Hitter List 4/29: Top 150 Hitters For 2022 – Week 3

First, let’s get some basics out of the way in terms of how to interpret these rankings. None of this stuff should come as any major surprise, but it never hurts to provide background:

 

• As a reminder, these rankings are geared toward a standard, daily, 12-team H2H redraft league, as that is typically the most popular fantasy baseball format. They will only factor in the five standard categories: Runs, RBI, Home Runs, Batting Average, and Stolen Bases.

 

• I would recommend not paying super close attention to the specific ranks of each player, and honing in more on the respective tiers that they’re in. Each tier represents a grouping of players that I think could arguably perform at a similar level, and/or carry similar levels of risk in terms of injury concerns or playing time obstacles. If Player X is ranked at #55 and Player Y is ranked at #65, but they’re in the same tier, it means that I personally like Player X a lot better, but think there’s a valid argument to be made for Player Y performing just as well.

 

• I take rankings like this as more of an art than a science. Every person’s rankings are influenced by their own biases, strategic philosophies, determinations of risk, and projections. It’s why no two rankings are ever exactly alike. Jon’s way of evaluating and ranking players has worked out well for Jon (and me) over the years, but it might not be a great fit for you. I can’t possibly predict your team’s specific needs, your league mate’s player evaluations, or your current waiver wire, and if I could it’d be weird. In a bad way.

 

• Yes, these ranks vary from the official PL positional rankings that I also developed in the offseason. That’s because these are only mine – no input from others. This is a safe space for me where I answer to no one but myself…and you if you leave a comment.

 

• I’m using 20 games as the threshold for the positional eligibility in the List. I have not included presumed eligibilities based on likely new positions. This is just a maintenance thing and we will update eligibility throughout the season. Feel free to let me know if I’m missing any!

 

And now a couple of notes on how I generally evaluate hitters before we dive in:

 

• I’ve gotten more level-headed over the years when it comes to weighing stolen bases, but I still think they’re incredibly valuable given how rare they’re becoming. Every steal is important, so don’t take those “chip-in” steals for granted. Finding steals at the end of the season can be a dogfight.

 

• It’s OK to be worried about slumping hitters like _____, but don’t do anything rash.

 

• If I did want to get some insight on whether what I’m seeing is new or if it’s just normal fluctuation, I’d use my favorite tool—the rolling chart. While we don’t have much for rolling data in 2022, you can see where they currently are on a rolling chart and see how it compares to their career trajectory.

 

• No stat is an island and they should all be taken in proper context. For ranking purposes, the primary starting points I use are plate discipline, wRC+, quality of contact metrics (also known as Statcast batted ball data), and lineup context. I also use various projections (some free, some I buy) and dollar value generators. Unlike Nick, I’ll also look at other rankings as I prepare my own to get a feel for how my colleagues are valuing certain players, positions, or stats. I recommend trying as many of these things as you can until you find what you like.

 

• Positional eligibility, and specifically multi-eligibility, is really neat but also isn’t a huge factor in many 10- and 12-team leagues anymore due to the prevalence of multi-eligible players (16 of the 30 second baseman I ranked in the preseason were eligible at two positions, with five more players being eligible at three positions). It’s of more value in deeper contests like the NFBC, or in leagues with limited roster moves (draft and hold leagues, transaction limits/costs, extremely short benches, etc.), but even then the value is fairly situational and context-dependent.

 

• On a similar note, I don’t really penalize players for only qualifying in the utility slot. At most, it is a mild inconvenience if a DH-only player is available at a great value and you already have filled your utility spots.

 

• If you’d like input on a player or have any feedback, your best bet is to reach out to me on Twitter (@ifthechufits) or in the comments!

 

Ranking Notes

 

Want more on how these rankings came together? Check out the podcast Hacks & Jacks featuring myself and Joe Gallina, which also happened to be a finalist for Best Baseball Podcast of 2021 by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA)!

 

• I continue to shuffle this top tier around, but again, it’s just awfully tight up there. Hard to go wrong with almost anyone as your top overall hitter.

 

• Mike Trout looks a lot like Mike Trout right now, even if he doesn’t run. That’s good for baseball.
• I’m not worried about Kyle Tucker. He’s a beast. If anyone is worried in your league, start making offers.
• I love what I’m seeing from Luis Robert. He’s been incredibly unlucky with batted balls and he’s still doing it all (except for batting average, but that will come).

 

• I just couldn’t stop moving Buxton up. The durability will always be a concern, but holy moley can he hit. It’s hard to remember that there was a time that he looked like a negative with the bat.

 

• Wander Franco can do all things. If I thought he could hit 30 home runs or steal 20 bases, he’d be even higher.
• Arenado has been lucky, sure, but he’s still hitting the ball hard and looks like a lock for yet another 30 home run, 100 RBI season. It’s amazing how consistent he has been over the years.
• And just like that, Francisco Lindor looks like a 25 home run, 15-20 stolen base shortstop. What a rollercoaster.
• OH LOOK! A bunch of slumping bats (Springer has been good, at least). While I did move many of them down from their original position, they aren’t close to the chopping block yet.

 

• I’m still not worried about Cedric Mullins yet. Ask me again next week.

 

• Seiya Suzuki might finally have been moved up enough. Maybe.

 

• Franmil Reyes will…eventually do something useful? He could still get to 35 home runs, but every week he’s bad he gets closer to the outside looking in.

 

• No, I still don’t know what to do with Cody Bellinger. I’m not sure when I will. BUT I am a lot more excited about it than I was a month ago.

 

• Bryan Reynolds is struggling, and he’s struggled before (see 2020) and bounced back. I’m still thinking he can be a high-level player.

 

• Ty France is the feature because I took way too long to buy in. He looks like a 25 home run, 100 RBI, high batting average bat with excellent plate discipline.

 

• Insert pun about Jazz and sweet music. He’s making it.

 

• DJ LeMahieu is another guy who seems to be turning it around quickly. Even if he only hits 20 home runs, there should be enough counting stats and ratios to be very worth while.

 

• Welcome to the list, Gio Urshela and Alec Bohm. They’ve really added a layer of hopes and dreams to a position that felt very thin on draft day. I don’t think either is a “league winner”, but they’re both very much worth taking a flyer on if you drafted Jeimer Candelario or other back-end third baseman.

 

• I’m sorry, Akil Baddoo, but until there are fewer strikeouts or more running, you’ll keep falling. He’s fine to drop in 10- and 12-team leagues with three outfield spots. I’d probably keep him in anything deeper. This hurts me.

 

And now, at long last, I present to you, the Hitter List:

 

Rank	Hitter	Position	Change
1	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.T1	1B	-
2	José Ramírez	3B	+2
3	Juan Soto	OF	-1
4	Ronald Acuña Jr.	OF	+3
5	Trea Turner	2B, SS	-2
6	Shohei Ohtani	DH	-1
7	Bryce Harper	OF	+1
8	Bo Bichette	SS	-2
9	Mike Trout T2	OF	+4
10	Kyle Tucker	OF	-1
11	Rafael Devers	3B	-1
12	Freddie Freeman	1B	-1
13	Luis Robert Jr.	OF	+1
14	Manny Machado	3B	+1
15	Yordan Alvarez	OF	+1
16	Ozzie Albies T3	2B	+1
17	Byron Buxton	OF	+10
18	Mookie Betts	OF	-6
19	Aaron Judge	OF	-1
20	Xander Bogaerts	SS	-1
21	Tim Anderson	SS	-1
22	Matt Olson	1B	-1
23	Nick Castellanos T4	OF	-
24	Pete Alonso	1B	-
25	Paul Goldschmidt	1B	-
26	Starling Marte	OF	-
27	Wander Franco	SS	+4
28	Nolan Arenado	3B	+5
29	Austin Riley	3B	+3
30	Francisco Lindor	SS	+8
31	Cedric Mullins T5	OF	-3
32	Marcus Semien	2B, SS	-3
33	Trevor Story	SS	-11
34	Whit Merrifield	2B, OF	-4
35	Tyler O’Neill	OF	-1
36	Randy Arozarena	OF	-1
37	George Springer	OF	+4
38	Teoscar Hernández	OF	-1
39	Corey Seager	SS	-
40	José Abreu T6	1B	-
41	Seiya Suzuki	OF	+23
42	Alex Bregman	3B	-
43	Salvador Perez	C	-
44	Brandon Lowe	2B, OF	+2
45	Javier Báez	2B, SS	-1
46	Jose Altuve	2B	-1
47	Jorge Polanco	2B, SS	-
48	Kris Bryant	3B, OF	-
49	Max Muncy	1B, 2B	-
50	J.T. Realmuto T7	C	-
51	Will Smith	C	-
52	Jared Walsh	1B	-
53	Giancarlo Stanton	OF	-
54	J.D. Martinez	OF	-
55	Austin Meadows	OF	+8
56	Bryan Reynolds T8	OF	+2
57	Carlos Correa	SS	+2
58	Anthony Rendon	3B	+2
59	Kyle Schwarber	OF	+2
60	Nelson Cruz	DH	+2
61	Eloy Jiménez	OF	-25
62	Joey Gallo	OF	-6
63	Marcell Ozuna T9	OF	+2
64	Josh Bell	1B	+4
65	Jazz Chisholm Jr.	2B, SS	+6
66	Ketel Marte	2B, OF	-
67	Rhys Hoskins	1B	-
68	C.J. Cron	1B	+1
69	Ryan Mountcastle	1B, OF	+1
70	Ty France T10	1B, 2B	+42
71	Franmil Reyes	DH	-16
72	Yasmani Grandal	C	-
73	Christian Yelich	OF	-
74	Mitch Haniger	OF	-
75	Tommy Edman	2B, OF	-
76	Cody Bellinger T11	OF	+2
77	Willson Contreras	C	-1
78	Jake Cronenworth	1B, 2B, SS	-1
79	Ke’Bryan Hayes	3B	+7
80	Hunter Renfroe	OF	-
81	Willy Adames	SS	-
82	Jonathan India	2B	-3
83	Anthony Rizzo	1B	+9
84	Chris Taylor	2B, SS, OF	-
85	Daulton Varsho	C, OF	-
86	Trent Grisham	OF	-3
87	Matt Chapman	3B	-
88	Josh Donaldson	3B	+1
89	Bobby Witt Jr.	SS	+4
90	Alex Verdugo	OF	+5
91	Randal Grichuk	OF	+5
92	Lourdes Gurriel Jr. T12	OF	+6
93	Julio Rodríguez	OF	-3
94	Jarred Kelenic	OF	-3
95	Dylan Carlson	OF	-7
96	Justin Turner	3B	+3
97	Spencer Torkelson	3B	+3
98	Andrew Benintendi	OF	+3
99	Jesse Winker	OF	-2
100	Joey Votto	1B	-6
101	Yoán Moncada	3B	+1
102	Myles Straw	OF	+1
103	Fernando Tatis Jr. T13	SS, OF	+3
104	Adolis García	OF	+1
105	Ian Happ	OF	+8
106	Adam Duvall	1B, OF	+1
107	Trey Mancini	1B, OF	+1
108	Eduardo Escobar	2B, 3B	+1
109	Brandon Belt	1B	+1
110	Eugenio Suárez	3B, SS	+5
111	Dansby Swanson	SS	-
112	DJ LeMahieu	1B, 2B, 3B	+11
113	Avisaíl García	OF	-31
114	Tommy Pham	OF	+2
115	Nathaniel Lowe	1B	+2
116	Michael Brantley	OF	+2
117	Anthony Santander T14	OF	+2
118	Ryan McMahon	2B, 3B	+2
119	Brandon Marsh	OF	+25
120	Jeremy Peña	SS	+4
121	Mitch Garver	C	-
122	Andrew Vaughn	1B, OF	+6
123	Steven Kwan	OF	+3
124	Harrison Bader	OF	+3
125	Kolten Wong	2B	+5
126		1B, OF	+UR
127	Charlie Blackmon T15	OF	+4
128	Brandon Crawford	SS	+4
129	Amed Rosario	SS	+4
130	Jorge Soler	OF	+4
131	Gio Urshela		+UR
132	Luke Voit	1B	+6
133	Luis Urías	2B, 3B, SS	+2
134	Austin Hays	OF	+8
135	Josh Naylor	1B, OF	+8
136	J.P. Crawford	3B, SS	+11
137	Kiké Hernández	2B, OF	+3
138	Jonathan Schoop	1B, 2B	-1
139	Frank Schwindel	1B	-3
140	Gavin Lux	2B, SS, OF	+5
141	Eddie Rosario	SS	-37
142	AJ Pollock	OF	+6
143	Jesús Sánchez	OF	+UR
144	Taylor Ward	OF	+UR
145	Luis Arraez	2B, 3B, SS	+1
146	Alec Bohm		+UR
147	Austin Nola	C	+3
148	Akil Baddoo	OF	-19
149	Keibert Ruiz	C	-35
150	Joey Wendle	2B, 3B, SS	+UR

 

Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire | Design by J.R. Caines (@JRCainesDesign on Twitter and @caines_design on Instagram)