Players the Experts Draft (2023 Fantasy Baseball)

The 2023 fantasy baseball season will be here before we know it. That means it’s time for you to prepare for your fantasy baseball drafts. Beyond our draft prep articles and mock draft simulator, we will have you covered with 2023 fantasy baseball rankings. You can find our updated 2023 fantasy baseball expert consensus rankings here. And beyond that, we’ll even give you the players the experts are targeting in their personal fantasy baseball drafts. Let’s take a look at a few players the experts are picking this fantasy baseball draft season.

Expert Must-Have Players (2023 Fantasy Baseball)

Joe Pisapia’s Must-Have Players

Andres Munoz (RP – SEA)

Sometimes, the numbers speak for themselves.

All that stands in the way of Andres Munoz becoming an elite reliever is… Paul Sewald. No knock on Sewald, he’s a journeyman reliever coming off a strong season, but he’s not Munoz. Now, Munoz is working his way back from foot surgery, but he’s already throwing, and ramp-up for a reliever is far easier compared to a starter.

Can you imagine 30 saves with a 43% K rate!? I can, and it’s glorious. That’s what Munoz can give you in 2023. He’s currently being drafted in the 168 ADP range, but sharper leaguemates will not let him slip that far. You should be that smarter person and draft him.

Check out all of Joe’s must-have players here

Chris Welsh’s Must-Have Players

Jazz Chisholm (2B, OF – MIA)

A stress fracture ended Jazz’s season early to only 60 games. In those games, though, Jazz was still able to hit 14 home runs and steal 12 bases. Jazz lowered his K% by a full point and raised his BB% by two points. His overall approach saw major upticks as he raised his hard-hit percentage, barrels, wOBA, and xSLG. Jazz is now healthy and set to take over in center field for Miami, but he still keeps that second-base qualification for this year. The changes in his game are carrying over to this year, as the Bat X projections system has him hitting 21 home runs with 29 stolen bases in under 135 games. My favorite part is he goes as the third baseman off the board, just creeping inside the top 50. The position itself stinks, and the upside for Jazz is a first-round return.

Check out all of The Welsh’s must-have players here

Justin Mason’s Must-Have Players

Chris Sale (SP – BOS)

Sale has gotten a reputation for being injury prone after the last few seasons, but it is pretty undeserved. He did have Tommy John in 2020 but pitched well when he returned at the end of 2021. He missed a lot of last season, but they were really weird, fluky injuries like falling off of a bike and getting hit by a comebacker. He still has an SP1 upside and is going outside of the top 150 picks.

Check out all of Mason’s must-have players here

Mike Kurland’s Must-Have Players

Miguel Vargas (1B – LAD)

News of Miguel Vargas getting a shot at starting at second base for the Dodgers solidified him as a target of mine in drafts. I already had a few early shares but now he is someone I target for sure in each draft. A lot of potential here. The only issue for me is the fact that he is stuck at the bottom of the order. That will limit his upside but there are still skills worth targeting here. It does not hurt that he will gain eligibility at second base early on in the year as well.

I’m IN on #Dodgers Miguel Vargas

– Strong plate discipline in MiLB. Typically sub 20% K%
– Hit .300 in each of the last 3 stops prior to cup of coffee
– Grew into power. Won’t completely translate but NOT a 0
– + speed
– Elevates & pulls the ball consistently

Bet on the talent! pic.twitter.com/qpBDvzCbYP

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) January 27, 2023

Check out all of Kurland’s must-have players here

Mike Waterloo’s Must-Have Players

Vaughn Grissom (2B – ATL)

Yes, second base is shallow, but Grissom just sits there around pick 189, begging you to take him. Not only do you get 2B, but you get a player who will gain SS eligibility a week into the season. Are there some concerns with him, based on the sample we saw last year? Yeah, absolutely, but the Braves believe in him, and even if he hits at the bottom of the lineup, he has a skill set made for fantasy.

Check out all of Waterloo’s must-have players here

Kelly Kirby’s Must-Have Players

Corey Seager (SS – TEX)

Seager has landed at the top of many lists this offseason, so you probably already know the refrain. Defenses shifted the ninth-most against him in 2022, and a career-low BABIP decimated his batting average. His 33 home runs were a career-high, but most projections have him hovering around 30 again this year. At the beginning of the draft season, I was so excited to get him in the 7th round, but now, you’re lucky to see him in the fifth in a 12-team league. Do it anyway. He is the shortstop to roster in 2023.

Check out all of Kelly’s must-have players here

Beyond our fantasy baseball content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Baseball Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy baseball draft season.