Is Vernon Wells this years Lance Berkman?

[Skin Blues]

I wonder which feat was accomplished more often last year; .261 xBA in the second half or hitting 3 HR in a single game.

In all seriousness the crowding that the Angels have between Wells, Hunter, Bourjos, Morales, Trumbo, Pujols, Abreu and Trout is just about as much of a concern as Wells' nosedive last season. If he gets full-time ABs and can get his average up to .270 then yeah, he'll be a steal. But what are the chances of both of those things happening? 10%? If they manage to trade one or two of those guys before the season starts and/or Trumbo sticks at 3B then I actually might be more interested in giving him a shot in a mixed league. Too many ifs though. He'll probably be taken before I'm comfortable drafting him.

[dclark0699]

I was running a comparsion between Vernon Wells and Lance Berkman when I noticed a little trend. Vernon Wells is the bizarro Lance Berkman, pretty much doing the exact opposite every season based on age. So based only on this, I expect moderate Vernon Wells improvement this year. Then I'm buying Vernon Wells big time next season.

[Skin Blues]

Of course, it's only a minor detail that Vernon's wOBA last season was 60 points less than Berkman's career low. Minor detail.

[dclark0699]

Of course, it's only a minor detail that Vernon's wOBA last season was 60 points less than Berkman's career low. Minor detail.

Hence me saying "Moderate Vernon Wells improvement" and not "Vernon Wells will be a spectacular baseball player"

[reiser]

Of course, it's only a minor detail that Vernon's wOBA last season was 60 points less than Berkman's career low. Minor detail.

well I guess if nothing else you should have no trouble getting Wells late.

Not to hijack, but I have noticed Wells is going before Bay on the ADP charts, and I kind of view them as the same player-relatively young (32) with somewhat of a track record.

What do you think of Bay's chances for a bounceback?

[MasterX1918]

I think Wells is a safer pick, but thats just me. Even when Vernon Wells was at his worst last year the guy still managed to blast 25 homers, if that same power carries over to this season and he manages to bring his contact rate to normal levels he could have a fantastic year hitting behind Pujols (.270, 25 homers and 80 rbis is what i'm feeling). Call me an optimist, but Wells only drawback could be being pressed for playing time by phenom Mike Trout.

Jason Bay is a health risk with that rib issue and he can't figure out how to hit in citi field, not to mention he's hitting in a considerably worst lineup. However both issues could both be subsided with Citi field moving its fences in and Bay being healthy (i've yet to read about any setbacks). However, when you get down to the 20+ rounds and you're stuck deciding between Wells and Bay you really can't make a "correct" choice, forecasting either guy to have a big year is like reaching into a bag of trash and hoping to pull out a gem. Both players carry a large amount of inherent risk and it would be tough to consider one safer than the other.

[Ender]

I would like Wells a lot more if they didn't have so many bats. If he comes out slow I could see him start to lose some playing time against RHP which he hit under .200 against last year. Bay should play every day which may or may not be a good thing~.

[Tavish]

I wouldn't be expecting last year's Berkman out of this year's Wells. I would be somewhat surprised if this year's Wells was as valuable as last year's Wells.

[Broncmet724]

he's just bad, I hope Mike Trout doesn't listen to a thing he says when it comes to hitting

[NikkiSixx]

I think Wells is a safer pick, but thats just me. Even when Vernon Wells was at his worst last year the guy still managed to blast 25 homers, if that same power carries over to this season and he manages to bring his contact rate to normal levels he could have a fantastic year hitting behind Pujols (.270, 25 homers and 80 rbis is what i'm feeling). Call me an optimist, but Wells only drawback could be being pressed for playing time by phenom Mike Trout.

Jason Bay is a health risk with that rib issue and he can't figure out how to hit in citi field, not to mention he's hitting in a considerably worst lineup. However both issues could both be subsided with Citi field moving its fences in and Bay being healthy (i've yet to read about any setbacks). However, when you get down to the 20+ rounds and you're stuck deciding between Wells and Bay you really can't make a "correct" choice, forecasting either guy to have a big year is like reaching into a bag of trash and hoping to pull out a gem. Both players carry a large amount of inherent risk and it would be tough to consider one safer than the other.

I believe the projected opening day lineup through the first 5 batters for the Angels goes like this:

Aybar
Kendrick
Pujols
Hunter
Wells



That to me sounds like a good oppurtunity for massive RBI production from both Hunter and Wells.

Jason Bay on the other hand has to hope for an Ike Davis breakout and a David Wright bounce back AND he needs to bounce back in order to have good RBI production.


I prefer Vernon Wells. Yes Mike Trout is knocking on the door, but Wells has the luxury of a DH slot, and I still feel the OF spot is his to lose. I'm hoping wells starts the season off well so they have no reason to pull him. Given a full season, Wells is a 30 HR 100 RBi sleeper.


On a side note, I'm not sure Mike Trout will be so great right off the bat. He only has had 2 minor seasons and hasnt seen a triple A at bat yet either. Not to mention he didnt wow anybody in his short time in the majors last season. I'm not big on Trout at all this year and he still needs a little more seasoning before he lands on my fantasy team. Just my opinion.