While it is still winter, the start of baseball spring training is closing in fast. Fantasy managers throughout the land are filled with excitement. To prepare for the season, Belly Up has the articles that will help with that preparation. Check the three articles written so far about fantasy draft strategies here, first round pick analysis here, and rule change impacts here. In this installment, I take a look at the fantasy baseball sophomore standouts that will positively impact fantasy rosters in 2023. Of course, there are more than a few, but these are the players to keep an eye on come draft day. Without wasting another moment, let’s get to it, shall we?

Julio Rodriquez, OF, Seattle Mariners

To be sure, this first one is an obvious selection, and I won’t spend a lot of time discussing him. After all, Julio Rodríguez won the American League Rookie of the Year award last season and justifiably so. After getting off to a brutally slow start, Rodriquez came on strong, finishing with a stat line of .285/28/75, with 83 runs and 25 stolen bases. To show how dominate Rodriquez was over other first-year players in 2022, of the 30 first place votes for Rookie of the Year, he had 29 of them.

Entering 2023, it is crystal clear that Rodriquez is a first round draft pick, no matter the format. In dynasty settings, a convincing argument can be made that he should be the first overall player taken. He is young, obviously, and has all the tools. He can hit, has power and speed to burn. Not much more needs to be said about this man. If on the clock and Rodriquez is available, think long and hard before passing on him for another player.

Adley Rutschman, C/DH, Baltimore Orioles

The one first place vote that Rodriquez didn’t receive mentioned above went to Adley Rutschman. Normally, there would be nothing special about that. In Rutschman’s case, however, he didn’t make his major league debut until May 21. In that game, he got his first major league hit against Tampa Bay. From there until season’s end, he never slowed down, hitting .254/13/42. Additionally, he had 70 runs scored and a .362 OBP, a .806 OPS and 101 hits.

The runs were sixth and hits 12th among rookies in 2022. All of the players ahead of him that scored more runs played more games than Rutschman. This season, he has a bat that will be used in the middle of the Orioles’ lineup and that is rare find among catchers. The position is much like tight ends in the NFL: there are a few standouts and nothing much else to be excited about. There are no such worries with Rutschman.

Best thing about him, however, is the fact that he will be in the lineup more than most other catchers. Baltimore intends to use him as a DH when not behind the plate. Whereas the majority of catchers play at most four times a week, fantasy managers should expect to see Rutschman in their lineup five or more times. Of course, that adds to his value.

Because of that value, it is the recommendation of this fantasy baseball sophomore standouts edition that Rutschman should be, at worse, the fifth catcher off the board in this year’s draft. In dynasty formats, look for him to be the first catcher taken.

MJ Melendez, C/DH/OF, Kansas City Royals

While not quite the exciting player that Rutschman is, MJ Melendez nonetheless requires notice of fantasy managers going into the 2023 season. Like Rutschman, Melendez made his major league debut last year and made it count. He received more playing time than the Royals anticipated because of an injury to star catcher Salvador Perez. However, even when Perez got back into the lineup, Melendez was in the majors to stay.

In 129 games, Melendez hit 18 home runs with 100 hits and 62 RBIs. He needs to bring his .217 average and .313 OBP up significantly to make a major impact but has the skills to do just that. His .258 BABIP should increase this season and he did walk 66 times, which demonstrates a good batting eye. The best news comes last, however.

Perez will of course be the main catcher for Kansas City in 2023. Even so, Melendez will maintain his catcher eligibility the entire season, while adding outfield and DH to the mix. Expect him to be a constant in the Royal lineup.

If a manager is willing to avoid the headline catchers and select Melendez, he will have a player that will not need to sit much during the season. That clearly has value for fantasy, where only one catcher is needed on a roster.

Bobby Witt Jr., SS/3B, Kansas City Royals

It may be hard to believe that two Royals players would be featured on this fantasy baseball sophomore standouts edition. However, there can be no question that both deserve their spots here. In the case of Bobby Witt Jr., he is one heck of an exciting player. Unlike the players above, Witt was on the field for a full season in 2022, playing in 150 games. He finished the campaign with a .252/20/80 batting line. Witt also had 31 doubles, 82 runs and 149 hits in 591 at bats.

Additionally, Witt stole 30 bases last year, while being caught seven times. In fantasy, speed is a commodity that is hard to find, and Witt will provide it in spades in 2023. He definitely needs to improve his 135 strikeouts against just 30 walks, but that will come with experience.

The fact that Witt qualifies at both short and third increases his value significantly. Fantasy managers should have every expectation that Witt will be a top 15 overall player in 2023 and should look to draft him accordingly.

Michael Harris, OF, Atlanta Braves

If Witt above doesn’t provide enough excitement, Michael Harris certainly will. The National League Rookie of the Year winner, Harris put together a season any first-year player would be thrilled with. Harris excelled in 2022, even though he had only around 200 at-bats in the minors. In the majors, Harris had 441 plate appearances and put together a 297-19-64 season. Further, Harris had 75 runs, 20 steals, a .339 OBP and a .853 OPS.

Those stats were buoyed by a .361 BAbip, which will certainly regress in 2023. However, don’t expect too much of a slip, as Harris has the speed to get on base more often than many of his peers. He must also improve his 107 strikeouts against only 21 walks. As pointed out with Witt, that improvement will come with experience.

Additionally, Harris will have more opportunities at the plate than he did in 2022 as he is projected to hit second in the Braves’ lineup. Harris spent much of last season hitting lower in the order for Atlanta, but that concern can be pushed aside going forward.

Without question, Harris has as big an upside as any other young player. He will provide stats across all offensive categories. The recommendation on this fantasy baseball sophomore standouts edition is to make sure that while on the clock in the third round at the latest, don’t allow Harris to slide past and make the selection.

Spencer Strider, SP, Atlanta Braves

If not for his teammate Harris, Spencer Strider would have been the sure rookie of the year winner in the Senior Circuit last season. Strider was first among rookies in WHIP (0.99), AVG against (.180) and strikeouts (202). He was second in wins (11) and ERA (2.62) and third in innings pitched (131.2). Not bad for a pitcher that began the season in the Atlanta bullpen. Even so, Strider announced his presence on Opening Day, striking out five in two perfect innings. He made 11 relief appearances before making his way into the starting rotation in May.

Is all of the above not impressive enough? While that seems hard to believe, the fact that Strider required the fewest innings t0 record 200 strikeouts in major league history marks him as the pitcher to watch in 2023. On September first against Colorado, Strider struck out 16 to set the Atlanta franchise record. That assuredly drives that point home even further.

If it weren’t for an injury at the toward the end of the season, Strider most likely would have won every rookie award imaginable last season. There are no such injury worries entering this year. At the moment on Fantasy Pros, Strider is ranked as the sixth best pitcher and 27th overall player in baseball. For fantasy purposes, that means managers can’t wait long if they want to have Strider on their rosters in 2023.

Depending on where a manager is picking in the third round, Strider could very well be gone. Selecting him in the second round is a strategy highly recommended on this fantasy baseball sophomore standouts edition.

Joe Ryan, SP, Minnesota Twins

Another young pitcher that impressed in 2022 was Joe Ryan. He led all rookies with 13 victories and was among the leaders in every conceivable pitching category. Ryan started 27 games, with a 3.55 ERA, 147 innings pitched, 151 strikeouts and a 1.102 WHIP. The Twins had all kinds of problems with their starters in 2022, having 14 different pitchers start a game. However, Minnesota could count on Ryan taking the mound when it was his turn. Fantasy managers can have that same confidence in him in 2023.

To take the next step, Ryan will have to significantly improve his 2.9 BB9. It can be done, as evidenced by the 1.7 he put together in five starts in 2021. Further, if Ryan can stretch his 9.2 SO9 to the 10.1 he had in 2021, his value will increase even more. In fact, his FIP, WHIP, H9 and ERA+ were all better in that five-start sample size than he had in 2022.

It isn’t a stretch to believe that Ryan will improve all of his stats this season and become a valuable member of both the Twins and a fantasy manager’s roster. On Fantasy Pros, Ryan is currently the 40th ranked starter. In my judgement, that is a little off as Ryan stands to be Minnesota’s ace this season. Having the same mindset could work to a manager’s benefit come draft day. If Ryan is selected, have every expectation he will provide considerable value at that price.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball sophomore standouts edition! As always, I welcome any and all 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 for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!