Baseball is back, and it is certainly overreaction season as everyone tries to react to every pitch and every at-bat that takes place. It is important to sort through what is actionable and what is not in the spring.
Each week, we will look at risers and fallers from Spring Training. What players are seeing their value and chances at playing time increase, and what players may be on the verge of losing a job? Let’s dive in on the players.
Spring Training Risers and Fallers
Risers
Brendan Donovan (2B – STL)
Brendan Donovan had a successful rookie year in 2022 but was not a huge fantasy asset. Donovan posted a .281/.394/.379 slash line, but it came with just five home runs and two stolen bases. Donovan makes elite contact and has exceptional plate discipline, but unfortunately, those are not fantasy stats.
Donovan did not play around this offseason. He worked hard to make adjustments that could lead to more power. He changed his initial setup, as you can see in the Tweet below. Donovan also got fitted for a new bat with a counterweight bat knob that is supposed to be geared more toward his body. He even made a small change by getting new soles for his cleats.
The early returns on Donovan have been good. He has four home runs in 29 at-bats this spring, nearly reaching his full-season total from last year. If the power is truly developing to pair with his contact and plate discipline, Donovan could become a much more coveted fantasy asset.
Brendan Donovan's stance last ST compared to this one. He's much more upright and has already matched 40% of his 2022 HR total in just 4 at bats pic.twitter.com/iMyTXMKNKQ
— Jacob (@CardinalsReek) February 27, 2023
Michael Conforto (OF – SF)
Michael Conforto is a forgotten man, but one that could be a great buy-low in fantasy leagues. His value has tanked with the absence of his 2022 season and poor performance in 2021, likely due to injury.
Conforto is off to a hot start this spring, having four home runs in 23 at-bats. His batting average sits at .304 with a .346 OBP. Spring Training stats may be fairly useless overall, but it is good to see Conforto swinging a hot bat after an extended absence from the game due to a shoulder injury. It is hard to say what we might get from Conforto in 2023, but we quickly forgot that Michael Conforto hit 70 home runs over 1,519 plate appearances between 2018 and 2020 with a .261/.365/.487 slash line.
Josh Lowe (OF – TB)
Josh Lowe continues to swing a scorching hot bat and is leading off for the Rays. Is he taking the opportunity and running with it? So far this spring, Lowe has three home runs and three stolen bases to pair with a .308/.357/.692 slash line.
It was not that long ago when Lowe was considered a top prospect in the game. In 2021 during his Triple-A season, Lowe slashed .291/.381/.535 with 22 home runs and 26 stolen bases. I am not saying Lowe will be elite, but I am intrigued by what he is doing this spring, and the Rays appear to be giving him every chance to see what they have. Buy low if you can and see where it takes you. At his draft price, he is likely one of your last picks in a 15-team league; if it does not work out, you can easily cut him.
Fallers
Nick Castellanos (OF – PHI)
After a rough 2022 season where he hit just 13 home runs and posted a .305 OBP, Nick Castellanos needed a strong spring to jump-start his 2023. So far, that has not happened. Castellanos has just two hits in 23 at-bats so far and 11 strikeouts. It seemed likely that Castellanos would rebound in his second season in Philadelphia, but we need to see more contact and some results this spring.
Drey Jameson (SP – ARI)
Drey Jameson seemed primed to take a spot in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ rotation after an impressive 24.1-inning debut with the team last year. Jameson posted a 1.48 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over that span, with a 17.3% strikeout minus walk rate.
This spring, Jameson has made four starts, totaling 9.2 innings. Despite having 12 strikeouts, he has a 7.45 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He has struggled with command at times, and it has exposed him a bit this spring. Jameson is worth monitoring for the rest of Spring Training.
Chris Taylor (OF – LAD)
Chris Taylor was actually a player I expected to have a strong rebound in 2023. Taylor was a fairly consistent performer from a power and speed standpoint but never a fantasy stud. But he lost most of his fantasy relevance in 2022 when he managed just 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases to pair with a .221 batting average. Taylor did not break 50 runs or RBIs.
This offseason, Taylor spent time at Driveline to work on his game. So far, the results at the plate have been underwhelming, and there is much to be desired. Taylor has struck out 10 times in 26 at-bats. He currently has a .115 batting average and five walks. Taylor is going to get playing time regardless because of injuries the Dodgers have faced, so hopefully, things get going soon for Taylor.
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