What does it take to win a fantasy baseball championship? That question seems like an easy one but if you know anything about betting you should realize how untrue that sentiment is. 2017 has been a good year in the MLB. There have been a lot of big names to cheer for, people like Aaron Judge and Jonathan Schoop that are justifying their super star status and making betting tips for wagering all but irrelevant.
After all, everyone seems to think that they know what it takes to make it to the top. Even young arms like Aaron Nola and Luis Severino are joining big names in the league and garnering all manner of attention, a trend that is likely to end in disaster.
It is easy to lose oneself in the allure of a big name. And it takes a bit of careful sniffing for one to realize that not every big name is what they seem. An example is Yonder Alonso. Alonso has been experiencing a surge of sorts. And if you’re foaming at the mouth for him, no one will blame you.
After all, Alonso is definitely having a career year, having garnered a .266 average and 22 home runs. 2017 has seen Alonso eclipse his performance from the previous years on more than one occasion.
And it isn’t just the runs scored on his record that have people talking but the changes Alonso has been implementing in his swing, alterations in the launch angle that are clearly improving his capabilities and setting him up for some incredible feats down the line.
Of course, if none of those trendy Alonso stories with their buzz words have moved you in any way, no one is going to blame you either. You probably have your eyes set on the fantasy baseball championship which means that you are ignoring the surface numbers.
That is what everyone is doing with Alonso, looking at the surface stats. Yes he was hot at some point, and maybe there are residual elements of his previously amazing performance, but Alonso is no longer the player everyone thinks he is and, if you really have your eyes on the prize, then you must let him go.
That isn’t to suggest that anyone that was hyping Alonso was wrong. Players wax and wane and no one would criticize you for hyping a player at their best. However, once they begin to wane, you must be able to recognize their descent so that you can let go of them in time.
Anyone that is still hyping Alonso’s previous numbers isn’t looking at the below average figures he has posted since June. Alonso might have been a star at the start but his shine has definitely plummeted.
Do not be surprised if he fails to make in on a 12-team mixed league roster because he is that bad these days. If you thought Alonso was blossoming in previous months, you should know that there are other prospects showing the same talent or even greater, this including Mike Moustakas and Justine Smoak.
No one is stopping you from letting the numbers define the way you structure your team roster. However, make an effort to take an in-depth look at the players at hand. If you look closely enough, you might be surprised by what you discover.