Cancer Season 2022 Recap
Would you look at that: Cancer Season is now over! I didn’t even properly notice, since I was occupied by which signs went to the All-Star Game (ASG), and then calculating fantasy points as of the All-Star Break (ASB). But since Leo entered the karmic wheel as of yesterday, what better way to to honor the just-ended season by diving into the Crabs 2022 ASB midseason update lineup?!
The technical top scorer is obviously Shohei Ohtani, because his 2,433 total points includes 1,224 as a pitcher (with an ace-caliber 81.6 points-per-game) and 1,209 as a DH (with a still-impressive 13.6 PPG). So if you split Ohtani up (like you can in the Yahoo fantasy baseball client) he would count as both the team’s #4 and #5 top overall point scorers. On the other hand, ESPN lets you draft both sides of Ohtani as only one roster spot, but you can’t start him as a pitcher and a hitter at the same time. Incidentally, that’s the same way as how the two-way star is handled in MLB The Show 22.
For overall batting points, the leader is Trea Turner (1,417 / 15.7), the Dodgers shortstop. However, his holdover eligibility at second base would allow his opposing real-life All-Star starter Tim Anderson (827 / 12.7) to join him in the middle infield. For total points though, you’d want DJ LeMahieu (984 / 11.9), a primary third baseman, who plays second … secondarily. But DJLM is blocked in his primary position by Manny Machado (1,231 / 14.8), who not only swings a hot stick, but plays a mean hot corner.
The top batter on a per-game basis is DH/LF Yordan Alvarez (1,341 / 17.9), who was injured for the ASG, but then hit a big home run against the Yankees on the first game back. The presence of Alvarez and DH/RF Charlie Blackmon (1,076 / 13.0) means that the Crabs outfield defense will be shaky to say the least. But at least they have defensive standouts Cody Bellinger (783 / 9.3) and Ramon Laureano (637 / 10.3) to cover some ground.
Actually, technically, the highest scoring Cancer center fielder is Daulton Varsho (828 / 9.9), but his versatility allows him to be better utilized behind the plate. But it’s arguably Cubs rookie Christopher Morel (718 / 13.1) who’s the most intriguing of the eligible bunch. On days when Varsho has to play the outfield, Rangers switch-hitting backstop Jonah Heim (725 / 10.7) would call balls and strikes… with Yadier Molina providing guidance from the minor leagues.
As far as pitchers, when it’s not Showtime, you’re in trouble. Cancer’s top two scoring non-Shohei pitchers are Daniel Bard (1,046 / 29.9) and Ryan Helsley (971 / 31.3), two surprising closers. Why are they surprising? The former because of his age - he just turned 37, 2nd in the top 20 point-scorers to Nelson Cruz (820 / 9.8), the born-in-1980 DH. And the latter because of the lack of a 9th inning track record (two career saves before 2022, where he’s put up eight en route to an All-Star appearance.
But as far as who’s going to get innings from the start of the game onward, your best bet is Michael Wacha (770 / 59.2), new to the Boston Red Sox. Actually, his real-life teammate Tanner Houck (734 / 27.2) started the year in the rotation, but has moved into his team’s closer role. Which, if you’re following along at home, is a BIG hit for Cancer, who is desperately lacking in the starting staff. He’s still got a 65 stamina in MLB The Show 22… would it be so bad to just switch his primary position back to starter and see what happens?