Projected stats:
American League hitter projections
Assessing each position and listing players by projected stats. AL projections, Pages 10-12 NL projections, Pages 16-18
Here’s a closer look at the top AL players at each position, with 2018 projections from BaseballHQ.com. The dollar values are based on maximum league size and should be used for comparison purposes, rather than specific bid limits. Players are listed at all positions at which they qualify (20-game minimum required for eligibility.) Catcher
Gary Sanchez is by far the most valuable of an extremely thin crop. There’s some power among the everyday backstops, but no one else is likely to contribute in the other categories the way Sanchez will. Especially in two-catcher leagues, the bottom half of the position can do serious damage to a fantasy team’s batting average. Try to find a do-no-harm backup; any counting stats are a bonus.
First base
Compared to the National League, the AL is terribly weak at first. Jose Abreu and Edwin Encarnacion form a clear top tier, with many question marks behind them. Will Miguel Cabrera bounce back? Can Matt Olson, Justin Smoak and Yonder Alonso repeat? Is Greg Bird ready to break out? AL-only owners may have to start with a multi-position player here and hope DHs Albert Pujols and Hanley Ramirez gain firstbase eligibility quickly.
Second base
In auction leagues, Jose Altuve might be the AL’s most expensive player. His fivecategory production from a middle-infield spot gives his owners a huge advantage. However, there are several excellent fallback options. Dee Gordon arrives from the NL as a premium source of speed with bonus outfield eligibility shortly after the season starts. Jose Ramirez will command a high price, whether he slots here or at third base. There’s also power (Brian Dozier, Jonathan Schoop and Rougned Odor), upside (Yoan Moncada) and veteran stability (Robinson Cano, Ian Kinsler).
Shortstop
At the top of the heap, Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor are legitimate MVP candidates. Add in Alex Bregman and Manny Machado (once he qualifies), and this is one of the AL’s deepest positions for fantasy starters. Elvis Andrus is coming off a career year in homers but is one of the most consistent sources of steals, with nine consecutive seasons of at least 20. Also, look for a rebound from Xander Bogaerts, who played through a hand injury for most of last season’s second half.