Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Jose Ramirez
CLE
Jose Ramirez turned in another stellar season in 2023, hitting 24 home runs and stealing 28 bases while slashing .282/.356/.475. His other counting stats took a hit due to a subpar lineup around him. He only knocked in 80 and scored 87 across 156 games. Ramirez will be in his age-31 season, typically a time when stolen bases begin to slow down, but his superb batting skills will continue to have high fantasy value. If Cleveland does not improve the lineup around him, he is a first-round talent in a later-round situation that will leave fantasy managers wanting more.
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2.
Austin Riley
ATL
Austin Riley continued solidifying his position as the premier power-hitting third baseman in the National League during the 2023 season. He finished with a .281 batting average with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs. His slugging percentage stood at .516, contributing to an OPS of .861. Riley scored 27 more runs than the year before due to being in such a potent lineup. He doesn't walk much and strikes out more than we'd like. But Riley's ability to consistently hit for power while maintaining a reasonable batting average makes him a valuable asset in fantasy baseball, especially considering his position at third base.
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3.
Rafael Devers
BOS
At 27 years old, Rafael Devers remains a linchpin in the Red Sox lineup. His 2023 season saw him at the plate 656 times, where he notched 157 hits, including 33 home runs and 100 RBIs, and scored 90 runs. His performance slightly dropped in batting average to .271 from .295 in 2022. Still, he maintained a solid on-base percentage of .351 and a slugging percentage of .500. Devers always seems to be overlooked in fantasy drafts. Still, he is a set-and-forget third baseman who will play 150+ games.
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4.
Gunnar Henderson
BAL
Gunnar Henderson had an atrocious start to the 2023 season. He ended April with a .189 batting average and 29 strikeouts in 92 plate appearances, and May wasn't much better. In June, however, the stud prospect version appeared, and fantasy managers everywhere were rewarded for their patience. Henderson should continue his growth in his second full year in the majors, and a powerful Orioles lineup should keep his counting stats up. He is going to cost you, but the rewards could be league-winning.
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5.
Elly De La Cruz
CIN
Elly De La Cruz might be the most exciting and riskiest player on the board. He has a ton of potential that he occasionally flashed in his rookie season. For instance, he stole 35 bases in only 98 games and is in the 100th percentile in sprint speed at 30.5. He also hit the ball hard... when he hit it. His K%, Whiff%, and Chase% are all in the "highly undesirable" range, which drove his OBP down to .300. The primary question for fantasy managers is: When do you believe he will figure out major league pitching? De La Cruz's minor league stats suggest that day will come, and as part of Cincinnati's wave of the future, the 21-year-old will have a very long leash to figure things out in 2024. If you want his potential on your fantasy team, you will have to grab him earlier than you probably want. I'd stay away from him until the fifth round in 2024.
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6.
Manny Machado
SD
Manny Machado had a down year by his standards and by the standards of fantasy managers who took him early in 2023 drafts. In 138 games, he hit 30 home runs and drove in 91, which is in line with his career average. However, his batting average (.258) and OBP (.319) did not hold up their end of the bargain. Of course, neither did the Padres All-Star lineup. According to Statcast, he is right around average in Batting Run Value, which should drop his draft cost considerably, and his counting numbers may not hold steady with the departure of Juan Soto in the offseason. When you take into consideration the overall increase in talent at 3B and couple it with an aging Machado (he will turn 32 in July), there may be better value on the board in 2024.
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7.
Royce Lewis
MIN
Royce Lewis is the latest Minnesota Twin to offer superstar-level stats with an unfortunate injury-prone profile. In 58 games last season, Lewis smacked 15 home runs, drove in 52 runs, and slashed .309/.372/.548. His average was inflated (xBA .265), but the power is very real. The 24-year-old's xwOBACON is .410; even though his xSLG was lower, it was still .476. An entire season of Lewis has first-round upside, but fantasy managers should draft him expecting fewer games. With a bit of luck, Lewis avoids becoming Byron Buxton 2.0, and those who draft him will be rewarded handsomely.
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8.
Alex Bregman
HOU
Alex Bregman will turn 30 in 2024, and yet, he just keeps plugging away at the hot corner in Houston. He actually improved on all of his 2022 stats last season, hitting 25 homers, knocking in 98, and crossing the plate 103 times. His consistency in ratios is impressive, and fantasy managers can expect numbers in the ballpark of .265/.365/.450. He doesn't strike out and mashes lefties. Bregman is the overlooked-because-he's-boring guy that you can steal in the ninth round or later, and he should be well worth the pick.
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9.
Nolan Arenado
STL
Nolan Arenado hit 26 home runs in 2023, his first year below 30 since 2014 (excluding 2020). He also fell short of 100 RBIs for the first time since that year, too, coming in at 93. Essentially, Arenado showed signs of decline with an average slash line of .266/.315/.459. At age 32, it's difficult to know if this was the new normal or a perfect storm of unfortunate breaks that hit the Cardinals as a team. It is hard to justify passing on higher-upside players in the general vicinity of Arenado's ADP. However, he and Alex Bregman constitute the "boring veteran" section of the 3B position, and fantasy managers could certainly do worse.
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10.
Ha-Seong Kim
SD
Entering the 2024 season, Ha-Seong Kim has established himself as a valuable asset for fantasy baseball managers. At 28 years old, Kim's versatility on the field is evident with his multi-positional eligibility. His performance in 2023 was impressive, as he racked up 84 runs, 140 hits, 17 home runs, and an exceptional 38 stolen bases, ranking fifth in the NL for steals. This was a significant increase from his 12 stolen bases in 2022. Kim had 626 plate appearances and 538 at-bats during the season, highlighting his consistent presence in the lineup. His advanced metrics indicate an increased comfort at the plate, reflected in his improved walk and strikeout rates and his on-base plus slugging (OPS) reaching .749. Kim's blend of speed, improving power, and position versatility make him a strong asset for fantasy teams. His growth at the plate and on the field suggests the potential for an even more impactful 2024 season.
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11.
Josh Jung
TEX
Josh Jung played 121 games for the World Series champs in 2023, and he arrived in fashion. The 25-year-old hit 23 home runs, scored 75 runs, knocked in 70, and slashed .266/.316/.467. Jung is in the 98th percentile in Sweet-Spot% at 41.9, but he struggled in typical rookie fashion with strikeouts (29.3 K%) and plate discipline (5.8 BB%). If he can get to that 150-game mark, he will land in the ballpark of 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. Not too shabby for a third baseman currently going ninth round of drafts.
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12.
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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13.
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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14.
Jake Burger
MIA
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15.
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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16.
Max Muncy
LAD
Max Muncy will drag down your batting average (career BA .227), and you don't want him in leagues where strikeouts count heavily against you. Those are the two knocks on him, and early drafters are down on him for 2024. Take the discount if it's there. Muncy will bat in the middle of a Top 3 lineup, and he offers a ton of good things to fantasy managers. For instance, he hit 36 home runs last year and is in the 96th percentile in BB% at 14.7. He also scored 95 runs and knocked in 105. If you're looking for a 1B/3B in the 11th round or later, Muncy seems poised to do exactly what he's done every year since he has been with the Dodgers: Get on base and hit home runs. What else do you want?
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17.
Ke'Bryan Hayes
PIT
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18.
Isaac Paredes
TB
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19.
Nolan Gorman
STL
Nolan Gorman offers the possibility of 30 home runs from the second base position, and you can have him past pick 180. The question is how many opportunities he will have, given that his K% is north of 30. Gorman feels like the type of fantasy player who hits most of his home runs while on your bench because you benched him after a week of 40 strikeouts. If your ratios are protected elsewhere, Gorman can provide pop in your MI slot.
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20.
Jeimer Candelario
CIN
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21.
Matt Chapman
SF
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22.
Maikel Garcia
KC
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23.
Ryan McMahon
COL
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24.
Jorge Polanco
SEA
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25.
Eugenio Suarez
ARI
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26.
Justin Turner
TOR
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27.
Luis Rengifo
LAA
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28.
Junior Caminero
TB
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29.
Jordan Westburg
BAL
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30.
Colt Keith
DET
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31.
DJ LeMahieu
NYY
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32.
Brett Baty
NYM
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33.
Willi Castro
MIN
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34.
Michael Busch
CHC
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35.
Yoan Moncada
CWS
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36.
Wilmer Flores
SF
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37.
Anthony Rendon
LAA
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38.
Noelvi Marte
CIN
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39.
Ezequiel Duran
TEX
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40.
Chris Taylor
LAD
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41.
J.D. Davis
OAK
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42.
Jon Berti
NYY
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43.
Elehuris Montero
COL
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44.
Tyler Black
MIL
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45.
Zach McKinstry
DET
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46.
Matt Vierling
DET
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47.
Josh Rojas
SEA
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48.
Nick Senzel
WSH
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49.
Curtis Mead
TB
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50.
Geraldo Perdomo
ARI
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51.
Jared Triolo
PIT
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52.
Oswald Peraza
NYY
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53.
Patrick Wisdom
CHC
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54.
Coby Mayo
BAL
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55.
Cavan Biggio
TOR
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56.
Luis Urias
SEA
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57.
Brayan Rocchio
CLE
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58.
Gio Urshela
DET
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59.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
TOR
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60.
Mark Vientos
NYM
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61.
Kyle Farmer
MIN
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62.
Jose Miranda
MIN
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63.
Taylor Walls
TB
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64.
Kike Hernandez
LAD
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65.
Justin Foscue
TEX
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66.
Graham Pauley
SD
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67.
Nick Madrigal
CHC
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68.
Oswaldo Cabrera
NYY
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69.
Andruw Monasterio
MIL
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70.
Gabriel Arias
CLE
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71.
Ronny Mauricio
NYM
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72.
Thomas Saggese
STL
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73.
Justyn-Henry Malloy
DET
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74.
Orelvis Martinez
TOR
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75.
Nicky Lopez
CWS
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76.
Tyler Freeman
CLE
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77.
Owen Miller
MIL
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78.
Ramon Urias
BAL
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79.
Andy Ibanez
DET
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80.
Zach Dezenzo
HOU
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81.
Trey Lipscomb
WSH
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82.
Jean Segura
FA
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83.
Josh Donaldson
FA
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84.
Edmundo Sosa
PHI
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85.
Brady House
WSH
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86.
Evan Longoria
FA
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87.
Sterlin Thompson
COL
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88.
Jordan Diaz
OAK
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89.
Brock Wilken
MIL
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90.
Santiago Espinal
CIN
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91.
Aledmys Diaz
OAK
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92.
Abraham Toro
OAK
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93.
Casey Schmitt
SF
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94.
Deyvison De Los Santos
ARI
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95.
Juan Brito
CLE
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96.
Jace Peterson
ARI
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97.
Emmanuel Rivera
MIA
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98.
Brian Anderson
SEA
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99.
Donovan Solano
SD
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100.
Eguy Rosario
SD
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101.
Lenyn Sosa
CWS
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102.
Carter Kieboom
WSH
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103.
Josh H. Smith
TEX
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104.
Eduardo Escobar
FA
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105.
Ildemaro Vargas
WSH
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106.
Addison Barger
TOR
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107.
Mike Moustakas
FA
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108.
Rodolfo Castro
PHI
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109.
Bryan Ramos
CWS
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110.
Osleivis Basabe
TB
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111.
Michael Stefanic
LAA
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112.
Austin Shenton
TB
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113.
Nick Maton
BAL
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114.
Alan Trejo
COL
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115.
Zack Short
NYM
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116.
Jonathan Schoop
FA
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117.
James Triantos
CHC
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118.
Harold Castro
FA
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119.
Miles Mastrobuoni
CHC
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120.
Damiano Palmegiani
TOR
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121.
Andres Chaparro
ARI
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122.
Oliver Dunn
MIL
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123.
Luis Guillorme
ATL
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124.
Michael Chavis
SEA
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125.
Matthew Batten
SD
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126.
Tyler Nevin
OAK
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127.
Ivan Melendez
ARI
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128.
Josh Harrison
FA
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129.
Hunter Dozier
LAA
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130.
Zach Remillard
CWS
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131.
Hanser Alberto
FA
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132.
Christian Arroyo
MIL
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133.
Jonah Bride
MIA
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134.
Leury Garcia
ATL
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135.
Kevin Newman
ARI
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136.
Matt Duffy
FA
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137.
Nate Eaton
KC
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138.
Kevin Smith
NYY
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139.
Jeter Downs
NYY
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140.
David Villar
SF
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141.
Grae Kessinger
HOU
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142.
Mike Brosseau
KC
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143.
Brad Miller
SD
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144.
Luke Williams
ATL
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145.
Danny Mendick
CWS
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146.
Jose Fermin
STL
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147.
Angel Martinez
CLE
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148.
Jonathan Arauz
LAD
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149.
Jhonkensy Noel
CLE
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150.
Charles Leblanc
LAA
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151.
Aaron Schunk
COL
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152.
Andre Lipcius
LAD
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153.
Jordan Groshans
NYY
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154.
Livan Soto
CIN
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155.
Vinny Capra
MIL
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156.
Ehire Adrianza
LAA
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157.
Yunior Severino
MIN
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158.
Tim Elko
CWS
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159.
Irving Lopez
FA
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160.
Daniel Schneemann
CLE
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161.
Tristan Gray
MIA
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162.
Adam Kennedy
FA
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163.
David Bote
CHC
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164.
Brett Harris
OAK
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165.
Alejo Lopez
ATL
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166.
Yonny Hernandez
MIL
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167.
Maikel Franco
FA
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168.
Phillip Evans
ATL
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