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Josh Donaldson 2021 Outlook: Not To Be Written Off After 28-Game 2020
4 years agoDonaldson only played 28 games in 2020, hitting .222/.373/.469. The .222 average sticks out like a sore thumb (or perhaps a sore calf, which kept him out of the postseason). The main culprit, if there was one, was a loss in launch angle from 13.3 in 2019 to 6.2 in 2020, including only being in the "sweet spot" of 8-32 degrees 24.1% of the time. That said, it was 28 games, and the overall wRC+ of 129 was similar to the 132 in 2019. His age, 35, is not a major concern yet, especially considering his exit velocity was steady around 93 mph from 2019-20. After those 28 games of hitting .222, Donaldson finds himself with a 191 ADP. Yet that seems like somewhat of an overreaction given the nature of the shortened 2020 season and of batting average, especially when his patience and power remained in character. Donaldson's RotoBaller staff ranking is 166 and that is a fairer spot for him, even in a crowded 3B field; a Donaldson rebound is a decent bet especially in leagues with a CI spot.
