January 2, 2022

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford had the best season of his career in 2021. Crawford managed a .298 AVG, 24 home runs, 90 runs batted in, 79 runs, and 11 stolen bases across 549 plate appearances. Crawford improved his plate discipline showing in his 10.2% BB%, 19.1% K%, and career-low 27.9% chase rate. Furthermore, his 11.5% barrel % and 14.7-degree launch angle were both his highest of the statcast era, as was his xSLG, xwOBA, xwOBACON, and hard-hit %. The improvement in plate discipline and overall approach demonstrate that Crawford's meteoric 2021 season was no fluke. He hit the ball harder than ever before. Looking forward to 2022, Crawford will be 35, which should add some inherent age regression into his numbers. Steamer projects him for a .253 AVG, 19 HR, 71 RBI, 67 R, and 7 SB across 585 PA in 2022. Crawford's increased age and historical numbers suggest we shouldn't expect double-digit stolen bases. Furthermore, the average will likely fall considering his .266 xBA. Crawford's elite barrel rates and solid plate discipline emphasize that his power and run production should remain. That would mean that the current projections for his batting average and stolen bases are on par while the home runs, runs batted in, and runs are likely a touch too low. Crawford's NFBC ADP currently sits at 201.58 which has him going in between Nicky Lopez and Eugenio Suarez. Feel comfortable taking Crawford next to Amed Rosario and Luis Urias, who are both being selected around ADP 170. Shortstop is an incredibly deep position so it's completely viable to wait for a shortstop selection and load up on one of the positions that aren't quite as robust early in the draft.This is especially true when you can get players like Brandon Crawford coming off an MVP caliber season near pick 200.--Jacob Taylor