Opening Day Roster Report

If you’ll recall some of the idiosyncrasies of my Fantasy Astrology Baseball League, I have made it a personal rule to set the lineups only once a week. That limitation keeps me from obsessing over every single pitching matchup and nagging injury for all 12 signs, which should help me devote some time to the fantasy team I actually drafted with my friends/colleagues (led by Virgo third baseman Jose Ramirez, who on Thursday picked up the first RBI in Cleveland Guardians history).

Here are some notes I took while putting together the lineups for opening day:

CANCER CRABS

Despite what I just said about limiting my lineup tweaks to once per week, this year I’m making a special case for Shohei Ohtani. The ESPN fantasy client I use only allows Ohtani’s owners to start him as a pitcher OR a DH, but not both at the same time. So on days when the two-way phenom is pitching, I’m allowing another batter to take over as DH. Hey, if the Major Leagues made their own rule for this guy, why shouldn’t I do the same with my fantasy league?

(NOTE: The Yahoo fantasy client lists Ohtani as two separate player entries: one as a hitter and one as a pitcher. So while that method has some strange implications for the space-time continuum, it would make this particular situation easier to handle.)

TAURUS BULLS

Last year’s league champions are dealing with an injury to their top-ranked starter, Lance Lynn – he should be back from his knee problem in about four weeks. They also have a projected starter (Michael Kopech) who is not yet eligible for the rotation, since he only appeared as a reliever in 2021. There’s also a bit of a first base battle between Brandon Belt and Miguel Sano, with #2 catcher Willson Contreras occupying the DH slot behind last year’s home run leader Salvador Perez.

LIBRA SCALES

Libra always has a glut of strong outfielders, but this year’s bunch is ridiculous. How about a starting three of Bryce Haprer, Mookie Betts and Cedric Mullins, with a battle for the DH spot between Starling Marte and Teoscar Hernandez. Luckily, Ketel Marte can play second base, but Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s 10 games at first base in 2021 weren’t enough for holdover eligibility. This outfield group will have to carry a pitching staff that’s struggling with a couple of significant injuries: Lance McCullers Jr. and Jack Flaherty.

Stats and fantasy points are ESPN’s 2022 projections.

LEO LIONS

The Leo infield is in a bit of flux due to some eligibility concerns. Adalberto Mondesi can currently only slot in at third base, based on last year’s positional profile. But he’s back at shortstop for the Royals, and when he regains eligibility, that’ll open up the Leo hot corner for the likes of Yandy Diaz, Hunter Dozier, or maybe even Alec Bohm. The first base logjam is also worth mentioning, with Jared Walsh, Anthony Rizzo, and Josh Bell all vying for one spot.

PISCES FISH

The biggest issue with Pisces is third base. Wander Franco had 8 games there last year (which would be enough for Yahoo, for the record), but Jean Segura has lost his holdover eligibility from 2020. So even with a glut of shortstops who could easily move over in a simulation setting – Franco, Bo Bichette, Nicky Lopez, Miguel Rojas, Edmundo Sosa, even Jurickson Profar – the Fish are stuck with Mike Brosseau for the time being. In another temporary pitching eligibility issue, Luis Severino will join the rotation as soon as he makes enough starts.

SCORPIO STINGERS

No significant injury issues here, but a couple of positional battles: Trent Grisham is ranked a lot higher than Dylan Carlson according to MLB.com, but they’re pretty even as far as projected 2022 fantasy points are concerned. For the fifth starter spot, Marlins youngster Trevor Rogers has to hold off Tarik Skubal and Jon Gray – Sonny already made the starting five after his trade to the Twins.

VIRGO FLOWERS

With Seby Zavala outrighted by the White Sox and Tres Barrera optioned by Washington, Virgo has exactly zero catchers on major league rosters to start the 2022 season. I guess there’s hope that John Hicks could get called up by the Cubs, but it’s looking pretty bleak behind the plate. Also, the outfield isn’t that solid: behind George Springer and utility threat Chris Taylor, there’s a three-way competition between Adam Duvall, Robbie Grossman, and Mike Yastrzemski.

CAPRICORN GOATS

The biggest injury in MLB right now is Fernando Tatis Jr., who was for a brief time ranked as the #1 fantasy player in fantasy… before it was revealed that he had fractured his wrist during the offseason. At least newly-extended J.P. Crawford is around to pick up the slack. There’s also a vacancy in center field, where the injured Odubel Herrera and minor league signee Kevin Pillar the best eligible options (even though Mitch Haniger or Kyle Tucker could absolutely fill in in a simulation setting).

AQUARIUS WATER BEARERS

A very strong class of shortstops headlines this up and coming sign. The starting middle infield is made up of Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Dansby Swanson, with Whit Merrifield making use of his outfield eligibility. That alignment leaves Jake Cronenworth, Brandon Crawford, and Didi Gregorius on the bench… or competing for DH at-bats with bat-first type Luke Voit (depending on how much the rankings of the former players are wrapped up in SS eligibility).

ARIES RAMS

Chris Sale’s injury will put a strain on this sign’s rotation to start the year. Also, this team has a legendary third base logjam, with one of Nolan Arenado, Austin Riley, and Alex Bregman left out of the 3B/DH mix. I know one of them could take first base, given my league’s eligibility rules, but of course Matt Olson is entrenched there.

GEMINI TWINS

If Tatis Jr. is the biggest injury in MLB, then Jacob deGrom is #2, as his shoulder trouble will keep him from even picking up a baseball for four weeks. Other injury troubles for Gemini include #2 pitcher Zack Wheeler (although he’s hoping to avoid the injured list) and infielders Yoan Moncada and Luis Urias. Luckily top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. made his debut and immediately delivered in his first game with an RBI double.

SAGITTARIUS ARCHERS

While Ronald Acuna Jr. is recovering from his knee injury, Sagittarius will use their third base depth to fill the DH spot. Justin Turner is the starter, but Josh Donaldson, Ryan McMahon, and Jeimer Candelario are other options. Reds ace Luis Castillo and Padres hurler Mike Clevinger are also sidelined for now. While the Archers have enough starting depth to cover these injuries, their real strength is relief pitching, with Scott Barlow, Taylor Rogers, and Corey Knebel battling for the #2 RP slot behind Ryan Pressly.