2024 Libra Preview
It’s a little bit ironic to feature the Air Division second, because two of the three signs in that division are basically guaranteed a bottom-third finish. But Libra is the top-ranked sign in the Positive League (according to MLB.com’s ranking of the top 300 players), so we’re celebrating the top-end. Here’s my position-by-position preview of Libra heading into the 2024 Fantasy Astrology Baseball League season.
Rankings from MLB.com’s top 300, as of Valentine’s Day.
With Sean Murphy (150), Libra starts with one of the most well-rounded players at fantasy’s weakest position, who also happens to hit in the middle of a stacked Braves lineup. When the Phillies moved Bryce Harper (20) to first base full time, they shored up a position that the Scales have struggled to fill effectively since Rafael Palmeiro. Ironically enough, if Harper had remained in the outfield, Vinnie Pasquantino (141) could adeptly handle first base, if healthy.
There is some weird energy surrounding the Libra infield this offseason. Until just a few days ago, it seemed as though the Dodgers would be moving Mookie Betts (5), an outfielder for most of his MLB career, to second base… but now it appears he will be at shortstop “permanently, for now.” Conversely, the Padres are moving Xander Bogaerts (100) to the keystone, after signing him to a massive contract to play shortstop. The Scales had an already crowded picture at the keystone, which included Diamondbacks 2,000-point scorer Ketel Marte (104), Phillies defensive whiz Bryson Stott (106), and Athletics sophomore Zack Gelof (132).
I didn’t include Ha-Seong Kim (83) in the second base picture, because Libra needs the versatile infielder to play third base. In the event that Kim loses 3B eligibility after next sesason (given that San Diego is having him take over shortstop from Bogaerts full time), the Scales have Reds rookie Noelvi Marte (182) waiting in the wings. (Or at least they WILL have him at the halfway point of this season, as Marte was just hit with an 80-game PED suspension.) While Bogaerts will still carry shortstop eligibility into the season, the rankings don’t support starting him there above Nationals speedster CJ Abrams (39) or 6’7” Oneil Cruz (82) on the Pirates.
The best Libra outfield alignment has Betts making use of his holdover eligibility to take one corner spot. That leaves the almost identically-ranked Anthony Santander (123) and Teoscar Hernandez (124) to platoon in the other outfield corner. Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins (130) is the best option in center field, despite a down 2023 season. Although former Tigers top prospect Riley Greene (159) is someone to keep an eye on - at least for this year, as he’s slated to move from center to right field.
Rankings from Lindy’s magazine, by position.
Corbin Burnes (21) remains a legitimate ace, despite his trade from the Brewers, in a weak NL Central, to the Orioles, in a competitive AL East. Their number two is lefty Jesus Luzardo (90), one of several great young pitchers on the Marlins. Merrill Kelly (157) helped pitch Arizona to the World Series last year, but his declining peripherals don’t exactly support his bottom line numbers. Yet another Diamondback, rookie-eligible Brandon Pfaadt (222), completes the list of Libra pitchers ranked in MLB.com’s top 300.
The best option for the fifth starter spot is probably veteran Kyle Gibson, who signed with the Cardinals over the offseason. Jack Flaherty is a bounceback candidate, who has flashed top-tier production in the past. Zack Littell pitches for the Rays, so you can never count against him becoming a star out of nowhere. But it’s injuries that really hurt this sign’s rotation depth: former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, Lance McCullers Jr., Tyler Mahle, and Alex Cobb will all start the season on the IL.
The relief pitching depth, by contrast, is quite strong for the Scales. The number one closer is David Bednar (77), who should look even better as the Pirates move toward respectability. Before last season, Alexis Diaz (93) was known primarily as Edwin’s younger brother, but the Reds closer has developed into a star reliever in his own right. The legacy option is Kenley Jansen (142), who has definitely entered the twilight of his career. And Alex Lange (208) will have save opportunities for a Detroit team that has designs on an AL Central title.