How are Top-Drafted Hitters Performing? Mookie Betts, Bobby Witt Jr., Juan Soto and More
Taking a look at the top-10 drafted hitters this season and seeing how their seasons are going so far.
The MLB season is now two weeks into play, but plenty of fantasy owners are already overreacting to how players are performing.
Today, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at how the top-drafted players are performing so far and determine how to proceed with those players. Stats are accurate through April 12.
Let’s look at hitters here. Check back for a story on the top-drafted pitchers.
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Ronald Acuna Jr. Fantasy Outlook
Acuna was the first pick in most fantasy baseball drafts, but is off to a bit of a slow start.
Across his first 12 games, Acuna had just a .255 average, 12 hits across 47 at-bats. Just two of Acuna’s hits went for extra bases (both doubles). Acuna has only driven in four runs, while scoring 13 times. He’s walked eight times and struck out 14 times.
While 2023 was a breakout season for Acuna, it’s hard to imagine Acuna struggling this much over the course of a full season. He might not (and probably won’t) match last year’s incredible numbers, but he was so far ahead of every other hitter last season that even an average season from Acuna can be one of the top fantasy seasons from a hitter. Be patient with him and trust that improved play is coming.
Mookie Betts Fantasy Outlook
Betts had the next best ADP before the season, and has been the best fantasy hitter so far.
Across his first 16 games, Betts was hitting .344, with 21 hits over 61 at-bats. He’s homered six times, doubled three times and tripled once, drove in 14 runs and scored 20 times. Betts has more walks (16) than strikeouts (11).
Betts was part of a trade story I did earlier in the week, and my advice was that while some of his numbers aren't sustainable, I would want to keep Betts, instead of trying to “sell high.” He’s got a great chance at being the top fantasy hitter this season, and unless you are trying to acquire multiple strong fantasy players in return, there’s not many other scenarios I can imagine that make sense to move Betts for.
Juan Soto Fantasy Outlook
Soto looks like he’ll be in the hunt for the top fantasy hitter after a hot start at the plate.
Soto was hitting .360 through his first 13 games, collecting hits in 18 of 50 at-bats. He’s doubled three times and homered twice, drove in 12 runs and scored seven runs. He also has more walks (11) than strikeouts (8).
Soto appears to be settling in quite well in New York, and I like him to remain one of the game’s top hitters over the course of the season. You could throw his name out there to see what kind of return you could get, but unless someone overpaid, Soto is another player I’d want to keep all season.
Kyle Tucker Fantasy Outlook
Tucker has been solid to open the 2024 season, but with room to improve.
He was hitting .258 through 15 games played. Tucker had 16 total hits across 62 at-bats, with four home runs and two doubles. He’s driven in 10, scored eight runs, walked seven times and been a strikeout victim 13 times.
Tucker is a career .272 hitter, and hit .284 last season, so his average has been a bit underwhelming to this point, although a strong game or two could change things in a hurry. He’s on pace for 100+ RBIs and a career high in homers, so even with a bit lower average, the fantasy production is still there.
You could float his name out there and probably get a really good player in return if you are needing a player with a better average. Again though, you spent a high pick on Tucker, so unless you get a great return, I’d probably just try to stick with him.
Freddie Freeman Fantasy Outlook
Freeman is off to a hot start at the plate in 2024.
He’s collected 19 hits in 59 at-bats for a .322 average. Freeman has three doubles and a home run, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored. He’s struck out 14 times, while walking nine times.
Freeman’s power numbers are a bit down, but his average and runs scored marks are both solid so far. He should be able to keep his average up, and I’d imagine the power numbers will pick up at some point. Freeman is another player that I’d say isn't off limits, but it’d take a great return to send him away.
Jose Ramirez Fantasy Outlook
Ramirez has been pretty good to open the season, but his average is a bit down.
Ramirez has 15 hits across 56 at-bats for a .268 average. He’s got two homers and doubles and one triple this season. Ramirez has scored 12 times and drove in 10 runs, while striking out six times and walking just once.
He’s a career .279 hitter and has a career .354 on-base percentage, so I see room to improve on what he’s done so far. If you are skeptical that he can get going offensively, or simply need a different position to be a better fantasy team, Ramirez is one of the few top picks I’d be OK trading away. His value should still net you a great fantasy hitter in return, and you might be able to target a player in a better lineup. See what you can come up with, with help from the FantasySP trade value chart and trade analyzer.
Shohei Ohtani Fantasy Outlook
Many people wondered how Ohtani would look while focusing on just hitting, while also wondering if his injury would hold him back at the plate. Well, Ohtani is still one of the top hitters in the game and currently leads the MLB with 24 hits.
Ohtani accomplished that over 68 at-bats in his first 16 games. He’s already got 10 doubles, four home runs and a triple. Ohtani has driven in nine and scored 13 times, while striking out 14 times and walking on five occasions.
Ohtani has a strong argument to be the fantasy hitter MVP runner-up to Betts right now, and because he went later in the first round, or early second, he’s actually outperforming his ADP so far.
I’d do my best to hold on to Ohtani, although I could understand wanting to sell him high because he’s likely only eligible at the designated hitter spot (or utility in most leagues). Moving him for a position of need could open your roster up, but just make sure you are getting a great deal of fantasy help in return, because not many other hitters might match Ohtani’s numbers this season.
Matt Olson Fantasy Outlook
Olson isn’t on pace to match his 54 home runs from last season, but he’s still been a great fantasy asset so far.
Through 12 games and 50 at-bats, Olson was hitting .280. Among his 14 total hits, seven have been doubles, one was a triple and three were homers. Olson has 10 RBIs, nine runs scored, 14 strikeouts and five walks.
If Olson isn’t going to hit as many homers, his fantasy value takes a little bit of a hit. If you’re worried about the homers, you could try to sell him and get a big return because of his name. I expect Olson to get rolling and get near that 54-homer mark again, so I’m personally trying to hold him.
Corbin Carroll Fantasy Outlook
Carroll has struggled to open the 2024 season.
Carroll is hitting just .245, with 13 total hits across 53 at-bats. He’s doubled twice and homered once, driven in just two runs, scored nine times, walked eight times and struck out five times.
It’s far too early to call this a down season, but there’s definitely reason to be a little concerned. I expect him to turn things around, but could also understand if a fantasy owner wants to cut ties now. If you do, just make sure you’re getting enough value in return, preferably at a position you are lacking at.
Bobby Witt Jr. Fantasy Outlook
Witt was one of my favorite fantasy hitters this season, and has delivered early on.
He was hitting .333 across his first 14 games, with 19 total hits in 57 at-bats. He’s homered four times, doubled five times and tripled twice. Witt has scored 13 times, drove in eight runs, walked four times and struck out on 15 occasions.
I’m still extremely high on Witt and view him as a top-five fantasy hitter for the season. I’d make him untouchable, unless I was simply stacked at shortstop and Witt could net me another top fantasy hitter at a position of need - I’d try to avoid that though.
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