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I think it's time that we, the NFBC faithful, elect a Fantasy MVP for the 2016 season. I've come up with a list of contenders below. For purposes of this list, I'm excluding guys that typically were taken in the first five rounds. Guys like Trout, Betts, Bryant, Arenado are MVP caliber for sure, but we expect strong performance when drafting these guys. No, the guys that win fantasy leagues typically are drafted later. For purposes of the list, I'm also excluding partial year players, like Gary Sanchez and Trea Turner. Perhaps this is not totally fair, because, down the stretch, these were the FAAB pickups that really made a difference. Anyway, for now at least, let's focus on guys that played all year and produced far more than we had any right to expect.

1. Jonathan Villar - In 2015, he hit for 2 HR, 18 R, 11 RBI and 7 SB in 53 games. In 2016, 19 HR, 92 R, 63 RBI and 62 SB.

2. Rick Porcello - In 2015, his 9-15 record, 4.92 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 149 K didn't get many excited. In 2016, his 22-4, 3.15 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 189 K could get him a Cy Young.

3. Mark Trumbo - In 2015, 22 HR, 62 R, 64 RBI. In 2016, 47 HR, 94 RBI and 108 RBI.

4. Jean Segura - In 2015, 6 HR, 57 R, 50 RBI and 25 SB with a .257 BA. Fast forward to 2016: 20 HR, 102 R, 64 RBI, 33 SB and a .319 BA.

5. Daniel Murphy - In 2015, his 14 HR, 56 R, 73 RBI and .281 made him a middle-of-the-road MI. In 2016, he hit 25 HR, 88 R, 104 RBI with a .347 BA.

6. Kyle Hendricks - Went from 8-7, 3.95 ERA and 1.16 WHIP to 16-8, 2.13 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.

7. Jackie Bradley, Jr. - Tailed off at the end some, but in 2015, this defensive specialist hit 10 HR, 43 R, 43 RBI, 3 SB and .249 BA. Nothing to get excited about. In 2016, 26 HR, 94 R, 87 RBI, 9 SB, .267 BA.

8. Hanley Ramirez - 1st year in Boston in 2015: 19 HR, 59 R, 53 RBI, 6 SB, .249 BA. A once great player continued to be hurt by injuries and declining performance. 2016: 30 HR, 81 R, 111 RBI, 9 SB, .286.

9. David Ortiz - Had really good numbers in 2015, too, but this utility-only aging DH was woefully under-drafted yet again, surprising most with a line of 38 HR, 79 R, 127 RBI and a .315 BA.

I'm probably leaving a bunch out. Thought about Trevor Story, but I think his injury puts him in the same category as other incomplete season contenders such as Sanchez and Turner. Let me know if there are other omissions.

My vote: can I have two? I'd give it to Villar and Porcello. I've seen their names in a number of the big winners' drafts. Two guys generally selected in the 20+ rounds turned in top tier performance. What do you guys think?

Mike

Pretty good list. I believe Wil Myers deserves consideration as well.

As far as free agent pickups, Hernan Perez made his way onto 5 of the top 8 NFBC Main Event teams. He was the most owned player among the final rosters of Top 10 teams:

Hernan Perez 5
Roberto Osuna 4
Max Scherzer 4
Mark Trumbo 4
T.J. Rivera 4
Madison Bumgarner 3
Adam Duvall 3
Michael Fulmer 3
Kyle Hendricks 3
Adam Jones 3
Jake Lamb 3
Chris Owings 3
Brad Peacock 3
Rick Porcello 3
Sean Rodriguez 3
Jonathan Villar 3

Totally agree. Wil Myers definitely belongs on my original list. I totally missed him (as I did when drafting all 14 of my NFBC teams for this past season). Also agree that Hernan Perez might have been one of the best FAAB pickups of 2016. Lots of winning teams had him, and most probably paid $20 or less for him if they got him early enough. Thanks.

Mike

Strictly based on final rank (meaningful impact) vs initial rank (according to ADP)

Draft pick of the year - Position Player: Jonathan Villar, Jose Ramirez, Adam Duvall, Rajai Davis, Mike Napoli.

Draft pick of the year - Pitcher: Rick Porcello, Tanner Roark, JA Happ, Danny Duffy, Sam Dyson.

FA Pickup of the year - Position Player: Eduardo Nunez, Hernan Perez.

FA Pickup of the year - Pitcher: Jeanmar Gomez, Dan Straily, Seung Hwan Oh, Steven Wright, Michael Fulmer.

Bronx Yankees wrote:My vote: can I have two? I'd give it to Villar and Porcello. I've seen their names in a number of the big winners' drafts. Two guys generally selected in the 20+ rounds turned in top tier performance. What do you guys think?

Mike

I think you nailed the top two. Tough to pick between them. To say both exceeded expectations is a gross understatement.

But there is only one MVP. Convention gives it to Porcello because he is on a contender and to Villar because he is a hitter.

I think I vote for Villar because going into the season it looked to me that he had a lower floor than even Porcello. In Milwaukee Arcia was lurking with the potential of taking away ABs and there was the possibility Villar could be traded and/or end up with a utility role. So it seems he really came out of nowhere to produce top round value.

Not sure how it cannot be Dozier. Better overall numbers than Trumblo and at a middle infield position.

Bama wrote:Not sure how it cannot be Dozier. Better overall numbers than Trumblo and at a middle infield position.

Doz - great season but still we are talking about a 6-7th rounder producing 1st round value. He will definitely make the draft picks All Star shortlist.
Villar is a 25th rounder who ended up second overall.