Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Freddie Freeman
LAD
Freddie Freeman has established himself as an irreplaceable cornerstone for the Dodgers, entering 2024 as one of baseball's most consistent and elite performers. At 34, he's defying age-related expectations, showcasing a blend of power, skill, and speed rarely seen at his position. In 2023, Freeman delivered an elite .334 batting average while driving in 101 runs and smashing 28 home runs. He also reached the milestone of 200 hits for the first time in his career. His season was filled with career highs, including 21 stolen bases, 125 runs scored, and 56 doubles, nearing the first 60-double season in the majors since 1936. Heading into 2024, Freddie Freeman isn't just an asset for the Dodgers; he's a fantasy baseball gem, offering a rare mix of average, power, and speed. He should be the first 1B off the board.
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2.
Matt Olson
ATL
Matt Olson's 2023 season marked a significant improvement over his 2022 performance. His batting average jumped from .240 to .283, and he saw a notable increase in his on-base percentage (OBP), going from .325 to .389. More impressively, Olson's slugging percentage (SLG) spiked to .604, substantially improving from his .477 in 2022. His home run count highlights this surge in power; he smashed 54 homers with 139 RBI, leading all of MLB. Additionally, Olson played in all 162 games for the formidable Atlanta Braves, a role he will return to in 2024. While Freddie Freeman offers better all-around numbers, Olson is the powerful corner infielder worth a second-round pick.
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3.
Bryce Harper
PHI
Bryce Harper returned triumphantly from elbow surgery in May instead of the predicted July and rewarded every fantasy manager who took a flier on him late in 2023 drafts. He played 126 games and remained an elite hitter in the majors, slashing .293/.401/.499 in the middle of a Phillies lineup that finished sixth in team OPS. Harper is now primarily a DH/1B, which should work just fine in fantasy leagues, and fantasy managers can anticipate a 30/90/90 season with double-digit steals (he stole 11 in '23). After Freddie Freeman is off the board, whether Matt Olson or Harper goes next is a coin flip. A full season of Bryce Harper is never a bad thing to have on your fantasy roster.
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4.
Pete Alonso
FA
In 2023, Alonso showcased his home run prowess, belting 46 to finish third in the majors. His batting average disintegrated to .217 from .271 in 2022, and his OBP cratered to .318 from .352. His run production remained high, with 92 runs scored and 118 RBIs over 658 plate appearances. Chances are good that Alonso's ratios will settle somewhere between his 2022 and 2023 numbers. If you're looking for monster counting stats from your first baseman, Alonso has you covered in three categories and most likely will be around in the third round.
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5.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
TOR
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played 156 games and raised his walk rate while lowering his strikeout rate. Those were the highlights. Unfortunately, his other numbers took a fall across the board. The good news for 2024 is that Vladdy's expected numbers were more in line with what fantasy managers were looking for when they drafted him. For his age-25 season, he should see a bounce back to mid-30s in homers and close to 100/100 in runs and RBIs. The biggest discrepancy was his .264 average compared to his xBA of .295. Vladdy should be an asset, but he is now a Round 3 or 4 guy.
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6.
Cody Bellinger
CHC
Cody Bellinger notably outperformed expectations with a .307/.356/.525 slash line against his predicted .270/.331/.437. He is returning to the Cubs on a three-year, $80 million contract with opt-outs after each of the first two years. Wrigley Field is a great landing spot for him overall, but Bellinger presents a challenge for fantasy managers, with caution advised due to the typical decline following a standout season. While a 20/20 season is plausible, managers should temper expectations for a repeat of his 2023 performance.
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7.
Paul Goldschmidt
FA
Paul Goldschmidt continued to do what he does, albeit at a lesser pace than his torrid 2022. He hit 25 home runs, scored 89 runs, knocked in 80, and stole 11 bases. He continued to be a picture of stability, playing in over 150 games for the eighth year in a row (excluding 2020). His batting average tumbled from .317 to .268, and his slugging fell to .447 from .578. Essentially, the regression that we expected hit, yet he still had an overall productive season. Looking ahead, fantasy managers can probably expect numbers in line with 2023.
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8.
Christian Walker
FA
Will Christian Walker remain a sleeper first baseman for the third year in a row, or are people finally onto his production? The 32-year-old hit 33 home runs and drove in 103 while slashing .258/.333/.497 for an exciting Arizona lineup. Walker has an impressive K% (19.2) and xwOBACON (.380), and he has also remained healthy, playing 160 games in 2022 and 157 last year. While he is not a full sleeper in 2024, he is still the cheapest of the top 1B options, going in the fifth or sixth round in most drafts. Don't be afraid to wait - the return on investment will be worth it.
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9.
Triston Casas
BOS
Triston Casas is the next star at the first base position. He took a leap in 2023 at the age of 23, hitting 24 home runs in 132 games with an impressive slash line of .263/.367/.490. He is in the 93rd percentile of BB% at 13.9 and the 92nd percentile in xwOBA at .370. His counting stats weren't great, only tallying 65 RBIs and 66 runs, but this should improve with the return of some key Boston players. He might come at a wild discount, going in the early 100s, but this will be the last time you will be able to get him there. He is worth reaching for because chances are good he will outproduce his ADP.
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10.
Nolan Jones
COL
Nolan Jones made a significant impact in the 2023 season, showcasing his power and speed as a 20/20 player in Colorado. With an impressive .297/.389/.542 slash line and a strong Barrel% of 15.7, Jones is a reliable source of power and on-base ability (xwOBACON .475). However, his high .401 BABIP suggests his batting average might decline. Despite a high strikeout rate around 30%, Jones's combination of power, walks, and 15-20 stolen bases, especially in Coors Field, makes him a valuable fantasy asset, albeit with a potential downside in batting average.
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11.
Spencer Torkelson
DET
Spencer Torkelson hit 31 home runs and drove in 94, and his ISO went from .117 to .213 in 2023. He ranked in the 94th percentile in hard-hit percentage at 50.9, and he should be in line for another 30/90 season in 2024. Torkelson can hopefully continue to improve his patience while reducing his strikeouts, and he may end up being a steal at his current 10th-round ADP.
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12.
Yandy Diaz
TB
Yandy Diaz broke out of his power deficiency in a big way in 2023. After hitting only nine home runs in 2022, the 32-year-old smacked 22 dingers while slashing .330/.410/.522 in 2023. He rescued many fantasy managers who waited too long on 3B in drafts by setting career highs across 137 games. That's the good news. The bad news is that Diaz will probably return to his regularly scheduled self in 2024, and he no longer has 3B eligibility in most leagues, leaving him among the middle-rounds first basemen. Drafting him in the 12th round or beyond feels right for next year, but don't let him be your first 1B. He's not going to save fantasy managers two years in a row.
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13.
Josh Naylor
CLE
Josh Naylor suffers from BatsInTheGuardiansLineupitis, but he offers enough upside to nab as a second or third corner infielder in the middle rounds. Naylor dealt with injuries in 2023, limiting him to 121 games. However, he hit 17 home runs and drove in 97 while slashing .308/.354/.489. He also kicked in 10 stolen bases for good measure. As long as he continues to bat behind Jose Ramirez, he should be a boon to the RBI category, but it's his 95th percentile xBA (.293) and K% (13.7) that makes him a valuable pick.
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14.
Spencer Steer
CIN
Spencer Steer is expected to be eligible for 1B/3B/OF, and possibly even 2B in some formats. With a solid 2023 season of 156 games, 23 homers, and 15 steals for the Reds, Steer is a promising fantasy pick. Batting in the middle of an exciting lineup with huge potential, he's on track to surpass his 86 RBI from last year. While not standing out in advanced metrics, Steer's consistent performance offers value in Round 9 and beyond, and the fact he plays half his games at Great American Ballpark is a plus for fantasy managers.
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15.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand
CIN
Christian Encarnacion-Strand got 241 plate appearances for Cincinnati in 2023, hitting 13 home runs and slashing .270/.328/.477. The acquisition of Jeimer Candelario leaves the 24-year-old without a regular position other than DH, but that's all fantasy managers will need him for. CES has the profile to become a very helpful fantasy bat and can slot in as a corner infielder in lineups nicely.
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16.
Vinnie Pasquantino
KC
Vinnie Pasquantino's 2023 shoulder injury cut his season short at 61 games. It was apparent he was dealing with something, as his usual stellar AVG and OBP dropped to .247 and .324. Assuming the shoulder is good to go, Pasquantino should be a significant boost to batting average and counting stats, batting close to Bobby Witt Jr.
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17.
Rhys Hoskins
MIL
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18.
Anthony Santander
FA
In 2023, Anthony Santander's performance was a blend of pros and cons. While his home run tally dipped and strikeout rate rose, he improved his batting average to .257 and saw an uptick in key statistics. Heading into 2024, the 29-year-old faces more potential risks than gains. With Baltimore's wealth of emerging prospects, Santander's role could be at risk if he doesn't start strong.
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19.
Alec Bohm
PHI
Alec Bohm offers fantasy managers an intriguing later-round third-base option. He will help your team's batting average (.274 last year), provide a little pop (16-20 homers), and collect some RBIs along the way. With an ADP in the 150s, he shouldn't be your 3B1, but he can certainly fill a CI role at a difficult position.
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20.
Luis Arraez
SD
Last season was a landmark year for Luis Arraez. He became one of baseball's best hitters known for his exceptional contact skills, underlined by his .354 batting average, .393 on-base percentage, and .469 slugging percentage. He tallied 203 hits and 10 home runs over 617 plate appearances. Arraez's success is attributed to his elite strike-zone recognition and smart swing decisions. While chances are high that he won't hit .354 again, his xBA was still .325, and he is in the 100th percentile in K% and Whiff%. Arraez is THE stereotypical "empty batting average" player, but he is a nice offset to a power-only guy.
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21.
Yainer Diaz
HOU
Yainer Diaz will probably be on every Sleepers list for 2024 drafts because he offers a ton of offense at a position that lacks it. The 25-year-old hit 23 home runs in 104 games while slashing an impressive .278/.306/.532. Yes, the OBP is low, which is attributable to his 2.9 percent walk rate. (If you're looking for the player in the first percentile in this category and Chase% (44), you've found him.) The good news is that his xBA is .288, and his xSLG is .543. He will get plenty of at-bats in Houston, and since defensive metrics don't matter in fantasy, he is definitely someone to target.
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22.
Isaac Paredes
CHC
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23.
Salvador Perez
KC
Salvador Perez remained a staple of the Kansas City Royals lineup in 2023, playing in 140 games and racking up 580 plate appearances. He hit .254 with a miserable .292 OBP and .422 SLG. He hit 23 home runs for the second year in a row and drove in 80. His projections for 2024 suggest more of the same for the 33-year-old. Perez is a catcher who isn't going to drag down your batting average and give you 20+ homers. That is a rare bird; at his ADP of 133, he isn't a bad value in 2024.
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24.
Jeimer Candelario
CIN
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25.
Nathaniel Lowe
TEX
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26.
Ryan Mountcastle
BAL
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27.
Andrew Vaughn
CWS
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28.
Brandon Drury
FA
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29.
Anthony Rizzo
FA
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30.
Justin Turner
FA
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31.
Jose Abreu
FA
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32.
Josh Bell
FA
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33.
Ty France
FA
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34.
Kris Bryant
COL
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35.
Luke Raley
SEA
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36.
Alex Kirilloff
FA
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37.
Jake Cronenworth
SD
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38.
Brendan Donovan
STL
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39.
Joey Meneses
NYM
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40.
Kyle Manzardo
CLE
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41.
DJ LeMahieu
NYY
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42.
Ryan O'Hearn
BAL
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43.
Nolan Schanuel
LAA
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44.
Wilmer Flores
SF
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45.
Hunter Renfroe
KC
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46.
LaMonte Wade Jr.
SF
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47.
Ryan Noda
LAA
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48.
Mark Canha
FA
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49.
Carlos Santana
FA
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50.
Rowdy Tellez
FA
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51.
Elehuris Montero
FA
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52.
J.D. Davis
FA
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53.
Seth Brown
ATH
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54.
Joey Gallo
FA
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55.
Jared Triolo
PIT
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56.
Jonathan Aranda
TB
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57.
C.J. Cron
FA
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58.
Hunter Goodman
COL
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59.
Cavan Biggio
FA
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60.
Patrick Wisdom
FA
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61.
Matt Mervis
CHC
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62.
Coby Mayo
BAL
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63.
Gio Urshela
FA
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64.
Tyler Soderstrom
ATH
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65.
Brandon Belt
FA
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66.
Mark Vientos
NYM
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67.
Justin Foscue
TEX
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68.
Nick Pratto
KC
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69.
Connor Joe
FA
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70.
Garrett Cooper
FA
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71.
Kike Hernandez
FA
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72.
Alec Burleson
STL
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73.
Joey Votto
FA
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74.
Gabriel Arias
CLE
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75.
Gavin Sheets
FA
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76.
Jiman Choi
FA
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77.
Luken Baker
STL
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78.
Miguel Sano
FA
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79.
Ramon Urias
BAL
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80.
Jared Walsh
FA
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81.
David Fry
CLE
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82.
Mike Ford
FA
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83.
Jake Bauers
FA
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84.
Jerry Sands
FA
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85.
Dustin Harris
TEX
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86.
Jordan Diaz
FA
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87.
Trey Mancini
FA
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88.
Matt Carpenter
FA
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89.
Abraham Toro
FA
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90.
Jake Cave
FA
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91.
Bobby Dalbec
FA
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92.
Michael Toglia
COL
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93.
Wil Myers
FA
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94.
Deyvison De Los Santos
MIA
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95.
Spencer Horwitz
TOR
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96.
Greg Bird
FA
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97.
Nick Loftin
KC
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98.
Owen Miller
COL
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99.
Donovan Solano
FA
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100.
Aledmys Diaz
FA
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101.
Emmanuel Rivera
BAL
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102.
Dominic Smith
CIN
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103.
Mike Moustakas
FA
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104.
Carlos Perez
FA
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105.
Juan Yepez
WSH
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106.
Harry Ford
SEA
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107.
Austin Shenton
SEA
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108.
Troy Johnston
MIA
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109.
Kole Calhoun
FA
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110.
Damiano Palmegiani
TOR
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111.
Keston Hiura
FA
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112.
Yuli Gurriel
FA
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113.
Samuel Basallo
BAL
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114.
Jon Singleton
HOU
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115.
Harold Castro
FA
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116.
Trey Cabbage
PIT
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117.
Andrew Knapp
FA
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118.
Tyler Nevin
ATH
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119.
Ivan Melendez
ARI
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120.
Michael Chavis
FA
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121.
Andres Chaparro
WSH
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122.
Jesus Aguilar
FA
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123.
Wes Clarke
MIL
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124.
Pavin Smith
ARI
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125.
Luke Voit
FA
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126.
Yu Chang
FA
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127.
Hunter Dozier
FA
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128.
Christian Arroyo
FA
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129.
Kevin Newman
LAA
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130.
Alfonso Rivas
STL
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131.
Franchy Cordero
FA
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132.
Matt Duffy
FA
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133.
Kody Clemens
PHI
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134.
Jake Lamb
FA
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135.
Darin Ruf
FA
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136.
Darick Hall
PHI
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137.
Nathan Martorella
MIA
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138.
Lewin Diaz
FA
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139.
Evan White
LAA
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140.
P.J. Higgins
FA
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141.
Jhonkensy Noel
CLE
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142.
Bligh Madris
DET
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143.
Jordan Groshans
KC
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144.
Jared Young
STL
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145.
Yunior Severino
MIN
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146.
Niko Goodrum
FA
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147.
Tristan Gray
PIT
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148.
Seth Beer
PIT
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149.
Niko Kavadas
LAA
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150.
Carlos De La Cruz
PHI
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151.
Blaine Crim
TEX
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152.
Matt Beaty
FA
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153.
Logan Davidson
ATH
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