista – I guess the franchise understands the importance of having a Gemini in the bullpen. To add to the situation, Jose Alvarado (213) will take over the closer’s spot from Kimbrel in Philadelphia. I probably should have mentioned Michael King (171) with the starting pitchers, since he will likely hold down a rotation spot following his involvement in the Yankees/Padres Juan Soto trade, but I have him listed with relievers in my database, because he made fewer than 10 starts last season.