Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Ronald Acuna Jr.
RF
Ronald Acuna Jr. is a top pick for all 2024 fantasy leagues. At 25, he showcased his prowess in 2023 by playing 159 games with a .337/.416/.596 slash line. His remarkable performance included 41 homers, 106 RBIs, and 149 runs. Impressively, he also stole 73 bases. Acuna excelled against nearly all pitch types and maintained a low strikeout rate of 11.4%. Despite a slightly lower walk percentage, he redefined a five-category fantasy player. If you have the top pick, don't overthink it.
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10.
Spencer Strider
SP
Spencer Strider performed as advertised in 2023. He struck out a ridiculous 281 batters in 186 2/3 innings for a 13.55 K/9. His walk rate dropped for the third straight season, and his xBAA was .205. His outlier was a 3.86 ERA, but don't let this stop you from drafting him, as his xERA was 3.09. Strider is currently the first pitcher off the board in NFBC drafts. He is neck-and-neck with Gerrit Cole for best fantasy SP1.
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14.
Matt Olson
1B
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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17.
Austin Riley
3B
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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21.
Ozzie Albies
2B
After an injury-marred 2022 season, Ozzie Albies made a triumphant return in 2023, reasserting himself as one of the premier second basemen in the league. At just 26, Albies has already etched his name as a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger recipient. The 2023 season saw him play 148 games, boasting a robust 124 OPS+, and delivering a .280/.336/.513 slash line. Albies' power was on full display, with a career-high 33 home runs and 109 RBIs, part of his 68 extra-base hits. This marked improvement in power numbers was complemented by a more patient approach at the plate, evident in his on-base percentage. He also contributed 13 stolen bases. Albie's blend of power, speed, and defense makes him a top fantasy pick, especially at a position not typically known for such prolific power numbers.
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28.
Michael Harris II
CF
Michael Harris II finished with a .293/.331/.477 slash line, along with 18 homers, 76 runs, and 20 steals. Positioned as the starting center fielder for 2024 with minimal competition, Harris, despite potential bust predictions, offers valuable five-category contributions for fantasy teams. He's not an exciting OF1, but he'll fit the bill if you wait a few rounds.
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54.
Max Fried
SP
Max Fried dealt with a couple of injuries in 2023, which limited him to 14 starts and 77 2/3 innings. He made the most of those innings, though, with a 2.55 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. While fantasy managers shouldn't chase wins, Fried's 8-1 record is notable because of the team he plays for. If he continues with his current pitching profile (Pitching Run-Value of 88, according to Statcast), the wins should come thanks to the prolific Braves offense. Fried does not give up much in the way of hard hits, and his ground ball percentage of 59.2 lands in the 97th percentile. He will be a solid SP1 if you wait until the fifth or sixth round to start your pitching staff.
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79.
Raisel Iglesias
RP
Raisel Iglesias finished in the Top 10 in saves with 33 last season. This number might seem low, but the Atlanta Braves didn't have many save opportunities while routinely blowing out opponents. Iglesias remains elite in Chase% (35.4), but batters lit up his fastball and sinker more than in past seasons. Iglesias will remain a Tier 2 closer because of the team he plays for, but look out for that to continue to be a double-edged sword when it comes to saves. There are other relievers with more ratio upside later in the draft.
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121.
Chris Sale
SP
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128.
Marcell Ozuna
DH
In 2023, Marcell Ozuna shined for the Atlanta Braves, hitting 40 homers in 144 games and posting a .274/.346/.558 batting line. Ranking in the top 98% for both xwOBA (.400) and xSLG (.558), Ozuna is poised for another strong year in 2024, backed by Atlanta's formidable lineup. However, fantasy managers should note he's likely to be DH-only in their lineups.
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137.
Jorge Soler
RF,DH
In 2023, Jorge Soler demonstrated formidable power, blasting 36 homers while racking up 77 runs and 75 RBIs. With a .376 xwOBA, placing him in the top tier of hitters, the 31-year-old showcased his strength despite a high 24.3% strikeout rate. His standout ISO of .262 highlights his offensive prowess. Now a free agent, Soler's future lineup impact is uncertain, yet he's expected to maintain his 30+ home run potential and possibly surpass 90 runs and RBIs. Additionally, he retains outfield eligibility, avoiding fantasy limitations.
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142.
Sean Murphy
C
Sean Murphy's first year in Atlant went swimmingly. He popped 21 home runs while driving in 68 and scoring 65 runs. Murphy's strengths are his stellar OBP (.365) and walk rate (11.2%). His superb fielding skills will keep him in the lineup, even with Travis d'Arnaud on the roster, and he should get around 470 plate appearances. Fantasy managers can expect 20 homers and 60/60 in runs and RBIs while not being a liability to the team's batting average. His current ADP is 137, a decent value for a catcher with his skillset and outstanding surrounding cast.
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219.
Charlie Morton
SP
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229.
Jarred Kelenic
LF,CF,RF
In 2024, 24-year-old Jarred Kelenic could finally fulfill his long-discussed breakout potential. Although labeled as a "Quad-A" player, Kelenic's brief stint in Tacoma showcased his prowess. However, his return to Seattle saw a challenging 31.7% strikeout rate. Despite this, his expected stats outperform his actuals, with an impressive xwOBACON of .458, placing him among the elite. With the trade to Atlanta, he lands in a much better lineup, which is a double-edged sword. He should see plenty of right-handed pitching, and his RBI total should leap. However, he could find himself losing playing time if he struggles. The Braves certainly have a breadth of stud hitters to fill the spot. He is a last-round flier at best.
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277.
Whit Merrifield
2B,3B,LF
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328.
Orlando Arcia
SS
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359.
Ramon Laureano
LF,CF,RF
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393.
Reynaldo Lopez
SP,RP
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400.
Harold Ramirez
RF,DH
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421.
Adam Duvall
LF,CF,RF
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432.
John Brebbia
SP,RP
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438.
A.J. Minter
RP
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481.
Bryce Elder
SP
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482.
AJ Smith-Shawver
SP
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489.
Cavan Biggio
1B,2B,3B,RF
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506.
Travis d'Arnaud
C
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518.
Gio Urshela
1B,3B
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529.
Joe Jimenez
RP
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573.
Pierce Johnson
RP
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582.
Hurston Waldrep
SP
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643.
Aaron Bummer
RP
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696.
Dylan Lee
RP
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743.
Luke Jackson
RP
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812.
Jesse Chavez
RP
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814.
Allan Winans
SP
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860.
Ray Kerr
RP
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872.
Huascar Ynoa
SP
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897.
Daysbel Hernandez
RP
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907.
Angel Perdomo
RP
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983.
Darius Vines
RP
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995.
Jackson Stephens
RP
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1052.
Zack Short
2B,3B,SS
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1063.
Tyler Matzek
RP
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1093.
Brian Anderson
3B,RF
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1134.
Ian Anderson
SP
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1182.
Ken Giles
RP
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1214.
Grant Holmes
SP,RP
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1256.
Taylor Widener
RP
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1374.
Dylan Dodd
SP
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1543.
Sandy Leon
C
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1555.
Chadwick Tromp
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1578.
David Fletcher
2B,SS
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1606.
Andrew Velazquez
SS
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1608.
Leury Garcia
2B
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1641.
Luke Williams
2B,3B,SS,DH
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1708.
Eli White
LF,CF,RF
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1733.
Alejo Lopez
2B
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1740.
Luis Liberato
CF
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