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MLB outfielder Willie Calhoun is a potential 2022 fantasy baseball sleeper and ADP draft value. Target him as an undervalued OF and late-round sleeper.
BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 350
CURRENT ADP: ~383 overall
ANALYSIS: Those of us who believe in Calhoun feel like we’re stuck in a Samuel Beckett play, but instead of waiting for Godot, we’re waiting for Willie to finally put everything together. In defense of the Calhoun believers, the raw hit skills are just so darn good he’s impossible. A big upside is lurking in this bat, and with a revamped Texas lineup and prayers for good health, 2022 may be the year for Calhoun to emerge as a regular fantasy contributor.
He raised his line drive rate to 20.7%, his average exit velocity to 90.2 MPH, and his hard-hit rate to 41.9%, all career-highs (not counting his rookie season where he saw 37 PA). This quality of contact gave him a .275 xBA compared to just a .250 BA, and the 25-point gap between his actual batting average and expected batting average was 19th-highest among qualified hitters. 19th-highest doesn’t seem too egregiously unlucky on its face, but Calhoun was one of two players in the top-20 with an actual batting average of .250 or higher.
Altogether, Calhoun boasts good plate skills and has made improvements to his quality of contact. He should have the chance to hit high in the Rangers’ batting order, meaning he’ll benefit greatly from the new additions of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. Things are really falling into place for Calhoun, and this looks like it could finally be the year Willie Calhoun becomes a regular fantasy contributor.
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