The 2023 fantasy baseball season came to a close this past Sunday. A hearty congratulations are in order to everyone who claimed their league’s championship. Well done! For everyone else, it was a fun season, with twists and turns at every corner. However, just as we can put the 2023 to bed, we can look forward to the 2024 season. Which players should we keep an eye on? Which will rise and which shall fall come draft day? This fantasy baseball look ahead will answer some of those many questions!

On a personal note, I wish to thank everyone who took the time to read my articles each and every week this season. I wouldn’t do what I do without you. As always, debate and discussion are highly encouraged. Of course, several players could be listed in either category. Who are your favorites? With all of that said, let’s get into it, shall we?

2024 Risers

Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves

Clearly, no established player increased his stock in 2023 more than Ronald Acuna. The first 40-70 player in Major League history pretty much sums it up. Not only that, though, Acuna was elite in every phase of the game in 2023. Just check his final stats, all at the top of the board in the National League. His .337-41-106, with slash line of .416/.596 is almost eye defying.

Even so, that is not the end of the story. His 217 hits, 149 runs and a 168 OPS+ are other worldly. In general, Acuna was a second round pick in many fantasy drafts in 2023. As we know, Shohei Ohtani will not pitch until 2025 at the earliest. Because of that, he is no longer the top pick in the draft in leagues that counted him as a single player.

Without doubt, Acuna is at the top of the board in every fantasy draft, regardless of format. If you don’t have the number one pick in 2024, there is no chance of landing Acuna in redraft.

Mookie Betts, IF/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

While not nearly as much as Acuna, Mookie Betts did much to improve his already tremendous stock going into 2024. A middle to late first round pick this season, Betts slots in firmly behind Acuna for next year’s redraft. Of course, his numbers are noteworthy. Betts hit .307-39-107 with 126 runs scored and a .408/579 slash line. Even more eye opening, though, he set the Major League record for RBIs by a leadoff hitter.

However, what will really increase Betts’ value is the fact that he will be qualified in the infield and outfield from the very start of 2024. If you wind up with the number two pick and miss out on Acuna, Betts will be thrilled to land an outstanding player like Betts.

Kyle Bradish, SP, Baltimore Orioles

While Acuna and Betts were already at the top of draft boards, Kyle Bradish was nowhere to be found, except the waiver wire. One of the top pickups of the season, Bradish had a breakthrough season for the A.L. East Champion Orioles. He finished 2022 with a in the dumpster 4-7 record with a 4.90 ERA. Fortunately, he left those number far behind in 2023.

Any fantasy manager would be pleased with a pitcher on the staff who provided a 12-7 record and an outstanding 2.83 ERA, let alone a waiver pickup. That was not the end of the story, however. Bradish also started 30 games and pitched 168.2 innings. The meaning of those numbers, of course, was that managers could depend on him making his scheduled starts. Further, Bradish struck out 168, averaging a strikeout per inning. On top of that, he fashioned a 1.043 WHIP.

Going into next season, there is zero chance that Bradish will be on waivers. Managers will have beat their league mates to draft him up to have Bradish on the roster in 2024.

Braxton Garrett, SP, Miami Marlins

Just like Bradish, Braxton Garrett was an unknown entering 2023. Without question, that is no longer the case as Garrett was a prime reason Miami made the playoffs for just the fourth time ever. After winning just five games in three abbreviated seasons, Braxton finished with a 9-7 record and a 3.66 ERA. He started 30 games and pitched 159.2 innings with 156 strikeouts and a 1.146 WHIP. Clearly, Garrett has earned a place on this fantasy baseball look ahead edition.

With the experience he gained this year, Garrett will be much more in demand in 2024. Managers should expect to use a middle round draft selection to get him on the roster. Of course, that is much higher than the waiver jungle Garrett was rescued from in 2023.

Elly De La Cruz, 3B, Cincinatti Reds

Unquestionably, no player generated more buzz in 2023 than Elly De La Cruz. Fantasy managers the world over breathlessly awaited his call up to the majors. For the most part, he lived up to the hype. After a huge first week in the majors, De La Cruz settled in and hit .235-13-44 with 67 runs. Most notable, however, were his 35 stolen bases. Further, he finished with a .300/.410 slash line and a 89 OPS+.

Most concerning to managers, especially in points leagues were his unsightly 144 strikeouts and only 35 walks. With his massive power and speed abilities, however, that can be overlooked. With the shortstop position as deep as it is right now, De La Cruz might not be a first round selection next year. It’s possible, but at the very least, he will be gone early in the second. Max draft capital will be necessary to secure his services in 2024.

Other Risers to keep on the Radar

Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers

Cole Ragans, SP/ RP, Kansas City Royals

Nolan Jones, OF/1B, Colorado Rockies

Michael Wacha, SP, San Diego Padres

The Fallers

Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins

While many players saw their value decrease in 2023, few, if any, saw a worse decline than Sandy Alcantara. That is an easy conclusion to reach when comparing this season to 2022, a year in which Alcantara led the N.L. in complete games, innings, batters faced. Not coincidentally, he was the Cy Young Award winner and also finished tenth in the MVP race that season.

Flash forward to 2023. Alcantara battled injury issues and when he did pitch, simply stated, he wasn’t effective. He will finish with a 7-12 record with a 4.14 ERA with 151 strikeouts in 184.2 innings. It is the first time in three years that Alcantara didn’t top the 200 innings and 200 strikeout marks.

Interestingly, Miami was a much better team this season without getting nearly as much from Alcantara as they did in 2022. Trying to predict a team like Miami’s performance from one season to the next is sketchy at best.

Likewise, trying to pinpoint how a pitcher will react after an injury plagued season is similarly foolhardy. He should be fine in 2024, but he will not come off the board nearly as high as he did in 2023. Proceed cautiously.

Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Truly, it has been sad to see the depths that Mike Trout has sunk to the past few seasons. Of course, injuries, over which Trout has no control, has been his bugaboo. Seemingly, just as soon as he recovers from one injury, he faces another. In the final analysis, there is no reason to get into Trout’s stats on this fantasy baseball look ahead edition.

What is relevant is the fact that Trout hasn’t played in 150 or more games since 2016. Even worse, he hasn’t played in more than 82 games in two of the last three seasons. Unless Trout takes a deep tumble down draft boards in 2024, let someone else take him and worry about him each and every day of the season.

Willy Adames, SS, Milwaukee Brewers

When asked to make a bold second half prediction at the All-Star break, I proclaimed that Willy Adames would be the number one fantasy shortstop coming down the stretch. Obviously, that statement couldn’t be further from the truth. While Adames was better in the second half, he was nowhere close to dominate. His final numbers look fine with 24 homers and 80 RBIs.

However, his .217 BA and .310/.407 slashline leaves much to be desired. Adames hasn’t hit higher than .238 in three of the last four years. He is a player on the decline and as mentioned earlier, the shortstop position is deep. Using a high or even middle round selection on Adames would be a mistake. Let someone else have him for a headache next season.  

Cedric Mullins, OF, Baltimore Orioles

While the Orioles had a magical season, the same couldn’t be said of Cedric Mullins. Much was expected from him after he hit 46 homers, stole 64 bases and scored 180 runs in the previous two seasons. His final numbers of .233-15-51 with 19 steals and 51 runs, though, was a major let down.

Mullins did have some injury concerns this season and with good health may well bounce back in 2024. Even so, it would be foolhardy for managers to plan on that and should look to get a major discount on his draft status in 2024. If someone takes him before you are ready, that’s fine. Just move on.

Other Fallers to Keep an Eye on

MJ Melendez, OF, Kansas City Royals: many managers thought Melendez would take a big step forward in 2023. The result: not so much, as his .232-15-55 numbers indicate. Even worse is the fact that he will lose his catcher eligibility in 2024. To be clear, Melendez shouldn’t be drafted next season.

Without doubt, one of the most disappointing players this year was Daulton Varsho. He was picked as high as he was because he was an outfielder also qualifying at catcher. Like Melendez, he loses that distinction in 2024. His .220-19-57 stats say he should be on the wire when next season’s drafts are over.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball look ahead edition! Again, as stated at the top, I always welcome suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss!

Follow me on Twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

Lastly, the final Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show was live this past Sunday night. We thoroughly covered the championship round of fantasy baseball and took a detailed look at the actual playoffs in both leagues. If you missed the episode live, make sure to look for it on whatever social platform you use.