Trumbo headlines 2016 all-bounceback team

Many Major Leaguers silenced their skeptics by reversing course and having superb 2016 seasons. Some players rebounded from one down year and others flipped the switch after struggling through multiple unproductive campaigns. But while all of these players are feel-good stories at the moment, some are better suited than others to extend their ’16 results into next season.

Note: Players’ position(s) below based on their eligibility in most 2016 fantasy leagues

Jonathan Lucroy, C/1B: After hitting .264 with seven homers during an injury-plagued ’15 season, Lucroy rebounded to post a career-best 24 homers this past year. Combining a .292 average with his improved power production, the 30-year-old was the most valuable fantasy catcher in ’16. Lucroy should compete with Giants superstar Buster Posey and Yankees phenom Gary Sanchez to be the first backstop on ’17 draft lists.

Mark Trumbo, 1B/OF: Even optimistic Trumbo owners had to be surprised to see an offseason relocation to Baltimore result in a Major League-leading home run total. After all, his 47 round-trippers far surpassed a combined total of 36 from the previous two seasons. Trumbo’s willingness to find a free-agent destination that includes a hitter-friendly home venue will have a major impact on his ’17 draft value.

Jean Segura, 2B/SS: Segura hit .325 with 11 homers and 27 steals in the first half of ’13 before recording a total of 12 long balls and 62 swipes to go with a .250 average across the subsequent 2 1/2 seasons. But in ’16, he emerged from an infield logjam during Spring Training to post career-best totals in batting average, home runs, RBIs and runs scored. Segura should remain productive from his perch atop the D-backs’ lineup despite a likely regression from the career-high 13.5 HR/FB rate he produced this past season.

Evan Longoria, third baseman: Longoria was considered to be a safe-but-unremarkable mid-round pick when he entered his age-30 season having produced a total of 43 home runs across the previous two campaigns. But the veteran slugger recorded a career-best 36 homers and nearly cracked the century mark in RBIs despite hitting in a lineup that ranked 14th among American League teams in runs scored.

Ian Desmond, SS/OF: A perennial 20-20 asset from ’12-14, Desmond was sent to waivers in many leagues when he hit .233 with unremarkable counting-stat totals in ’15. But a move to a productive …

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