Teoscar Hernandez 2023 Player Outlook: Elite Power With Enough Production In Every Category
2 years agoSeattle Mariners outfielder Teoscar Hernandez was productive once again in 2022. He slashed .267/.316/.491 with 25 HRs, 71 runs, and 77 RBI across 131 games. Hernandez stole just six bases a season after swiping 12, but he still posted 84th-percentile sprint speed and might be more aggressive with Seattle, who have the 10th most stolen bases since 2020. The 30-year-old's batting average dropped from .296 in 2021, largely due to fewer line drives (24.8% line drive rate) and an increased 28.4% strikeout rate. However, Hernandez was one of the best at hitting the ball hard with 96th-percentile average exit velocity, and he still hit .289 despite a 30.4% strikeout rate in 2020. It's a given that he'll go deep a bunch next year. Hernandez owns a career 14.1% barrel rate and has hit an abundance of fly balls, including a 25.6% mark this season. Fantasy managers might not like the move to T-Mobile park. But the two-time Silver Slugger would have hit 31 long balls if he played all of his games in Seattle, compared to 28 at the Rogers Centre. And with Hernandez's ability to homer, he'll easily collect 80-plus RBI while scoring enough runs in a home run-happy lineup. All told, he'll provide value in multiple categories without hurting others. Hernandez is worth his 72 ADP and is a better option than many outfielders around him.