Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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6.
Kyle Tucker
RF
Kyle Tucker nearly achieved a 30/30 season and topped the American League with 112 RBIs last year. His walk rate hit a career-high of 11.9%, while his strikeout rate dropped to 13.6%. In 5x5 leagues, his .284/.369/.517 line was impressive. Tucker's consistent underlying metrics hint at sustained production, and he is poised for a 35/25 season in 2024. Don't forget about him in the first round on draft day.
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15.
Yordan Alvarez
LF,DH
Despite missing 68 games in 2023, Yordan Alvarez showcased his exceptional batting skills. He posted a .293/.407/.583 line with 31 home runs and 97 RBIs, mirroring his 2022 RBI count in fewer games. Statcast ranks him in the 99th percentile for batting run value, underscoring his undeniable value in four fantasy categories. While his 18.5% strikeout rate is notable, his 13.9% walk rate compensates well. Alvarez is an excellent second-round choice for fantasy teams, especially if you're flexible with stolen bases.
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37.
Jose Altuve
2B
Jose Altuve began the season dealing with an injury he sustained in the World Baseball Classic. Upon his return, he delivered a stellar .311 batting average and .915 OPS in the 2023 season over 360 at-bats. His 14 home runs and 51 RBIs showcased his power, while 14 stolen bases highlighted his agility on the basepaths. Altuve's career stats, with a .307 average, 209 home runs, and 293 stolen bases, emphasize his long-term consistency and multi-dimensional play. In the 2023 postseason, he maintained a solid .286 average, adding to his reputation for performing in high-pressure situations. Altuve remains a prime fantasy pick in 2024, offering reliability in batting average and diverse category contributions.
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50.
Framber Valdez
SP
Framber Valdez took a step back in 2023 but still pitched 198 innings of stellar ball for the Astros. He ended with a 3.46 ERA, though his 4.33 xERA suggests he was lucky. On the other hand, his xFIP was 3.39, and he was one of 17 pitchers who struck out 200 or more. Valdez remains a cheat code in leagues with Quality Starts as a category. Even in traditional 5x5 leagues, he is an excellent SP2 with SP1 upside that you can probably get in the fifth round.
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52.
Josh Hader
RP
Josh Hader experienced the bounceback foretold last offseason. He dropped his ERA from 5.22 to 1.28, which was much more in line with his career numbers. He struck out 85 batters in 56 1/3 innings and collected 33 saves. His elite xBA of .157 is in the 100th percentile, and batters have yet to figure out how to get any barrel on the Southpaw's pitches. Hader's downfall will always be his BB% (13.0), but fantasy managers inclined to take a closer early in drafts should feel confident they're getting one of the top two here.
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67.
Alex Bregman
3B
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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124.
Yainer Diaz
C,DH,1B
Yainer Diaz will probably be on every Sleepers list for 2024 drafts because he offers a ton of offense at a position that lacks it. The 25-year-old hit 23 home runs in 104 games while slashing an impressive .278/.306/.532. Yes, the OBP is low, which is attributable to his 2.9 percent walk rate. (If you're looking for the player in the first percentile in this category and Chase% (44), you've found him.) The good news is that his xBA is .288, and his xSLG is .543. He will get plenty of at-bats in Houston, and since defensive metrics don't matter in fantasy, he is definitely someone to target.
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138.
Chas McCormick
LF,CF,RF
In his early career, Chas McCormick has shown notable progress in key offensive areas. Last season, he achieved 22 home runs, 19 steals, 70 RBIs, and scored 59 runs. At 28, he's reduced his strikeout rate to 25.6% and enhanced his ability to get on base. Despite a likely dip in batting average (expected BA .248), McCormick presents a dual threat of power and speed, eyeing a 20/15 season. His ongoing development suggests potential as a valuable third outfielder in fantasy lineups.
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155.
Justin Verlander
SP
Justin Verlander finally began to show his age in 2023. While his ERA was 3.22, his xERA was 3.69, and his xFIP was 4.56 across 162 1/3 innings. His K% fell to 21.5, and his BB% jumped up 6.7. His SIERA was the highest it has been since 2008, and it's also noteworthy to realize that 2008 was 16 years ago. Verlander is a name-brand pitcher, but his ADP of 120.4 is more nostalgia than skill at this point.
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163.
Hunter Brown
SP
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168.
Cristian Javier
SP
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204.
Jeremy Pena
SS
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263.
Yusei Kikuchi
SP
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314.
Ryan Pressly
RP
Ryan Pressly saved 31 games for the Astros in 2023, striking out 74 batters in 65 1/3 innings. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, his ERA took a big leap to 3.58 after being under 3.00 in 2021 and 2022. He also allowed harder contact than in previous years. Pressly is a closer with a strong positive (pitches for the Astros) and some downside (K/9 barely over 10, high ERA). When closers start flying off the board in the 7th-9th rounds, Pressly is a decent option. Just don't reach for him in the upper tier of RP.
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406.
Bryan Abreu
RP
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414.
Hector Neris
RP
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447.
J.P. France
SP
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497.
Mauricio Dubon
2B,CF,LF,1B,RF,3B
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542.
Jason Heyward
CF,RF
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547.
Ronel Blanco
SP,RP
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574.
Caleb Ferguson
SP,RP
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576.
Luis Garcia
SP
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584.
Jose Urquidy
SP,RP
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610.
Lance McCullers Jr.
SP
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639.
Rafael Montero
RP
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707.
Jake Meyers
CF
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757.
Victor Caratini
C,1B
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828.
Parker Mushinski
RP
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841.
Bennett Sousa
RP
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847.
Omar Narvaez
C
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857.
Seth Martinez
RP
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943.
Shawn Dubin
SP,RP
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1025.
Miguel Diaz
RP
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1047.
Penn Murfee
RP
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1048.
Colton Gordon
SP
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1075.
Spencer Arrighetti
SP
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1092.
Oliver Ortega
RP
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1177.
Trey Cabbage
1B,RF,LF
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1195.
Wander Suero
RP
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1245.
Tayler Scott
RP
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1302.
Forrest Whitley
SP
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1366.
Kaleb Ort
RP
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1436.
Brandon Walter
RP
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1550.
Cesar Salazar
C
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1579.
Jon Singleton
1B,DH
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1619.
Ben Gamel
LF,RF
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1629.
Grae Kessinger
3B,SS
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1686.
Kenedy Corona
CF,RF
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1713.
Cooper Hummel
DH
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1721.
Pedro Leon
2B,CF
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