Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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4.
Mookie Betts
2B,SS,RF
Mookie Betts, at 30, continues to be an elite asset in fantasy baseball with a .307/.408/.579 slash line, 39 homers, 126 runs, and 107 RBIs in 2023. Though his 14 stolen bases are modest, Betts compensates with power and a superb eye, boasting a 13.9% walk rate and an elite 15.4% strikeout rate. He continued to be durable, playing in 152 games with 693 plate appearances. As Betts ages, expect a trade-off of speed for power, yet with a sustained high average. The Dodgers' strong lineup bolsters him, and his multi-position eligibility makes him a dependable, Top-6 fantasy asset.
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8.
Freddie Freeman
1B
Freddie Freeman has established himself as an irreplaceable cornerstone for the Dodgers, entering 2024 as one of baseball's most consistent and elite performers. At 34, he's defying age-related expectations, showcasing a blend of power, skill, and speed rarely seen at his position. In 2023, Freeman delivered an elite .334 batting average while driving in 101 runs and smashing 28 home runs. He also reached the milestone of 200 hits for the first time in his career. His season was filled with career highs, including 21 stolen bases, 125 runs scored, and 56 doubles, nearing the first 60-double season in the majors since 1936. Heading into 2024, Freddie Freeman isn't just an asset for the Dodgers; he's a fantasy baseball gem, offering a rare mix of average, power, and speed. He should be the first 1B off the board.
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20.
Shohei Ohtani
SP,DH
Shohei Ohtani remains a fantasy giant, even if he is only a hitter in 2024. Despite playing for an underwhelming Angels team, he delivered 95 RBIs, 102 runs, 44 homers, and 20 steals in 135 games. His recovery from an elbow injury should mirror Bryce Harper's successful return, indicating minimal impact on his elite performance. Statcast ranks Ohtani in the top 98th percentile for batting run value, leading in barrel percentage, exit velocity, and expected slugging. The only concern is the trend of players underperforming after big free-agent deals, but Ohtani's exceptional skill set makes him a solid addition to fantasy lineups. There is a chance he could slip to the second round, which boosts his value even higher.
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41.
Tyler Glasnow
SP
Tyler Glasnow returned with a vengeance in 2023. Upon his return from Tommy John surgery, he threw 120 innings and struck out 162 batters. His 33.4 K% is in the 97th percentile, and his fastball velocity sat in the 96-mph range. His ERA was 3.53, but his xFIP was 2.75, suggesting that he dealt with some bad luck. (And if you know Glasnow, you know that he has dealt with a lot of bad luck in his career.) His WHIP also remained low at 1.08. Now, he joins a burgeoning SuperTeam in the Dodgers, where he will remain for the foreseeable future. He offers so much strikeout upside that it doesn't really matter where he plays. He would be in my Tier 1 of pitchers except for his injury history, which knocks him down ever so slightly.
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46.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
SP
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will arrive in MLB with the powerhouse Dodgers in 2024, and while there may be an adjustment period for the 25-year-old, it shouldn't last too long. Yamamoto should come close to 200 strikeouts, though his ERA is projected to be near 4.00. However, as with all pitchers on outstanding teams, he does have slightly more win equity than others. As part of the $1 billion package that Los Angeles dropped on Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, the former's ADP seems somewhat inflated for a pitcher who has yet to face MLB hitters. He will cost you a sixth-round draft pick, and there may be better value elsewhere that early.
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74.
Bobby Miller
SP
Bobby Miller throws hard. He has a fastball velocity in the 98th percentile (98.9 mph), and the speed did not transfer to a high Whiff%. The 24-year-old started 22 games for the Dodgers, and he should have no issue sliding into their 2024 rotation. And it won't be hard to justify anyone wearing a Dodgers uniform this year. His ERA is projected to sit around 4.00, but the win equity and solid pitching organization give him slightly more upside. If you feel the need for speed, he's your guy. But if you feel the need for strikeouts, he doesn't offer a ton. He slots in as an SP3/4.
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76.
Will Smith
C
Will Smith has become an Ol' Reliable of the catching position in fantasy baseball. He only played in 126 games, which suppressed his home run total (19) to below 20 for the first time since 2020. Smith hits in the middle of the powerful Dodgers lineup, and his counting stats should continue being boosted because of it. His Statcast hitting profile shows that he excels at patience, though his batting average will hover in the .260 range. Smith should be the third catcher off the board somewhere in the early middle rounds.
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96.
Evan Phillips
RP
Evan Phillips appeared in 62 games for the Dodgers in 2023. He struck out 66 in 61 1/3 innings and finished with a sparkling 2.05 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. While his xFIP of 3.37 suggests he benefited from some luck, his 28.2 K% also says he is good in his role. While it seems appealing to grab the L.A. closer, beware of the "Blowout Wins" issue that sometimes drags down save totals. Still, Phillips isn't going to hurt you as a second closer on your roster.
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100.
Teoscar Hernandez
LF,RF,DH
Teoscar Hernandez appeared in 160 games in his season with Seattle, echoing his typical performance. He notched 26 home runs, tallied 93 RBIs, and scored 70 runs. Excelling in hard hits (90th percentile) and a 13.8% barrel rate, Hernandez is expected to maintain a batting average of around .250. Landing in Los Angeles to bat in the middle of that powerhouse lineup, Hernandez suddenly has extremely high upside in counting stats. Beware of the premium that many fantasy managers will put on all 2024 Dodgers, but at the right price, Hernandez can be a high-end OF3.
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151.
Max Muncy
3B
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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153.
James Outman
CF
In his debut season, James Outman showed early promise before his performance dipped, with a high strikeout rate (31.9%) and modest xBA (.228). While his minor league track record indicates potential for a reduced strikeout rate and a solid OBP, expectations remain cautious for his second year. Outman carries a potential for 20 homers and 15 steals and benefits from playing in a lineup known for its offensive output.
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174.
Walker Buehler
SP
Walker Buehler missed all of the 2023 following Tommy John surgery. He is a question mark heading into 2024. In 2021, he looked like the dominant pitcher everyone expected him to be, only to crater in 2022 with the injury. The argument for drafting Buehler as an SP3 is that he pitches for the Dodgers (stadium + team = good things) and becomes a free agent after the season. Many pitchers experience a "honeymoon" period following TJ surgery, and it could be a savvy move to grab him in the mid-rounds. The knock against him is that he will turn 30 in July, and his track record has been anything but consistent. It is a dice roll that can pay off for the right price.
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281.
Gavin Lux
2B
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310.
Emmet Sheehan
SP
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315.
Gavin Stone
SP
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324.
James Paxton
SP
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408.
Chris Taylor
3B,SS,LF
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417.
Clayton Kershaw
SP
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472.
Brusdar Graterol
RP
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479.
Daniel Hudson
RP
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508.
Miguel Vargas
2B
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524.
Alex Vesia
RP
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542.
Jason Heyward
CF,RF
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604.
Joe Kelly
RP
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617.
Dustin May
SP
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641.
Kike Hernandez
2B,SS,CI,LF,CF
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721.
Ryan Brasier
RP
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725.
Blake Treinen
RP
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746.
Kyle Hurt
RP
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778.
J.P. Feyereisen
RP
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800.
Ryan Yarbrough
SP,RP
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861.
Connor Brogdon
RP
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862.
Michael Grove
SP
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886.
Nick Ramirez
RP
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912.
Andy Pages
CF
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936.
River Ryan
SP
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963.
Miguel Rojas
SS
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1018.
Landon Knack
SP
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1036.
Nick Frasso
SP
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1086.
Elieser Hernandez
SP
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1132.
Josue De Paula
RF
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1155.
Austin Barnes
C
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1183.
Braydon Fisher
SP
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1222.
Jesse Hahn
RP
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1228.
Nabil Crismatt
RP
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1255.
Ricky Vanasco
SP
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1345.
Dinelson Lamet
RP
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1359.
Gus Varland
RP
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1556.
Hunter Feduccia
C
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1665.
Jonathan Arauz
3B
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1688.
Andre Lipcius
3B
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1743.
Chris Owings
SS
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