I have done all the prep and drafted six fantasy baseball teams thus far. I am now ready for the big-money drafts that will come next month.
With all of these drafts and prep in the books already, I have started to see what works and what doesn’t. With that information in tow, I have begun determining who some of “my guys” are for the 2024 season.
Here are my top draft targets at each position.
I have done all the prep and drafted six fantasy baseball teams thus far. I am now ready for the big-money drafts that will come next month.
With all of these drafts and prep in the books already, I have started to see what works and what doesn’t. With that information in tow, I have begun determining who some of “my guys” are for the 2024 season.
Here are my top draft targets at each position.
Justin Mason’s Top Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets (2024)
Catcher
Jonah Heim (C – TEX) | NFBC ADP: 172.59
Prior to getting injured, Jonah Heim was actually the No. 1 catcher in fantasy, hitting .280/.337/.479 with 14 home runs and 70 RBIs. The injury sapped Heim’s power. If it hadn’t been for the Rangers competing for a championship, he likely would have gotten shut down, and we would be looking at Heim as a top-10 catcher as opposed to one going 15th off the board. He can be one of your last picks in a one-catcher league or a fantastic C2 in a two-catcher league.
First Base
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) | NFBC ADP: 33.09
Coming into last season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was a top-10 pick in most formats. He had a step back last season, hitting .264/.345/.444 with 26 home runs and five stolen bases. Yes, that is not what you drafted Guerrero that high for last season. However, this was his third straight season with over 680 plate appearances. He was definitely unlucky in the HR/FB, and his XBA was .291, which means he should have had a better average and more home runs. I think it is a steal that you can get him in the third or fourth round this season.
Second Base
Marcus Semien (TEX) | NFBC ADP: 29.61
If you don’t count the shortened COVID-19 2020 season, Marcus Semien has missed only four games since 2019. He is an absolute workhorse of a hitter. In that time, he has hit at least 26 home runs and stolen at least 10 bases. Last year, he had 122 runs scored and 100 RBIs. When drafting a player early, I want upside, but more importantly, I want volume, and Semien is the epitome of a volume play.
Shortstop
Trea Turner (PHI) | NFBC ADP: 11.06
I know that Trea Turner had a down year in his first season with Philadelphia, but I am not worried about it at all. Yes, he struggled early on in the season, but he hit .292/.348/.554 with 16 home runs and 11 stolen bases in the second half and looked like the player who was a consensus top-three pick for the last few years. If you were looking for a reason to draft at the back end of the first round, getting a talent like Turner there is it.
Third Base
Josh Jung (TEX) | NFBC ADP: 106.31
Josh Jung is another player who would be going a lot higher if not for missing some time with injury. He hit .266/.315/.467 with 23 home runs and a stolen base. He showed that he can hit at the Major League level. While his aggression means he may always have a few too many strikeouts, there is a 30-homer season coming soon.
Outfielder
Daulton Varsho (TOR) | NFBC ADP: 212.08
Daulton Varsho is coming off of a disappointing season in Toronto, where he hit just .220/285/.389 with 20 home runs and 16 stolen bases. He also lost catching eligibility, which hurts his value. However, his underlying numbers are much better than you’d expect. He made big gains in zone contact and his exit velocities. He got unlucky in BABIP and HR/FB rate. There is a lot to like for a player who is going way too late in drafts.
Starting Pitcher
Zach Eflin (TB) | NFBC ADP: 85.21
Zach Eflin is coming off a breakout season in which he threw a career-high in innings with a career-best in strikeouts, wins, ERA and WHIP. There is always risk in terms of health, as Eflin has struggled with injuries in the past. Still, the underlying numbers were even better than the amazing surface stats, so I am taking the gamble everywhere I can.
Relief Pitcher
Josh Hader (HOU) | NFBC ADP: 45.83
I know the old saying “don’t pay for saves” still floats around fantasy circles. However, with fewer and fewer true closers in the game, it is actually beneficial to target players who are clearly locked in the role, even at a high cost. Hader signed a larger contract to close games in Houston and is on one of the best teams in baseball. I want to leave my drafts this year with one elite closer, if not two, and Hader fits that bill.
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