BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 130
CURRENT ADP: ~155 overall
ANALYSIS: Matt Chapman is one of my favorite targets at 3B this year if you sit out the early feeding frenzy that involves plenty of players being pushed up the draft board ahead of where they should be going. Chapman's plus defense will keep him on the field essentially every day, and I love the changes he made in 2022.
For starters, the pull rate was the second-highest rate of Chapman's career behind only the COVID-shortened 2020 season where he hit .232 with 10 home runs in just 37 games. He also had an 18% barrel rate that season and a career-high 22.2% HR/FB rate. So while it is certainly a small sample size, going back to an approach that mirrors that season is nice.
Another change I liked is that Chapman had the lowest O-Swing% of his career, cutting it down to 19.3%, and had the highest contact rate and zone contact rate since 2019. So Chapman is becoming a bit more selective and focused on pulling the ball for power when he does swing, which is useful for fantasy.
If the pull rate is his new normal, as it seems, then a slight shift in being more lift-focused could unlock even more power for Chapman. Will he put together a stretch like that for an entire season? Unlikely, but could he push for a .240 average and 30+ home runs again? Yeah, I can absolutely see that.
More Fantasy Baseball Values and Sleepers
Hunter Goodman - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 5)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Colorado Rockies have promoted first base/outfield prospect Hunter Goodman from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Infielder/outfielder Michael Toglia was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. It's been a massive start to the 2024 season for the 24-year-old who has slugged seven... Read More
Garrett Cleavinger - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Garrett Cleavinger recorded his second save in four days for the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to nail down the 7-5 victory over the Tigers. Cleavinger has been used as one of the team's closers ever since... Read More
Pete Crow-Armstrong - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Chicago Cubs have recalled center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa due to the rib fracture Cody Bellinger suffered while slamming into the outfield wall on Tuesday. It's the second recall in the young career of Crow-Armstrong after he debuted with a hitless... Read More
Yariel Rodriguez - Starting Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add only in dynasty leagues ROSTERED IN: 22% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Toronto Blue Jays were thrilled to land Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez to a five-year deal this offseason. They weren't the only club interested in his services after he showed immense potential while pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. The 27-year-old posted a... Read More
Addison Barger - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 2% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Toronto Blue Jays have promoted infield/outfield prospect Addison Barger to make his big-league debut after he demolished Triple-A pitching to begin his 2024 season. He takes the roster spot of outfielder Kevin Kiermaier who was placed on the 10-day injured list... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!