4 years agoUPDATE: Ian Desmond has opted out of the 2020 season. Ian Desmond quietly rebounded last year, putting up a respectable .788 OPS after two poor seasons in Colorado. Two primary factors led to Desmond’s resurgence: an improved launch angle and better usage by the Rockies. Desmond raised his average launch angle up to 8.4 degrees last year, from 0 degrees the previous two seasons, resulting in an increased fly ball (30.5%) and line-drive (22.5%) rates. The launch angle increase is significant, considering that Desmond owned a .510 OPS on ground balls compared to a 1.447 OPS on fly balls and line drives last year. In addition to his improved hitting, Desmond was put in a better position to succeed with the Rockies last season. With his split favoring lefties by 130+ OPS points for two consecutive years, Desmond seems to be a legitimate platoon hitter at this point. The Rockies leaned heavily into Desmond’s platoon last year, giving him 41% of his plate appearances against southpaws compared to 30% in 2018. Additionally, after experiencing effectively no bump in performance at home in his first couple of years with the Rockies, the Coors Field effect finally kicked in for Desmond last season, and the positive home split should continue in 2020. Daily fantasy players will likely find value from Desmond at his 444 ADP given his ability to hit lefties well. Full-season owners are likely better off with other options due to his lack of consistent playing time.--Sam Chinitz