2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings: Expert Picks (Hitters)

It can be helpful to get an early sense of where the experts stand in terms of initial fantasy baseball draft rankings. We’ll have you covered as we approach the spring and new season, but for now let’s take a look at 2024 fantasy baseball rankings.

2024 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Rank	Player	Team	Positions	Overall	Best	Worst	Avg	Std Dev	ADP	vs. ADP
1	Ronald Acuna Jr.	ATL	RF	1	1	1	1	0	1	–
2	Bobby Witt Jr.	KC	SS	2	2	7	2.6	0.9	4	2
3	Julio Rodriguez	SEA	CF	3	2	8	3.1	0.6	2	-1
4	Mookie Betts	LAD	2B,SS,RF	4	2	10	4.5	1.1	3	-1
5	Corbin Carroll	ARI	LF,CF,RF	5	2	20	5.8	1.9	5	–
6	Kyle Tucker	HOU	RF	6	2	9	6.1	0.8	6	–
7	Fernando Tatis Jr.	SD	RF	7	2	15	7.3	1.9	9	2
8	Freddie Freeman	LAD	1B	8	3	17	8.3	1.4	7	-1
9	Juan Soto	NYY	LF	9	6	18	9	1.3	8	-1
10	Shohei Ohtani	LAD	DH,SP	10	3	15	9.9	2.7	12	2
11	Aaron Judge	NYY	CF,RF,DH	12	3	37	10.8	2.8	10	-2
12	Trea Turner	PHI	SS	13	6	25	12.9	3.1	13	–
13	Matt Olson	ATL	1B	14	7	16	13.5	1.3	14	–
14	Jose Ramirez	CLE	3B,DH	15	11	18	13.7	1.9	16	1
15	Yordan Alvarez	HOU	LF,DH	16	11	22	13.8	2.2	17	1
16	Bryce Harper	PHI	1B,DH	17	10	23	16.3	2.5	18	1
17	Austin Riley	ATL	3B	18	12	20	16.6	0.9	19	1
18	Rafael Devers	BOS	3B	19	16	25	19.1	1.5	20	1
19	Ozzie Albies	ATL	2B	21	14	29	20.3	3.1	22	1
20	Francisco Lindor	NYM	SS	22	15	30	21.2	2.9	24	2
21	Marcus Semien	TEX	2B	24	13	29	22	2.7	25	1
22	Pete Alonso	NYM	1B	25	13	34	22.3	2.1	23	-2
23	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	TOR	1B,DH	27	14	36	24.7	4.1	26	-1
24	Corey Seager	TEX	SS	29	14	35	24.7	4.2	27	-2
25	Luis Robert Jr.	CWS	CF	26	15	31	24.9	2.7	30	4
26	Michael Harris II	ATL	CF	28	14	31	25.3	2.5	34	6
27	Gunnar Henderson	BAL	3B,SS	30	19	40	27.5	3.2	31	1
28	Bo Bichette	TOR	SS	32	19	52	28.6	4.6	37	5
29	Jose Altuve	HOU	2B	34	21	40	29.5	2.9	36	2
30	Randy Arozarena	TB	LF	37	21	41	30	2.5	42	5

What is Fantasy Baseball?

Fantasy baseball is an online game where participants act as managers of virtual baseball teams based on real-life Major League Baseball (MLB) players. The performance of these players in actual games determines the results in the fantasy league. It’s a blend of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck, akin to the real-world decisions team managers must make.

Basic Strategy for Fantasy Baseball Success

1. Understand Your League’s Format and Scoring

Before drafting your team, it’s essential to understand the scoring system and rules of your specific league, as this will influence your drafting and management strategy. Knowing whether you’re in a points-based, category-based, or head-to-head league will guide you in selecting players whose strengths align with the scoring system.

2. Drafting Your Team Wisely

A solid draft is the foundation of a successful season. Here are a few tips for the drafting phase:

Balanced Team: Ensure you have a balanced team with a mix of power hitters, average hitters, speedsters, starting pitchers, and relievers.
Position Scarcity: Be aware of the depth of talent at each position. Some positions, like shortstop, may have fewer high-quality players, making it beneficial to draft a top player at that position early.
High-Floor Players: Early in the draft, focus on players with a proven track record of consistency.
Upside Picks: In the later rounds, look for “upside” players. These are athletes who have the potential to outperform their draft position.

3. In-Season Management

Stay Active: Constantly look for ways to improve your team through waivers, trades, and free-agent pickups.
Mind the Matchups: Pay attention to player matchups, platoon splits, and ballparks. Starting a pitcher in a hitter-friendly park, for example, can be risky.
Injury Management: Stay on top of player injuries and have backups ready for your key players.