BALLER MOVE: Target ~100
CURRENT ADP: 169
ANALYSIS: Despite a second-half collapse, Joc Pederson still hit 26 home runs and posted a 15.7% walk rate in his rookie season. Yes, the contact issues will continue to suppress his batting average, and the lack of stolen bases (just four in 11 attempts) was a disappointing development, as well. However, Pederson averaged 29 steals in his four minor league seasons and posted much higher speed scores than he did in his first MLB campaign. With Don Mattingly out of the picture, Pederson should have a longer leash during the inevitable slumps that come with being a three-true-outcomes hitter.
Steamer projects another 26 homers, but also 14 steals and 87 runs. Even with a low batting average, that kind of category juice merits a top-30 outfield ranking, especially factoring in Pederson’s growth potential. Instead, he's currently the 42nd outfielder off the board, going 50 picks later than Gregory Polanco and 80 picks later than the man he replaced as the Dodgers' center fielder, Matt Kemp.
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