Fantasy guru Zinkie fields questions on Twitter
MLB.com fantasy expert Fred Zinkie fielded questions from fans during a live Twitter chat (at @fantasy411) on Monday. Read through the best of the Q&A below. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity.
@5helmetplay: Should I keep Michael Fulmer or Rick Porcello?
Fred Zinkie: I would keep Fulmer. He should be similar to Porcello this season, and he is younger.
@DanBruneau: Should I keep Matt Carpenter or Jacob deGrom?
Zinkie: I would keep Carpenter. I usually keep the hitter if the overall value is similar.
@dodgersjosh: What are your thoughts on sophomores Nomar Mazara and Trea Turner?
Zinkie: I expect Turner to be a top-10 player this season. Mazara should take a small step forward and stay on mixed-league rosters.
@juan_sebas_bz: What is the best combination to draft in the first two rounds of a head-to-head league?
Zinkie: Try to get a stud hitter and an ace in the initial two rounds.
@amoralest1970: Do you believe any of Adam Wainwright, Jeff Samardzija or Sonny Gray are going to rebound this season?
Zinkie: Of the three, I have the most optimism for Samardzija. But I'm not especially optimistic on any of them.
@REDBIRDFAN7: Do you see Yoan Moncada as the starting second baseman out of Spring Training now that Brett Lawrie has been released?
Zinkie: No, I don't believe this changes the timetable for Moncada. I'm expecting him to be the starting second baseman in June.
@texhonkey: Is Jose Reyes worth a spot in mixed leagues?
Zinkie: Definitely. He could log 600 plate appearances this season.
@NFLMockstar: Please name a Kyle Hendricks-type breakout star for 2017.
Zinkie: If Lance McCullers stays healthy, he will have an outstanding season.
@jpabloff92: Please list some of your favorite sleepers.
Zinkie: Austin Hedges, Yulieski Gurriel, Mitch Haniger, Aaron Nola.
@Tony_Pumilia: If I draft Shawn Kelley, should I handcuff him with Blake Treinen?
Zinkie: I don't believe you need to do that. Kelley is the clear front-runner for that job.
@thurminator2: Do you prefer to draft Jose Cabrera or Anthony Rizzo?
Zinkie: I prefer Cabrera due to his ability to consistently post high batting averages.
@speej63: Please rank the following pitchers for keeper leagues: Jon Gray, Nola, Vince Velasquez and Carlos Rodon.
Zinkie: Nola, Rodon, Gray, Velasquez.
@Mandosv05: Do you expect Buster Posey will rebound and be the top fantasy catcher this season?
Zinkie: Yes, I expect him to rebound. Poor batted-ball luck was part of his disappointing season.
@Tony_Pumilia: If Kyle Schwarber gets catcher eligibility early in the season, where does he rank at that position?
Zinkie: He would join the top tier with Posey, Gary Sanchez and Jonathan Lucroy. At the very worst, he's at the bottom of that group.
@jjthorn17: Am I wise to draft Robinson Cano over Xander Bogaerts?
Zinkie: I'm fine with Cano over Bogaerts in a one-year league. I would prefer Bogaerts in a keeper league.
@ZimmRx27: Who will be better next two seasons, Trevor Story or Alex Bregman?
Zinkie: Story. Coors Field matters.
@jfluck: Would you rather own David Price or Stephen Strasburg?
Zinkie: I have to go with Strasburg. I know he's prone to injury, but he isn't injured at the moment.
@CallahanJesse: Should I draft Adam Duvall or Randal Grichuk?
Zinkie: Take Grichuk. We may have seen the best of Duvall last season.
@nickb88: What are your thoughts on Lance Lynn and Francisco Liriano?
Zinkie: Liriano is a solid sleeper candidate. I'm less excited about Lynn in his first season following Tommy John surgery.
@serrata44: Do you prefer Nolan Arenado or Kristopher Bryant at third base?
Zinkie: I prefer Bryant, but I acknowledge that it's very close.
@BPalermo1: Do you have any concerns with Edwin Encarnacion and his switch of home parks?
Zinkie: My concern is more about his rising strikeout rate than the park impact. I would pass on him in the initial three rounds.
@juan_sebas_bz: Is it a good idea to draft either all hitters or all pitchers in the first 10 rounds of my draft?
Zinkie: No, you should draft balance. Going too far in one direction will likely lead you straight to the middle of the standings.
@GeekyBaseball: Should Hunter Renfroe or Manuel Margot be on my draft list?
Zinkie: Yes, they are both fine late-round picks in mixed leagues.