These players are the top fantasy baseball busts for this upcoming baseball season, whenever that may be. They should be avoided at their current average draft position. I know everyone is excited this week because of the NFL draft, but once that calms down, then what? Baseball is in a position of strength when it comes to fantasy as the season hasn’t begun and fantasy drafts are in the offing. I believe we see the light at the end of the tunnel and as long as it isn’t a freight train, let’s prepare for fantasy baseball!

Trea Turner: Shortstop, Washington Nationals

Let me start off by saying that Trea Turner is a fabulous baseball player. But the problem is that shortstop is a very deep position this season; the deepest it has ever been and most likely the deepest position in fantasy. Long gone are the days of the good glove, light-hitting shortstop of old. Just look at these names: Lindor, Story, Tatis, Torres, Baez, Bogaerts, the list goes on.

There is simply no reason to use a first-round draft pick on a SS, especially one that is coming off only playing 122 games. He has been in the majors for four years and has only played a full season in one of them. The first round is no place for a question mark. My colleague Chuck wrote that Turner should be a player to fade, and I absolutely agree. Take a solid player and let someone else make the mistake of selecting Turner. Just remember, no need to thank me, just send money.

Jose Altuve: Second Baseman, Houston Astros

Let’s face it, Jose Altuve is not the MVP caliber player he was just a few seasons ago. It wasn’t silly to suggest he could be the top fantasy pick when he led the American League in hits in four straight seasons. Sadly, those days are gone. He set career lows last season in almost every category: games, at-bats, hits, doubles and he only stole six bases. The outrage over the Astros scandal has quieted because of the shutdown, but it will rage again. Altuve was one of the faces of the scandal. He will have a lot to carry on his shoulders and he simply isn’t worth a high pick any longer. Give him the brush off on draft day.

Blake Snell: Pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays

What a horrible season Blake Snell had last year for Tampa Bay. Coming off a 21-5 2018, big things were expected in 2019. What the Rays got was an absolute plane crash to the tune of a 6-8 record and a 4.29 ERA. Yet, he is still being advertised as the number 12 pitcher in fantasy. Sorry, I am just no buying that; especially this season where teams will have expanded rosters and starters. Fool me once and I won’t give you the chance to fool me twice. Give me Morton, Paddack or Giolito before I take Snell. He might not even be his team’s number one starter. No thanks, he will definitely be one of the top fantasy baseball busts.

Javier Baez: Shortstop, Chicago Cubs

The main problem mentioned above for Turner exists as well for Baez, except that Turner is the superior player. It would be absolute madness to use a second-round fantasy pick on Baez when much better position players will be available. His stat line of .281-29-89 would look fabulous for a shortstop most years, but as I said, this isn’t most years. As a comparison, Oakland A’s shortstop Marcus Semien hit .285-33-92 and can be had in the fifth round or maybe even later. Everybody raise your hand if that makes any sense at all. Anyone? No? It doesn’t to me, either. Forget Baez and get another position player as he will be one of the top fantasy baseball busts. Just remember, I have a PayPal account.

Starling Marte: Outfielder, Arizona Diamondbacks

Everyone is singing a rosy tune when it comes to Marte. He is changing teams and will be in a better hitting ballpark, etc, etc. That all sounds great, but to use a high fantasy pick on an outfielder that hit .295-23-82 doesn’t send shivers up my spine. His 25 stolen bases are a nice bonus but as the number nine rated fantasy outfielder? I’m just not seeing it. If I had my preference, I think that I would select his Arizona teammate Ketel Marte, no relation. At least he has dual OF/2B eligibility. As a later round selection, Starling would make sense as a potential sleeper, but not the second. That is a hard pass for me.

As I said once before, where for art thou baseball? We are still waiting for the season to begin, or even an update on when it might begin. I am confident that we will have baseball this season and there will be fantasy drafts! YEA! Stick with Belly Up Sports and we will continue with player profiles and updates as they become known. And remember, keep smiling!

Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Check out other players to watch this spring. click here. and the fantasy players most affected by the shutdown.