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Anthony Santander 2023 Player Outlook: Mid Round Source Of Power With Room For More
2 years agoAnthony Santander had his best season with the Orioles in 2022, hitting .240/.318/.455 with 33 homers, 89 RBI, 78 runs and no stolen bases (152 games). The home runs, RBI, runs and games played were all career highs and his expected stats suggest he could have been even better. Santander's expected home run total was 37.2 while he had a .257 xBA and .471 xSLG (according to Statcast). Santander will also get a full year of hitting in the same lineup as Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman while Trey Mancini's departure leaves one less option to take away at-bats. The impact of Oriole Park's left field wall changes last year have been well documented but as a switch hitter, Santander hits from the left side more and is less impacted by the left field alterations. Given eight of his 15 home runs at home came against left-handed pitching, Santander was one of the few hitters to avoid excessive harm to his power numbers at Oriole Park. Santander offers no speed but only five outfielders hit more homers than he did in 2022 and with an ADP of ~134 (33rd outfielder), Santander is the perfect power supplement in the middle rounds if you focused on drafting speed early.
