One of the best parts about fantasy baseball is watching the action unfold on the field. However, there’s more to it than just the results on the field. While our success in fantasy baseball is measured by just a few statistics, there are a great deal of data points behind them. Evaluating players and their performance is based on more than just one variable. But combined, it all comes together. Under that guise, let’s take a look at three players and how we can view them based on their early-season performances.
Fantasy Baseball Advanced Hitting Stats
Is It a Logan O’Hoppe Breakout?
In 2023, health derailed Logan O’Hoppe’s season. The catcher played in just 51 games, but finished with 14 home runs and 29 RBI. That set high expectations for O’Hoppe last year, but he failed to deliver. His 20 home runs, 56 RBI, and a .244 average weren’t terrible, but it certainly could have been better.
Through seven games in 2024, O’Hoppe has already gone deep five times. It does speak to his supporting cast that those are the only five runs O’Hoppe has scored despite hitting .345 on the season. He does have nine RBI to go along with a .345 batting average, as O’Hoppe is truly doing damage to the ball.
Strikeouts will always be an issue, 33% this year, but he’s making contact enough to have value. O’Hoppe’s ISO currently sits at .517, but it’s the barrel rate that caught my eye. To this point, it’s sitting at 36.8%, and when that’s coupled with an average launch angle of 28.1 degrees, the home run success shouldn’t be a surprise. Additionally, it’s hard to miss his 63.2% hard hit rate.
There’s the potential for O’Hoppe to finish 2025 as a top-five catcher as his value continues to rise.
Believe in Matt McLain
After a strong emergence in 2023, injuries claimed Matt McLain’s 2024 season. There were, rightfully so, concerns about McLain heading into this season. To this point, he’s shown that he can be the fantasy asset he was expected to be. Just don’t read into McLain’s .214 batting average.
For starters, McLain’s .274 xBA helps to alleviate any concerns. It also comes with a .214 BABIP which is bound to rise to the league average of about .300. The deeper we go into McLain’s profile, the more there is to like about the second baseman.
Through his first eight games, McLain has three home runs and five RBI with five runs scored. It’s clear that there’s more to come here. With a .357 ISO, McLain’s power is on full display. A barrel rate of 29.4% along with a 64.7% hard hit rate means we should continue to receive plenty of power out of the second base spot. That’s a fantasy asset and McLain has also shown the ability to parlay that with some stolen bases. Now if only he could improve on his 11.9 degree average launch angle to boost those home runs.
Believe in Wilyer Abreu
Don’t you think the Houston Astros could use Wilyer Abreu right now? Prior to this season, no one really thought twice about the Astros trading Abreu to Boston a few years ago, but here we are. Abreu has loudly announced his arrival this season after a solid 2024 campaign.
After hitting 15 home runs in 132 games last year, Abreu has three in his first 11 games to go along with 12 RBI and 10 runs scored. Abreu went 0-4 on Monday, which brought his batting average down to .424. The outfielder entered the game hitting .483, but with a .401 xBA. Perhaps even more staggering though was Abreu’s .897 SLG and .809 xSLG.
It’s clear that Abreu is having success, and it’s not coming cheap. Abreu truly is making strong contact, which points to his success having a level of sustainability. His average exit velocity, entering Monday, this year is 95.9 miles per hour with a 20% barrel rate and 60% high rate. While the Red Sox have some young players either already here or knocking on the door, Abreu is proving that he should be part of Boston’s long-term plans. He’s clearly found a place in fantasy outfields.
