Virgo 2021 Batters
Virgo as a team scored the most fantasy points in 2021, according to my usual method of ranking the signs: adding up the point totals of the top position players at each position, the top five starting pitchers, and the top three relievers. However, it takes much more than a starting lineup to make a Fantasy Astrology Baseball League team, so today I’m taking an in-depth look at all the relevant players who contributed to Virgo in 2021.
Only three Virgos played a game behind the plate in 2021, and none of them surpassed 110 plate appearances – which makes Virgo’s status as the top-scoring sign all the more impressive. Seby Zavala took over as the White Sox backup catcher when Scorpio Yasmani Grandal was on the shelf. Tres Barrera was a little-used third-stringer for the Nationals. The only non-rookie of the bunch is journeyman John Hicks, who performed well in his 10-game cup of coffee with the Rangers.
While they didn’t have the top-scoring fantasy first baseman (Pisces Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), no sign can compete with Virgo’s depth at first base. The lefty/righty pair of Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt will occupy the first base and DH slots, leaving Max Muncy and Joey Votto as oft-used bench bats. (Three of those four - not Votto - were 2021 NL Gold Glove finalists, with Goldy winning the award.) Of course Muncy has some versatility, qualifying for second and third base in recent seasons… but perhaps not enough versatility to justify me slotting him in as the starting left fielder in my official lineups.
The reason Muncy can’t simply slide over to the keystone is Marcus Semien, who just set the record for most home runs in a single season by a second baseman… not to mention his American League Gold Glove award. Semien also qualified at shortstop, so there is a potential lineup where Semien and Muncy occupy the middle infield spots. But as we’ll find out later, Virgo has a pretty good option for primary shortstop. While Virgo has plenty of second base depth from players’ secondary positions, the only other primary second basemen to score more than 200 points in ’21 were Pat Valaika of the Orioles and Jordy Mercer on Washington.
Jose Ramirez of the Indians Guardians has emerged as the top third baseman in the league. He has played some second base and left field in the past, but with Cubs rookie Patrick Wisdom as the best backup option at the hot corner, there’s no reason to pull any positional shenanigans. Further down the depth chart, Maikel Franco was a former prospect with the Phillies, Kelvin Gutierrez split ’21 between Kansas City and Baltimore, and Ronald Torreyes can play anywhere on the infield. Mike Moustakas moved back to his customary third base, before having his season ruined by injuries, and Carter Kieboom could emerge as the third baseman of the future for the Nats.
Carlos Correa was the shortstop I alluded to earlier, and his fantasy point totals back up the assertion he makes in his home run celebration: that it’s his time (to take over as the Virgo starting shortstop). He also won a 2021 AL Gold Glove award. After being traded away from the Rays, Willy Adames not only turned his season around , but that of his new team, helping the Brewers reach the playoffs. A pair of celebrated veterans changed teams during the 2020-21 offseason: Elvis Andrus was traded to the A’s, and Andrelton Simmons signed on with the Twins. Andres Gimenez was part of Cleveland’s return for star Scorpio shortstop Francisco Lindor, but it will take the youngster some time to reach his prime.
Virgo’s top-scoring outfielder Robbie Grossman split his time between both corner spots for the Tigers. Behind him on the left field depth chart is a former Detroit stalwart, Justin Upton, although he had a mostly-lost season with the Angels in ’21. Harold Ramirez filled in at all three outfield spots in Cleveland after being picked off waivers from the Marlins. Clint Frazier struggled with vertigo, ruining his momentum after a stellar short 2020 season with the Yankees.
Most of Virgo’s second base depth comes from players who primarily played center field in 2021: Chris Taylor (who also qualified at shortstop and left field, and played a little third base as well) and his former Dodgers teammate Kiké Hernandez. But in a hypothetical postseason tournament scenario, George Springer would likely get the starting nod, with one or both of the above two players on the bench as utility options.
Meanwhile, Yankees lifer Brett Gardner would be relegated to the minor league side of that hypothetical tournament. Lane Thomas took over as a starter in Washington’s outfield after coming over from St. Louis in a midseason trade. Billy Hamilton was primarily a pinch runner / defensive replacement for the White Sox in ’21. Looking to the future, Virgo’s crop of rookie centerfielders is impressive: Taylor Trammell for Seattle, Leody Taveras for Texas, and Jarren Duran for Boston.
Both of Virgo’s top-scoring primary right fielders also qualified in center field in 2021, for playoff contending teams no less, and they make a somewhat natural righty/lefty platoon: Adam Duvall of the Marlins/Braves (yet another NL Gold Glove winner) and Mike Yastrzemski of the Giants (an NL Gold Glove finalist). After those two, the right field depth falls off considerably: Gregory Polanco lost his longtime job with the Pirates this year, and Billy McKinney was shuffled across three teams. Cardinals rookie Lars Nootbaar has a great name, but unfortunately not a prospect pedigree to match. Mitch Moreland was the only primary Virgo DH to score more than 70 points in 2021.
I had planned to do one post per sign, but I’m afraid I had so much to say about the batters, I must sign off here. Tune in next time for a deep dive into the Virgo 2021 Pitching Staff!