RADIO
Randy Arozarena 2024 Outlook: A Chance To Be A Top 10 Outfielder
11 months agoFew players got off to a better start last April than Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena. The 28-year-old slashed .327/.392/.573 with seven home runs, 28 RBI, and three stolen bases over the first 28 games of the season. He was effective over the next two months before nose-diving in July, recovering in August, and then faltering again down the stretch in September/October. Overall, he finished with a .254/.364/.425 batting line to go along with 23 home runs, 83 RBI, and 22 stolen bases over 551 at-bats (151 games). On the surface, those numbers look disappointing, considering how hot he started. However, he put up a career-best 12.2% BB rate and a 23.9% K rate, which was his lowest mark since the 2019 season in which he only played 19 games. He also set a new career high in home runs (23) and Hard Hit rate (48.4%). The struggles of July (.153/.223/.259) and September/October (.216/.317/.364) could be partially attributed to injuries. While Arozarena has been a durable player over the last two seasons, playing in 153 games in 2022 and 151 in 2023, he did play through a knee and back issue in July after colliding with a wall. He also dealt with a troublesome quad in September. He finished the season as a top-20 outfielder and is currently the 13th OF off the board per NFBC ADP, which is on par with RotoBaller's OF ranking of 12. While his RBI numbers will always be depressed in Tampa Bay, he still has a solid blend of power and speed that could see him produce 25 home runs/25 steals. FGDC is on board with Arozarena producing a 20/20 season and has the Rays outfielder slashing .259/.346/.445 with 23 home runs, 85 RBI, 84 runs, and 24 stolen bases with a .343 wOBA across 567 plate appearances in 2024.
