Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2020 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Ronald Acuna Jr.
LF,CF,RF
We knew Acuna would develop into an elite fantasy option one day, but few saw it happening this quickly. He combined power (41 homers), speed (37 stolen bases), and his spot batting atop an outstanding lineup (127 runs, 101 RBI) to put up one of the all-around great seasons. He'll stick in the leadoff spot this year, which should ensure that he continues to run early and often, and there's little reason to expect his numbers to dip much from last year. In points leagues, where his strikeout rate is a bit of a negative, his stock falls just a tad, but otherwise, no one would fault you if you made him the top pick in the draft.
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21.
Freddie Freeman
1B
Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 at the outset of renewed camp and has reportedly dealt with some difficult symptoms. It seems unlikely that he'll be able to begin the year with the Braves, though he is apparently on the road to recovery. When healthy, Freeman is a dynamic option, so long as he has recovered from the elbow soreness that plagued him in spring. Don't let Freeman slip too far, but he's out of the second round for now.
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34.
Ozzie Albies
2B
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70.
Marcell Ozuna
LF,DH
Ozuna didn't have a terrible 2019, but his .241 batting average and injuries certainly put a damper on his year. And although he was due for a rebound anyway (his .259 BABIP was preposterously low), moving to the Braves on a one-year deal should be just what the doctor ordered. Not only will he be batting in the middle of an incredible strong lineup. but he'll also be playing in a much more favorable home park. With plenty of motivation as he looks for a multi-year deal, expect a big season from Ozuna.
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107.
Mike Soroka
SP
Soroka wasn't even necessarily supposed to begin 2019 in the Braves rotation but quickly developed into an ace. Although there's little reason to knock his year, his 7.32/9 strikeout rate ranked 49th out of 61 qualified starters. With an xFIP more than a run higher than his 2.68 ERA, there's every reason to expect regression. Still, there's room Soroka to continue to be an excellent fantasy option despite a step back, so don't avoid him during your draft.
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135.
Max Fried
SP
Fried's 2019 was positive, but his 4.02 ERA and 1.33 WHIP left a lot to be desired. His 17 wins and solid strikeout rate masked some of the issues, but he certainly doesn't look like a pitcher ready to jump into the upper echelon. Still, Fried's FIP and xFIP were lower than his ERA, and his expected stats showed he had some bad luck. Put it all together and Fried's a decent option with upside, but not one who you should expect to lead your fantasy rotation in 2020.
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184.
Mike Foltynewicz
SP
Foltynewicz was on nearly everyone's bust list, and his awful return from an injury only confirmed everyone's intuitions. But he really turned it on in the latter half of the season, pitching to a 2.65 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in the second half. No, he might not be the 2018 version of himself this year, but he certainly has more to offer than his overall 2019 numbers.
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189.
Will Smith
RP
Smith tested positive for COVID-19 and has not been at Braves camp yet as of mid-July. When healthy, he'll be the prime handcuff for Mark Melancon, but with a shortened season and with his health concerns, there's little reason to draft him at the moment.
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199.
Mark Melancon
RP
Despite Melancon plainly not being the best reliever on his team, he'll likely enter the 2020 season as the Braves' closer. Melancon still has decent control, but the days of being a lockdown option are long gone. Draft him as a back-end closer, and understand that Will Smith will be looking over his shoulder all year.
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221.
Dansby Swanson
SS
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251.
Cole Hamels
SP
Hamels kept up his strikeout rate last year with the cubs, but his control waned, and he had the worst walk rate of his career. He's dealing with a shoulder injury in the spring and there's currently no timetable for his return. Add it all up and Hamels is only barely worth drafting until or unless we get some positive news.
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264.
Austin Riley
LF,3B
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366.
Travis d'Arnaud
C,1B,DH
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367.
Ender Inciarte
CF
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419.
Luke Jackson
RP
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440.
Shane Greene
RP
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443.
Sean Newcomb
RP,SP
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488.
Kyle Wright
SP
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499.
Chris Martin
RP
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516.
Johan Camargo
SS,3B,2B
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565.
A.J. Minter
RP
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571.
Adam Duvall
LF,RF
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574.
Darren O'Day
RP
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623.
Bryse Wilson
SP,RP
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632.
Jhoulys Chacin
SP
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640.
Ian Anderson
SP
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673.
Yonder Alonso
1B,DH
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687.
Tyler Flowers
C
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712.
Pablo Sandoval
1B,3B,DH
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798.
Tucker Davidson
SP
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805.
Grant Dayton
RP
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847.
Touki Toussaint
RP,SP
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869.
Patrick Weigel
SP
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920.
Jacob Webb
RP
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976.
Cristian Pache
CF
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1009.
Drew Waters
CF
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1017.
Josh Tomlin
RP,SP
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1035.
Tommy Milone
SP,RP
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1063.
Adeiny Hechavarria
2B,SS,3B
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1108.
Charlie Culberson
LF
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1131.
Chad Sobotka
RP
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1140.
Huascar Ynoa
SP,RP
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1195.
Phil Pfeifer
RP
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1213.
Miguel Socolovich
RP
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1222.
Jeremy Walker
RP
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1335.
Chris Rusin
SP
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1344.
William Contreras
C
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1400.
Rafael Ortega
LF,RF
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1401.
Alex Jackson
C
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1408.
Michael Harris
RF
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1454.
Yangervis Solarte
2B
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1532.
Scott Schebler
CF,RF
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1554.
Peter O'Brien
RF
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