Kelly's Ace of the Year

Noah Syndergaard has been named Ace of the Year for the 2nd year in a row. IN improved on every number over last year's rookie campaign. He also ranked very high on player rater, ranking 15th among SP.

Winners of this award:
2007 Roy Halladay 16-5 3.71era 225Inn 139K's
2008 Franciso Rodriguez 2-3 2.24era 68inn 77K's 62SV
2009 Roy Halladay 17-10 2.79era 246Inn 206K's
2010 Trevor Cahill 18-8 2.97 era 196.2Inn 118K's
2011 Ervin Santana 11-12 3.38 228.2inn 178k's
2012 Jim Johnson 4-2 2.49era 68.2Inn 41K's 51SV
2013 James Shields 13-9 3.15era 228Inn 197K's
2014 Yordano Ventura 14-10 3.20era 183Inn 159k's
2015 Noah Syndergaard 9-7 3.24era 150Inn 166K's
2016 Noah Syndergaard 14-9 2.60era 183.2inn 218k's

2016 Hero of the Year

Dustin Pedroia has been named Hero of the Year. This is the 3rd time he has won the award. He finished 29th on player rater and was the top Hero. He also collected 201 hits this year, this mark only the 2nd time a a hero has collected 200+ hits in a season.

Past Winners
2007 3B David Wright .325avg 30HR 107RBI 34SB .963OPS
2008 2B Dustin Pedroia .325avg 17HR 20SB 83RBI 117Runs .869OPS
2009 1B Price Fielder .299Avg 46HR 141RBI 1.014OPS
2010 3B Ryan Zimmerman .307avg 25HR 85RBI 85Runs .894OPS
2011 2B Dustin Pedroia .307avg 21HR 91RBI 102Runs 86BB 26SB .861OPS
2012 1B Prince Fielder .313avg 30HR 108RBI 83Runa 85BB .940ops
2013 1B Joey Votto .305avg 24HR 73RBI, 103Runs, 135BB, .926OPS
2014 OF Lorenzo Cain .301avg 5HR 53Rbi 55runs 28SB .751OPS
2015 OF Michael Conforto .270avg 9HR 26RBI .841ops
2016 2B Dustin Pedroia .318avg 15HR 74RBI 105Runs 61BB .825ops

RIP Jose Fernandez

SP Jose Fernandez was a former Kelly's Hero 4th round pick in the 2012 CPL draft.

Top 30 Hero Prospects at the end of the season

1. 2B Yoan Moncada
2. OF Andrew Benintendi
3. SP Lucas Giolito
4. SS Brendan Rogers
5. 3B Rafael Devers
6. SS Amed Rosario
7. SP Anderson Espinoza
8. 1B AJ Reed
9. OF Manuel Margot
10 OF Bradley Zimmer
11 SP Kolby Allard
12 SS Willy Adames
13 SP Reynaldo Lopez
14 1B Dominic Smith
15 SP Robert Stephenson
16 SP Brady Aiken
17 SP James Kaprielian
18 SP Dylan Cease
19 SP Dillion Tate
20 OF Harold Ramirez
21 3B Gilbert Lara
22 SP Thomas Szapucki
23 2B Forrest Wall
24 OF Donnie Dewees
25 SS Anderson Tejeda
26 SS Lucius Fox
27 SP Alvaro Seijas
28 SP Kyle Freeland
29 OF Greg Allen
30 RP Yasiel Sierra

2016 Little Hero of the Year

Yoan Moncada was named the little Hero of the Year by Baseball America.

In two minor-league stops, Moncada hit .294/.407/.511/.918 with 15 homers, 62 RBI and 45 stolen bases. His development this season was so tantalizing that the Red Sox summoned him to Boston for the September roster expansion. Unfortunately, what we learned at the Double-A level -- he's challenged by offspeed pitches, particularly the changeup -- was exposed to a greater degree in the majors. Offspeed pitch recognition is an obvious area of improvement for the young infielder entering the 2017 season.

Top give vote getters were
1. 2B Yoan Moncada
2. SS Brendan Rogers
3. OF Andrew Benintendi
4. SP Reynaldo Lopez
5. OF Bradley Zimmer

Here is the complete list of Little Heroes of the year

2007 1B Billy Butler KC
2008 1B Logan Morrison Fla
2009 SP Arodys Vizcaino NYY
2010 OF Mike Trout LAA
2011 1B Anthony Rizzo SD
2012 OF Adam Eaton Arz
2013 SP Yordano Ventura KC
2014 SP Lucas Giolito Was
2015 1B AJ Reed Hou
2016 2B Yoan Moncada Bos

Team Rankings

Hits 1,168 (11th)
Runs 636 (10th)
HR 159 (12th)
RBI 578 (12th)
Walks 442 (8th)
SB 38 (15th)
Avg .265 (10th)
OPS .769 (12th)

Inn 1,311 (4th)
K's 1,276 (3rd)
Wins 89 (4th)
Loses 79 (11th)
Saves 17 (14th)
Holds 56 (5th)
ERA 3.54 (1st)
Whip 1.215 (3rd)

Heroes Top 30 Prospects Update

The Heroes have been busy trading some prospects to add some MLB players.  Here is what the top 30 Hero prospects are now.

1. 2B Yoan Moncada
2. SP Lucas Giolito
3. SS Brendan Rogers
4. OF Andrew Benintendi
5. 1B AJ Reed
6. SP Anderson Espinoza
7. 3B Rafael Devers
8. SP Robert Stephenson
9. OF Manuel Margot
10 OF Bradley Zimmer
11 SP Dillion Tate
12 SS Tim Anderson
13 1B Dominic Smith
14 SS Amed Rosario
15 SS Willy Adames
16 SP Brady Aiken
17 SP James Kaprielian
18 SP Kolby Allard
19 3B Gilbert Lara
20 SP Dylan Cease
21 OF Harold Ramirez
22 SP Reynaldo Lopez
23 SP Kyle Freeland
24 2B Forrest Wall
25 RP Yasiel Sierra
26 SS Lucius Fox
27 OF Donnie Dewees
28 SP Pierce Johnson
29 SS Richie Martin
30 SP Hunter Wood

BP Fantasy 101 Pre-Draft Hero Addition

3) Yoan Moncada, 2B, Boston Red Sox (Age: 20, Previous Rank: NR)
Potential Earnings: $35+
Risk Factor: Medium
Fantasy Overview: Five-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG, HR, RBI, R, SB
Realistic Ceiling: The top fantasy second baseman for a half-decade
Realistic Floor: A trail of broken hearts in New England

5) Lucas Giolito, RHP, Washington Nationals (Age: 21, Previous Rank: 9)
Potential Earnings: $30-35
Risk Factor: Medium
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in W, K, ERA, WHIP
Realistic Ceiling: /angels sing
Realistic Floor: /angels sing

9) Bradley Zimmer, OF, Cleveland Indians (Age: 23, Previous Rank: 88)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: Low
Fantasy Overview: Five-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG, R
Realistic Ceiling: The really good version of Shane Victorino
Realistic Floor: The really good version of Gerardo Parra

10) Tim Anderson, SS, Chicago White Sox (Age: 22, Previous Rank: 18)
Potential Earnings: $25-30
Risk Factor: Medium
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG, R, SB
Realistic Ceiling: A top-three shortstop
Realistic Floor: A 30-steal outfielder

12) A.J. Reed, 1B, Houston Astros (Age: 22, Previous Rank: NR)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: Low
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in HR, RBI
Realistic Ceiling: A .280 hitter with 30 bombs
Realistic Floor: A very serviceable mixed-league corner infielder

14) Brendan Rodgers, SS, Colorado Rockies (Age: 19, Previous Rank: NR)
Potential Earnings: $30-35
Risk Factor: High
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG, HR, RBI, R
Realistic Ceiling: The true heir to Troy Tulowitzki
Realistic Floor: Whatever, he’s a shortstop who plays half his games in Coors

22) Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox (Age: 19, Previous Rank: 77)
Potential Earnings: $25-30
Risk Factor: High
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG, HR, RBI, R
Realistic Ceiling: A top-five third baseman
Realistic Floor: Not making that Dunkin’ Donuts ad money

30) Andrew Benintendi, OF, Boston Red Sox (Age: 21, Previous Rank: NR)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: Medium
Fantasy Overview: Five-category contributor; Impact potential in R
Realistic Ceiling: Carlos Gonzalez without Coors
Realistic Floor: 80 percent of modern-day Shin-Soo Choo

31) Manuel Margot, OF, San Diego Padres (Age: 21, Previous Rank: 69)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: Medium
Fantasy Overview: Three-category contributor; Impact potential in SB
Realistic Ceiling: I can't believe they gave this guy up for a reliever
Realistic Floor: I can't believe this is all it took to land Craig Kimbrel

41) Raimel Tapia, OF, Colorado Rockies (Age: 22, Previous Rank: 28)
Potential Earnings: $25-30
Risk Factor: High
Fantasy Overview: Five-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG, R
Realistic Ceiling: A .320/30-steal profile in Coors
Realistic Floor: A dodged bullet for the Batting Stance Guy

50) Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Age: 22, Previous Rank: 23)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: High
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in W, K
Realistic Ceiling: An SP2 with better strikeouts than ratios
Realistic Floor: An inconsistent arm who bounces on and off the waiver wire

54) Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 20, Previous Rank: HM)
Potential Earnings: $15-20
Risk Factor: Medium
Fantasy Overview: Three-category contributor
Realistic Ceiling: Jhonny Peralta
Realistic Floor: A back-end mixed-league third baseman

60) Mark Appel, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Age: 24, Previous Rank: 41)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: High
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in W, K
Realistic Ceiling: A top-20 starter
Realistic Floor: Edwin Jackson /sheds tear

72) Harold Ramirez, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Age: 21, Previous Rank: NR)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: High
Fantasy Overview: Three-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG, R
Realistic Ceiling: Christian Yelich if the power never comes
Realistic Floor: Josh Harrison in the outfield

83) Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Age: 23, Previous Rank: 13)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: High
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in W, K
Realistic Ceiling: An easy top-30 starter
Realistic Floor: A hard guy to roster

85) Forrest Wall, 2B, Colorado Rockies (Age: 20, Previous Rank: 98)
Potential Earnings: $20-25
Risk Factor: High
Fantasy Overview: Three-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG, R, SB
Realistic Ceiling: Jose Altuve when he was Clark Kent
Realistic Floor: An easier-to-spell DJ LeMaheiu

92) Dominic Smith, 1B, New York Mets (Age: 20, Previous Rank: 93)
Potential Earnings: $15-20
Risk Factor: Medium
Fantasy Overview: Four-category contributor; Impact potential in AVG
Realistic Ceiling: A lifetime of misery for Ben and Craig. Mostly Craig.
Realistic Floor: James Loney

Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order):
Gilbert Lara, SS, Milwaukee Brewers
Reynaldo Lopez, RHP, Washington Nationals
Amed Rosario, SS, New York Mets

Pre Draft Hero Top 25 Prospect

Pre Draft Hero Top 25 Prospect (with BA grade)

1. SP Lucas Giolito 70 Medium
2. 2B Yoan Moncada 70 High
3. 1B AJ Reed 65 Medium
4. 3B Rafael Devers 65 High
5. OF Bradley Zimmer 60 Medium
6. SP Robert Stephenson 65 High
7. SS Tim Anderson 60 High
8. 1B Dominic Smith 55 High
9. 1B Cody Bellinger 60 High
10 SS Willy Adames 60 High
11 SP Archie Bradley 55 High
12 OF Manuel Margot 55 High
13 SP Reynaldo Lopez 60 High
14 SP Mark Appel 55 High
15 SS Amed Rosario 60 High
16 SP Jack Flaherty 55 High
17 2B Forrest Wall 55 Extreme
18 SP Dylan Cease 60 Extreme
19 OF Raimel Tapia 50 High
20 SP Kyle Freeland 60 Extreme
21 OF Harold Ramirez 55 High
22 SP Miguel Almonte 55 High
23 3B Gilbert Lara 55 Extreme
24 SP Pierce Johnson 50 High
25 SP Marcus Diplan 55 Extreme

BP Top 101 Hero Edition

3. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Washington Nationals
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: 6

7. Yoan Moncada, 2B, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: N/A

14. Manuel Margot, OF, San Diego Padres
Scouting Report: LINK
2015 Ranking: 61

19. Tim Anderson, SS, Chicago White Sox
Scouting Report: LINK
2015 Ranking: 39

20. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Colorado Rockies
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: N/A

23. Bradley Zimmer, OF, Cleveland Indians
Scouting Report: LINK
2015 Ranking: N/A

30. Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
Scouting Report: LINK
2015 Ranking: 16

35. Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: 90

42. Raimel Tapia, OF, Colorado Rockies
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: 45

46. Andrew Benintendi, OF, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: N/A

48. Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: 11

54. Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
Scouting Report: LINK
2015 Ranking: 94

55. A.J. Reed, 1B, Houston Astros
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: N/A

64. Mark Appel, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Scouting Report: LINK
2015 Ranking: 35

75. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP, Washington Nationals
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: 72

80. Harold Ramirez, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: N/A

86. Dominic Smith, 1B, New York Mets
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: N/A

96. Amed Rosario, SS, New York Mets
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: 78

101. Forrest Wall, 2B, Colorado Rockies
Scouting Report: Coming soon
2015 Ranking: N/A

Jaypers Top 100 List

Here are the Heroes who ranked on the Jaypers top 100 list, with a bonus look at who the Heroes are using there top 2 picks on:

3. Lucas Giolito, RHP
8. Yoan Moncada, 2B
14. Rafael Devers, 3B
15. A.J. Reed, 1B
19. Andrew Benintendi, OF
25. Brendan Rodgers, SS
31. Bradley Zimmer, OF
35. Robert Stephenson, RHP
39. Tim Anderson, SS
51. Manuel Margot, OF
55. Amed Rosario, SS
58. Cody Bellinger, 1B
61. Archie Bradley, RHP
69. Dominic Smith, 1B
75. Willy Adames, SS
93. Miguel Almonte, RHP
100. Mark Appel, RHP

Consensus Top 100 Fantasy Prospect List

2. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Washington Nationals (690)
4. Yoan Moncada, 2B, Boston Red Sox (676)
11. Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox (619)
19. A.J. Reed, 1B, Houston Astros (538)
27. Bradley Zimmer, OF, Cleveland Indians (477)
31. Tim Anderson, SS, Chicago White Sox (461)
33. Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (459)
39. Manuel Margot, OF, San Diego Padres (413)
49. Raimel Tapia, OF, Colorado Rockies (318)
52. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (302)
57. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP, Washington Nationals (269)
66. Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (221)
73. Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays (176)
85. Jack Flaherty, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (116)

Getting Votes
104. SP Mark Appel
107. 1B Cody Bellinger
135. SP Miguel Almonte
140. SP Pierce Johnson
143. OF Harold Ramirez
147. 3B Gilbert Lara
162. SP Kyle Freeland
171. SP Dylan Cease

Full list can be found here

http://www.faketeams.com/2015/12/24/10656884/consensus-top-100-fantasy-baseball-prospect-list

Sneak Peak 2016 Draft

Here is an early look at the Heroes 2016 Draft board. Down on many of the SP's in this class.

Write ups from http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2015-mlb-draft-rankings-april-edition/

1. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Lake Mary HS (FL), Florida State commit Video: Rodgers has been seen a ton, standing out early in his high school career and going to tons of events where he faced top pitching with a wood bat. He developed physically last summer and now has plus bat speed and raw power, though his power plays closer to average in games. He’s an average runner with a plus arm and some scouts see a lack of the loose, flashy actions and say he isn’t a shortstop, but some scouts literally haven’t seen him misplay a ball in dozens of games over the last few years, so that opinion is becoming less popular. He’s struggled at times against crappy prep pitching this spring, but has performed everywhere that matters in a predictive sense and has been hitting for power all spring. He isn’t the strongest #1 pick in recent years, but he’s still the clear choice for me at this point.

2. Alex Bregman, SS, LSU Video: Some scouts see the 6’0/185 Bregman field grounders and say he’s a second baseman. I’ve seen him a lot the last three years and his unique approach to defense–charge everything and never slow down–works for him and I think it’ll work in the big leagues. He has 12-15 homer power in games, advanced feel for contact and average to above speed along with all the gritty makeup stuff you could ask for. He nearly signed out of high school if not for an ACL tear and toyed with the idea of catching then, though that probably won’t happen now.

3. Kyle Tucker, RF, Plant HS (FL), Florida commit: Tucker has one the prettiest swing many scouts have ever seen, with comparisons to Ted Williams, Daryl Strawberry and Ken Griffey, mechanically-speaking. Tucker is 6’4/190 with fringy speed, a solid average arm, plus current raw power and more coming along with the effortless all-fields ease to his swing that scouts are looking for. Some are turned off by Tucker’s low energy approach to the games while others see his confident, laid-back demeanor will allow him to get through the grind of pro ball. Tucker can also get passive at the plate and get opposite-field happy and slap at the ball, but he will also go through stretches where he looks like an unstoppable hitting machine, which has been happening more and more often down the stretch.

4. Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt Video: Swanson was an advanced defender with a light bat in high school, then played second base his first two years at Vanderbilt and over the summers. Scouts got their first recent look at him playing short this spring and it still works. Swanson is a plus runner with fringy raw power and a strong 6’1/190 frame. He’s a contact hitter with more 10-13 homer power that wears out the gaps and would be a nice 6th-10th overall pick most years, but a high probability shortstop with some ceiling is hard to ignore in this draft.

5. Ian Happ, RF, Cincinnati Video: Happ has been moving up and down in the 5-20 range for me all spring. He played shorstop as a freshman and second base two summers ago on the Cape, but has been a corner outfielder since. Some scouts think he can still play second or third and that makes his above average bat and power from both sides of the plate even more attractive.

6. Mike Nikorak, RHP, Stroudsburg HS (PA), Alabama commit Video: Nikorak was a revelation last summer as an unknown who hit 97 mph and flashed a plus curve from a 6’5/220 frame. His velo dipped later in the summer but he worked in a solid average changeup. Nikorak’s velo is back, sitting 93-96 and hitting 98 mph this spring, checking all the boxes for a projection prep arm with limited miles on the odometer.

6. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville Video: Funkhouser has been a plus fastball, above average to plus slider, average changeup, good enough command guy for a couple years, then he took a step forward last week (where the video is from). He sat 93-96 and hit 98 mph with more life and now has that #2/3 starter look if he can keep it up. Funkhouser has a bulldog’s 6’3/225 frame and approach, but had struggled with command at time earlier this spring, so that will be something to watch down the stretch.

7. Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt Video: I’m the high guy on Fulmer, but I think teams are coming around on him. There’s some effort to the delivery, but he’s never been hurt, goes deep in games, has succeeded hugely as a starter and reliever at the highest amateur levels, is hyper-aggressive and strong-bodied. At his best, Fulmer sits 92-96 and hits 97 mph with life, an above average to plus hook and an above average changeup. If the starting thing doesn’t work out, he’s a closer that could be big league ready in no time, where some scouts think his delivery and approach fit best, while other see Sonny Gray. If I’m betting on someone in this draft class to succeed more than the industry consensus, I’m rolling with the dude that’s never failed before, that’s never been hurt before, that has has plus stuff and that has performed everywhere, delivery and height be damned.

8. Dillon Tate, RHP, UC Santa Barbara Video: Tate was a reliever getting into the mid-90’s last spring after a low-profile high school career, then he got famous last summer for Team USA when he hit 99 mph along with a 65 slider, though he tired late in the summer. He was supposed to relieve this year until an injury just before opening day gave him a rotation spot (for the first time in his career) that he hasn’t given up since. He sits in the mid 90’s with heavy life, a plus slider and at least an average changeup. Tate is super loose and athletic but only 6’1 or 6’2 and there’s enough effort to the delivery and general crudeness that some scouts say he’s still a reliever (I don’t), but either way, it’s among the best balls of clay a development staff could receive.

9. Brady Aiken, LHP, IMG Post-Grad (FL) Video: Aiken is a massive question mark at this point. He has that #1 overall ability in him and he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, so many fans just assume he’ll go from a top 3 pick to a top 10-15 pick and that’s that. There is persistent, consistent and detailed buzz coming from many sources that there is more to Aiken’s injury than just a clean surgery like Erick Fedde, Jeff Hoffman or Lucas Giolito from recent years

10. Daz Cameron, CF, Eagle’s Landing Christian HS (GA), Florida State commit Video: Son of Mike Cameron was hyped early in his high school career as a potential 1-1 but hasn’t made the expected progress since then. He’s an above average to plus runner with the same kind of bat speed and average raw power, but the game performances were only okay over the summer and he’s facing weak competition this spring. He could easily go in the top 5-10 picks, but some teams don’t like him in the top 20.