As spring blooms on the East Coast, baseball is heating up, and fans are treated to the excitement of spring training alongside the thrilling World Baseball Classic. While spring training can often leave us with more questions than answers, the standout performances in the WBC provide valuable insights into player potential. With fantasy baseball drafts just around the corner, it’s time to spotlight some players whose Yahoo Average Draft Position (ADP) has seen a notable increase.
One player making waves is the 24-year-old outfielder who has surged in popularity thanks to an impressive showing last week. Over seven spring training games, he has recorded seven hits, driven in seven runs, and showcased his power with two home runs. His growth has been evident, as he improved his home run total from 16 to 22 and raised his OPS from .740 to .775 in his first two MLB seasons. With a total of 41 stolen bases in that span, he’s gearing up to be a potential league-winner. However, fantasy managers should note that his ADP is hovering around the 3rd to 4th round in 12-team leagues. If demand continues to rise, you may find yourself paying a premium for a breakout rather than his true value.
Another player on the rise is Suzuki, who is making headlines during the World Baseball Classic. In just three tournament games, he has launched two home runs, collected five RBIs, drawn five walks, and scored four runs. Coming off his most productive MLB season to date, where he hit 32 home runs and recorded 103 RBIs with an OPS of .804, Suzuki is proving to be a strong candidate for fantasy rosters. Fantasy baseball analyst Fred Zinkie emphasizes the strategy of targeting players with an OPS floor of .800, and Suzuki fits the bill perfectly, boasting an OPS over .800 for three consecutive seasons.
Finally, let’s highlight Keaschall, another rising star in the fantasy realm, as noted by Zinkie. At just 23 years old, he had a promising rookie season in a limited 49-game sample, showcasing an impressive ability to get on base with a solid walk rate. With only 29 strikeouts in 207 plate appearances last season, he’s positioned to contribute significantly in category leagues, particularly in batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, runs, and stolen bases. With the second base position looking thin for fantasy options, Keaschall could be a key target for those looking to fill that gap in their drafts.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
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SD
BAL
DET
CLE
TEX
BOS
ATL
NYM
ARI
CIN
NYY
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PHI
MIL
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