Bernie on the Scene: Looking for Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Most of us are shuttered indoors during this international crisis.  One means available to pass the time is the creation of new fantasy leagues for this season. Drafts in this "down time" are really a great way to pass time and still enjoy the sport we love.

If you are interested in creating and joining a 10-team 5X5 roto league with me, please email me at [email protected]. No entry fee. No financial prizes. And one of you would have to serve as the Commissioner — that's over my pay grade.

Once I hear from you, we can go from there.

What I Think Will Happen in Baseball

I have talked with people close to the game for their opinion on what they believe will happen once the "all clear" is given to proceed. Here are the most consistent items I have heard:

• The Arizona Fall League will take on added importance and will start sooner than ever — with only the best prospects taking part.
• There will be three weeks of spring training games in Arizona and Florida once they get the "green light."
• They will return to Arizona and Florida so they can watch minor league players on the back fields.
• The general feeling is that baseball gave way too much in their settlement with the players  last week in an effort to gain favor for the upcoming agreement between the players and owners. The biggest rub may be offering a full year of service time in a shortened season.
   

Player Profiles for This Week

Edward Olivares, Padres, OF, BR, 6-2, 186

Olivares was initially signed by the Blue Jays out of Venezuela in 2014 but was traded to the Padres in 2017 for Yangervis Solarte.

Olivares is one of the under the radar players who gets lost in prospect discussions. Having just turned 24 in March, he has some solid upside with good hitting mechanics and increasing power. Last year at Double-A Amarillo, he hit 18 homers in 551 plate appearances. He drove in 77 runs and stole 35 bases in 45 attempts. Olivares is a true "sleeper" candidate in deep drafts, especially those that value stolen bases.

Athletic and nimble, from what I have observed, Olivares has only a fair defensive profile due to poor fly-ball tracking with a good enough arm to be viable in a future Padres outfield. Other analysts rate his defense to be well above average. I'm not as sure of that.

My concern about Olivares is his dependence upon hitting the fastball and a poor approach against breaking balls. Time remains this season for him to show improvement against secondary pitches.

The exciting part about Olivares' profile is his emerging power. If he builds upon that, he builds his future in San Diego. He's a good enough hitter to impact a lineup.

Olivares is already on the Padres' 40-man roster. That means the club has him in their plans. Once baseball returns, Olivares has a chance to improve his standing with another good season. He has to show his 2019 season of .283/18/77 at Double-A wasn't a fluke.

Padres brass will have to determine if his role will be as a utility outfielder or a starter. When I saw him play, I felt he would be a fourth outfielder. That could change. GRADE: 50

Nick Gordon, Twins, 2B/3B, BL, 6-0, 160

I have to begin by stating Nick Gordon is a totally different player than his brother Dee. Nick doesn't have the speed or agility of Dee. He does, however, he may have enough just enough skill to compete as a utility middle-infielder. 

The Twins selected Gordon in the first round of the 2014 draft out of Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla. 

Gordon enters this season at age 24 and with six seasons of minor league ball in the books. He hit .298 with four homers and 40 RBIs at Triple-A Rochester last year. He had only 319 plate appearances in 70 games as he battled stomach problems early in the season.

When I saw Gordon play in the 2016 Arizona Fall League he told me he was a shortstop first and foremost. That's the position he played all his life, and that's where he wanted to stay. That has changed. The Twins have used him at both second and short. I grade him a much better second baseman than shortstop.

Gordon has not lived up to his first-round status. Admirably, he uses a short, measured stroke and relies on line-drives rather than hunting home runs. That said, I struggle to find an overwhelming tool that will carry his game.

Follow the money in baseball. The Twins spent $3,851,000 on Gordon in 2014. Chances are he will make their club as a utility infielder at some point. From an offensive standpoint, I don't see much value for your fantasy team. GRADE: 45

Geraldo Perdomo, Diamondbacks, SS/2B, BB, 6-3, 185

If Nick Gordon is a player I can't quite recommend yet, Perdomo is quite the opposite. I believe we will see Perdomo as the heir apparent to Nick Ahmed at shortstop in Arizona. Bear in mind that Ahmed is signed thru 2023. But Perdomo can also play second base if the Dbacks want to use him before Ahmed moves on.

Still only 20, the switch-hitting Perdomo was signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2016. He has played three minor league seasons and appeared in the 2019 Arizona Fall League.

What I have seen first-hand in Perdomo is a much more mature and advanced hitter than his age would dictate. He has a measured stroke and knows how to take a pitch where it is thrown. Using the entire field, Perdomo should be able to deliver a credible batting average with possible emerging power. He also has enough speed to steal bases, but he remains a work in progress in all aspects of base stealing.

Perdomo has enough range, a good enough arm and soft enough hands to remain at shortstop. Already tall for the position, Perdomo may gain more depth and strength to his frame.

Perdomo is in a very crowded group of quality prospect shortstops in baseball. He may not be in the top group, but he's certainly in the conversation. Much of his evaluative grade is based upon his defense and speed as well as his good hit tool. This is a guy with a bright future in a very good home park for hitters. GRADE: 55

Jazz Chisholm, Marlins, SS, BL, 5-11, 165

Think "almost" Didi Gregorius. Then remember I said, "almost."

The Diamondbacks signed Chisholm out of the Bahamas in 2015. They traded him to the Marlins at the trade deadline in 2018, fetching highly regarded pitcher Zac Gallen in return.

Ironically, Chisholm's trade to Miami has opened the door in Arizona for Geraldo Perdomo (see above).  Chisholm appears to be the heir apparent to the shortstop position in Miami, an important fact for keeper league owners. He is already on the club's 40-man roster. The team did not give up a quality pitcher like Zac Gallen to keep Chisholm in development for any length of time.

When I saw Chisholm in the 2018 Arizona Fall League I was immediately reminded of my initial thoughts when I scouted Didi Gregorius in the same league. They both had that certain "flair" about their game. While I don't think Chisholm has the bat of Didi … yet, I see a solid defender with a chance for an improving hit tool over time. I also project some stolen bases in his future. And remember, Didi didn't develop power right away. That came in time. I think that will happen to Jazz.

It should be noted that Chisholm hit .442 in 47 plate appearances in the Fall League. Everything seemed to fall in place for him and he was on fire. He's not that good a hitter, but I see hope.

Chisholm has trouble identifying pitches early out of the hand of the pitcher. The net result last year was 123 strikeouts in 364 plate appearances at Double-A. If he doesn't improve his contact, he will have trouble against much tougher pitching. He also has a history of hitting lots of short fly balls. He's a bit too "pull happy" as well.

Jazz turned 22 in February. When he was 23, Didi was playing at the big league level for Arizona. Gregorius hit seven home runs in 404 plate appearances in 2013. He hit 27 homers in 2018 playing for the Yankees at age 28. Could that happen to Jazz? Granted, Didi played in a very friendly left-handed hitter's park in Yankee Stadium. Jazz will have a much tougher home run playpen in Miami.

I don't think the Marlins will rush him, but Chisholm could move quickly.

Chisholm is all upside and projection as opposed to current production. The athletic ability and agility are off the charts. But he is a raw prospect learning how to hone those terrific skills. He needs more time in development, which I hope the Marlins offer. GRADE: 55

Dribblers

• This past week, Aaron Civale (Indians) and Alex Reyes (Cardinals) were optioned to Triple-A. Don't be alarmed. Those are procedural moves to save the team service time. It really is one of the foolish consequences of the entire service time issue. These players had options remaining and they will be back at the big league level, but only when needed. Maybe even Steven Duggar (Giants). My point is this — don't be alarmed by roster moves now. They are procedural.

• If the season is canceled entirely, players will receive the same service time they got in 2019.

• Remember, arbitration and free agency are based upon service time.

• Major League Baseball now has the right to move the regularly scheduled June draft to any time no later than July 20. The draft may also be reduced to a minimum of five rounds. MLB has the right now to choose any amount of rounds from five to 40.

• Limiting the number of players selected in the coming MLB draft may profoundly impact the future of professional baseball. It also has the potential to reduce the number of minor league clubs, something MLB Brass wants to do and an issue that has been extremely divisive for months.

Remember: if you wish to join a 10-team 5X5 Roto fantasy league, contact me at [email protected] and let me know of your interest. We will go from there.

Follow me on twitter @BerniePleskoff and read my work at forbes.com-PLESKOFF. Thanks.