Players Stay the Same; It's the Year That Changes

[DOUGHBOYS]

I'm in my second draft of the new drafting season. In the coming months, there will be writers who will tell you to pick one player over another. I used to listen to these fellas. Not much anymore.
You see, I believe we have become so knowledegable, misspelled on purpose to make fun of myself, about fantasy baseball, that the players are not the goal.
Somebody may rank Dozier over Kipnis at second base. We all know just about everything there is to know about these two players. In the past, Kipnis has had a better year than Dozier. Then, Dozier had a better year than Kipnis.
We're not chasing the player for our second baseman. We're chasing the year.

Mike Trout and Bryce Harper are at the top of the food chain. Each going first in the two drafts participated in.
Each had terrific years last year.
We all know what we get when drafting either of these players.
Both had similar numbers. Virtually, the same player.
Sure, we can argue with ourselves and ask...
'Can Harper get even better?'
'Can the Nationals sign a slugger to hit behind him?'
'Can he stay healthy again?'
"Will Trout run?'

In my mind, Trout not stealing bases has brought him back to the pack.
Last year, it was Trout and everybody else.
This year, Trout, and Harper, and even Goldschmidt are fairly close.
Trout with only 11 thefts makes him look only human.
A lot of players can steal 11 bases.
What still props Trout up, is that he CAN steal a lot more than 11 bases.
He's done it before and we know he is still fast.

But will he?
The Angels don't need him stealing bases.
And maybe quietly, they have even asked him not to steal bases.
In their eyes, the wear and tear of stealing bases, not to mention the fact that Pujols does not like people running during an at bat, may have conspired to keep Trout's stolen bases low.
Trout is beyond leading off now.
He may be what he is.

For as much as we like Trout, most know that Harper could be even better. Without speed, it becomes a power contest between the two.
Advantage Harper.
Some have called this past year, Harper's 'breakout year'.
I don't see it that way.
I call it the year that Harper 'figured it out'.
He figured out that pitchers were not throwing him strikes.
He forced them to throw strikes if wanting a chance to get him out.
Really, I can see Harper hitting 6o homers in the right situation.
BUT, and it's a big BUT, he's not in the right situation.
He has no fearful bats behind him and pitchers will not go mano y mano with Harper as they did early this past year.
More bases on balls are in his future.
I feel Harper's best year will not be the next year.
Don't get me wrong, without injury, it'll still be a damned fine year.
For this upcoming year, unless something changes in Washington, Harper's on par with Trout.
And that's not a bad place to be.