23 home runs versus 22. A 20-year old American star versus a 27-year old Cuban sensation. Who is the right pick to join your fantasy team? To answer that question you probably want to know who the two options are. Below is the stat line of two players, playing similar positions; that are being drafted around the same time.
| Player | Games Played | AVG | HR's | RBIs | Runs | Hits | Walks | SB's | K's |
| Bryce Harper | 139 | .270 | 22 | 59 | 98 | 144 | 56 | 18 | 120 |
| Yoenis Cespedes | 129 | .292 | 23 | 82 | 70 | 142 | 43 | 16 | 120 |
The numbers are eerily similar. A one home run difference, nearly identical stolen bases and the exact-same number of strikeouts. The tough part is deciding which one you want to have on your team.
Looking at the number of games played can be a very telling stat. Cespedes had to deal with a number of nagging injuries last season. The result? 33 games missed. This is not a ridiculous amount of time off the diamond; the crazier part is the fact that he managed to rack up 82 RBIs and finished the season with 142 hits. Harper on the other hand only missed 22 games, while driving in 59 RBIs with 22 home runs and 144 hits.
Now it’s time to get into it: In most drafts, Cespedes is being drafted in the 50's, which is the middle of the fifth round. Harper, on the other hand; is being drafted in the mid-third, early-fourth round. Why draft Harper in the third or fourth when you can get identical numbers in the fifth or sixth? I do not believe that Harper is going to have his breakout year at 20 years old. I believe he will have a better career than Cespedes, but in 2013; Cespedes is the man. At 27 years old, he is primed for an amazing season and a chance to drive in 100 RBIs.
Look to draft a Cole Hamels in the earlier round or a Starlin Castro type. Then when it comes to the fifth round, pull the trigger on Cespedes. You are getting almost the exact same numbers as you would with Harper, but you don’t have to reach for those numbers. This makes your team more well rounded, with other skilled positions having as much talent as your outfielding core.
There is only two weeks until the regular season kicks off. This means your fantasy draft is right around the corner. Take the simple tips and run with them, you will thank yourself for it in the long run.