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Anthony Santander 2024 Outlook: Power Compiler Priced Too High
12 months agoAnthony Santander was one of many great stories on the 2023 Baltimore Orioles, slashing .257/.325/.472 with 28 HR and five steals across 656 PAs. Unfortunately, fantasy managers shouldn't bet on a repeat at his current ADP of 144.08. Santander doesn't have tremendous raw power as evidenced by his 94.5 mph average airborne exit velocity and 10.2% rate of Brls/BBE, instead producing power numbers through his 49.7 FB% and tons of PAs. Camden Yards is now a pitcher's park, punishing guys with middling raw pop like Santander. Santander's approach also presents batting average risk. His .299 BABIP in 2023 was fairly high considering his 18.2 IFFB% and 15.3 LD%, with his .235 xBA likely representing a better average projection for 2024. Similarly, Santander's 8.4 BB% and 23.2 K% mask a 37.7% chase rate that pitchers will certainly try to exploit in 2024. The 29-year-old will probably approach 25 HR again, but that alone isn't worth the price. You're better off getting one-dimensional power from a catcher such as Cal Raleigh (138.39 ADP), Salvador Perez (141.60), Sean Murphy (144.98), or Francisco Alvarez (150.09) or investing in a pitcher such as Gavin Williams (148.56) or Jordan Montgomery (146.23).
