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Manny Machado 2019 Outlook: A Stud Entering His Prime
6 years agoShortstop & third baseman Manny Machado enters 2019 as a top fantasy asset. With that said, the 26-year-old superstar will have fewer run-producing opportunities in his new home of San Diego. Despite that, Machado is a top-20 fantasy player. Ignore the conjecture surrounding his antics in last season’s World Series. All we care about is fantasy goodness, and Machado brings 30+ home run power to a premium position. Even in 2017, arguably his worst in the bigs, he hit 33 dingers in 690 at-bats. Machado maintains a reasonable K%, good walk rate, an average line of .284/.345/.511 over the last four seasons, and in 2018 added a knack for bringing in baserunners with 107 runs batted in. He’s a fantasy monster entering his prime and is a decent value currently projected to fall to picks 15-17. His new home could lower that projection by a pick or two, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see players like Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale, and Carlos Correa drop a touch, meaning Machado is likely to settle somewhere close to the top of the second round in 10 or 12 team leagues. Although his new home isn't as favorable, he’s one of the safer bets in fantasy. Buy with confidence.
