Accidents are unavoidable in skilled sports activities, and fantasy managers are accustomed to scrambling for a substitute when a serious participant goes down. If there is a brilliant facet, accidents usually open up alternatives for intriguing gamers.
As an illustration, Ozzie Albies is anticipated to overlook at the very least eight weeks with a wrist harm. The Braves are calling up their No. 5 prospect, 21-year-old Ignacio Alvarez, to fill in at second base. Equally, Edouard Julien is getting one other shot at common enjoying time with Carlos Correa on the IL for Minnesota.
What do these gamers provide for fantasy managers? Let’s discover out!
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Nacho Alvarez (SS, ATL) 4% Rostered
First issues first: Alvarez goes by a number of totally different names. His actual identify is Ignacio, and he is generally listed as Ignacio Alvarez. Moreover, some platforms record him as Nacho Alvarez Jr. or Ignacio Alvarez Jr.
Alvarez has some prospect pedigree, rating fifth in Atlanta’s system per each FanGraphs and MLB.com however not cracking the general high 100 on both website. Listed here are his scouting stories:
Alvarez initiatives for a plus hit instrument and will develop into an ample fielder, however there’s little energy or velocity for fantasy functions. He would not be thrilling if these scouting stories informed the entire story, however they do not. Alvarez’s calling card is excellent plate self-discipline, and his MiLB efficiency hints at a excessive baseball IQ.
Alvarez bought his first prolonged style {of professional} baseball at Excessive-A (Rome) in 2023, slashing .284/.395/.391 with seven homers and 16 steals in 501 PAs. His superior strategy on the plate produced a 13.2% BB% and 17.4% Ok%, which might be unbelievable even when he wasn’t 20 years previous. Alvarez’s 7.4% SwStr% helps his surface-level plate self-discipline, suggesting it is an actual ability.
On the draw back, Alvarez supplied little energy. His OBP exceeded his slugging share, and his 33.7% FB% was too low to hope for a lot pop. Moreover, his 6.3% HR/FB suggests a swing change so as to add loft would not accomplish a lot.
Alvarez is not a quick runner, however he stole 16 luggage in 21 makes an attempt for successful fee of 76%. That may translate to a couple steals on the highest stage regardless of his lack of velocity.
The Braves despatched Alvarez to Double-A (Mississippi) to start 2024, and he hit .265/.381/.312 with no homers and 16 steals in 202 PAs. His peripherals had been largely the identical. Alvarez’s plate self-discipline was wonderful with a 14.4% BB% and 18.8% Ok% backed by a 7.0% SwStr%. His 29.5% FB% would not produce a lot energy even when his HR/FB was better than zero. He was solely caught stealing as soon as for successful fee of 94%.
The Braves determined he was prepared for Triple-A (Gwinnett), and Alvarez proved them proper with a .336/.432/.575 line with seven homers and 5 steals throughout 132 PAs. His 23.3% HR/FB was nearly actually the results of the hitter-happy Triple-A, and his 33% FB% was nonetheless pretty low. His .360 BABIP in all probability is not sustainable, however Alvarez initiatives as a plus BABIP man on account of his low flyball profile.
Alvarez’s plate self-discipline was intact in opposition to extra superior competitors with a 12.9% BB% and 15.2% Ok% backed by a 5.3% SwStr% and 24.7% chase fee. He additionally went 5-for-7 on SB makes an attempt for successful fee of 71%. Alvarez was younger for the extent, so any stage of success is spectacular.
Alvarez is anticipated to hit towards the underside of Atlanta’s lineup, however he initiatives as an ideal leadoff man. Jarred Kelenic is presently the group’s leadoff man, and he lacks a longtime observe file and his .301 OBP is not best within the function. If Alvarez usurps him, he would acquire appreciable OBP, batting common, and run upside.
Some might even see Whit Merrifield’s signing as an impediment to Alvarez receiving common enjoying time, however he is solely hitting .199/.277/.295. He is hardly a must-start, and he’ll in all probability see time in Atlanta’s short-handed outfield reasonably than compete with Alvarez at 2B. Equally, Albies’ return is 2 months away in a best-case situation, and Alvarez may slide over to shortstop if he is outhitting the struggling Orlando Arcia.
If you happen to want energy, Alvarez is not for you. He in all probability will not steal a ton of bases both. Nevertheless, he ought to have the plate self-discipline to assist in OBP codecs and he presents batting common and run upside. If you want you rostered Spencer Horwitz, Alvarez is a Champ.
Edouard Julien (2B, MIN) 20% Rostered
Julien had a disappointing begin to the 12 months, hitting solely .208/.315/.364 with seven homers and 6 steals over 200 PAs as a Twin. The Twins despatched him again to Triple-A (St. Paul), the place he hit .233/.400/.380 with 5 homers and 4 steals in 165 PAs.
Julien has mastered the minor leagues, so he in all probability will not be taught something extra on the farm. We explored Julien’s MiLB exploits on this column final 12 months. Right here, we’ll have a look at two indicators suggesting Julien may very well be primed for a giant second half.
First, strikeouts have been an enormous problem. Julien’s 33.5% Ok% is terrible, and his 29.3% Ok% at Triple-A is not significantly better. Nevertheless, Julien would not deserve all of those strikeouts.
His 10.6% SwStr% is healthier than the league common, and he seldom chases out of the zone with a 17% chase fee. Julien has a 13% BB% regardless of his struggles, so he hasn’t misplaced his elite eye. His 36.7% Swing% might be slightly too passive, however this is not a profile that must be putting out a 3rd of the time. Fewer strikeouts ought to enhance his common and OBP shifting ahead.
Second, Julien’s contact high quality has improved in comparison with 2023. His common airborne exit velocity is up a tick and a half from 94.3 mph to 95.8 mph. Higher but, his FB% has elevated from 23.9% in 2023 to 36.8% this 12 months. Julien has a 0% IFFB% each years, so all of his flies have an opportunity to do harm. His fee of Brls/BBE is down barely (11.3% vs. 13.1%), however hitting extra flies tougher ought to enhance his barrel fee.
Julien hasn’t been good this 12 months, however the entire items are right here for an incredible fantasy asset. His plate self-discipline is great, his energy is bettering, and he is an ideal 10-for-10 on SB makes an attempt this 12 months between the majors and minors. Julien is a Champ for any roster looking for upside.
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