The fantasy baseball ranking season is in full swing. For me, that typically starts with searching advanced stats leaderboards. Advanced statistics are often more predictive than traditional box score statistics. Thus, they’re an excellent jumping-off point. This series will dive into a variety of my favorite advanced metrics. However, I must caution that no statistic in isolation is the secret sauce for unearthing a hidden gem or burgeoning stud. Instead, they are a piece of the puzzle and best viewed through that lens, using other statistics in conjunction with them to formulate a well-rounded opinion of the fantasy value of players.
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Walk-to-Strikeout Rate (BB/K)
There is more than one way to skin a cat when ranking among the league leaders in walk-to-strikeout rate (BB/K). First, if a hitter walks a ton, they have more wiggle room to be retired via a punch-out than a hitter that walks at a mediocre rate. Conversely, a hitter that avoids strikeouts can earn an above-average walk-to-strikeout rate, even with a modest walk rate. As a result, this leaderboard features an eclectic mix of hitter profiles, ranging from burly sluggers who pile up three-true outcomes to high-contact hitters that control the strike zone.
According to FanGraphs, the league average in 2021 was 0.37 BB/K. The highest walk-to-strikeout rate among qualified hitters in 2021 was 1.56, the only mark above one. At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest mark out of 132 qualified hitters was 0.15 BB/K. There were 11 qualified hitters in 2021 with lower than a 0.25 BB/K.
2021 Qualified Hitters BB/K Leaders
Juan Soto (OF - WSH) is in his own stratosphere for this category. He does an elite job of pairing a better than average strikeout rate with an elite walk rate, doing damage when he puts the ball in play to boot. In addition, the wunderkind's approach at the dish is impeccable.
Meanwhile, Adam Frazier (UTL - SEA), Nicky Lopez (2B/SS - KC), and Kevin Newman (2B/SS - PIT) fit the bill as slap hitters that avoid strikeouts, net some walks, and bring little to no power to the table. Sadly, DJ LeMahieu (INF - NYY) also fell under that umbrella last year. However, he has had more power in prior years, so I'm unwilling to lump him in the same category as Frazier, Lopez, and Newman.
There are a few hitters that pack a punch on the list. Soto and 11 other hitters had an ISO above .200 last year, including Jose Ramirez (3B - CLE) (.272), Freddie Freeman (1B - FA) (.203), Mookie Betts (RF - LAD) (.223), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B - TOR) (.290), Matt Olson (1B - OAK) (.269), Bryce Harper (OF - PHI) (.305), Jose Altuve (2B - HOU) (.211), Max Muncy (INF - LAD) (.278), Josh Donaldson (3B - MIN) (.228), Carlos Correa (SS - FA) (.205) and Josh Bell (1B/OF - WSH) (.215). So, while there isn't a one-size-fits-all path to being a walk-to-strikeout rate leader, this is a group of hitters that have excellent approaches at the plate.
Noteworthy Non-Qualified Hitters in 2021
The non-qualified hitters' table also features a variety of hitting profiles. Luis Arraez (UTL - MIN) (.082 ISO) and Jurickson Profar (UTL - SD) (.093) had low-power output. Meanwhile, Jesse Winker (LF - CIN) (.251), Yasmani Grandal (C - CWS) (.280), and Corey Seager (SS - TEX) (.215) each routinely stung the ball in addition to their stellar approaches in the batter's box. Winker's superb walk-to-strikeout rate is one statistic that supports his full-blown breakout as a hitter in 2021. As a result, I'm buying into him continuing to thrive as a hitter in The Show.
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers CStr%
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers CSW%
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers O-Swing%
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers GB%
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers SwStr%
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers Soft%
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers IFFB%
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers Z-Contact%
- Advanced Stats Leaderboard: Starting Pitchers BABIP
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
