3 years agoBaltimore Orioles' first baseman/outfielder Ryan Mountcastle was a popular sleeper heading into 2021 fantasy drafts after slashing .333/.386/.492 with five homers in 35 games in 2020. After a slow start, hitting just five long balls through May 31st, the 24-year-old went on a tear from June 1st on and mashed 28 home runs over his last 95 games. Mountcastle set the Orioles single-season rookie home run record with 33 in 2021. Overall, Baltimore's slugger slashed .255/.309/.487 with a .335 WOBA across 586 plate appearances. He's projected to hit second in the Orioles lineup, and his dual-position eligibility at first base and outfield only boosts his fantasy value. Mountcastle's low walk rate (7.0%) and inability to get on base (.309 OBP) dings him a little in points leagues. Still, he is a robust fantasy option in standard 5x5 leagues, especially in league formats that require five starting outfielders. Can the former first-round pick take the next step? Steamer is projecting Mountcastle with a .336 WOBA, a .260/.316/.478 slash line, 32 long balls, and five stolen bases in 2022. Statcast data is not on Mountcastle's side as his 27.5 K% is 14th in percentile rankings while his 39.7% hard-hit percentage is 41st per Baseball Savant. Despite not having the most extraordinary Statcast data, all Mountcastle has ever done since the minor leagues (career .295 average with a .800 OPS in the minors) is mash. According to RotoBaller's Expected Draft Values, Mountcastle's Steamer projection makes him roughly fair value at his current NFBC ADP of 109.--Brad Camara - RotoBaller