RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~40
CURRENT ADP: 67
ANALYSIS: Despite a litany of aches and injuries, Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy played in two more games this past season than in 2016 and came to the plate 11 more times. He posted slightly lower numbers in every category but runs (94 in 2017 vs. 83 in 2016), but remained steady as the team’s number three hitter for most of the season.
He hit 23 HR (two fewer than in 2016) and 93 RBI (vs. 104 in 2016). His aching legs were only able to steal two bases rather than five he swiped in 2016. While his slash line barely dipped in 2017 (.322/.384/.543 versus .347/.390/.595 in 2016), it still keeps him as a solid third 2B behind Altuve and Dozier.
The greatest concern for Murphy going into the 2018 season is his recovery from microfracture knee surgery that he went through once the Nationals were eliminated in the NLDS. Though the procedure was minor (as far as knee surgeries go), it is unclear if he will be ready in time for spring training. This is Murphy’s last year on a 3-year deal with the Nats, so if he is healthy his batted ball profile should deliver yet another season of solid stats in a stacked Washington lineup.
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
