Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

Fernando Tatis Jr. dealt with injuries during the 2024 season but remained highly productive when on the field. Over 102 games, he delivered 21 home runs, 64 runs scored, 49 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. His Statcast metrics remain elite, ranking in the 99th percentile for hard-hit rate and in the 97th percentile for both average exit velocity and expected batting average. While his days of swiping 25+ bases may be behind him, Tatis continues to provide excellent power and strong ratios. If the Padres bolster their lineup through free agency, his counting stats could see a notable boost.

Jackson Merrill made a significant impact for the Padres in 2024. The 21-year-old transitioned seamlessly from Double-A to the majors, delivering an impressive season. He tallied 24 home runs, 77 runs scored, 90 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases, all while maintaining a .292/.326/.500 slash line. These stats are supported by elite underlying metrics, including a .308 xBA (98th percentile), .547 xSLG (96th percentile), and .376 xwOBA (94th percentile). While Merrill's 4.9% walk rate and tendency to chase pitches leave room for improvement, his production more than compensates. Fantasy managers can confidently target him as a strong OF2 option, with 2025 projections aligning closely with his standout 2024 season, making him worth a third-round pick in upcoming drafts.

Manny Machado continued to produce, even in his age-31 season, and provided fantasy managers with 152 games played for the third time in the last four years. He hit 29 homers, drove in 105, scored 77, and somehow got to 11 steals. His slash line of .275/.325/.472 remains aligned with his career numbers. The primary blemish on Machado's growing resume is that his walk rate has declined for four straight years, which should eventually impact his batting average more than we would like. However, you cannot argue with history, and Machado has hit 28 or more home runs every year since 2015 (save for 2020). As far as the hot corner goes, he remains squarely in Tier 1 heading into 2025.