There are six players that should be targeted in dynasty leagues before the 2024 season – three hitters and three pitchers – who could likely be obtained at discounted prices. These players come with some concerns but with their potential and decreased current value, now is the time to make deals.
- Fitz’s Primers: Catchers
- 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit
- Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings
- Fantasy Baseball Projections
Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Players to Target
Nick Lodolo (CIN – SP)
Nick Lodolo suffered a leg injury early in the 2023 season that forced him to miss the rest of the season. Expectations were high going into last season after he posted an 11.41 K/9 rate in 2022 but he struggled even before the injury. In just over 34 innings, he posted a 6.29 ERA with 1.75 WHIP, so it didn’t seem to be going great, but he did have a 12.32 K/9 rate, so it wasn’t all bad. He will only be 26 at the beginning of the 2024 season and has time to develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter.
I am not crazy about Lodolo pitching in Great American Ballpark but the Reds aren’t bad and should provide him with winning opportunities. Lodolo could be a potential steal in a trade if he stays healthy. You might have a better chance of obtaining Lodolo now rather than waiting until after the season starts.
Bryan Woo (SEA – SP)
Having a last name that allows for a fantasy team name based on Ric Flair should be enough, right? But in this case, it’s not. So why should you target Bryan Woo?
Woo struggled in his first MLB start last season but recovered to show signs of being a reliable starter. He was expedited from Double-A to the majors with only nine starts. His major league numbers do not inspire much confidence with a 4.21 ERA and a 9.55 K/9 rate. Combined with his Double-A numbers, he had pitched over 130 innings and had a K/9 rate over 11.00. He is now three years removed from his 2021 Tommy John Surgery. Seattle showed trust in Woo last season by bringing him up and he is projected to be the fifth starter in their rotation. He will likely grow into his secondary pitches and that will only help his numbers improve. Outside of a complete meltdown, Seattle will let Woo pitch but he could see a bullpen role by September if his innings gets over 160. Woo shouldn’t cost much to obtain and has the potential to be a reliable mid-rotation starter by season’s end.
Garrett Whitlock (BOS – SP)
Garrett Whitlock is entering a pivotal year in fantasy. All owners who had or currently have shares of Whitlock would probably agree this is the final year of hanging onto those shares. He has to show more than he has in the past. Also, will we get bullpen Whitlock or starting rotation Whitlock? I believe we will get the starter this year. Or at least that’s currently the plan. He will have to earn that spot in spring training, though. Whitlock had a 5.23 ERA as a starter last year. He did suffer a hip injury during the season and came back in a relief role, but that was most likely to ease him back in. I don’t see the addition of Whitlock as a gamble because he shouldn’t cost anything. He still has the makeup of a good sinker, slider and changeup. That’s a good repertoire to have for a back-end rotation starter.
More Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Advice
- Welsh’s Dynasty Startup Draft Primer
- 5 Players to Trade in Dynasty Leagues
- 5 Prospects to Trade in Dynasty Leagues
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