Boring drafting is a great way to draft but there are other options for some. Some drafters like a little excitement or risk with their picks. Risk comes in many forms on draft day. It can be a rookie who may or may not make the team to start the season. It can be a talented player who cannot stay healthy to perform at their peak. The risk could be a player with excellent skills but some inconsistencies preventing that peak performance.
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Many players have been discussed heavily this draft season regarding risk. We have some elite prospects trying to get their footing in the bigs. A few prospects got their first cup of coffee last season but still showcase some flaws. And then there are a couple of veterans who just can’t stay healthy. Let’s look at six players who could elevate your fantasy teams to new heights or be bad draft picks.
High-Risk/High-Reward Hitters
Elly De La Cruz (3B, SS – CIN)
Elly De La Cruz was mashing in Triple-A last year and got his call to the bigs. Once up, there was good and bad in his production. Over 98 games with the Reds, De La Cruz hit 13 home runs while stealing 35 bases. He also also struck out 33.7% of the time and hit .235. The plate discipline needs to improve as he showcased a 35.3% O-Swing, 72.8% contact rate and 12.3% SwStr. De La Cruz only swung at 61% of pitches in the zone and had a called strike rate of 18.1%.
De La Cruz has impressive power and elite speed but also has some issues with his plate discipline, which he needs to drastically improve to be great. He could be a 30/50 bat but, simultaneously, a 20/30 bat with a poor batting average, which is not what you’d like at his average draft position (ADP).
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (OF – MIA)
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is one of our significant injury concerns on draft day, as he has only played 100+ games once in his career. Last season, he played 97 games, hitting 19 home runs while stealing 22 bases. Chisholm brings an easy 20/20 floor if he can play 120+ games but we have only seen that once. The playing time due to health is a significant risk but the reward could be a 30/30 bat.
Anthony Volpe (SS – NYY)
Anthony Volpe had quite the rookie season, playing in 159 games and hitting 21 home runs while stealing 24 bases. A 20/20 season in his rookie season is solid but there were also some downfalls. He only had a combined 122 runs and RBIs, which you’d want more of in 159 games. Even worse, Volpe only hit .209. It appears the Yankees will stick with their 23-year-old shortstop, which keeps plenty of interest for fantasy. He could reward fantasy managers with a 20/20 season again but a low batting average is a significant risk Volpe could bring on draft day.
Jackson Chourio (OF – MIL)
Jackson Chourio destroyed Double-A pitching last season, hitting 22 home runs while stealing 43 bases and hitting .280. Chourio even combined for 173 runs and RBIs over his 122 games. It’s impressive for a ballplayer who will turn 20 on March 11. The breakout season earned Chourio an early contract extension, exciting fantasy managers on draft day. Chourio has much potential but only a few 20-year-olds crush big-league pitching out of the gate. The upside for Chourio, mixed with the lack of experience, makes him a major high-risk and high-reward hitter.
Wyatt Langford (OF – TEX)
Wyatt Langford was the fourth overall pick in last year’s amateur draft and hit the ground running. Langford played in four levels of the minors last year (rookie ball to Triple-A). He hit .360 with 10 home runs and 12 stolen bases over 44 games and 200 plate appearances. Langford is having an excellent spring training, which is elevating his draft price. If Langford makes the big club and plays regularly, he could bring a significant return. However, there is plenty of risk for now as the Rangers have a crowded outfield.
Byron Buxton (UTIL – MIN)
Byron Buxton is a usual suspect in high-risk and high-reward articles. We all know the skills Buxton has when healthy but it is the when healthy part that brings all the risk. Buxton has become a 25+ home run bat while still stealing double-digit bases. He has not played over 100 games since 2017, though. Buxton currently has one of his lowest ADPs in recent years, which makes him much more appealing than usual. He just needs to stay healthy.
Expert Fantasy Baseball Draft Advice
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- Mason’s High-Stakes Leagues Draft Strategy (Premium)
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