Fantasy baseball's 2018 All-Risk team
Fantasy owners know there will always be players at each position who can make or break a season by performing much better -- or much worse -- than expected. Here are our riskiest players for the 2018 season.
Catcher
J.T. Realmuto, Miami Marlins: Can hit for average and steal bases, but counting stats could be a problem if he stays in Miami.
First base
Matt Carpenter, Cardinals: Shoulder injury was one of many ailments to hamper him as batting average tumbled to career-low .241.
Second base
Whit Merrifield, Royals: Filled up the stat sheet as an early-season waiver wire pickup, but will be hard-pressed to repeat his 19 homers and 34 steals.
Shortstop
Trevor Story, Rockies: Stats declined across the board in his second season, showing the downside of his free-swinging (191 K’s) approach.
Third base
Miguel Sano, Twins: One of the game’s top power hitters, but shin surgery, off-field allegations cloud his outlook this spring.
Outfield
A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks: Always seems to be battling injury bug (in 2017, a groin strain), but his stellar 2015 shows what can happen if he stays healthy.
Starting pitcher
Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays: Persistent blister issues limited him to eight starts, but 2016’s upside is repeatable if he can avoid them and regain his command.
Relief pitcher
Jeurys Familia, New York Mets: Reclaimed closer’s job late last season, but new skipper seems to prefer a committee approach in the ninth.
More fantasy:
Blessing: Top 15 rookies for 2018
Michaels: Most overvalued and undervalued players
Gardner: This season's burning fantasy questions