Fantasy Baseball: What will 2022 hold for these intriguing second-year players? – Yahoo Sports

Sophomore players are among the hardest to predict in fantasy baseball. They tend to be young, exciting players, but they also have small sample sizes of MLB data. Some players take a massive step forward in their sophomore year, while others fall victim to the dreaded sophomore slump.

Here are the 14 players who received multiple votes in the 2021 Rookie of the Year voting, and a quick-hitting analysis of where they are likely headed in 2022.

Arozarena looks great on the surface. After all, he followed up a memorable 2020 postseason by going 20-20 with a .274 average last year. But a closer look raises some cause for concern, as Arozarena struck out 170 times, and according to Statcast logged a lowly .220 xBA. Im avoiding the outfielder at his current Yahoo! ADP (54).

India created plenty of buzz in Spring Training but started the season slowly before warming up with the weather and being a terrific leadoff man all summer. I expect India to build off his rookie season, although his counting stats may be dinged by the Reds' decision to deplete their lineup. Still, Im happy to draft him at his ADP (pick 89).

[Batter up: Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for free today]

Rogers was brilliant last season, posting a 2.64 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He made just 25 starts, but his August absence was due to a family emergency rather than an injury, which makes me feel comfortable projecting the right-hander for 30 starts this year. The Marlins are trending up, and I like Rogers at his ADP (pick 107).

Trevor Rogers could pay off his fantasy baseball ADP in a big way. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Garcia was an afterthought in 2021 drafts before making 30 appearances (28 starts) and posting helpful ratios (3.48 ERA, 1.18 WHIP). The right-hander is backed by one of baseballs best teams and a pitcher-friendly home park, and he is one of my favorite value picks at his current ADP (pick 150).

Franco is going to be one of the better players in the American League this year. This 21-year-old budding star has it all, and I can see him hitting .300 with an .850 OPS in his first full season. But Im still not drafting Franco at his ADP (pick 42), as he produced just seven homers and two steals in 70 games last year and needs to show more power or speed before warranting an early pick.

Story continues

Garcia started out hot (.840 first-half OPS) before fading badly in the second half (.626 OPS). The outfielder struggled to make contact (31.2 percent strikeout rate) and finished the year with a lowly .223 xBA, according to Statcast. Im staying far away from Garcia (ADP 169) in my 2022 drafts.

Carlson was solid as a rookie (.780 OPS) but doesnt steal bases and isnt a Statcast darling (.246 xBA). I would normally predict significant regression, but I know that there is good potential for continued skill development from someone who held his own in the Majors at age 22. I likely wont draft Carlson in any leagues this year, but Im fine with anyone who tabs him at his ADP (pick 156).

Clase is already one of the best closers in baseball and should notch 30-plus saves in his sophomore season. Im happy to draft Clase (pick 96) at any point after the top-three closers (Liam Hendriks, Josh Hader, Raisel Iglesias) are off the board.

The slugger carries a significant level of risk despite hitting 33 homers last year. His strikeout rate (27.5 percent in 2021) limits his ability to hit for a high average, and his power production should be negatively impacted by the decision to move the outfield fences back in Camden Yards. Im avoiding him at his ADP (pick 111).

Anderson has emerged as a solid starter but is unlikely to take the next step anytime soon. The right-hander mixes three pitches well and gets plenty of groundballs. But his 13.3 percent K-BB rate last season was a subpar mark, and his 4.30 xERA and 4.12 FIP paints a picture of someone who will contribute to fantasy teams but is being over-drafted at his current ADP (pick 137).

[Try Yahoo Fantasy Plus for free to get premium baseball draft tools and more]

McClanahan is a bit of a mixed bag. His rookie season K-BB rate was good (20.1 percent), he regularly mixes four pitches and he works for a team that typically provides fantasy managers with strong pitching options. That being said, he gave up plenty of line drives and hard contact last year, causing Statcast to assign him a 4.60 xERA. Still, Im good with drafting McClanahan at his ADP (pick 114).

Stephenson is someone who should take another step forward this season. The Reds have opened up more playing time for the sophomore by trading away Tucker Barnhart. Stephenson (ADP 193) could immediately become one of the few catchers who supplies respectable power and helps with batting average.

Schwindel will open the season as one of the biggest mysteries in fantasy baseball. Such is life for someone who broke out at age 29 by posting a 1.002 OPS across 56 games with the Cubs. Chicago thought enough of Schwindels performance to have him open 2022 as their starting first baseman, making this boom-or-bust option a fine choice at his ADP (pick 181).

The rookie is someone who could take a small step back this year. The imposing right-hander certainly has strikeout skills (10.2 K/9 rate) but is still working on his control (3.2 K/9 rate) and last year logged a 3.80 FIP and 4.17 xFIP that dont match his 3.22 ERA. Im a little bit reluctant to draft Manoah at his pick 97 ADP.

More here:

Fantasy Baseball: What will 2022 hold for these intriguing second-year players? - Yahoo Sports