Stats are the heartbeat of fantasy baseball. They ultimately crown league champions, and they reveal insights into what players might achieve next. I’m constantly sifting through these numbers, hunting for hidden gems to guide my future roster choices (and hopefully yours too).
This week, let’s explore some of 2023’s more intriguing stats. Some are just “fun facts,” while others offer strategic insights.
For instance, Ronald Acuña Jr. leads the MLB with 16 “barrels” (Statcast’s metric for optimal exit velocity and launch angle) that have still resulted in outs. While bad-luck hits are common, this is noteworthy considering last year’s leader, Aaron Judge, had 25 such barrels over the entire season. Acuña is already projected for a .328 average, 32 home runs, 98 RBIs, 69 stolen bases, and 137 runs. Imagine if a few more of those barrels turned into hits!
Francisco Alvarez has faced left-handed pitchers 46 times in his 169 career at-bats, managing only one extra-base hit — a home run off Austin Gomber at Coors Field. Despite his recent struggles against lefties, Alvarez has started 15 of the Mets’ last 18 games, leading all catchers in fantasy points over this period. With him available in 74% of leagues, now might be a great time to pick him up.
Kendall Graveman has allowed just one hit to a left-handed batter all season. This success, in part due to increased slider usage, might signal a regression on the horizon, but he’s still a valuable source of saves until Liam Hendriks returns.
Marcus Stroman has logged 21 quality starts since the 2022 All-Star break, tying Shane Bieber for the most in that span. With a season ERA of 2.56 and the third-best overall ERA, Stroman ranks 12th among fantasy pitchers. Without his one rough game against Minnesota, his ERA would be a league-leading 1.84.
In his first 22 appearances, Emmanuel Clase’s cutter dropped from an average of 99.5 mph to 98.0 mph. But in his last 11 games, he’s averaged 99.4 mph, going 5-for-5 on saves with a 1.00 ERA. If you’re looking for a fantasy reliever, Clase might be your man.
Blake Snell is one of only three pitchers with at least three pitches generating a 35% whiff rate, making him a reliable strikeout artist. His recent performance at Coors Field makes him a promising option, especially with upcoming matchups against teams with lower offensive output.
The Tampa Bay Rays have attempted the fewest pickoffs in the league and have surrendered the most stolen bases. Fill-in closer Jason Adam alone has allowed 20 successful steals since last season — something to consider if you rely on Rays pitchers to curb opponents’ stolen base counts.
Josh Naylor has been on fire, batting .407 with five home runs and 29 RBIs in his last 25 games, totaling 104 fantasy points in that span. Naylor is still available in 35% of ESPN leagues, making him a great potential pickup.
Lastly, Mike Trout is posting his lowest swinging-strike rate and wOBA against fastballs since his 2011 debut. This has contributed to a 67.5% contact rate and his rank of only 57th in fantasy points among hitters this season.
There are many other hidden stats out there, but these just might give you a competitive edge for your roster decisions. Keep an eye out for emerging trends and best of luck!
