RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target as OF2
ANALYSIS: Christian Yelich possesses good instincts and ability, has an ideal build, and just turned 23. However, he isn't being touted as a fantasy monster right now because he has yet to hit for power in the majors. In his first two seasons with the Marlins, Yelich hit just 13 homers. He was one of five hitters to post a groundball rate over 60% in 2014, but that doesn't mean Yelich can't hit for power.
Yelich’s batted ball distance of 289.1 feet ranked 67th among qualified hitters last season, above sluggers Anthony Rizzo and Edwin Encarnacion. His 11.5 HR/FB% was also well above the league average. So if he can hit a few more flies, the homers will come, and his low swinging strike rate (6.8% last year) will help keep his average up.
Steamer projects a 14 HR/20 SB season for Yelich, a stat line only 11 players managed last year. Yelich could also eclipse 100 runs from the top of Miami’s order. Combine that with a batting average in the .280s and you’ve got a top-20 outfielder. Yelich has demonstrated the ability to contribute across the board at an age where many players are still climbing the minor-league ladder. If he can continue to improve his whiff rate and drive the ball with a little more authority, he’ll be well on his way to fantasy stardom.
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