We’ve arrived on the ultimate week of the 2023 common season, and what a wild season it’s been. As we’ve seen, the brand new guidelines have boosted offense, notably batting common and stolen base totals, and the brand new draft choose compensation has allowed us to see extra prospects sooner than ever earlier than.
Luis Arraez (.354 common) is on his approach to successful one other batting title, however he’s most likely one of many few batters who didn’t want the shift to spice up his stats. Corey Seager (.333 common), however, is loving the banned shift (.245 common in 2022).
We obtained to see a full 12 months of Gunnar Henderson, and he’s rewarded O’s administration with a 98/27/81/.260/.329/10 line. The doubtless AL ROY is a giant purpose the Orioles have clinched a postseason berth, and a powerful postseason could enhance his draft inventory in 2024 drafts even additional.
Trea Turner‘s sturdy second half brings his season slash to 100/26/76/.263/.317/29, and appears worthy of a first-round choice subsequent 12 months. Notably, he has not been caught stealing all 12 months. Whereas I’ll not have signed Trea to an 11 12 months deal final 12 months, I feel Turner builds on his 2023 season as he seems to be to settle right into a groove in Philly.
Different marquee free agent shortstop signings Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts offered strong fantasy and real-life worth.
On the damage entrance, we’ve misplaced Gavin Lux, Oneil Cruz, and Trevor Story for almost all of the 12 months, however these gamers are main skills who ought to get again to their manufacturing as they’re additional faraway from their varied maladies.
Talking of accidents, Royce Lewis has been the final word “good when wholesome participant.” Royce ranks among the many finest gamers per sport worth, however sadly is misplaced for the rest of the common season resulting from one more damage, this time a hamstring concern.
Edouard Julien‘s turned in a strong rookie season 56/14/32/.263/.373/3 for the Twins. He’s obtained a fantastic eye on the plate, and he’s spent a variety of time on high of the Twins lineup.
Elly De La Cruz has 11 homers and 33 steals in 363 at-bats, albeit with a .231 common and .298 OBP. As he’s solely 21 and much from a completed product, we will solely dream of what’s to return if these Okay’s incrementally come down the subsequent couple of years.
Gleyber Torres has remained a gradual participant for the Yankees, delivering a 85/25/66/.271/.343/13 line. Gleyber’s lengthy been the topic of commerce rumors, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see the place and what lineup Gleyber results in.
Max Muncy‘s been who he all the time is: nice counting stats and OBP, coupled with no batting common and no stolen base worth. At the very least you realize what you’re getting!
Mookie Betts, proprietor of some NL MVP votes noticed a while within the Dodgers infield, so center infield will get extra stacked for subsequent 12 months (not that the depth has been missing).
Ketel Marte, Bryson Stott, and Nico Hoerner noticed extra manufacturing from their 2022’s, and with continued well being, there’s no purpose to anticipate something totally different.
Ha-Seong Kim was most likely the largest non-prospect breakout, he’s seen time everywhere in the infield and has produced an 81/17/58/.264/.358/36 line. His beneficial properties have been reputable and the Padres lineup must be higher than what 2023 confirmed.
Razzball sleeper Thairo Estrada has been a participant worthy of the preseason hype, delivering on a 62/13/48/.274/.317/22 line. Whether or not he takes the subsequent step in fantasy worth most likely will depend on if the Giants improve their lineup, and if children Marco Luciano and Luis Matos can take the subsequent steps ahead.
As we flip the web page from 2023 to 2024, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Lawlar, and Marco Luciano characterize a part of the subsequent wave of thrilling center infield expertise. I’m positive there can be some offseason articles written about these guys sooner or later.
On the finish of the day, given the numerous depth of center infield, most likely the one place you can go incorrect is in case you drafted Javier Baez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Carlos Correa. If Jazz and Correa by some means return to full well being, they’ll be viable gamers, however Javier Baez seems to be cooked, sadly. Non-existent energy coupled with a .220 common and a .268 OBP ain’t chopping it, particularly on this elevated offensive surroundings. Early indications appear to be stolen base and batting common have to be prioritized in drafts subsequent 12 months.
Good luck to everybody within the hunt for fantasy glory, and far because of Gray, Truss, the remainder of the Razzball crew, in addition to the all of the readers (each commentators and lurkers) for a enjoyable 12 months. Get pleasure from playoff baseball and have a fantastic offseason!
