December 18, 2021

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher/outfielder Daulton Varsho slashed .246/.318/.437 with 11 home runs, 38 RBI, 41 runs scored, and six stolen bases over 315 plate appearances in 2021. His overall numbers appear pedestrian on the surface, largely affected by a .142 batting average and .464 OPS prior to the All-Star break. The 25-year-old's sparse playing time and struggles led to a demotion in the first half before being promoted to the big leagues in mid-June. After the All-Star break, he flipped the script and shook off his terrible first half. Varsho became an everyday player for the Diamondbacks with a slash line of .290/.349/.530 with 10 home runs and five stolen bases in the season's final two and half months. He owned a .530 slugging percentage (posted a career .527 slugging percentage in the minors) and a 16.1% HR/FB rate in the second half of last season. Varsho should be in the lineup every day and has multiple position eligibility in 2022 by starting 41 games at catcher and 49 games in the outfield. The Diamondbacks catcher showed that he could get on base through his 9.5% walk rate last season. He has wheels and could lead all backstops in stolen bases. According to Statcast, his sprint speed of 28.4 per second only trailed Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, who led all catchers with 13 steals last season. The Milwaukee product has the potential to be a top-five fantasy catcher with the upside to hit 25 long balls and swipe 15 bags if he can continue to build on his terrific second half of last season. According to RotoBaller's Expected Draft Values, Varsho's Steamer projection (.253-16-54) makes him roughly fair value at his current NFBC ADP of 102. With the upside he offers, he can certainly exceed that value.--Brad Camara - RotoBaller