RADIO
J.D. Martinez 2020 Outlook: Still Elite Despite Minor Dip In 2019
5 years agoIt's odd to think that fantasy owners could have felt underwhelmed by the production of Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez in 2019 when he hit .304 with 36 home runs, 104 RBI and 98 runs. Still, that's one of the prevailing sentiments, primarily because Martinez was so exceptional in 2018 (.330 batting average, 43 home runs, 130 RBI) and because 2019 was such a power outbreak year league-wide. Martinez saw some decreases in his peripheral stats last year. His hard-hit rate went down from 52.4% in 2018 to 46.7% last year and his exit velocity went down from 93.0 in 2018 to 91.3 last year. Yet, he still ranked amongst the top 5% of the league in 2019 in both xBA (.309) and xSLG (.579). The Red Sox were the fourth-highest scoring team in the league last year and figure to be a juggernaut of an offense yet again in 2020. Martinez will be right in the heart of that prolific lineup. He has the potential to flirt with his monstrous 2018 campaign, but it's safer to expect his numbers to be closer to his 2019 season, which is still elite production for an outfielder. He should be going in the second round of redraft leagues this year, don't let him slip to the third.
