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Ty France 2022 Player Outlook: Will Hit For A Decent Average With Some Pop
3 years agoSeattle Mariners infielder Ty France enjoyed a breakout season last year and is expected to be the team's starting first baseman in 2022. He slashed .291/.368/.445, 18 homers, 32 doubles, 73 RBI, 85 runs, and a .353 WOBA over 650 plate appearances in 2021. Although he's expected to be Seattle's primary first baseman, he will also qualify at second base after logging 21 games at the keystone last season. The 27-year-old's BB% remained at exactly 7.1%, but France cut his strikeout rate from 23.9% in 2020 to 16.3% in 2021. He doesn't have elite power as fantasy managers would like for a first baseman, but the former San Diego Padre does have excellent contact skills and hit .305 and .291 for Seattle the last two seasons. France is expected to hit cleanup for an up-and-coming Mariners lineup with plenty of upside, including top prospects Jared Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez. Steamer projects France to slash .272/.344/.449 with 23 home runs, 83 RBI, 80 runs, and a .342 WOBA over 150 games. According to RotoBaller's Expected Draft Values, France's Steamer projection makes him roughly below fair value at his current NFBC ADP of 138. Fantasy managers can expect France to provide a decent average with some pop at first or second base in 2022.
