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George Springer 2023 MLB Player Outlook: Lingering Health Questions Cap Ceiling
2 years agoFor the first time since the 2018 season, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer appeared in more than 130 games in the 2022 campaign. The former Houston Astro logged 133 contests with the Blue Jays, swatting 25 home runs while showing more aggressiveness on the base paths with 14 stolen bases, his most since swiping 16 in the 2015 season. When healthy, Springer is a cross-category producer primarily out of the valuable leadoff spot on a dangerous Blue Jays offense. However, the 33-year-old will be handled with caution by the organization after seeing both his barrel rate (8.4%), xwOBAcon (.374), and BB% (9.3%) all drop to career lows a season ago. Springer also underwent off-season elbow surgery to remove a bone spur that hampered him down the stretch and into the postseason. The veteran's counting stats should remain strong across the board, but he's no longer among the game's elite outfielders, as his 84 ADP suggests. With steamer projections of 30 HR, 97 runs, and 11 SB, Springer remains a targetable asset in that range but whether he can reach the 141 projected games played remains a notable concern given his lengthy injury history.
