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
Aranda Cleans Things Up For Tampa Bay
It’s always the way for the Tampa Bay Rays. Regardless of any budget concerns or other hindrances, the Rays seem to come through. This year, things are a little more difficult with the loss of their home field. From a fantasy baseball perspective, there could be another bonus in play as their new park boosts favorable hitting conditions.
Through the first 26 games of the season, Jonathan Aranda is making good use of the regular playing time and at-bats he’s receiving. We do have to take note, and this will be something to monitor moving forward, of Tampa Bay’s apparent offensive advantage at home. Their schedule has been weighted in that direction to begin the season, and Aranda is hitting .380 in 50 home at-bats compared to .194 in 31 at-bats on the road. Aranda also enjoys a distinct advantage against left-handed pitching, but we know the Rays can take advantage of that.
Overall, Aranda is hitting .309 with four home runs and 13 RBI this season. That comes with a .301 xBA, but there are some other metrics that stand out here. When Aranda makes contact, he does damage with a 16.1% barrel rate and an insane 62.9% hard hit rate. With an average exit velocity of 95.1 miles per hour, Aranda deserves our attention. He continues to improve at the plate, and his batted ball metrics point to sustained success.
A Resurgent Torkelson
After he hit .219 last season with 10 home runs in 92 games, which included a stint in the minor leagues, we were ready to write off Spencer Torkelson. Colt Keith was all set to play first base this season, and the former first-round pick was slated to be a non-factor. We know that things don’t go according to plan, and instead, Torkelson is is locked in at first base for Detroit.
Following an 0-for-4 effort on Monday, Torkelson is hitting just .245 on the season. The good news, though, is that it’s not that simple. Prior to Monday’s game, he had a .274 xBA which does generate optimism. And with eight home runs, 24 RBI, and 20 runs scored, Torkelson’s off to a strong start in 2025.
As we look forward, Torkelson has a career-high 17.8% barrel rate. The same can also be said for his 50.7% hard hit rate as he continues to make strong contact. If you really want to generate optimism about Torkelson for the rest of the season, both his .569 SLG and .636 xSLG do just that.
Believe in Jazz
It was another rough night for Jazz Chisholm on Monday as went went hitless in four at-bats while striking out three times. That brings his strikeout rate to 31.5% on what has been a rough start to the season for Chisholm. After a mid-season trade last year, the expectation was that a full year in New York with the Yankees would do him good. The problem, though, is that, with his .173 batting average, that hasn’t been the case to this point.
With seven home runs and six stolen bases, all hasn’t been lost for Chisholm. That pushes him into buy-low territory as the only place for his batting average to go is up. And with a .186 BABIP, that’s very likely. In fact, it’s essentially inevitable. When we consider Chisholm’s 15.2% barrel rate and .446 xSLG, those metrics back up those sentiments.
This is a situation in which we have to follow the talent. The fact that Statcast metrics back up those sentiments draws us even more to Chisholm.
