RADIO
Jonathan Villar 2019 Outlook: Speedster Ready To Build On Strong Baltimore Finish
6 years agoOrioles second baseman/shortstop Jonathan Villar should provide solid speed with serviceable pop and average that won’t weigh down fantasy owners in 2019. The 2016 breakout had posted an uninspiring .261/.315/.377 triple slash with six homers and 14 steals across 279 plate appearances for Milwaukee before being dealt to Baltimore. Then Villar did the unthinkable -- he inspired Buck Showalter to actually steal bases! Villar would go 21-of-24 on swipe attempts over 236 PAs for the O’s while chipping in eight homers and 52 R+RBI alongside a .258/.336/.392 slash line. The average held steady, but he started taking more walks (generating more steal opportunities) and slapping the ball with some authority. The switch-hitting speedster should bat second or third (Cedric Mullins manned the leadoff spot in September) and rack up the PAs, though his R+RBI tally will underwhelm given the lineup around him. Still, fantasy owners hunting speed should consider Villar around his ADP of 105 since he was one of just four players notch 35 or more steals in ‘18 and isn’t a total drain on other categories a la Billy Hamilton. Our staff rankings largely agree with drafters and place Villar at 117, but likely put additional weight on the unplayable floor we’ve seen from him alongside the potential.
