RADIO
Jonathan India 2024 Outlook: Overshadowed Infielder Shows Signs of Growth
12 months agoJonathan India became something of a forgotten man in the wake of Cincinnati's 2023 youth movement, but the 26-year-old former NL Rookie of the Year achieved real growth at the plate last season. He hit .244/.338/.407 with 17 HR and 14 SB in 529 PAs, providing the power-speed combo fantasy managers crave. India also posted career bests in chase rate (22.2%) and SwStr% (7.8), making his 20.6 K% and 9.8 BB% look repeatable. India's .250 xBA suggests he was slightly unlucky on balls in play last season, and his 27.8 ft./sec Statcast Sprint Speed gives him batting average upside beyond that. Most importantly, India's contact quality improved substantially. India upped his average airborne exit velocity to 93.2 mph from 88.6 mph in 2022, while his rate of Brls/BBE increased from 4.8 to 7.7. Furthermore, India produced a career-best 39.5 FB%, giving him the volume of fly balls needed to take advantage of Great American Ballpark. The biggest question with India is how much he'll play, and the Reds plan on looking at him at 1B and in the outfield during Spring Training. Assuming the Reds find him PAs, India seems poised to turn a substantial profit on his ADP of 197.55.
