Wil Myers 2019 Outlook: Bounce-Back Season In Store With Better Health
6 years agoAfter a career-high 30 homers in 2017, San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers fell back to Earth in a big way in 2018. He played in just 83 games due to injury and hit .253/.318/.446 with 11 home runs, 39 RBI, 39 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. Anyone who spent an early-round pick on him for his power/speed combination was sorely disappointed. Myers doesn't take many free passes (career 9.9 percent walk rate) and has struck out more in recent seasons (27.4 percent in 2018), so he's unlikely to be an asset in the average or on-base departments. The 28-year-old's value lies in his 20-20 potential and dual-position eligibility. Myers was the team's primary first baseman in 2016-17 but moved to the outfield with the signing of Eric Hosmer last year. He also finished out his season at the hot corner, and he could move around the diamond again in 2019 depending on trades/acquisitions the club makes in the offseason. As RotoBaller's 71st-ranked overall player, Myers is on the right side of 30 and should return to 20-plus homers and 20-plus steals over a full season in 2019. He's proven he has the power to negate Petco Park's pitcher-friendly environment.