Spring Training is in full swing, marking the true start of fantasy baseball draft season. Each new season brings the hope of a title to every team, the fans and fantasy baseball managers. However, a gigantic first step in achieving that fantasy championship is nailing the draft, and your chances of doing so increase when you take the players you genuinely believe are primed for a breakout season.
Taking “your guys” and honing in on upside as the draft progresses maximizes your chance at getting the high-value studs who push your squad into title contention. Our featured analysts are back today to share who their must-haves are as we enter the season. Read on to see which breakout candidates you shouldn’t pass on.
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- 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit
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2024 Fantasy Baseball Must-Have Players
Who is the one hitter outside the top 50 in hitter ADP you are targeting as a must-have on all your teams and why?
Jazz Chisholm (OF – MIA ) & Oneil Cruz (SS – PIT )
“I’m lumping Jazz Chisholm and Oneil Cruz together here because they’re almost the same player for me in 2024. By that, I mean they are players I wasn’t necessarily high on in previous seasons but am targeting aggressively in 2024 at their current ADP. Both are outside of the Top 50 for hitters and Top 80 overall, and both have league-winning upside. For Jazz, he has legit 30-30 upside, with the potential for even more SBs if he proves to be completely healthy this year. For Cruz, I see similar upside. The power is real, and the speed is underrated. He could easily go 25-25 or better if he stays healthy. Both come with their own concerns, but both could be league winners at their current ADP if they only slightly outperform their consensus projections (which they’ll likely do just by staying healthy for most of the year). ”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
Triston Casas (1B – BOS )
“I began my love affair with Triston Casas last offseason, but now, it has reached a full-fledged obsession. Projections have him hitting around 27 to 30 HR and 80 RBI and runs. I think the RBI count is too low. A full season batting behind a maturing Jarren Duran, the steady Rafael Devers, and a (possibly) healthy Trevor Story should provide plenty of opportunities for him to boost that number closer to 100. I expect Casas to become a doubles machine and provide plenty of return on investment from his current ADP of 95.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
“Triston Casas is the player I have to have regardless if I have filled out my first base slot or not. His combination of barreling, hard-hit metrics, and ability to hit for some average should make him a 30-home run bat easily this season.”
– Christopher Welsh (FantasyPros)
Marcus Semien (2B – TEX )
“Generally, I try to avoid phrases like “must have,” but if the market is going to keep pushing Marcus Semien to the late second or early third round, I’m ready to pounce. Semien’s durability shouldn’t be a target for the Regression Police, it should be celebrated – he obviously knows how to take care of himself and he wants to play every game possible. Volume for the win, man. Sure, any player can suffer a fluke injury, but I like knowing my early picks are committed to maximizing their output. The deep Texas lineup is also a selling feature. ”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)
Xander Bogaerts (SS – SD )
“Xander Bogaerts at 57 is a big target of mine, especially in MINF formats. He’s a 20/20 shortstop (who will gain 2B eligibility early in the season) who will give you BA and has room for an even better season after last year’s slow start. He’s being grossly undervalued and, in my opinion, is a safer investment than Nico Hoerner and CJ Abrams at higher ADPs.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
Who is the one starting pitcher outside the top 30 in starting pitcher ADP you are targeting as a must-have on all your teams and why?
Cristian Javier (SP – HOU )
“Cristian Javier was not very good in 2023 after being excellent in 2022. I think the real Javier is somewhere in the middle. And good news — at his current ADP of SP47 and 168 overall — he’s being priced according to his 2023 numbers. He reportedly showed up to spring training down 15 pounds (firmly in the best shape of his life club) and has been working on controlling baserunners, which was an issue last year. His 4.56 ERA last season was earned. Nearly all of his expected numbers were right at that number or worse. His .AVG against jumped to .231, thanks in part to an increased BABIP. His Hard% was up, and his Swinging Strike% was down. And while his K/9 dropped, it was still hovering around a respectable 9.00. We aren’t going to see the 2.54 ERA we saw in 2022, but this is a good young pitcher on a good team with a track record of getting the most out of their pitchers. I think he bounces back this season and delivers incredible value at his current price. ”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
Carlos Rodon (SP – NYY )
“As a rule of thumb, I don’t like to have one SP on ALL of my teams, but I am certainly acquiring Carlos Rodon at a rapid rate right now. Last year’s terrible season stands as an outlier in his career, with a K% much lower than his average (26.24) and an unruly WHIP. Whether it was injury or carrying around the expectations thrust on him following his huge offseason contract, everything about last year was ugly, making him a perfect bounceback candidate in 2024. Additionally, while you shouldn’t chase wins, the Yankees should be improved enough to offer a bump in that category as well. With an ADP of 155, Rodon is a lower-risk, higher-reward pickup later in drafts.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
Tarik Skubal (SP – DET )
“Tarik Skubal was unhittable down the stretch, and I expect him to have a dominant full season in 2024, taking aim at all those soft pillow landings in the AL Central. The Tigers have been looking for that true ace since Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer left town. It looks like the No. 1 has finally arrived. I also won’t be surprised if Detroit steals this weak division. ”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)
Shota Imanaga (SP – CHC )
“Everyone knows I’ll say Michael King, but at 59, Shota Imanaga is a steal as well. Imanaga a polished product that’s already shown he can handle big league bats based upon his recent WBC performance. The Cubs bringing back Cody Bellinger is huge for the depth of the lineup and the offensive support. Imanaga has #2 fantasy rotation upside on a Cubs team that can win the NL Central.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
Michael King (SP,RP – SD )
“King ripped off a low-two ERA with an over 31% K% as a starter with the Yankees last year. This season he is set to push his innings and be the Padres ace. His combination of sinker/sweeper should continue to generate whiffs, and King is a must everywhere.”
– Christopher Welsh (FantasyPros)
Expert Fantasy Baseball Draft Advice
- The Welsh’s Must-Have Players (Premium)
- Joe Pisapia’s Must-Have Players (Premium)
- Justin Mason’s Must-Have Players (Premium)
- KC Bubba’s Must-Have Players (Premium)
- Blake Meyer’s Must-Have Players (Premium)
- Mason’s High-Stakes Leagues Draft Strategy (Premium)
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