Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2020 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Nolan Arenado
COL
There's very little to say about Arenado at this point. He's batted between .287 and .315, hit between 37 and 42 home runs, and driven in between 97 and 116 runs in each of the last five years. Entering his age-29 season, there are simply no concerns about Arenado so long as he remains in Colorado all year, though that is admittedly a bit of a question mark at this point. But really, so long as you are comfortable that you won't get steals from your first-round pick, there's no reason to shy away from Arenado whatsoever.
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2.
Jose Ramirez
CLE
Ramirez's overall 2019 season was obviously subpar, as much as a 23-homer, 24-steal year can be. He batted just .218 in the first half with a mere seven home runs, and his fantasy value was saved only by his 18 first-half steals. But he looked closer to his old self in the second half, batting .327 with an 1.105 OPS. Whether it was him trying to do too much in the first half or something related to his newborn child (his surge happened to coincide with his return from paternity leave), Ramirez's return to normalcy in the second half should give you plenty of confidence in his 2020 outlook.
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3.
Alex Bregman
HOU
Thanks to his 122 runs and 41 homers, Bregman outperformed Story, Turner and Lindor last year so you might consider him at #6 overall once Bellinger is gone but his lack of steals makes his ceiling a bit lower than each of those other first rounders.
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4.
Anthony Rendon
LAA
Rendon finally put it all together last year, setting career-highs in batting average (.319), home runs (34), runs scored (117), and RBI (126). He'll now move to Anaheim where he'll see a downgrade in park, but an upgrade in lineup by the sheer presence of Mike Trout. In the end, Rendon's move is a neutral one, and to the extent you trust him to stay healthy again, he's a rock-solid second round pick.
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5.
Rafael Devers
BOS
Believe it or not, Devers managed to finish at the number one fantasy third basemen last year over Rendon, Arenado and Bregman. Batting in the middle of Boston's great lineup afforded him 129 runs and 115 RBIs which went a long way, but he contributed in all five categories and is young enough that he might do even better in 2020.
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6.
Kris Bryant
CHC
Bryant is an excellent player, of course, but his fourth round ADP is a classic case of the name driving the price. He should hit .275 with 30 homers if he stays healthy, but you can find that out of Eddie Rosario and several others a few rounds later.
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7.
Manny Machado
SD
Machado now has five consecutive seasons with 30+ homers, 80+ runs and 80+ RBIs. Yes, he struggled last year in batting average but this is a durable player with a great floor and Round 1 upside should he decide to steal 15 bags again like we've seen a few times.
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8.
Yoan Moncada
CWS
The former top overall prospect had a heck of a season in 2019 but his .400 BABIP is almost certainly not going to repeat in 2020. Even still, this young stud has room for more growth and could provide 30 homers plus 10 steals for fantasy owners.
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9.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
TOR
It wouldn't surprise anyone if Guerrero batted .330 with 40 homers this year but we are still talking about a kid who didn't outperform Brian Anderson, Renato Nunez or Todd Frazier last year in similar plate appearances. His upside is breathtaking but there is unquestionably some risk at his ADP.
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10.
Eugenio Suarez
CIN
Few hitters benefited as much from the postponement of the season as did Suarez, whose shoulder woes made his availability for Opening Day questionable. He'll now likely be at or close to full strength when the season begins. Whether he can repeat his near-50 homer performance is another question (he likely can't), but you should draft him as you would few to no health concerns.
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11.
Josh Donaldson
MIN
Donaldson played it right, betting on himself with a one-year deal and turning in a patented monstrous power season with the Braves. He'll now move on to the Twins where you can expect more of the same. Not only do the Twins boast one of the best all-around lineups in baseball, but park factors actually favor Target Field over Truist Park for home runs and doubles. Expect a repeat of 2019, with perhaps a little more.
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12.
Matt Chapman
OAK
If fantasy were real life, Chapman might be the second best third basemen in the league but fantasy accounts for average instead of OBP and his 1 steal won't help much. Rather, he is big power guy with runs, homers and not much else to help your fantasy team.
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13.
DJ LeMahieu
NYY
LeMahieu may have been the most shocking breakout last year, moving from a .276 hitter with limited power at Coors to all of a sudden 26 HRs, 102 RBIs and a .327 BA away from Coors. You can expect some regression but his 2019 campaign was just too great to discount him in the 6th or 7th round.
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14.
Max Muncy
LAD
Muncy now has 70 homers over the last two seasons and while fantasy owners know he won't be a source of help in the batting average department, he still managed 100+ runs because of the 90 walks. Multi-position eligibility certainly doesn't hurt either.
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15.
Mike Moustakas
CIN
Moustakas is a virtual lock to hit 30+ homers with 80+ RBIs but he doesn't steal any bags and with the power will likely come a sub-optimal batting average. You could do worse in the 9th round, however, because at the very least, he is a reliable three-category contributor.
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16.
Jeff McNeil
NYM
There were many skeptics after McNeil's strong rookie performance but it now clear that he is a hitter through and through. He'll again compete for the batting crown and seems likely to his 20+ homers once agin for the Mets this season.
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17.
Eduardo Escobar
ARI
Escobar had a heck of a breakout season, driving in 118 RBIs thanks to 35 homers. The batting average will never be great but he certainly won't hurt you in that category. What's more, is that he'll qualify for 2B and 3B so that you can slide him around during the week.
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18.
Justin Turner
LAD
Turner has quietly been one of the better pure hitters in baseball over the last few seasons. The problem is that he consistently misses 30 to 50 games. If we finally get a full season, that .310 batting average with 30+ homers and 90+ runs would look great in the 12th round.
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19.
Miguel Sano
MIN
Sano missed over 50 games but still hit 34 homers and drove in 79 runs. With a full season, 50/110/110 is a real possibility but let's not pretend that he hasn't let fantasy owners down a number of times so there is most definitely some risk as well.
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20.
Yuli Gurriel
HOU
Gurriel was unbelievable last season going from 13 homers and 85 RBIs to 31 and 104. Even with the power spike, he maintained his .290 BA for the third straight season. Although he is older, it is clear that fantasy owners can still rely on him for plenty of production.
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21.
Tommy Edman
STL
Edman had a tidy little rookie season for the Cardinals, as he batted over .300 and put up 11 home runs and 15 steals in 92 games. He looks destined for a super-utility role in 2020, but that should still mean plenty of playing time. With batting average and steals at a premium, Edman is a solid target as you get into the double-digit rounds.
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22.
J.D. Davis
NYM
If you are looking for this year's breakout player, Davis might just be your guy. He finished the season on an absolute terror once the Mets finally implanted him in the everyday lineup. What's more, is that the underlying metrics suggest it should have been even better.
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23.
Hunter Dozier
KC
Dozier had a strong 2019, batting .279 with 26 homers, 75 runs and 84 RBIs. He won't swipe any bags, but that was good enough to outproduce Rhys Hoskins and Edwin Encarnacion from a fantasy perspective and fantasy owners can expect more four category production this year.
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24.
Danny Santana
TEX
Santana's breakout season was absolutely ridiculous on paper. He finished with 28 homers, 21 steals, a .283 BA and 80+ RBIs and runs in just 474 at-bats. He may not be as efficient this season but even if he takes a step back, he would be a steal in the 13th round.
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25.
Scott Kingery
PHI
Kingery slowed down after his blazing start but still finished with 19 homers and 15 steals in just 126 games. With a full season likely ahead of him and multi-position eligibility, this may end up being one of the steals of the draft when he goes 25/20 with a .260 average.
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26.
Ryan McMahon
COL
McMahon didn't play every day as some expected but he still managed 24 homers. With more playing time this year, that could spike to 30+ and his .250 BA is likely to improve as well considering his aptitude in that department throughout the minors.
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27.
Brian Anderson
MIA
Anderson won't hurt you anywhere. He'll likely put up 20 home runs with passable runs and RBI, he'll chip in a few steals, and he'll have a batting average that you can live with. It's not exciting, but filling your roster with players like Anderson provide stability, which is worth considering on draft day.
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28.
Gio Urshela
NYY
Urshela was among the most surprising breakouts in 2019, batting .315 with 21 homers for the Yankees. Although that isn't going to keep up, he earned playing time in New York and may prove worth of that 20th round ADP.
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29.
Miguel Andujar
NYY
Andujar virtually missed the entire season so there is some risk in relying on a bounceback or even a full year of stats, but if we get it, we've seen the upside to be a .300 average with 25+ homers. With an ADP above 300, you should be able to get him super late in drafts.
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30.
Yandy Diaz
TB
Diaz finally received some playing time and the bat was strong as expected with 14 homers in just half a season. The batting average has room for growth too so don't be surprised if a full season gives fantasy owners 25 homers with a .280 average.
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31.
Renato Nunez
BAL
Nunez went from 8 homers and a .258 average in 2018 to a breakout performance with 31 homers and 90 RBIs. The batting average certainly won't help fantasy owners, however.
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32.
Starlin Castro
WSH
Castro never developed into the fantasy stud he looked like he might become earlier in his career, but he quietly set a career high in home runs and RBI last year with the Marlins. Now with the Nationals, where he'll bat anywhere from third to fifth, there are going to be RBI opportunities aplenty for the veteran. A career .336/.358/.513 hitter in Nationals Park, Castro makes a fine middle infield option in mixed leagues.
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33.
Nick Solak
TEX
Solak was never a big prospect but he always raked in the minors then continued that trend upon being called up for Texas. He finished the year with 32 combined homers, 91 RBIs and a .290 batting average. That seems unlikely in his full rookie season, but the kid can surely hit.
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34.
Tommy La Stella
LAA
After hitting 1 homer in 123 games during the 2018 season, La Stella completely changed his game and caught fire in 2019. He swatted 16 of them in just 292 at-bats and prior to injury, he was batting .295 as well. There is a chance he continues that performance over a full season this year.
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35.
Austin Riley
ATL
Riley has impressive power without question, hitting 18 homers in just half a season but the batting average will kill fantasy owners if he doesn't cut down on the strikeouts. Still, you could do worse than a lottery ticket in the last rounds.
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36.
Luis Arraez
MIN
Arraez came to the majors and did exactly what he has done throughout his minor-league career. He hit for a high average (.334), rarely struck out (7.9%), and offered nearly no power or speed. Even though his expected batting average was nearly 45 points lower than his actual average, he still should be a major contributor in the category. Is that worth the complete lack of production he offers in three other categories? All depends on your team construction.
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37.
Wil Myers
SD
The 29-year-old Myers has been disappointing each of the last two seasons but let's not forget that he is not far removed from 58 HRs and 48 SBs in two seasons combined. The average will never be there but the power/speed combo is worth a late-round gamble.
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38.
Michael Chavis
BOS
Chavis came out blazing after he made his MLB debut and many were calling him the next great star but he cooled off in a huge way and ended up only hitting .254 but with 18 homers in 347 at-bats. With multi-position eligibility, this is a premiere breakout candidate to target late in drafts.
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39.
Matt Carpenter
STL
Carpenter was a major disappointment in 2019 for fantasy owners but let's not forget that he was an MVP candidate just 18 months ago. There is a chance he gets healthy all season and posts another 30+ homers with 100+ runs for fantasy owners.
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40.
Kyle Seager
SEA
Seager hasn't hit for batting average in any of the last three seasons, but he did manage to swat 20+ homers for the seventh straight season and he did it last year in just 106 games. This might be a cheap way to grab 30 homers in 2020.
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41.
Jon Berti
MIA
Berti was never much of a prospect and is actually already 29 years old. He won't ever hit for power, but 25+ steals with a solid batting average and perhaps even 85 or 90 runs is a legitimate possibility. Plus, he plays most positions and has limited competition for playing time.
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42.
Travis Shaw
TOR
Shaw was awful last year, batting .157 and losing his job but he was playing through injuries. Don't forget that he hit 30+ homers in back to back seasons before last year's struggles.
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43.
Ian Happ
CHC
It wasn't long ago that Happ was being drafted within the first 10 rounds because of his power/speed combo. Playing time needs to come back and the BA is an issue but he has upside worth monitoring.
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44.
Howie Kendrick
WSH
At-bat for at-bat, Kendrick was one of the best hitters in the MLB last season despite his old age. He somehow went from a 4 home run hitter to 17 bombs with a .344 batting average. It is hard to tell if it will stick around for a full year but he is well worth a late-round investment.
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45.
Evan Longoria
SF
Longoria is nowhere near the 2016 version fantasy owners got with 36 homers and a solid average but the 20-25 homer power is still there if he can stay on the field all season.
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46.
Hanser Alberto
BAL
Alberto doesn't walk much but fortunately for fantasy owners, all that matters is his .305 batting average. That might not stick around though and he certainly won't help you with power or speed.
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47.
Maikel Franco
KC
Franco again played just 123 games but still hit 17 homers. With a change of scenery, we may finally get a chance to see Franco's upside which could be in the tune of 30 homers and a .275 average.
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48.
David Fletcher
LAA
It is clear that Fletcher won't provide much in the way of homers or RBIs but this a guy who should boost your BA and provide 75+ runs in the final few rounds while playing multiple positions.
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49.
Asdrubal Cabrera
WSH
Cabrera never feels exciting to draft but there is much to be said for someone who you can count on for 15 homers, 80 RBIs, 65 runs and a batting average that won't kill you late in drafts.
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50.
Yoshi Tsutsugo
TB
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51.
Todd Frazier
TEX
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52.
Marwin Gonzalez
MIN
Marwin is a long way removed from batting .303 with 90 RBIs for the Astros in the now infamous 2017 Astros' season, but he still has 20 homer power if he can stay on the field and the batting average shouldn't hurt.
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53.
Colin Moran
PIT
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54.
Alec Bohm
PHI
Bohm wasn't drafted all that long ago but the bat is almost ready after a .305/.378/.518 performance in the minors last year. This is most likely a mid-season pickup, however.
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55.
Jake Lamb
ARI
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56.
Jeimer Candelario
DET
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57.
Ryan Mountcastle
BAL
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58.
Johan Camargo
ATL
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59.
David Bote
CHC
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60.
Willians Astudillo
MIN
If Astudillo gets more playing time this year, fantasy owners can expect a useful batting average but not much in the way of power or speed.
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61.
Joey Wendle
TB
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62.
Rio Ruiz
BAL
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63.
Kevin Cron
ARI
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64.
Matt Beaty
LAD
Beaty offered fantasy owners a jolt last season with both power and speed. It was a small sample-size and there is no guarantee for playing time but he may be worth a late-round investment.
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65.
Jose Osuna
PIT
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66.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
TEX
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67.
Josh VanMeter
CIN
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68.
Aledmys Diaz
HOU
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69.
Ty France
SD
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70.
Brandon Drury
TOR
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71.
Ryon Healy
MIL
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72.
Ke'Bryan Hayes
PIT
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73.
Jordan Groshans
TOR
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74.
Luis Guillorme
NYM
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75.
Josh Fuentes
COL
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76.
Abraham Toro
HOU
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77.
Chad Pinder
OAK
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78.
Robel Garcia
CHC
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79.
Ehire Adrianza
MIN
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80.
Kevin Kramer
PIT
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81.
Sheldon Neuse
OAK
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82.
Dawel Lugo
DET
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83.
Ildemaro Vargas
ARI
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84.
Kyle Farmer
CIN
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85.
Adeiny Hechavarria
ATL
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86.
Neil Walker
PHI
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87.
Eduardo Nunez
NYM
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88.
Jedd Gyorko
MIL
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89.
Greg Garcia
SD
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90.
Pablo Sandoval
SF
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91.
Taylor Ward
LAA
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92.
Christian Arroyo
CLE
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93.
Matt Duffy
NYY
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94.
Triston Casas
BOS
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95.
Brad Miller
STL
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96.
Nolan Gorman
STL
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97.
Tim Beckham
FA
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98.
Jonathan India
CIN
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99.
Bobby Dalbec
BOS
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100.
Harold Castro
DET
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101.
Zack Cozart
FA
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102.
Daniel Robertson
TB
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103.
Logan Forsythe
PHI
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104.
Yolmer Sanchez
FA
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105.
Josh Lowe
TB
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106.
Kelvin Gutierrez
KC
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107.
Hernan Perez
CHC
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108.
Matt Thaiss
LAA
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109.
Mike Brosseau
TB
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110.
Yairo Munoz
BOS
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111.
Erik Gonzalez
PIT
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112.
Cheslor Cuthbert
CWS
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113.
Andy Burns
TOR
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114.
Marco Hernandez
BOS
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115.
Isaac Paredes
DET
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116.
Nolan Jones
CLE
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117.
Jung Ho Kang
FA
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118.
Dylan Moore
SEA
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119.
Chris Owings
COL
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120.
Jace Peterson
MIL
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121.
Sean Rodriguez
MIA
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122.
Brandon Snyder
WSH
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123.
Yu Chang
CLE
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124.
Patrick Wisdom
SEA
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125.
Edwin Rios
LAD
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126.
Ryan Goins
OAK
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127.
Colton Welker
COL
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128.
Adrian Sanchez
WSH
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129.
Tyler Nevin
COL
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130.
Matt Reynolds
KC
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131.
Gordon Beckham
SD
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132.
Humberto Arteaga
KC
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133.
Zach Green
SF
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134.
Mike Freeman
CLE
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135.
Seth Mejias-Brean
SD
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136.
Phil Gosselin
PHI
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137.
Kaleb Cowart
NYY
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138.
Wyatt Mathisen
ARI
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139.
Rylan Bannon
BAL
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140.
Sherten Apostel
TEX
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141.
Elehuris Montero
STL
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142.
Will Craig
PIT
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143.
Yadiel Rivera
TEX
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144.
Andy Young
ARI
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145.
Jose Rondon
BAL
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146.
Deven Marrero
FA
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147.
Cristhian Adames
SF
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148.
Matt Davidson
CIN
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149.
Mitch Walding
PHI
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150.
Phillip Evans
PIT
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151.
Emilio Bonifacio
WSH
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152.
Cory Spangenberg
FA
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153.
Jose Bautista
FA
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154.
Kevin Padlo
TB
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155.
Ramon Torres
FA
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