Welcome back to Hitter Profiles for the 2024 fantasy baseball season. Last week we covered the NL East and this week we head over to the NL West. This division is a tale of two sides with the Dodgers juggernaut and Diamondback hopefuls leading the way. Seriously the entire starting nine and pitching staff are being drafted as fantasy starters in LA. The other side is a bit more dreary as the Padres and Giants hope to sniff relevance and the wild card (ohh yea…the Rockies play here too). With the hot stove cooling off, the NL West has plenty of interesting options to consider for our hitter profiles. So without further ado let’s walk through the boom and bust candidates in the NL West!
Important Notes: All views focus on 5×5 rotisserie formats with NFBC ADP and Yahoo position eligibility.
Boom
Tommy Pham – Free Agent (ADP 321)
Tommy Pham, although currently a free agent, is being forced into our NL West discussion because he deserves to be talked about. Turning 36 on opening day might raise concerns about age, but his recent performance tells a compelling story. Last season, Pham showcased his versatility with 16 home runs and 22 stolen bases. During his 50 games with Arizona, he demonstrated a tempting pace, projecting towards 170+ combined runs and RBIs. Despite these promising numbers, the market values him as the 78th outfielder in drafts this spring. Given his potential to outperform players selected much earlier, Pham emerges as a compelling option, offering an opportunity for savvy fantasy managers to capitalize on his perceived draft-day value.
Ezequiel Tovar – Rockies (ADP 195)
Tovar presents an intriguing fantasy option as the 20th shortstop off the board. His minor league track record as a 30-40 steal player coupled with last year’s demonstrated 15-homer power suggests an exciting skill set. Playing in the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field adds additional value to his offensive profile. While he might peak as a .250 hitter, the Colorado factor could amplify his overall production. Being one of the youngest hitters in the majors last year leaves room for growth, making Tovar a viable late-round option. Given the depth at shortstop this year, strategically waiting and focusing on other positions before considering Tovar could prove a shrewd move.
Luis Matos – Giants (ADP 588)
Mr. Matos showcases intriguing promise as a young hitter. Making his debut at 21 last season, he brings consistency with a batting average below .300 at only one minor league stop. His combined 14 homers and 18 steals in AAA and the majors in 2023 highlight a balanced skill set that we look for in young players. Matos impressively maintained a positive walk-to-strikeout ratio in the minors before his call-up, reflecting a disciplined approach at the plate. While not projected to start, the presence of Conforto, Yastrzemski, and Flores keep his price in check without being too high of a hurdle to clear. With potential opportunities ahead, Matos is one of my favorite deep sleepers for 2024, offering fantasy managers an exciting prospect to watch and potentially capitalize on in the bay.
Bust
Luis Campusano – Padres (ADP 187)
Luis enters the upcoming season with a potential bust label here in the West. Despite being typically drafted as the 17th catcher, there are instances where he’s been chosen as high as 8th, a position that is overly optimistic. At 25 years old, Campusano’s performance last year was notably boosted by a .339 BABIP, hinting at a need for caution regarding sustainability. His career results reveal a significant split. He excels against lefties with a robust wRC+ 169, but struggles against righties with a modest wRC+ 80, indicating a short-side platoon concern. In even two-catcher leagues, other options may provide more reliable and balanced production.
Eugenio Suarez – Diamondbacks (ADP 271)
Eugenio steps in as the projected starting third baseman for Arizona following an offseason trade. While his power at the plate is tempting, it comes with a trade-off as he can simply torpedo your batting average. Suarez’s tendency to accumulate strikeouts, trailed only Kyle Schwarber last year by a single strikeout. This profile drives concern about volatility and at his best, he will be a streaky hitter. The potential for power should be overshadowed by the risk he poses. Fantasy managers drafting Eugenio are hoping for 2019 when the last four years tell us otherwise.
