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2023 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Expert Consensus Ranking (32 of 44 Experts) -

Rank Player (Team, Position) Overall Notes
1 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR - 1B,DH) 8 1 2 1.2 0.4 12.0 +4.0
Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., took a step back in 2022, which was expected once he got out of the bandbox parks of Dunedin and Buffalo. He continued to smash the ball, sitting in the 90th percentile in avgEV, MaxEV, and HardHit%. It is somewhat concerning that his K% went up while his BB% went down, but the slight drop in counting stats is projected to normalize back to his 35/100/100 levels. While the fifth-year player probably isn't going to gift fantasy managers with double-digit steals, Guerrero can keep four categories and all ratios afloat, allowing you to build around that foundation. Be prepared to grab him on the turn at the end of Round 1.
2 Freddie Freeman (LAD - 1B) 12 1 5 1.9 0.5 10.0 -2.0
After a volatile offseason that saw him sign with the Dodgers, Freddie Freeman settled in and got to work being the hitting machine fantasy managers have come to know and love. While his HR total dropped to 21, his runs (117), RBI (100), and SB (13) kept him in the fantasy MVP conversation. What we really love, though, are his ratios. He may not duplicate his .325/.407/.511 line again, his three-year average of .312/.415/.563 says that range is possible with his elite skills. Ranking in the 90th percentile in K%, BB%, and xwOBA is all you need to know to feel confident in grabbing the 33-year-old in the second round.
3 Pete Alonso (NYM - 1B,DH) 20 2 4 3.2 0.5 19.0 -1.0
The Polar Bear was dethroned at the 2022 HR Derby but otherwise had a phenomenal campaign, hitting 40 HR with 131 RBI, 95 runs, and lowering his K% to a career-low 18.7. He had an impressive xwOBA of .354, an ISO of .246, and WRC+ of 143 while batting cleanup in New York. Projections for the 28-year-old look similar to this stat line, though he will have a boosted lineup ahead of him to knock in with the re-signing of Brandon Nimmo, return of Francisco Lindor, and anyone else Steve Cohen decides to add to his luxury tax mountain. The beauty of Alonso is that he has all of the power without cratering your batting average (.271 last season). He remains worthy of a second-round pick in 2023.
4 Paul Goldschmidt (STL - 1B,DH) 21 3 5 3.7 0.5 22.0 +1.0
Paul Goldschmidt won the NL MVP in 2022, putting together a strong campaign that saw him hit 35 HR with 115 RBI and 105 runs while slashing .317/.404/.578 in his age-34 season. Strangely, all of his underlying metrics were actually worse in 2022 than in 2021 with the exception of his BB% bouncing from 9.9 to 12.1. One striking reason for this was a .368 BABIP, while another was facing a lot of atrocious pitching in the NL Central. His Statcast page reads like a warning when comparing his expected numbers with his actual ones. All of this adds up to that Goldy is due for some regression in 2023, which could be dramatic. The positives are his solid floor, and a good surrounding lineup will keep the numbers afloat. Just make sure you're not paying for his MVP iteration on draft day.
5 Matt Olson (ATL - 1B) 37 4 6 4.9 0.2 38.0 +1.0
After signing an 8-year, $168 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, Matt Olson did his best to replace franchise icon Freddie Freeman in one of the weirder series of transactions in recent memory. The 28-year-old's numbers were lower than what fantasy managers had come to expect, losing 31 points off his batting average and dropping his OBP from .371 to .325. His K% jumped precipitously (16.8 to 24.3), while his walk rate went the other direction (13.1 to 10.7). The good news is that his expected numbers were all higher than the actuals, and he still hit 34 homers with 86 runs and 103 RBI. Olson played in all 162 games last season, continuing his career of solid durability, so fantasy managers can draft him with the expectation that his numbers will normalize in his second year in Atlanta with a good lineup around him.
6 Jose Abreu (HOU - 1B,DH) 80 5 11 6.4 0.8 80.0
Jose Abreu signed a 3-year, $58.5 million with the Astros to serve as their first baseman. Entering his age-36 season, Abreu's Statcast page suggests that he is still a solid hitter, though there was a significant decrease in home runs, dropping from 30 to 15. So now the primary question is how much is his age impacting his power. His counting stats should get a boost, batting in one of the best lineups in baseball, and if his home runs correct at all, he will serve as a nice corner infield piece on fantasy squads.
7 Vinnie Pasquantino (KC - 1B,DH) 88 6 24 8.1 2.7 92.0 +4.0
Vinnie Pasquantino can hit. This wasn't really in question before his arrival in the big leagues last summer, but he slashed .295/.383/.450 in 72 games for the Royals when he finally got the call-up. His BB% was actually higher than his K%, though there is a good chance this won't hold in 2023. However, his xwOBA was .374, so you can believe in those on-base skills going forward. With a current ADP of 93, the 25-year-old should produce good value for fantasy managers who focus on position scarcity in the early rounds.
8 Nathaniel Lowe (TEX - 1B) 91 6 14 8.4 1.2 99.0 +8.0
Nathaniel Lowe became something of an on-base machine in 2022. The 27-year-old slashed .302/.358/.492 with 27 HR, 76 RBI, and 74 runs scored in 157 games. That put him in the Top 10 first basemen at the end of the year and those who rode out his atrocious stretch at the beginning of the year were definitely rewarded. His .363 BABIP is due to regress so draft him with the knowledge that his batting average may drop 15-20 points. Short of that, though, he is a solid choice in the ninth round, particularly in OBP leagues.
9 Rhys Hoskins (PHI - 1B) 97 6 15 9.2 1.5 94.0 -3.0
Rhys Hoskins lost 67 points off his ISO but hit three more home runs than he did in 2021. His strikeout rate remains quite high, and he won't bat for much average, but the addition of Trea Turner should boost his counting stats high enough for fantasy managers not to care much. He finished as 1B15 last year, but there is a good chance he could move up the chart with his impending free agency looming. Hoskins makes for a nice CI option.
10 C.J. Cron (COL - 1B,DH) 110 7 19 10.9 1.7 124.0 +14.0
C.J. Cron hit 22 home runs with a .302 average and .400 wOBA when he played at Coors Field in 2022. Away from Denver, the 33-year-old hit seven homers with a .214 average and .274 wOBA. If your league is deep enough to stream a 1B based on home/away location, then Cron is a perfectly fine option. For those in shallower leagues, 81 games of production aren't quite as enticing.
11 Christian Walker (ARI - 1B) 117 7 18 10.9 1.8 112.0 -5.0
Christian Walker was ridiculously underrated/ignored in 2022 given the fantasy production he was putting out. The 31-year-old turned his Statcast page crimson, landing in the 92nd percentile in xSLG and xwOBA, two important categories to show out in. Walker raised his HR total from 10 to 36 and ended his 160-game campaign with 94 RBI and 84 runs scored. An improved offense around him should only boost his numbers in 2023.
12 Ryan Mountcastle (BAL - 1B,DH) 129 7 21 13.0 2.0 159.0 +30.0
Ryan Mountcastle is an underrated power hitter who fell prey to a narrative that isn't exactly true. Yes, they moved the fences back at Camden Yards, but he actually improved his EV and added length to his average fly ball distance. The 13.3% HR/FB ratio should correct, and if he maintains an improved K% and HardHit%, he will be an absolute steal at his current ADP.
13 Andrew Vaughn (CWS - 1B,LF,RF,DH) 132 7 25 13.7 2.9 134.0 +2.0
The biggest plus Andrew Vaughn has going this season is that Tony La Russa won't be there to block his playing time. He should also get to move back to the infield and play 1B now that Jose Abreu is in Houston. Vaughn has underestimated power and maintains a good batting average. With everyday playing time, 2023 could be a big year of growth for the 24-year-old.
14 Rowdy Tellez (MIL - 1B) 137 9 27 14.7 3.4 155.0 +18.0
 
15 Anthony Rizzo (NYY - 1B) 139 9 20 15.1 2.6 131.0 -8.0
 
16 Josh Bell (CLE - 1B,DH) 150 10 24 17.1 2.4 172.0 +22.0
 
17 Ty France (SEA - 1B,3B) 159 9 28 17.4 3.6 166.0 +7.0
Assuming Ty France no longer qualifies at 2B, the complexion of his fantasy value changes. However, he does qualify at 3B, which might be even shallower this season. The 28-year-old is this year's definition of "boring" - he's projected for 20 HR, 70/70 for runs/RBI, and a solid batting average. There is nothing wrong with boring, as long as you don't reach for it.
18 Jose Miranda (MIN - 1B,3B,DH) 167 9 26 18.7 3.3 164.0 -3.0
Jose Miranda should finally take his rightful spot as the Twins' everyday third baseman - not because he's a great defensive third baseman (he's not) but because they need his bat in the lineup. In his rookie season, he hit 15 HR and 66 RBI with a .751 OPS and had above-average slugging numbers and K%. Miranda is right on the edge of being a sleeper if he's able to build on last year, but he also runs the risk of some growing pains in his sophomore season.
19 Jake Cronenworth (SD - 1B,2B,SS) 172 14 28 19.2 3.1 158.0 -14.0
 
20 Luis Arraez (MIA - 1B,2B,DH) 180 11 28 20.9 3.6 195.0 +15.0
 
21 Joey Meneses (WSH - 1B,RF) 195 13 36 22.3 3.6 196.0 +1.0
 
22 Josh Naylor (CLE - 1B,RF,DH) 196 18 31 23.6 2.5 210.0 +14.0
 
23 Alec Bohm (PHI - 1B,3B) 176 12 25 20.0 3.2 175.0 -1.0
 
24 Brandon Drury (LAA - 1B,2B,3B,DH) 213 12 37 25.5 5.1 192.0 -21.0
 
25 Triston Casas (BOS - 1B) 222 18 38 25.5 4.0 206.0 -16.0
 
26 Seth Brown (OAK - 1B,LF,CF,RF) 218 16 32 26.2 3.4 218.0
 
27 Miguel Vargas (LAD - 1B) 234 16 35 26.0 5.0 243.0 +9.0
 
28 DJ LeMahieu (NYY - 1B,2B,3B) 244 20 36 29.2 2.6 205.0 -39.0
 
29 Trey Mancini (CHC - 1B,LF,RF,DH) 243 20 44 29.4 4.0 263.0 +20.0
 
30 Wil Myers (CIN - 1B,LF,RF) 255 20 36 29.2 4.1 292.0 +37.0
 
31 Yandy Diaz (TB - 1B,3B) 238 13 38 29.1 4.9 223.0 -15.0
 
32 Spencer Torkelson (DET - 1B) 283 17 46 33.1 3.6 293.0 +10.0
 
33 Jared Walsh (LAA - 1B) 281 17 41 33.2 4.8 315.0 +34.0
 
34 Alex Kirilloff (MIN - 1B,LF) 284 20 45 33.9 5.2 347.0 +63.0
 
35 Juan Yepez (STL - 1B,LF,RF) 330 25 50 38.0 6.3 376.0 +46.0
 
36 Matt Mervis (CHC - 1B) NRI 358 27 53 39.7 5.9 427.0 +69.0
 
37 Brendan Donovan (STL - 1B,2B,3B,SS,LF,RF) 316 23 49 36.1 5.6 250.0 -66.0
 
38 Isaac Paredes (TB - 1B,2B,3B) 345 29 50 37.4 4.0 317.0 -28.0
 
39 Joey Votto (CIN - 1B) 367 28 50 39.0 5.3 355.0 -12.0
 
40 Brandon Belt (TOR - 1B) 325 21 49 37.5 6.7 386.0 +61.0
 
41 Wilmer Flores (SF - 1B,2B,3B,DH) 361 26 55 39.5 5.3 431.0 +70.0
 
42 Christian Vazquez (MIN - C,1B) 328 23 47 39.5 4.7 265.0 -63.0
 
43 Garrett Cooper (MIA - 1B,DH) 390 32 52 41.2 5.1 557.0 +167.0
 
44 Spencer Steer (CIN - 1B,3B) 351 26 47 39.9 4.3 544.0 +193.0
 
45 Harold Ramirez (TB - 1B,RF,DH) 401 27 60 44.4 6.7 454.0 +53.0
 
46 Luke Voit (MIL - 1B,DH) NRI 447 34 61 44.4 7.2 399.0 -48.0
 
47 Carlos Santana (PIT - 1B,DH) 422 37 58 45.1 6.9 411.0 -11.0
 
48 J.D. Davis (SF - 1B,3B,DH) 445 37 53 45.3 4.4 523.0 +78.0
 
49 Christian Bethancourt (TB - C,1B) 413 29 56 45.6 8.4 361.0 -52.0
 
50 Eric Hosmer (CHC - 1B) 464 34 69 49.2 8.8 422.0 -42.0
 
51 Patrick Wisdom (CHC - 1B,3B,RF) 436 37 59 47.0 6.0 351.0 -85.0
 
52 Hunter Dozier (KC - 1B,3B,LF,RF,DH) 437 39 54 45.8 5.4 408.0 -29.0
 
53 LaMonte Wade Jr. (SF - 1B,LF,RF) 533 38 65 50.1 9.2 568.0 +35.0
 
54 Gavin Sheets (CWS - 1B,RF) 489 40 61 50.0 5.1 569.0 +80.0
 
55 Dominic Smith (WSH - 1B) 462 33 66 52.5 9.4 552.0 +90.0
 
56 Christian Arroyo (BOS - 1B,2B,3B,SS,RF) 476 27 64 51.0 9.9 398.0 -78.0
 
57 Ji-Man Choi (PIT - 1B) 536 33 68 54.6 6.2 567.0 +31.0
 
58 Christian Encarnacion-Strand (CIN - 1B,3B) MiLB 496 41 67 51.0 9.9 560.0 +64.0
 
59 Miguel Rojas (LAD - 1B,SS) 457 36 64 53.4 5.8 429.0 -28.0
 
60 Aledmys Diaz (OAK - 1B,2B,3B,SS,LF) 469 47 72 56.8 9.3 524.0 +55.0
 
61 Keston Hiura (MIL - 1B,2B,DH) 659 35 69 58.8 12.6 499.0 -160.0
 
62 Mike Moustakas (COL - 1B,3B,DH) NRI 501 39 68 59.2 8.2 468.0 -33.0
 
63 David Villar (SF - 1B,3B) 561 45 71 59.4 8.6 559.0 -2.0
 
64 Jesus Aguilar (OAK - 1B,DH) 534 49 61 57.2 4.2 511.0 -23.0
 
65 Bobby Dalbec (BOS - 1B,3B) 550 39 69 60.8 8.7 409.0 -141.0
 
66 Connor Joe (PIT - 1B,LF,RF,DH) 610 46 80 66.6 9.6 623.0 +13.0
 
67 Jonathan Aranda (TB - 1B,2B,3B) 597 55 65 60.8 3.8 558.0 -39.0
 
68 Michael Toglia (COL - 1B,RF) 619 56 70 65.0 5.7 645.0 +26.0
 
69 Nick Pratto (KC - 1B,LF) 630 40 75 64.0 6.0 609.0 -21.0
 
70 Yuli Gurriel (MIA - 1B) NRI 598 43 74 65.6 5.7 384.0 -214.0
 
71 Seth Beer (ARI - 1B,DH) MiLB 656 57 85 71.5 9.9 894.0 +238.0
 
72 Cavan Biggio (TOR - 1B,2B,RF) 569 41 79 70.6 6.9 453.0 -116.0
 
73 Elehuris Montero (COL - 1B,3B) 627 60 71 64.3 4.8 599.0 -28.0
 
74 Pavin Smith (ARI - 1B,RF,DH)   63 85 75.7 9.3 794.0  
 
75 Evan White (SEA - 1B) MiLB   64 92 76.3 11.7    
 
76 Kyle Manzardo (TB - 1B) MiLB 651 66 104 81.7 16.2 590.0 -61.0
 
77 Andy Ibanez (DET - 1B,3B) NRI   66 101 83.5 17.5 789.0  
 
78 Alfonso Rivas (SD - 1B) NRI   67 75 71.0 4.0 681.0  
 
79 J.J. Matijevic (HOU - 1B,DH) 663 68 73 70.5 2.5 923.0 +260.0
 
80 Dermis Garcia (OAK - 1B) MiLB 698 70 76 73.0 3.0 836.0 +138.0
 
81 Darin Ruf (NYM - 1B,LF,RF,DH) 718 71 86 77.7 6.2 712.0 -6.0
 
82 Matt Thaiss (LAA - C,1B) 693 72 86 78.5 5.7    
 
83 Miguel Sano (1B) FA 772 73 81 77.0 4.0 490.0 -282.0
 
84 Owen Miller (MIL - 1B,2B,DH) 707 73 80 77.0 2.9 562.0 -145.0
 
85 Harold Castro (COL - 1B,2B,3B,SS) NRI 778 74 74 74.0 0.0 721.0 -57.0
 
86 Tyler Soderstrom (OAK - C,1B) NRI 800 76 89 81.3 5.6 807.0 +7.0
 
87 Michael Chavis (WSH - 1B,2B,3B) NRI 774 77 94 85.5 8.5 825.0 +51.0
 
88 P.J. Higgins (ARI - C,1B) NRI 804 77 83 80.0 3.0 850.0 +46.0
 
89 Ryan Noda (OAK - 1B,LF) 798 78 83 80.5 2.5    
 
90 Donovan Solano (MIN - 1B,2B,3B,DH) 818 81 87 84.0 3.0    
 
91 Lewin Diaz (BAL - 1B) MiLB   84 91 87.5 3.5    
 
92 Yu Chang (BOS - 1B,2B,SS)   88 100 94.0 6.0