Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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12.
Trea Turner
SS
Trea Turner struggled in his first season in Philadelphia, leading to the infamous game where his own mother booed him. He eventually turned it around and ended the season, slashing .266/.320/.459 with 102 runs, 76 RBIs, 26 home runs, and 30 stolen bases. Turner's baserunning value remains in the 99th percentile, according to Statcast, and many of his underlying metrics suggest improvement in the 2024 season. At this point, however, Turner's ADP is in the first round in NFBC leagues, and there may be better value elsewhere at shortstop this year.
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16.
Bryce Harper
1B,DH
Bryce Harper returned triumphantly from elbow surgery in May instead of the predicted July and rewarded every fantasy manager who took a flier on him late in 2023 drafts. He played 126 games and remained an elite hitter in the majors, slashing .293/.401/.499 in the middle of a Phillies lineup that finished sixth in team OPS. Harper is now primarily a DH/1B, which should work just fine in fantasy leagues, and fantasy managers can anticipate a 30/90/90 season with double-digit steals (he stole 11 in '23). After Freddie Freeman is off the board, whether Matt Olson or Harper goes next is a coin flip. A full season of Bryce Harper is never a bad thing to have on your fantasy roster.
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21.
Zack Wheeler
SP
Zack Wheeler continued his SP1 ways in 2023, racking up 212 strikeouts in 192 innings. His ERA was a little high (for him) at 3.61, and his xFIP supported that at 3.54. Wheeler is in the 95th percentile in BB% (5.0), so you can draft him knowing he will protect your WHIP better than many other aces. He also started 32 games, making his durability an asset as well. Wheeler remains at the top of Tier 2 after the Strider/Cole/Burnes triad, and you can probably get him in the third round.
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46.
Aaron Nola
SP
Aaron Nola had a mixed bag of results for fantasy teams in 2023. He threw 193 2/3 innings across 32 starts, so durability was not an issue. He struck out 202 batters and maintained his excellent BB% (5.7) for a WHIP of 1.15. His ERA, however, was an unseemly 4.46, and he gave up a career-high 1.49 HR/9. Nola's xERA and xFIP suggest improvement in ERA for 2024, and he has started precisely 32 games each of the last three seasons. In the offseason, he signed a seven-year, $172 million contract with the Phillies, a significant deal for a guy who will turn 31 in June. The perception of Nola is that he is an SP1, but his stats suggest grabbing someone to anchor your staff in 2024 and slot him in as an SP2.
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67.
Kyle Schwarber
LF,DH
Kyle Schwarber is one of the most predictable players in fantasy baseball. He will hit bombs (40+). He will score runs (100+). He is going to drive in teammates (100+). And he will absolutely crater your batting average (.197 in 2023). These stats seem like a "The sun rises in the East" type of guarantee. Schwarber does get on base, thanks to a 17.5% walk rate, and he continued to hit atop a powerful Phillies batting order. You just need to decide if you're punting the average category before you take him because you don't get to be surprised by it later.
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75.
J.T. Realmuto
C
J.T. Realmuto's run as the clear No. 1 catcher in fantasy may be over. Realmuto's batting average and OBP have fallen to below-average, and he may fall in the Phillies batting order as a result. Make no mistake, though, that he still offers double-digit upside in homers and steals, which makes him a valuable backstop, even if he now has competition at the top.
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94.
Nick Castellanos
RF
Nick Castellanos, with his consistent power, is a solid pick for an OF2/3 in 2024. Last year, he belted 29 homers, notched 106 RBIs, scored 79 runs, and swiped 11 bases, all while maintaining a .272 average. At 31, his low walk rate (5.4%) and high chase rate (41%) persist, but his spot in a potent lineup featuring Bryce Harper and a revitalized Trea Turner should help him maintain near 100 RBIs. Castellanos is a wise middle-round selection, especially for RBI contributions.
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103.
Bryson Stott
2B,SS
Bryson Stott took quite the leap in 2023, richly rewarding fantasy managers who probably grabbed him on waivers. He played in 151 games, smacking 15 home runs and stealing 31 bases. He scored 78 runs, knocked in 62, and slashed .280/.329/.419. How much can this production be trusted going forward? The 15 HR and 25+ SB are sustainable, but fantasy managers should expect a drop in batting average, though not to an extreme degree. Second base looks a little shallow this season, leaving Stott as an acceptable 2B1 who you can get in the ninth round or later.
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151.
Alec Bohm
1B,3B
Alec Bohm offers fantasy managers an intriguing later-round third-base option. He will help your team's batting average (.274 last year), provide a little pop (16-20 homers), and collect some RBIs along the way. With an ADP in the 150s, he shouldn't be your 3B1, but he can certainly fill a CI role at a difficult position.
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183.
Jose Alvarado
RP
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241.
Cristopher Sanchez
SP
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270.
Austin Hays
LF
Austin Hays, at 28, is a versatile yet unspectacular outfielder. He delivered 16 home runs, 67 RBIs, 76 runs, and five steals with a .275/.325/.444 batting line last season. Ideal as an OF5, Hays offers a reliable base for your roster without being a priority pick during the draft.
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327.
Brandon Marsh
LF,CF
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331.
Ranger Suarez
SP
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398.
Taijuan Walker
SP
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402.
Johan Rojas
CF
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471.
Orion Kerkering
RP
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480.
Matt Strahm
SP,RP
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619.
Mick Abel
SP
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632.
Andrew Painter
SP
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642.
John McMillon
RP
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799.
Tanner Banks
RP
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1126.
Tyler Phillips
SP
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1131.
Edmundo Sosa
3B,SS,2B
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1159.
Jose Cuas
RP
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1172.
Michael Mercado
RP
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1177.
David Parkinson
SP
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1180.
Jose Rodriguez
2B,SS
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1205.
Nick Snyder
RP
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1208.
Devin Sweet
RP
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1290.
Noah Skirrow
SP,RP
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1338.
Max Castillo
RP
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1362.
Jose Ruiz
RP
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1363.
Taylor Lehman
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1373.
Tyler Gilbert
RP
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1405.
Griff McGarry
SP
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1507.
Garrett Stubbs
C
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1536.
Rafael Marchan
C
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1544.
Cam Gallagher
C
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1588.
Ryan McKenna
CF,RF
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1601.
Jordan Luplow
LF
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1623.
Kody Clemens
1B,3B
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1644.
Darick Hall
1B
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1694.
Weston Wilson
LF
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1719.
David Dahl
RF,LF
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1730.
Cal Stevenson
CF
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1740.
Carlos De La Cruz
1B,RF
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