Fantasy Baseball Risers & Fallers: Your 2023 Draft Day Guide
Hey there, fantasy baseball enthusiasts! It's that time of year again – draft season. We've scoured the stats, analyzed the trends, and talked to the experts to bring you the ultimate guide to fantasy baseball risers and fallers for the 2023 season. Let's dive in and make your draft day a slam dunk! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and fantasy baseball risers fallers.
Understanding Fantasy Baseball Risers & Fallers
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's quickly define our terms.
- Risers are players whose fantasy value has increased significantly since the start of the offseason. They could be breakout candidates, players in new, favorable environments, or simply guys who have improved their skills.
- Fallers are players whose fantasy value has decreased. This could be due to injuries, changes in team dynamics, or simply a regression to the mean after an outlier season.
Fantasy Baseball Risers: Players on the Rise
New Faces in New Places
Trea Turner, Shortstop, Philadelphia Phillies
Trea Turner is the talk of the town, and for good reason. After inking a massive deal with the Phillies, he's poised to rake in a hitter-friendly ballpark. Turner has consistently been one of the game's best fantasy shortstops, and his new surroundings should only boost his production. Expect another 20/20 season with a healthy batting average.
Xander Bogaerts, Shortstop, Toronto Blue Jays
Xander Bogaerts is another shortstop who's found a new home – and it's a great one. The Blue Jays' lineup is stacked, and Bogaerts should benefit from hitting in front of the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. After a down year in 2022, Bogaerts is a prime candidate to bounce back and provide top-tier production at shortstop.
Breakout Candidates
Gleyber Torres, Second Base, New York Yankees
Gleyber Torres has all the tools to be a fantasy superstar – and 2023 might be the year he puts it all together. After a disappointing 2022, Torres is primed for a breakout. He's still just 25 years old and has the potential to hit 30+ home runs and steal 15+ bases. Keep an eye on him as draft day approaches.
Riley Greene, Outfield, Detroit Tigers
Riley Greene is one of the game's top prospects, and he's ready to make an impact in fantasy baseball. Greene has five-tool potential and should see regular playing time in the Tigers' outfield. He's a high-risk, high-reward pick, but the upside is enormous.
Fantasy Baseball Fallers: Players on the Decline
Injury Concerns
Mike Trout, Outfield, Los Angeles Angels
It's never fun to include Mike Trout in a fallers article, but the fact is, he's injury-prone. Trout missed significant time in 2022 and has played in just 140 games over the past two seasons. Even when he's on the field, his production has dipped slightly. Until we see Trout healthy and productive for an extended period, it's tough to justify drafting him as a top-5 pick.
Fernando Tatis Jr., Shortstop, San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. is another injury-prone superstar who's lost some of his luster. Tatis missed the entire 2022 season due to a wrist injury and suspension, and his return is uncertain. Even when healthy, Tatis has struggled with consistency. He's still a talented player, but the risk might not be worth the reward at his current draft price.
Regression Candidates
Shohei Ohtani, Pitcher/Designated Hitter, Los Angeles Angels
Shohei Ohtani was one of the greatest stories in sports in 2021, but his production dipped in 2022. Ohtani is still an elite fantasy asset, but his current draft price might be too high. Expecting another 40+ home run, 10+ stolen base season might be wishful thinking. He's still a must-draft player, but temper your expectations.
Jesse Winker, Outfield, Seattle Mariners
Jesse Winker had a career year in 2021, but he couldn't replicate that success in 2022. Winker's batting average dropped nearly 50 points, and his power numbers decreased as well. He's still a valuable fantasy outfielder, but his current draft price might be too high. Expect a solid, but not elite, season from Winker in 2023.
Final Thoughts
Drafting fantasy baseball risers and fallers is all about timing. You want to draft risers before their value peaks and fallers after their value has bottomed out. Keep an eye on these players as draft day approaches, and don't be afraid to adjust your strategy based on the latest news and trends.
Good luck in your 2023 fantasy baseball drafts, guys! May the odds be ever in your favor.