RADIO
Manny Machado 2023 Player Outlook: A Fantasy Stud With Room For Growth
2 years agoMachado signed a massive ten-year contract with San Diego prior to the 2019 season and proceeded to post a .796 OPS in that first season in a Padres uniform. That had the San Diego faithful a bit worried that they weren't quite going to get their money's worth, but Machado has more than eased those tensions in his last three seasons, ripping off OPS marks of .950, .836, and .896. He slashed an elite .296/.366/.531 in 2022 with 32 homers while scoring 100 runs and driving in 102 more. Just to make things even better, he sprinkled in nine steals. He's a bonafide stud in the real-life game and in the fantasy game, and he's done all of that without the benefit of Fernando Tatis Jr. in the lineup for much of the last two seasons. Machado is in his thirties now, but everything in the profile checks out. We continue to see low strikeout rates coupled with elite quality of contact. The Padres are shaping to be a top-five offense in the game in 2023, unlocking even more fantasy upside for their franchise man at the hot corner. Machado is a top-ten hitter in the game and you should have no hesitation drafting him in the top 20 picks to anchor your offense at third base.
