Fantasy Baseball 2024 Rankings for Each Position and Latest Mock Draft
Fantasy Baseball 2024 Rankings for Each Position and Latest Mock Draft0 of 7
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The fantasy baseball season is upon us and managers will be looking for the most productive offensive weapons, the most dominant pitchers, and the hidden gems who will propel them past their opponents and earn them their league’s championship.
With offenses more productive in the wake of the introduction of the pitch clock, there are more options than ever to fill out key positions on your roster.
Ahead of what should be a prolific fantasy season in terms of head-to-head points, is a look at rankings for each position and the latest mock draft.
All stats via MLB.com.
First Mock Draft1 of 7
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Ronald Acuna Jr., RF, Atlanta BravesMookie Betts, SS, Los Angeles DodgersJulio Rodriguez, CF, Seattle MarinersCorbin Carroll, OF, Arizona DiamondbacksFernando Tatis Jr., RF, San Diego PadresBobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City RoyalsAaron Judge, CF, New York YankeesShohei Ohtani, DH, Los Angeles DodgersMatt Olson, 1B, Atlanta BravesJuan Soto, LF, New York YankeesKyle Tucker, RF, Houston AstrosYordan Alvarez, LF, Houston AstrosSpencer Strider, SP, Atlanta BravesPete Alonso, 1B, New York MetsBryce Harper, 1B, Philadelphia PhilliesJose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland GuardiansGunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore OriolesAustin Riley, 3B, Atlanta BravesMarcus Semien, 2B, Texas RangersAdolis Garcia, OF, Texas RangersFirst Basemen2 of 7
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Rankings
Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles DodgersPete Alonso, New York MetsBryce Harper, Philadelphia PhilliesMatt Olson, Atlanta BravesCody Bellinger, Chicago CubsPaul Goldschmidt, St. Louis CardinalsVladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue JaysTriston Casas, Boston Red SoxNolan Jones, Colorado RockiesChristian Walker, Arizona DiamondbacksFrom Freeman to Guerrero, the first base position is loaded with stars who can be trusted to contribute consistently and in a big way.
Olson hit 54 home runs and easily could have won the NL MVP award a season ago, but one would be hard-pressed to imagine him putting up those same numbers in 2024.
Alonso is in a contract year and could go on a tear as he attempts to show the Mets why he is worth signing to a long-term deal or, more importantly, any potential suitor outside of New York why he is worth every penny of his asking price.
Keep an eye on budding Red Sox star Casas, who hit 24 home runs and drove in 65 RBIs a season ago. He had a slash line of .247/.342/.454.
While those numbers do not necessarily jump off the page, the Red Sox will count on young talent to carry them this season after making limited offseason moves, which means Casas will have the opportunity to put up numbers.
Ditto Jones in Colorado who had an on-base percentage of .389 and an OPS of .931 while blasting 20 homers and driving in 62 RBI.
Second Basemen3 of 7
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Rankings
Marcus Semien, Texas RangersOzzie Albies, Atlanta BravesMatt McLain, Cincinnati RedsJose Altuve, Houston AstrosGleyber Torres, New York YankeesKetel Marte, Arizona DiamondbacksHa-Seong Kim, San Diego PadresNico Hoerner, Chicago CubsSpencer Steer, Cincinnati RedsBryson Stott, Philadelphia PhilliesSemien was the most consistent second baseman in baseball a year ago, driving in 100 runs and blasting 29 homers.
He got on base and his slugging percentage of .478 eclipsed his career number. He did everything well for the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers and earned the top spot in these rankings.
The explosive offense of the Atlanta Braves makes Albies (.280/.336/.513 in 2023) a quality option, while the Cincinnati Reds have both McLain and Steer who can produce at the position.
Marte has put up an average of .455 in spring training, with an on-base percentage of .518. Those numbers may not mean much in a preseason setting but do not be surprised if the reigning NL champion has a strong season as Arizona builds on the chemistry that took the team to the World Series last year.
Shortstops4 of 7
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Rankings
Mookie Betts, Los Angeles DodgersGunnar Henderson, Baltimore OriolesBobby Witt Jr., Kansas City RoyalsFrancisco Lindor, New York MetsCorey Seager, Chicago CubsElly De La Cruz, Cincinnati RedsTrea Turner, Philadelphia PhilliesOneil Cruz, Pittsburgh PiratesBo Bichette, Toronto Blue JaysCJ Abrams, Washington NationalsBetts had one of the best years of his Hall of Fame-worthy career in 2023, with 39 homers, 107 RBI, and 14 stolen bases.
With the announcement that he will play shortstop permanently in 2024, and what he accomplished a season ago, it is nearly impossible to take anyone but the former MVP first.
Cruz’s 2023 was cut short by a fractured fibula but he wasted little time announcing to the world that he will not be hampered by the injury this season, with five home runs on seven total hits this spring, with an OPS of 1.331.
He may not be the most obvious pick for the position but if he can build on the momentum he has established early in his comeback, he has the potential to be a top-10 pick at shortstop this fantasy season.
Third Basemen5 of 7
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Rankings
Austin Riley, Atlanta BravesManny Machado, San Diego PadresJose Ramirez, Cleveland GuardiansRoyce Lewis, Minnesota TwinsNolan Arenado, St. Louis CardinalsAlex Bregman, Houston AstrosYandy Diaz, Tampa Bay RaysAlec Bohm, Philadelphia PhilliesJosh Jung, Texas RangersRafael Devers, Boston Red SoxRiley amassed 432 head-to-head points in 2023, on the heels of 97 RBI and 37 home runs. He was the best at his position in the big leagues a season ago and is the clear No. 1 pick in 2024.
Jung was solid for the World Series champion Rangers a season ago, blasting 23 homers and batting in 70 runs. His numbers do not jump off the stat sheet but with another offseason under this belt, and experience in the postseason, he should see continued growth in one of the most explosive offenses in the game.
After his worst statistical season in four years, Nolan Arenado will look to bounce back for a St. Louis Cardinals team that hopes to do the same. Even in a down year, Arenado still managed 26 homers and 93 RBI. Assuming he does not take another step back, he is a worthy addition to your roster.
Outfielders6 of 7
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Rankings
Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta BravesJulio Rodriguez, Seattle MarinersCorbin Carroll, Arizona DiamondbacksYordan Alvarez, Houston AstrosKyle Tucker, Houston AstrosFernando Tatis Jr., San Diego PadresAaron Judge, New York YankeesAdolis Garcia, Texas RangersJuan Soto, New York YankeesMichael Harris Jr., Atlanta BravesThe outfield is where the fantasy season will be won or lost.
It is the most start-studded position in the game, with Acuna being the obvious No. 1 based on his historic, MVP season a year ago, but do not sleep on some of the other names behind him.
Rodriguez hit 32 home runs and batted in 102 runs a year ago. Carroll had a rookie of the year season in which he helped lead the D-Backs to the World Series. Alvarez and Tucker were instrumental in helping the Astros back to the ALCS with 31 and 29 homers, respectively.
Tatis hit 25 home runs and added 78 RBI while Judge still hit 37 homers amid a foot injury that sidelined him for a portion of the season.
Soto is the most interesting player on the list, especially as the newest addition to the Yankees roster. With 35 home runs and 109 RBI a season ago for an underperforming Padres team, it will be interesting to see what he accomplishes in New York, where expectations will be through the roof for the generational player.
Pitchers and Catchers7 of 7
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Catcher Rankings
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore OriolesWill Smith, Los Angeles DodgersSean Murphy, Atlanta BravesJ.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia PhilliesFrancisco Alvarez, New York MetsSalvador Perez, Kansas City RoyalsCal Raleigh, Seattle MarinersWilson Contreras, St. Louis CardinalsJonah Heim, Texas RangersYainer Diaz, Houston AstrosRutschman is the gem of the catcher class following a season in which he hit 20 homers, 80 RBI, and compiled a slash line of .277/.374/.809. If he can avoid injury, he should build on that output and justify his position at the top of the list.
He will likely be the first catcher to go, though, so if you are hoping to take a young player at the position without committing such a high pick on him, look for Alvarez and Heim later in the draft.
The latter was the All-Star starter from the AL while Alvarez blasted 25 homers in his first year behind the plate for the Mets.
Pitcher Rankings
Corbin Burnes, Baltimore OriolesSpencer Strider, Atlanta BravesTyler Glasnow, Los Angeles DodgersZack Wheeler, Philadelphia PhilliesPablo Lopez, Minnesota TwinsLuis Castillo, Seattle MarinersZac Gallen, Arizona DiamondbacksLogan Webb, San Francisco GiantsYoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles DodgersFramber Valdez, Houston AstrosBurnes arrives in Baltimore with the loftiest of expectations. The missing ingredient in the Orioles’ World Series hopes, the former Cy Young winner will hope to bring his 3.39 ERA, 200 strikeouts, and 193.2 innings pitched to an organization that was one ace away from making a legitimate run at the pennant.
Strider went 20-5 in 2023 with 281 strikeouts. He also allowed 80 earned runs, the most of his young career. His ERA increased starting in June before steadying in the 3.7-3.8 range in September. He struggled against the Phillies in the postseason, allowing three home runs on seven hits.
His K’s are valuable, no doubt, but he may also get rocked on occasion. Especially down the stretch.