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Franmil Reyes 2022 Player Outlook: Power And Run Production Outweigh Shortcomings
3 years agoCleveland Guardians designated hitter Franmil Reyes was solid in 115 games last year, bashing 30 HRs with 57 runs, 85 RBI, four stolen bases, and a .254 batting average. His knack of hitting for power comes with some strikeout issues, though, that continued in 2021 when he endured a career-high 32 K%. It made it hard for Reyes to hit for average, even with a .314 BABIP, especially considering his sub-optimal 9.7-degree average launch angle. It's been this way for his entire career as his .280 and .275 batting averages in 2018 and 2020 were paired with a .248 and .240 xBA, respectively. The 26-year-old will never factor in stolen bases, and the bags he stole last season were the first of his career. However, the power Reyes showed this previous season is sustainable. He produced 94th-percentile Barrel%, increased his pull rate by 4.8% to an above-average 37.5%, and he has now hit 92 HRs in 411 games. The Guardians lineup isn't a strength, and there is little firepower behind him, but if Reyes can hit close to 40 long balls, the RBI and run totals will naturally reach 80. His ability to contribute in three categories without completely killing the batting average is worth more than what his 127 ADP is saying.
