Over the past three weeks, we have been working through the Top 25 (link), Top 50 (link), and Top 75 (link). This week, we unveil the full list and fix all the mistakes of the past few weeks otherwise known as updating for any injury, job update, or breakout during spring training. This season, our Top 100 Hitters will be posted every other week and focus on what remains of the season. That means, that while somebody like Lars Nootbar will inevitably start the season hot, that does not make him a top hitter on our list. Alternatively, guys like Bryce Harper and Trevor Story are going to be creeping up the list as their returns draw near. Without further ado, the final preseason installment has arrived in our Top 100 hitters for the 2023 fantasy baseball season.
Rising
- Jarred Kelenic – After a disappointing 2022, Kelenic has been on fire this spring. Hitting .405 with four longballs and a 1.277 OPS reminds us of the potential that he brings to the field. Unfortunately, we have seen this type of performance in the minors without the hoped translation to the big stage. The time for Kelenic to put up or shut up is 2023 and I, for one, believe he will show up in a big way.
- Ozzie Albies & Corey Seager – Over the past two weeks, Albies and Seager have both posted OPS above 1.000 in camp. Neither player is shocking the world, but both had questions coming into the season. For Albies, he is trying to bounce back from injury and Seager delivered a solid 2022 but suffered from significant bad luck. Both players are looking to get hot starts this season and if the spring is any indication, they will be paying off quickly.
Falling
- Rhys Hoskins – Suffering a left knee ligament tear a few days ago will keep Hoskins out the entire season. This drops him out of the rankings for the season. Hopefully, he was not a crucial part of your early draft, setting you back before the season even starts. If he was your first baseman, please read on because his replacement is worth watching.
- Vaughn Grissom – Sent down to get more seasoning on the farm, Grissom performed admirably this spring. A .829 OPS across 35 at-bats shows that his performance in 2022 was not a flash in the pan. Nonetheless, the Braves are going with experience and giving Grissom more time to marinate in the minors. He will be back.
Watching
- Anthony Volpe & Jordan Walker – This is not the time to drown ourselves in their spring stats. While there are certainly questions around if Walker’s injury is fully healed or Volpe can handle the Bronx lights, the biggest question is how their clubs could possibly justify sending them down to start the season. Both players have the potential to deliver top 50 value with a full season and they will be jumping up our rankings if they do make the opening day rosters.
- Darick Hall – An opportunity has been presented to Hall to take the Phillies’ first base job for the foreseeable future. Hall has serious power driving nine homers in only 42 games last season which is indicative of what he has done in the minors. The biggest question was whether he could stand up to major league pitching, especially after a 30%+ strikeout rate in 2022. This spring has seen that rate come back under control with the power still driving his potential. There is a lot of uncertainty, but he is certainly one worth watching.
