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Masataka Yoshida 2023 Player Outlook: On-Base Machine Has Big Upside
2 years agoBoston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida is poised to make a big impact after signing a five-year, $90 million contract. The Japanese star generated plenty of interest as soon as he was posted and ultimately settled on signing with Boston. Yoshida's 2023 NPB stats included an otherworldly .335/.447/.561 slash line with 21 homers, 89 RBI, 82 walks, and just 42 strikeouts. He put the ball in play and reached base at an impressive clip, all while keeping strikeouts to an absolute minimum. The left-hander has drawn comparisons to on-base machine and fantasy hero Luis Arraez; if Yoshida could post Arraez-like results, fantasy managers would be absolutely thrilled. While transitioning from a foreign league to MLB certainly has its challenges, Yoshida is still worth drafting ahead of his fantasy ADP of 281.
