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Jared Walsh 2022 Player Outlook: Solid Average, Power Source At First Base
3 years agoLos Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh owned a .646 slugging percentage in 2020 and kept his power production going in 2021 by slashing .277/.340/.509 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI over 144 games. He played in his first full-length season as the Angels' everyday first baseman and could have added eligibility in some leagues by logging 18 games in the outfield. He posted a solid .347 WOBA but saw his strikeout percentage increase from 13.9% in 2020 to 26% last season, which is more in line with his career 24.1 K% in the minors. The 28-year-old contributes in all counting stats except for steals. Steamer is projecting Walsh with a .347 WOBA, a .260/.333/.490 slash line, 33 long balls, and three stolen bases in 2022. He is expected to hit third for a solid Angels lineup, including superstar Mike Trout, former All-Star Anthony Rendon, and 2021 American League MVP Shohei Ohtani. Walsh's low walk rate (8.2%) dings him a little in points leagues, but he is a robust first base option in standard 5x5 formats. According to RotoBaller's Expected Draft Values, the Angels slugger's Steamer projection makes him roughly fair value at his current NFBC ADP of 112.
