RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~260
CURRENT ADP: 286
ANALYSIS: Cesar Hernandez looked like a utility man when he broke into the majors in 2014, but he’s developed into a player with relevance in many fantasy formats. His plate discipline, contact rate, and contact quality have steadily trended up in the last three years. He earned some criticism for mental lapses on the bases — note the ugly 17-for-30 success rate on stolen base attempts — but he also hit .294/.371/393 with quality defense to turn in a surprising four-win season. Hernandez was 19-for-24 in thefts in 2015, and has been working with coaches to improve that aspect of his game this winter.
What makes Hernandez intriguing as a potential breakout is the drastic difference between his first and second half in 2016. While he hit for average consistently throughout the year, he nearly tripled his walk rate after the break and began driving the ball with a bit more authority. He’s likely to hit first or second in the Phillies’ lineup, and another strong OBP would likely lead to a decent amount of runs and plenty of stolen base opportunities.
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