Welcome to 2024! Happy New Year to one and all! While it is winter, it is never too early to look forward to the 2024 baseball season. Of course, that includes fantasy. There has been a ton of activity since the World Series ended. Without question, that activity will have a huge impact on both real and fantasy baseball. This fantasy baseball 2024 preview edition takes a look at the biggest moves and how managers should react to them come draft day.

Additionally, I will look at some individual players, including both hitters and pitchers, that every manager will need to know in the new season. As with all of my articles, debate and discussion are highly encouraged. Do you agree or disagree with my points? Let’s talk about it!

Juan Soto Will Have a Better Season than Ohtani

Without question, there was no bigger news during the winter than Juan Soto getting traded to the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani signing with the Dodgers. Two of the biggest stars in the game in the two biggest cities in America. Both will make huge impacts on both the field and in fantasy. What managers need to consider is which player to select while on the clock on draft day.

In my humble opinion, the answer is clear: Soto. While he has been somewhat of a disappointment since getting traded to the Padres, Soto will excel on the Yankees. It may take a little time to adjust to that short porch in right field. Once he does, though, look for Soto to hit the most homers in a season of his career. He wasn’t a slouch in that area last season, hitting 35 with 109 RBIs and 97 runs. However, look for Soto’s home run total to top 40, maybe even 45 in 2024.

His .275 BA was below expectations, but 132 walks pushed his OBP to .410. Soto’s BAbip, HR% and ISO were significantly higher in 2023 than his first half season with the Padres. His 158 OPS+ was a tick above his career norm. Best of all, Soto played in all 162 games, which easily beat Ohtani’s 135. He’s played in 150 or more games four times. The only full season that he has failed to accomplish the feat was when he was a rookie. Soto can be counted on like the sun rising in the morning. To me, he is the clear number two pick in the draft in any fantasy format.

As For Ohtani

Of course, it has been well reported that Ohtani will not pitch in 2024. That fact alone strips him of a ton of fantasy value in leagues where he is counted as a single player. In leagues that he was separated as a hitter and a pitcher, the impact isn’t quite so steep. Even so, I expect that Soto will exceed Ohtani at the plate in 2024.

I reach that conclusion despite the fact that Ohtani led the league in HR, OPB, SLG, OPS, OPS+ and total bases last season. Additionally, he hit .304, drove in 95 runs, scored 102 and walked 91 times. However, he did strike out 143 times, much more than Soto’s 129. Neither are prolific base stealers, so there isn’t much of an advantage there.

While the injury shouldn’t have much, if any, impact on Ohtani at the plate, that is an unknown going into the season. The Dodgers will take it easy with him, especially early on. There is no reason to wreck a ten year investment right out of the gate. As noted above, there are no injury concerns with Soto whatsoever. Further, he does play the outfield, while Ohtani will DH. That gives Soto’s managers additional flexibility with their lineup that Ohtani’s will not have.

In the end, Soto’s availability, superior walk and strikeout rates, his expected home run increase and Ohtani’s lack of position flexibility will swing the advantage Soto’s way. If on the clock and the choice is between the two of them, I will select Soto, no question.

Ronald Acuna is the Number One Player in Fantasy

Clearly, there was a bit of a debate above. However, there is zero question on this fantasy baseball 2024 preview of who the first player selected in drafts should be. Regardless of format, that player is Ronald Acuna. Not only did Acuna play in 159 games in 2023, he accomplished a feat never achieved in major league history. Acuna hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases. No one else has done that. EVER.

Further, Acuna hit .337, drove in 106 runs, scored a whopping 149 runs while walking 80 times and striking out just 88. His slash line of .416/596/1.012 was magical, as was his 217 hits.

Frankly, there isn’t anything more that needs to be said. If you have the fortune of having the first overall pick in the draft, there’s no reason to put any thought into this. Punch Acuna’s name and prepare for your second round pick.

Put No Stock into ESPN’s Ranking of Julio Rodriquez

I know, I know. A lot of people don’t put any stock into the projections that ESPN puts out regarding fantasy. I will spend no time debating that. However, while looking over the rankings, I couldn’t help but notice that ESPN has Julio Rodriquez as the ninth best outfielder and 32nd overall. To be as blunt as I can be on this fantasy baseball 2024 preview: that’s simply absurd.

Rodriguez is coming off a season in which he hit .275-32-103. Additionally, he scored 102 runs while stealing 37 bases. He had 180 hits, including 37 doubles. Truthfully, he needs to improve his walk and strikeout rates, but what second year player doesn’t? He avoided the dreaded sophomore slump and is only 23 years old, as his birthday was a couple of days ago.

Last season, Rodriquez become only the fourth player aged 22 or younger to accomplish 30 homers and 30 steals in the same season. By any measure, Rodriguez is one of the top young performers in the majors. Assuredly, he will be one of the most sought out players in fantasy as well.

Be aware of one thing as you go into your draft in 2024. If you are thinking that Rodriquez will be available late in the second or early third, you will be sorely disappointed. The early first round may be a reach. After that, though, when on the clock, give serious consideration of selecting Rodriguez. Unless something goes seriously off the rails, he will deliver solid fantasy numbers.

Spencer Strider will be Fantasy’s Top Starting Pitcher in 2024

In my view, the pitcher who will be fantasy’s best starter in 2024 comes down to two choices. The first is old reliable Garrett Cole. The second, Spencer Strider, is my choice to take the honor, especially in points leagues. Both will have excellent seasons, but Strider has the most upside and a stable floor as well. Strider is much younger (25). Cole’s age of 33 isn’t ancient, of course, but he is entering that grey area where slippage may begin.

Strider had an outstanding 2023, as he was the only pitcher to win 20 games. His 281 strikeouts in 186.2 innings is practically off the charts. Cole struck out 222 in 209 innings. Excellent to be sure, but pales in consideration to Strider. Cole easily pitched more innings than Strider, but that shouldn’t be as big an issue in 2024. Strider is entering his third full season this year. Expect him to cross 200 innings.

Strider’s 4.8 K/BB is right in line with Cole’s 4.6. Of course, Cole had a much better ERA (2.63) than Strider (3.86). However, consider that in 2022, the two stats were the exact opposite: (2.67 for Strider and 3.50 for Cole). Both of their ERAs should be right in line with each other in 2024. Their WHIPs were remarkably similar: (1.09 for Strider, 0.98 for Cole.) Lastly, the two should reach 30 starts next season.

In the final analysis, Strider’s strike out potential is way too high to ignore. That is especially true, as I mentioned, in points leagues. Even so, in any setting, Strider’s ceiling is superior to Cole’s. Best of all, Strider’s floor is high enough that if Cole does have the better season, Strider won’t be far behind. As I see it, going for the superior upside on draft day is the way to go.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball 2024 preview edition! As stated at the beginning, everyone have a wonderful New Year and a great 2024 fantasy season. Rest assured, much more baseball fantasy material is coming your way.

In fact, the first Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show of 2024 will be at 8 PM Eastern on Sunday, January 14. The beginning subject will be offseason news, intriguing signings/trades and fantasy prospects to watch for. Don’t miss it!

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