Image credit: © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Translated by Carlos Marcano
Luke KeaschallMinnesota Twins
Keaschall being my “avoid” pick at second base has less to do with how I feel about him as a player and more to do with what appears to be an over-inflation of his value based on a sample size of 49 games at the Major League level. There’s no doubt that Keaschall played excellently in those 49 games, posting a .302/.382/.445 batting line with four home runs, 14 stolen bases, a 9.2% walk rate, a 14% strikeout rate, and a wOBA of .363.
However, his projected stats were much less impressive, with the 23-year-old posting an xBA of .263, an xSLG of .378, and an xwOBA of .324. Keaschall was also well below average in heavy hit rate (31.2%), barrel count (5.2%) and average exit velocity (136.2 mph), but benefited from a .340 BABIP.
Finally, there’s Keaschall’s mediocre numbers at Triple-A St. Paul (.263/.373/.337) in 2025 – which was his first stint at the Triple-A level – and his inability to stay healthy, having yet to complete a full season of professional baseball without injury. I really like Keaschall’s on-base skills and his aggressiveness as a base stealer, but I’m not sure about the power and he’ll need BABIP luck again to score a high average. There is too much uncertainty for a pick in the top 140, where Keaschall hung around in the NFBC drafts last month.– Ryan Boyer
Jackson vacation,Baltimore Orioles
No one appeals to authority more than I do, so you’d think I’d bet it all on a 22-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick coming off a relatively average season. I just think I need more of a discount than the 141 ADP shown last month if I’m going to buy Holliday on the negative side.
The .242/.314/.375 line he posted last season is uninspiring. The underlying statistics tell a similar story. Sure, Roster Resource expects him to bat first against righties — and, to be fair, he spent most of last year leading off — but how long will the Orioles, who plan to contend after a losing season in 2025, tolerate a .320 on-base percentage from someone who needs to set the table before looking elsewhere?
I like Luke Keaschall, who just skinned Ryan Boyer, if I want a second baseman in this range, and I’m also a big fan of many of the later second base options. I never click on Holliday’s name in this part of the draft.– Nathan Grimm
José Caballero, New York Yankees
Caballero has real value, especially on the bases. But if you draft/sign a fantasy player with highly questionable playing time, what are you really investing in? At his current ADP, a bet on Knight is not really a bet on Knight, but a bet against Anthony Volpe.
Long term? I bet; I’m not sure Volpe has what it takes to hold one of the most scrutinized positions in professional baseball. But Caballero doesn’t have the pedigree or potential of Volpe; It could simply be better, but not in a better position.
No, there are too many variables that make me want to avoid Caballero in the high 200s. Play time? Pass the test. There is always a risk of injury. He is a major contributor to the easiest stat to throw away in 5×5 leagues (steals). And if Volpe deflates quickly, there’s a decent chance you can come in and acquire Caballero… but also that the Yankees will make a quick move to bring in someone else to fill the position anyway, leaving him in a super-utility or fifth infielder role anyway.
I prefer to put my efforts and energy into Otto López, Jorge Polanco j Gleyber Torres between players in the same rank. I’ll try to get my steals from a more reliable positional fit, if not a more productive base stealer.– Bryan Grosnick
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