Welcome again to Hitter Profiles for the 2024 fantasy baseball season. Final week we coated the NL East and this week we head over to the NL West. This division is a story of two sides with the Dodgers juggernaut and Diamondback hopefuls main the best way. Significantly all the beginning 9 and pitching employees are being drafted as fantasy starters in LA. The opposite facet is a little more dreary because the Padres and Giants hope to smell relevance and the wild card (ohh yea…the Rockies play right here too). With the recent range cooling off, the NL West has loads of attention-grabbing choices to think about for our hitter profiles. So with out additional ado let’s stroll by the growth and bust candidates within the NL West!
Vital Notes: All views give attention to 5×5 rotisserie codecs with NFBC ADP and Yahoo place eligibility.
Growth
Tommy Pham – Free Agent (ADP 321)
Tommy Pham, though presently a free agent, is being compelled into our NL West dialogue as a result of he deserves to be talked about. Turning 36 on opening day would possibly elevate issues about age, however his current efficiency tells a compelling story. Final season, Pham showcased his versatility with 16 dwelling runs and 22 stolen bases. Throughout his 50 video games with Arizona, he demonstrated a tempting tempo, projecting in direction of 170+ mixed runs and RBIs. Regardless of these promising numbers, the market values him because the 78th outfielder in drafts this spring. Given his potential to outperform gamers chosen a lot earlier, Pham emerges as a compelling possibility, providing a chance for savvy fantasy managers to capitalize on his perceived draft-day worth.
Ezequiel Tovar – Rockies (ADP 195)
Tovar presents an intriguing fantasy possibility because the twentieth shortstop off the board. His minor league observe file as a 30-40 steal participant coupled with final 12 months’s demonstrated 15-homer energy suggests an thrilling ability set. Enjoying within the hitter-friendly surroundings of Coors Area provides extra worth to his offensive profile. Whereas he would possibly peak as a .250 hitter, the Colorado issue may amplify his general manufacturing. Being one of many youngest hitters within the majors final 12 months leaves room for development, making Tovar a viable late-round possibility. Given the depth at shortstop this 12 months, strategically ready and specializing in different positions earlier than contemplating Tovar may show a shrewd transfer.
Luis Matos – Giants (ADP 588)
Mr. Matos showcases intriguing promise as a younger hitter. Making his debut at 21 final season, he brings consistency with a batting common under .300 at just one minor league cease. His mixed 14 homers and 18 steals in AAA and the majors in 2023 spotlight a balanced ability set that we search for in younger gamers. Matos impressively maintained a optimistic walk-to-strikeout ratio within the minors earlier than his call-up, reflecting a disciplined strategy on the plate. Whereas not projected to start out, the presence of Conforto, Yastrzemski, and Flores preserve his worth in test with out being too excessive of a hurdle to clear. With potential alternatives forward, Matos is one among my favourite deep sleepers for 2024, providing fantasy managers an thrilling prospect to look at and probably capitalize on within the bay.
Bust
Luis Campusano – Padres (ADP 187)
Luis enters the upcoming season with a possible bust label right here within the West. Regardless of being usually drafted because the seventeenth catcher, there are cases the place he’s been chosen as excessive as eighth, a place that’s overly optimistic. At 25 years previous, Campusano’s efficiency final 12 months was notably boosted by a .339 BABIP, hinting at a necessity for warning relating to sustainability. His profession outcomes reveal a big cut up. He excels towards lefties with a strong wRC+ 169, however struggles towards righties with a modest wRC+ 80, indicating a short-side platoon concern. In even two-catcher leagues, different choices could present extra dependable and balanced manufacturing.
Eugenio Suarez – Diamondbacks (ADP 271)
Eugenio steps in because the projected beginning third baseman for Arizona following an offseason commerce. Whereas his energy on the plate is tempting, it comes with a trade-off as he can merely torpedo your batting common. Suarez’s tendency to build up strikeouts, trailed solely Kyle Schwarber final 12 months by a single strikeout. This profile drives concern about volatility and at his finest, he will likely be a streaky hitter. The potential for energy ought to be overshadowed by the danger he poses. Fantasy managers drafting Eugenio are hoping for 2019 when the final 4 years inform us in any other case.
