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Paul Goldschmidt is the Best Fantasy Baseball Option

By Brendan Kennealy

Mar 17, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) flips the ball for the out against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) flips the ball for the out against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul Goldschmidt should be on every Fantasy baseball player’s mind as fantasy baseball season starts up again soon with Opening Day just around the corner.

In ESPN standard leagues, Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s average draft position (ADP) is currently second overall at 2.9 as he trails only Mike Trout (1.3). Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw are tied for third place at 3.5, ranking just behind Goldschmidt.

Goldschmidt is coming off of a season where he played in 159 games and had a slash line of .321/.435/.570 with an on-base + slugging percentage (OPS) number at 1.005. Goldschmidt smacked 33 homeruns and had 110 RBI. He also added 21 stolen bases, while only getting caught stealing five times.

His .321 batting average ranked fourth in the MLB behind Miguel Cabrera (.338), Dee Gordon (.333), and Bryce Harper (.330). His 33 home runs put him at 16th in the major leagues, while his 110 RBI ranked him sixth in the league. Only Goldschmidt and Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles hit 30+ home runs and stole 20+ bases last year.

Goldschmidt, Harper, and Joey Votto were the only three hitters in the MLB to have an OPS over 1.000 and Goldschmidt’s 1.005 mark ranked second in the league behind Harper, who finished at an astounding 1.109.

Going back to 2013, Goldschmidt’s previous full-season, he hit .302/.401/.551 with a .952 OPS, 36 home runs and 125 RBI. His home run numbers, RBI total, slugging percentage and OPS all lead the MLB that season.

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With a dynamic hitter’s ballpark and a great deal of tremendous bats surround Goldschmidt in the lineup, you could not go wrong with taking Goldschmidt with the first overall pick in your fantasy baseball draft this season.

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