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Yordan Alvarez 2024 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: 50-Homerun Upside If He Can Stay Healthy
11 months agoLook at Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez's numbers from the 2023 season (31 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 77 runs), and fantasy managers might think, "That's a very good season!" And it was, except for one thing: it was two-thirds of a season. Alvarez missed 48 games due to various injuries last year and still managed almost to produce a 30-100 campaign while slashing .293/.407/.583. Only seven players slashed at least .290/.400/.500 last season, and Alvarez's 170 wRC+ was second to just Shohei Ohtani. The injuries are less of a concern when you realize Alvarez averaged 140 games played in 2021-2022, and he is just 27 years old. Alvarez somehow dropped in barrel rate and hard-hit rate compared to 2022, likely due to injuries. If he puts those behind him and reaches that same power level from 2022 (.672 expected slugging percentage), this is one of a few players with a legitimate 50-home run upside in 2024. ATC projects Alvarez to smash 39 homers and drive in 108 runs over 599 plate appearances in 2024. Currently going in the middle of the second round in drafts, he is a top target if steals or starting pitching is already locked down with the first pick.
