10 months agoSan Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado's fantasy stock is down in 2024, although he still managed to hit 30 home runs and drive in 91 runs in his fifth season with the Friars in 2023. The 31-year-old six-time All-Star's .782 OPS was his lowest mark since 2017, and his .258 batting average (140-for-543) was his lowest since 2019, his first year in San Diego. An elbow injury that plagued Machado for much of the season could be to blame, though. The injury was the reason why he made 33 appearances as the team's designated hitter to close out the season before he underwent surgery to fix a tendon in his elbow following the conclusion of the season. Machado, now 31, probably won't be ready for the start of spring training and could be limited to DH duties again at the opening of the 2024 regular season. There's a little more risk associated with Machado due to his offseason surgery, but he was still able to produce 30 homers for the second straight season and came just shy of his third-straight 100-RBI campaign while being at less than 100% health for a good chunk of the year. And when healthy, there's no reason to believe he won't continue to be an elite defender at third base. RotoBaller currently has Machado ranked as the No. 53 overall player, with ATC projecting him for a rebound in average at .270 while adding 29 home runs and 93 RBI in 2024. Machado is RotoBaller's No. 6 fantasy third baseman heading into draft season.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller