Dansby Swanson 2025 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Multi-Category Production In The End Despite Probable Cold Spells
3 weeks agoChicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (abdomen) got off to an excruciatingly slow start in 2024, but heated up just before the All-Star break and finished strong. Through July 9, the former No.1 draft pick was slashing .201/.276/.335 with eight home runs and five stolen bases in 315 plate appearances. Over his final 278 PA, however, the right-handed hitter slashed .288/.353/.452 with seven home runs and 14 stolen bases, finishing with a .242-16-66-82-19 line with a .307 wOBA and 99 wRC+. While the 19 stolen bases were a welcome improvement over the nine total steals from 2023, the 16 home runs and 66 RBI were the fewest in a season since 2019, excluding 2020, and is a worrying trend, with declining totals in those categories for multiple seasons now. Contact% (73.0%) remained steady and HardHit% (42.5%) actually improved year-over-year, though, so perhaps there's hope the 2x All-Star won't get off to such an icy start in 2025. Swanson underwent core muscle surgery in October but is expected to be ready for Opening Day. ATC projections are optimistic of that, as they see the 31-year-old putting together a more balanced .245-19-73-78-15 line with a .313 wOBA and 101 wRC+, which lines up with his 175 overall ranking at RotoBaller, slightly ahead of his NFBC ADP of 185.