2024 Arizona Diamondbacks Hitting Preview

The Diamondbacks made the postseason last year for the first time since 2017 despite being outscored by 15 runs (746-761). They turned their surprising run into a World Series appearance against the Texas Rangers, but they failed to take down the championship. Arizona made the playoffs seven times in the team’s 26-year history, with their only World Series title coming in 2001. The last four times the Diamondbacks made the postseason, they failed to follow through with another playoff berth.

Arizona ranked 21st in ERA (4.47), just two spots lower than the Rangers. Their bullpen posted a 4.22 ERA (18th) over 595.0 innings with 38 wins, 27 losses, 44 saves, and 586 strikeouts. The Cardinals’ offense finished 14th in runs (746), 22nd in home runs (166), and 15th in RBIs (706). They had the second-best output in steals (166-for-192) with an excellent success rate (86.5%).

Arizona signed OF Joc Pederson, OF Randal Grichuk, SP Eduardo Rodriguez, and C Tucker Barnhart in the offseason. Arizona parted ways with OF Tommy Pham, 3B Evan Longoria, SP Madison Bumgarner, OF Kyle Lewis, and RP Mark Melancon. The Diamondbacks acquired 3B Eugenio Suarez in a deal with the Mariners for C Seby Zavala and P Carlos Vargas.

Their offense has a blend of promising young players – OF Corbin Carroll, C Gabriel Moreno, and OF Alek Thomas, paired with a veteran presence. Based on their early starting lineup, SS Jordan Lawlar looks poised to earn many at-bats with Arizona this year. If this team is going to make another run at a postseason appearance, they must score more runs and produce a higher total in home runs.

SP Zac Gallen gives the Cardinals one ace, but he is coming off a massive workload in innings pitched (243.2). The combination of SP Merrill Kelly and SP Eduardo Rodriguez allows Arizona to offer competitive innings for hopefully another 60+ starts. If SP Brandon Pfaadt reaches his potential in 2024, this team will be in the hunt for another playoff appearance. The bullpen doesn’t stand out as a difference-maker heading into the spring training.

Starting Lineup

OF Corbin Carroll

Over his first 49 games in the minors, Carroll hit .316 with 45 runs, four home runs, 25 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases over 177 at-bats. He missed a year of development time in 2020 due to no minor league baseball (COVID-19) while seeing his next season cut short by a shoulder injury that required surgery.

His bat hit the ground running in 2022 between AA and AAA (.307 with 89 runs, 24 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 31 steals over 362 at-bats). His walk rate (15.5) screamed top-the-order bat, but his strikeout rate (23.6) came in just above the league average. The Diamondbacks gave Carroll 104 at-bat experience (.260/13/4/14/2). He finished with a few more strikeouts (27.0%) and a weaker walk rate (7.0%), but his pedigree suggested he was a stud in the making.

The Diamondbacks gave Carroll 155 games of action in 2023, leading to impressive stats in all categories, highlighted by his exceptional value in steals (54). He battled a left knee injury, a right shoulder issue, and a minor wrist injury during the year, but he never missed more than two games for any issue. Before the All-Star break, Carroll had the most value in power (.289/63/18/48/26 over 308 at-bats), so his late June/early July shoulder issue may have been the reason for his decline in power (seven home runs over his final 257 at-bats). In September, he cranked up stolen base output (13) to reach the 50-mark.

His swing path was more balanced last season, leading to a career-high (all levels) flyball rate (37.1). Carroll had posted a lower HR/FB rate (15.4) than his more league resume in 2021 and 2022. He improved his strikeout rate (19.4) and walk rate (8.8) while expecting his free passes to rise with more experience.

Carroll only had 34 barrels, with 25 leaving the yard. His exit velocity (90.0) and hard-hit rate (40.9) remain below the top 100 players in baseball.

Fantasy Outlook: Carroll finished last year as the fifth-best batter by FPGscore (9.23) for hitters. Based on his average hit rate (1.776) and contact batting average (.366), there is more upside in power and batting average when looking at those stats in his minor league career. His ADP (5) in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship supports his results from 2024. Carroll has the profile of someone who could hit over .320 with 30+ home runs. If he reaches those totals, added to his value in steals, Carroll has a unique foundation skill set to start a fantasy team. Between walks and hits, he could potentially get only base 40 to 50 more times in 2024, creating a higher ceiling in runs and steals. I am starting to fall in love, and my wheels are spinning on how to build my team with him. Sometimes, the runner-up prize is the best-looking option in the room.

2B Ketel Marte

In 2019, Marte set career-highs in at-bats (569), runs (97), home runs (32), RBIs (92), and steals (10), leading to an impact season. He was a bust for fantasy teams in 2020 due to a decline in his power stats (two home runs and 17 RBIs) and a regression in his contact batting average (.325 – .386). Marte missed 10 days in September due to a left wrist injury, which was a big part of his power outage.

In 2021, a hamstring injury derailed him after the first week of the season and again in late June. As a result, Marte ended up missing about 11 weeks. His season started with a .370 batting average over 135 at-bats with 24 runs, four home runs, and 21 RBIs. Over the final two months, he hit .283 with 28 runs, 10 home runs, and 29 RBIs over 205 at-bats.

Marte missed another 25 games in 2022 due to a hand issue and two hamstring injuries. His bat was worthless in April (.146/5/1/6/1 over 82 at-bats). Despite hitting for a high average (.325) in May and June over 160 at-bats, he delivered short counting stats (31 runs, three home runs, 16 RBIs, and three steals). His season ended with more decline (.216 over 32 runs, eight home runs, 30 RBIs, and one steal over 250 at-bats).

Last year, Marte finished with the second-best season of his career due to sitting out only 12 games with minor issues. From April 12th to July 31st, he hit .308 with 63 runs, 16 home runs, 54 RBIs, and five steals over 335 at-bats. His swing played well vs. lefties (.313 with five home runs and 12 RBIs over 179 at-bats). Marte posted a six-year high in his walk rate (10.9). His strikeout rate (16.8) has been higher than his career average (15.7) over the past three seasons.

His average hit rate (1.758) is trending higher, supporting 30 home runs with 550 at-bats. Over the past three seasons, he has had a wider range for his contact batting average (.341 – a high of .387 and a low of .302). Marte continues to bring a high exit velocity (91.1 – 70th), but he finished with a step back in his hard-hit rate (42.8 – 132nd). He had a better swing path for flyballs (36.2% - 32.8 in his career), leading to a rebound in his HR/FB rate (14.9 – 11.2 in his career).

Fantasy Outlook: Marte has the tools to beat the league average in all five categories with a healthy season and a slight uptick in steals. Injuries have been a problem in his career. His ADP (121) in the NFBC ranks him 11th at second base (67th batter). He finished 37th last year in FPGscore (2.42) for hitters, making him a value in 2024 if he matched his previous stats. Marte has the talent to push higher in the fantasy rankings, helped by hitting behind a dynamic player. His coin flip is on his health card and something that must be factored in when drafting him. Up: .290 with 100 runs, 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 10 steals with 550 at-bats…down 40 games on the sidelines.

1B Christian Walker

The Diamondbacks gave Walker starting at-bats (529) in 2019, leading 86 runs, 29 home runs, 73 RBIs, and eight steals while hitting .259. He had risk in his strikeout rate (25.7) while doing a good job taking walks (11.1%). In 2020, Walker was on pace for 95 runs, 19 home runs, and 92 RBIs, with a bump in his batting average (.271).

Walker landed on the injured list twice over the first two months of 2021, leading to five missed weeks. As a result, he only had 25 runs, four home runs, and 21 RBIs over 197 at-bats at the All-Star break. His bat never rounded into power form over his final 204 at-bats (.265 with 30 runs, six home runs, and 25 RBIs).

In 2022, he set career-highs in at-bats (583), hits (141), home runs (36), and RBIs (94) while having more fade in his contact batting average (.312). Walker finished on the uptick in batting average (.305 with 39 runs, 13 home runs, 42 RBIs, and two RBIs) over his final 233 at-bats.

For the third time in five seasons, Walker posted a better overall season than on his previous resume. He set new tops in at-bats (582) and RBIs (103) while stealing a surprising 11 bases to round out his stat line. His bat had plenty of power (13 home runs and 35 RBIs over 141 at-bats) against lefties despite only hitting .255. Walker had the most success in June (.347/12/4/19/3 over 101 at-bats) and August (.302/13/6/19/1 over 96 at-bats). In July and September, he only .203 while remaining productive in runs (29), home runs (11), and RBIs (30).

He beat the league average with his strikeout rate (19.2) and walk rate (9.4) over the last two seasons. Walker had repeated strength in his average hit rate (1.927). He improved his flyball rate (44.9 – 41.3 in his career) over the past three years, with a pullback in his HR/FB rate (15.9 – 17.7 in 202 and 16.2 in his career). His exit velocity (88.0 – 273rd) and hard-hit rate (40.5 – 185th) were five-year lows.

Fantasy Outlook: The needle for Walker continues to rise, helped by two better players batting in front of him. Even with a better approach, he appeared to trade some batting average for power via more flyballs. His FPGscore (3.76 – 27th) for hitters was much better than expected. Walker ranks eighth at first base in late February in the high-stakes market with an ADP of 96 (52nd batter drafted). His batting average risk and expected regression in steals make him a more challenging fourth-hitting option for a fantasy team. His floor remains high in runs, home runs, and RBIs, keeping him in the draft discussion at his current price points.

OF Lourdes Gurriel

Gurriel had 500 at-bats for the first time in 2021, leading to career highs in all categories except batting average. His RBI (21) was exceptional, but he only had 320 RBI chances. On the downside, Gurriel finished with a four-year low in contact batting average (.347). His bat carried fantasy teams in September (.301/19/7/30 over 93 at-bats).

In 2022, Gurriel lost his power stroke, highlighted by a sharp decline in his average hit rate (1.371) while continuing to offer strength in his RBI rate (17). After low production in April (.288/12/2/10 over 80 at-bats), he had an empty May (.189/2/0/8 over 74 at-bats) while missing some time with a hamstring issue. His swing came around over the next two months (.368 over 182 at-bats), but his power (30 runs, three home runs, and 24 RBIs) remained a lost skill. Gurriel drove the bus home with another quiet 117 at-bats (.239/8/0/10) before seeing his season end in September with a hamstring injury. In October, he had left wrist surgery, which looks to be the cause of his lost power.

Last season, the Diamondbacks hit him almost exclusively third, fifth, or sixth in the batting order. Gurriel was an elite player in May (.352/18/8/18 over 91 at-bats), and his bats picked up over the last two months (.291 with 24 runs, nine home runs, 25 RBIs, and three steals over 189 at-bats).  He only hit .224 in July and August (19/7/19/3). Gurriel was at his best vs. left-handed pitching (.301 with four home runs and 21 RBIs over 146 at-bats).

His strikeout rate (17.4) remains favorable, with a below-par walk rate (5.6). His exit velocity (89.7) regressed slightly, but he finished with a higher hard-hit rate (46.0). Gurriel has a rebound in his HR/FB rate (15.0 – 4.2 in 2022 and 14.6 in his career) and flyball rate (35.6).

Fantasy Outlook: His most significant strike in 2023 was his low RBI chance (353 – 68 lower than Christian Walker with only a difference of 31 at-bats). His contact batting average (.321) was a five-year low. He finished 82nd in FPGscore (-0.48) for hitters. His ADP (237 – 140th batter drafted) in the NFBC in late February is lower than in 2022 despite coming off a better season. His RBI rate (17.8) has been an area of strength in his career, suggesting a better slot in the batting order. Adding Joc Pederson blocks some of his DH chances and potential at-bats vs. right-handed pitching. I see more in Gurriel, but I don’t make out the lineup card each day for Arizona. Think help in batting average with a 20/70 floor. His slot in the lineup will be crucial to his value in runs.

OF Eugenio Suarez

Some sharp minds in the high-stakes market gravitated toward Suarez in 2021 due to his expected edge in power while on a path to gain shortstop eligibility early in the season. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a rebound in contact batting average (.299 – .305 in 2020 and .404 in 2019), thus killing fantasy teams in one category. Suarez finished 145th for hitters in FPGscore (-2.82) with -2.63 of his total coming in batting average.

Over the past two seasons, he led the league in strikeouts (196 and 214) while seeing his strikeout rate (31.0) finish higher than his career average (27.1) for five consecutive years. His contact batting average (.362) almost matched 2022 (.369). Suarez only had three home runs and 19 RBIs over 131 at-bats vs. left-handed pitching in 2022. He hit higher than .245 in August (.271/12/4/18/1 over 107 at-bats). His average hit rate (1.683) was a five-year low by a wide margin. Suarez came to the player with 473 runners on base, with a some rebound in his RBI rate (16).

His swing path remains fly-ball favoring (43.3%) but showing a decline (45.7 – 2022). Suarez ranked 41st in launch angle (18.9) and 46th in barrel rate (13.2) while having a rebound in his exit velocity (90.3 – 95th) and hard-hit rate (43.0 – 125th).

Fantasy Outlook: Suarez is adding more cracks to his profile, inviting a titanic end to his fantasy value. His value in runs and RBIs last year was helped by volume of at-bats and elite runners on base. His ADP (283) screams DIRTY power with fewer at-bats. Suarez ranked 109th in FPGscore (-1.65) in 2023 for hitters. I don’t see him getting 550 at-bats, and he doesn’t deserve a premium slot in the batting order. He is trending toward a 65/25/70 season with continued batting average risk.

OF Joc Pederson

Pederson enters his 11th season in the majors but has never had over 480 at-bats in a year. Over the past two seasons, he hit .255 over 738 at-bats with 116 runs, 38 home runs, 121 RBIs, and three steals.

In his career, Pederson hit .209 against left-handed pitching with 14 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 170 strikeouts (28.1%) over 535 at-bats. His bat played better vs. lefties over in 2021 and 2022 (38-for-147 with 15 runs, four home runs, and 28 RBIs), but the Giants only gave him 43 at-bats against left-handed pitching in 2022 (.186 with one home run and three RBIs).

Pederson had a productive start to 2022 over 192 at-bats (.276/33/17/39/2). After a mini-slump in July and August (.241 over 116 at-bats with 12 runs, three home runs, and 14 RBIs), his swing picked up over his final 72 at-bats (.319/12/3/17 over 72 at-bats). He missed a week in late July with a concussion issue, with minor battles with groin and hand injuries during the year.

Last year, Pederson went on the injured list in April (right wrist) and May (right hand). He only delivered playable stats in June (.290/19/3/12 over 69 at-bats). San Francisco didn’t give him more than 70 at-bats in any month. His strikeout rate (20.9) and walk rate (13.4) were the best combination of his career.

His average hit rate (1.774) supports 20+ home runs with 450 at-bats. Pederson had a more balanced swing (19/39/42) last year with a pullback in his HR/FB rate (13.3). He ranked 24th in exit velocity (92.1), 14th in hard-hit rate (52.2), and 70th in barrel rate (12.1).

Fantasy Outlook: Pederson did some good things last year, but he wasn’t rewarded for it. His ADP (442) in the high-stakes market gives a fantasy manager a possible manageable power hitter with a favorable price point in deep formats. The switch in ballparks is a plus. With 400 at-bats, Pederson has a chance to hit .250 with a 60/20/60 season.

C Gabriel Moreno

The Blue Jays signed Moreno in 2017 at 17 out of Venezuela. In 2021, he dominated AA (.373 with 29 runs, eight home runs, and 45 RBIs over 126 at-bats), leading to a call-up to AAA. Unfortunately, a broken thumb (hit by a pitch) led to almost 11 weeks on the injured list in late June.

In 2022, Moreno hit for average (.315) over 238 at-bats at AAA, but his average hit rate (1.333) drifted into a much weaker area, leading to only three home runs. With Toronto, Moreno held his own at the plate over 69 at-bats (.319/10/1/7) with a low strikeout rate (11.0).

The Diamondbacks didn’t commit to Moreno last year, as he never had more than 75 at-bats in a month. His season started off well in April (.301/5/1/14 over 73 at-bats). Despite missing three weeks in midsummer with a left shoulder issue, he hit .317 with 18 runs, five home runs, 24 RBIs, and three steals over his final 142 at-bats. His best success came against left-handed pitching (.352 with three home runs and 13 RBIs over 108 at-bats).

Moreno has a favorable strikeout rate (19.7) with an improved walk rate (7.6). His swing path was groundball favoring (54.6%) with the Diamondbacks, leading to a low flyball rate (22.0). His hard-hit rate (41.8) and exit velocity (89.8) were in the top 40% of the league while offering a low launch angle (4.2).

Fantasy Outlook: The path has been cleared for Moreno to see many more at-bats this year. He chips in with speed at the catcher position while being a challenging out with runners on base based on his RBI rate (17.9) in the majors. His ADP (154) in the high-stakes market ranks him as the 11th catcher. Moreno will help a fantasy team in batting average. His average hit rate (1.387) doesn’t support a jump in home runs other than his natural progression by more playing time. Fewer groundballs would be a win. He has an outside chance at a 15/10 season with only a 60/60 season in runs and RBIs. I view him as overpriced when looking at some of the catchers drafted after him and the value of the players getting selected around his ADP.

OF Alek Thomas

Arizona drafted Thomas in the second round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft. Over five seasons in the minors, he hit .316 with 261 runs, 37 home runs, 191 RBIs, and 47 stolen bases over 1,355 at-bats. In about two-thirds of a year of experience at AAA, Thomas hit .348 over 376 at-bats with 81 runs, 15 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 12 steals.

He had strength in his contact batting average (.392, .392, .405, and .387) in each year in the minors, but Thomas failed to repeat this success over his first two years with Arizona (CTBA – .287 and .299).

Thomas struggled against left-handed pitching (.198 with six runs, one home run, and six RBIs over 91 at-bats) in his first experience with the Diamondbacks in 2022. His season started with reasonable success before the All-Star break (.250/28/7/22/4 over 212 at-bats), but he played his way out of the lineup over his final 169 at-bats (.207/17/1/17).

Last year, Thomas almost had repeat struggles with Arizona. He had no answer for lefties (.143/8/2/9 over 77 at-bats) with only two walks. After failing over his first 113 at-bats (.195 with 14 runs, two home runs, 10 RBIs, and three steals), the Diamondbacks shipped him back to AAA for 33 days. Thomas had a higher average (.283) over his next 166 at-bats with Arizona, but his production (29/5/15/4) remained low. His season ended with another 195 empty at-bats (.179/8/2/14/2).

His strikeout rate (21.4) fell short of his minor league resume (18.2) while taking fewer walks (4.7% - 10.1 on the farm).  Thomas continues to have a high groundball rate (56.8 – over 50.0 % in his time at AAA), leading to a short flyball rate (25.2 – about 23.4 at AAA). He had a better rating in hard-hit rate (41.6) than exit velocity (88.9).

Fantasy Outlook: His defense grades well, and his bat should continue to improve. Thomas has a much higher ADP (314) in the NFBC than I expected. He appears locked in to be a platoon player this year, with much to prove with his bat. There’s something under the hood based on his success at AAA, and he hit .362 vs. lefties in 2021 with five home runs and 17 RBIs over 116 at-bats (.244 in 2022 and .195 in 2023) in the minors. I won’t draft him this year, but I will pay close attention to his progress. He must hit higher in the batting order, correct his groundball ways, and solve lefties to be considered a starting fantasy option. For now, tic-tac-no is the proper play.

SS Jordan Lawlar

The Diamondbacks selected Lawlar with the sixth selection in the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Jesuit College. In his first entire season in the minors in 2022, he blasted his way through four levels of the minors, leading to a .305 batting average with 98 runs, 16 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 39 stolen bases over 389 at-bats. His walk rate (12.5) graded well while starting his professional career, with some risk in strikeouts (24.9%).

In 2023, Arizona started Lawlar at AA, but he had massive issues making contact over his first 117 at-bats (.162 with 17 runs, five home runs, 16 RBIs, and 10 steals) while striking out 45 times (31.7%). His light switch went on in mid-May, leading a sensational next 233 at-bats (.313/60/10/32/32). Over this span, he lowered his strikeout rate to 16.4%, with a favorable walk rate (10.1). After 16 games at AAA (.358 with 18 runs, five home runs, 19 RBIs, and three stolen bases over 67 at-bats), the Cardinals gave Lawlar a chance in the majors. Unfortunately, his hot ride ended over his final 31 at-bats (.129 with no home runs or RBIs).

Fantasy Outlook: With only 67 at-bats of experience at AAA, the fantasy market waits to see if Lawlar can build off his hot finish in 2023 to make the Diamondbacks out of spring training. His ADP (314) in late February in the NFBC puts him in the buy-and-hold category in 2024. His bat is coming fast, and Arizona has no one in his way at shortstop. Once Lawlar arrives in the big leagues, he’ll offer a 20/40 still set in his rookie campaign. For someone that got beat at shortstop or middle infield in deep formats, Lawlar appears to be the winning out.

Bench Options

SS Geraldo Perdomo

Over four seasons in the minors, Perdomo hit .267 with 200 runs, 14 home runs, 117 RBIs, and 74 stolen bases over 1,130 at-bats. His walk rate (15.7) was elite, with a favorable strikeout rate (16.5). Despite only having 12 at-bats at AAA, the Diamondbacks gave him 303 games of action over the past three seasons.

In 2022, Perdomo was overmatched at the plate (.195 BAA), with an outlier contact batting average (.256 – .336 in his minor league career). Last season, his counting stats remained in weaker areas except for runs (71) and steals (16). He offered no value against lefties (.242 with no home runs and five RBIs). After a productive April (.383/14/2/16/1 over 60 at-bats), Perdomo hit only .222 over his final 347 at-bats with 57 runs, four home runs, 31 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.

His strikeout rate (17.4) moved closer to his minor league resume while improving his walk rate (12.9). The Diamondbacks gave him 143 at-bats in the leadoff spot and 188 hitting ninth. Perdomo ranked 402nd out of 403 batters in hard-hit rate (19.5).

Fantasy Outlook: Arizona named Perdomo their starting shortstop before spring training. He appears to be a placeholder until Jordan Lawlar seizes their job. His glove plays well, and his bat should continue to improve with each year of experience in the majors.

OF Jake McCarthy

McCarthy has been in the minors for five seasons but only has 1,080 at-bats. He hit .294 with 201 runs, 34 home runs, 169 RBIs, and 94 stolen bases. His bat played well at AAA from 2021 to 2023, leading to a .327 batting average over 529 at-bats over 113 runs, 23 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 38 steals. In addition, his walk rate (9.4) graded well with league average strikeout rate (16.7).

He made the Diamondbacks out of spring training in 2022, but McCarthy hit way back to the minors (3-for-25 with three runs, one home run, and one RBI). When the Diamondbacks needed an outfield bat in May, they recalled him, creating some waiver wire buzz for teams looking for steals. After 18 games (.278/13/2/8/1 over 54 at-bats), Arizona shipped him back to AAA. McCarthy became an excellent addition to fantasy teams over his final 68 games (.302/37/5/34/22 over 242 at-bats).

Last year, McCarthy ended up being a fantasy bust and one I rostered on a few teams. He struggled over 22 games in April (.143/8/1/3/2 over 63 at-bats with Arizona). His bat rebounded at AAA (.333 with 17 runs, four home runs, 17 RBIs, and four steals over 90 at-bats). The Diamondbacks gave him plenty of chances over the next two and a half months (.278/25/1/11/24 over 194 at-bats), but he failed to help in the home runs and RBIs. A trip back to AAA led to winning stats again (.383 with 25 runs, five home runs, 19 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases over 107 at-bats). McCarthy offered nothing over his final 19 at-bats (.211 with four runs and two RBIs) with the Diamondbacks. His combined stats for the year came to a .292 batting average with 79 runs, 11 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 43 steals over 473 at-bats.

His strikeout rate (19.9) beat the league average while taking more walks (8.3%). McCarthy had a competitive contact batting average in the minors (.384), but he struggles in this area with Arizona (CTBA – .313 – .370 before last year). He finished with a sharp decline in his average hit rate (1.343).

McCarthy didn’t check the edge box in exit velocity (85.3) or hard-hit rate (23.7). He continued to have a groundball swing path (50.6%), with a sharp decline in his HR/FB rate (3.5 – 18.0 at AAA in 2023 and 11.8 with Arizona in 2022.

Fantasy Outlook: The luster for McCarthy has left the building for anyone who rostered him last year. His ADP (439) in the NFBC fits his speed profile while almost working as a handcuff to Alek Thomas or even insurance for Corbin Carroll. His AAA success suggests he deserves another ride, but the Cardinals don’t have a starting spot for him. McCarthy would be an upgrade in centerfield for the Oakland A’s, so I’m getting on the trade hotline before the end of spring training.

OF Randall Grichuk

From 2016 to 2022, Grichuk averaged 72 runs, 27 home runs, and 79 RBIs if he played 150 games in a season. His best overall season came in 2019 (.232/75/31/80/2) thanks to a career-high 596 at-bats.

In his first season in Colorado in 2022, he finished 92nd in FPGscore (-0.77) despite producing bland five-category stats (.259/60/19/73/4). Grichuk missed 22 games while not having any significant injuries. His bat was an edge against left-handed pitching (.308/33/11/37 over 172 at-bats) and at home (.307/40/13/50/3 over 267 at-bats).

Last year, Grichuk had a stretch early in the season where he didn’t hit a home run over 127 at-bats (14 runs and 18 RBIs). A groin issue pushed him on the injured list to start the year. Grichuk was hitting .294 at the All-Star break with four home runs and 21 RBIs over 201 at-bats. He has 12 home runs over his final 233 at-bats but weakness in batting average (.245) and RBIs (23).

His strikeout rate (20.4) was the best of his career, and Grichuk posted a higher walk rate (6.2). He had a slight pullback in his exit velocity (89.6) but a much higher hard-hit rate (45.3).

Fantasy Outlook: Grichuk had surgery on his right ankle in January to remove bone spurs. He may be ready for opening day. His ADP (581) reflects his lack of a starting opportunity. He should platoon at DH with Joc Pederson while offering insurance for Arizona in left field.