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Paul Goldschmidt 2022 Player Outlook: A Draft Day Bargain If Stolen Bases Continue
3 years agoPaul Goldschmidt has been a model of consistency in fantasy for years but a lack of steals in recent years has seen him slide down draft rankings. He's currently got an ADP of ~52 even after picking up 12 stolen bases in 2021, more than he had in the previous three years combined (11). Since 2017, Goldschmidt ranks 12th in homers (140), tied for seventh in RBI and fourth in runs (442) while putting up a .286/.379/.517 line. In 2021, Goldschmidt ranked tied-21st in RBI (99) and 13th in runs (102) to further emphasize his status as an elite contributor in counting stats. He'll be 34 years old on Opening Day but isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Goldschmidt ranked in the 93rd percentile in xBA (.291), 95th percentile in xSLG (.571) and 94th percentile in xwOBA (.394), all highs since joining the Cardinals. The fact Goldschmidt managed his most steals since 2017 with his lowest sprint speed (26.2 ft/s) is a testament to increased opportunity and there's no reason that won't continue given his 100% success rate last season. Goldschmidt's consistency offers one of the safest floors and if he can tally double-digit stolen bases again in 2022, he'll be a true five-category contributor in fantasy at a position traditionally lacking in steals.
