👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


Champ or Chump - Jake Odorizzi and Eric Hosmer

It took the better part of four months, but baseball's offseason is finally starting! Eric Hosmer signed a massive contract to vacation play baseball in San Diego, while Jake Odorizzi was traded to the Minnesota Twins for a ham sandwich and a few extra baseballs.

One of these players is capable of turning a substantial profit in 2018 fantasy leagues, and it's not the one who just inked a nine-figure deal.

Here's a closer look at Odorizzi and Hosmer's fantasy value for the upcoming season.

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

The Fantasy Jury is Out

Jake Odorizzi (SP, MIN) ADP: 288.8

Odorizzi was roughly a league average pitcher in his 143 1/3 IP last season, posting a 4.14 ERA and 21% K%. His xFIP (5.10), BABIP allowed (.227), and extreme fly ball tendency (47.3% FB% last year, 45% for his career) have convinced fantasy owners that the season was a total fluke, making him an afterthought on most draft boards.

Expecting regression to the mean is one of the trademarks of this column, but Odorizzi may have landed in the perfect situation to keep it up. His extreme fly ball profile, combined with a slightly plus IFFB% (9.3% last year, 9.6% career), allow him to consistently post BABIPs under .300 (.269 career). His .227 BABIP may increase a little, but it won't be as bad as some are expecting.

His new team may also serve to mitigate any regression. The 2017 Tampa Bay Rays finished second in Statcast's Outs Above Average metric with 23. Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins topped that mark by himself with 25 OAA, helping his team finish first in the league with 31 total. Tampa Bay's superlative outfield defense likely played a role in Odorizzi's .067 BABIP on flies (and .528 on line drives), but his new team is even better.

Odorizzi allowed slightly more line drives last year (22.1% LD%) than he has over his career (21.3%), giving him room for positive regression. He'll likely need this to offset the deficiencies of Minnesota's infield, where the 3B tandem of Miguel Sano and Eduardo Escobar combined for -10 Defensive Runs Saved, 2B Brian Dozier was below average (-4), and SS Jorge Polanco was roughly average (-1). Joe Mauer has an excellent first baseman's mitt (seven DRS), but it's not enough to cover for everybody else.

By contrast, the Rays supported Odorizzi capably last year. Third baseman Evan Longoria compiled 11 DRS in his last season as a Ray, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria added six more, and 1B Logan Morrison was solid (one). Brad Miller wasn't great at second (-4), but otherwise the infield was strong. This helped Odorizzi best his career .240 BABIP on ground balls with a .224 mark, but it may not have been entirely the work of his friends.

Odorizzi saw his grounders allowed get scorched in 2016, averaging 86.6 mph off of the bat. That number fell to 81.8 mph last year, suggesting that Odorizzi was doing a much better job controlling the quality of contact against him. It remains to be seen how sticky this will be, but there's at least some hope that he can repeat his 2017 BABIP on ground balls.

Many fly ball pitchers have an ability to limit damage on airborne baseballs, but Odorizzi's 15.5% HR/FB last season does not reflect this. He has historically been better (11.1% career HR/FB), and contact quality metrics suggest that he just ran into some bad luck last year. His average airborne exit velocity allowed decreased from 93.5 mph in 2016 to 91.9 mph last year, while his rate of Brls/BBE improved slightly (8.4% to 8.2%). Fly ball pitchers give up a few homers, but Odorizzi should be better in 2018.

Minnesota's outfield defense and Odorizzi's fly ball profile are his best traits, but the 28-year old's stuff offers some upside as well. His fastball played elite last year (12.5% SwStr%, 54.9% Zone%), but it lacks the elite spin rate typically associated with such a pitch (2,287 RPM). Still, any repeat could go a long way toward boosting his K%.

Odorizzi also introduced a cutter (7.4% usage in 2016, 16.5% last year) that proved very capable on balls in play (.188/.263/.471) even if its K% numbers weren't great (11.9% SwStr%, 40.3% Zone%, 25.5% chase). His split allows him to induce ground balls when needed (47.9% GB%), but its K% marks are also lacking (11.4% SwStr%, 37.4% Zone%, 37.6% chase). Odorizzi mixes in the occasional slider and curve, but both are more show pitches than legitimate weapons in his repertoire.

Odorizzi is moving to a division where three teams are rebuilding, presenting plenty of favorable matchups. He seems likely to serve as a streamable fantasy starter that is never far enough away from a usable week to drop, making him a name to remember toward the end of deeper drafts. You don't want to start him every time, but he'll help more than hurt if used judiciously.

Verdict: Champ

 

Eric Hosmer (1B, SD) ADP: 77.3

Hosmer was great to own in 2017, as he put up a .318/.385/.498 line with 25 HR and six stolen bases (one CS). Unfortunately, almost none of it appears sustainable moving forward.

Let's start with his league average power. Hosmer wouldn't know what a fly ball was if he tripped over one, posting a FB% of just 22.2% last year. His fantasy season was saved by a 22.5% HR/FB, but his average airborne exit velocity (94.2 mph vs. 95.4 in 2016) and rate of Brls/BBE (6.8% vs. 9.4% in 2016) both declined. He also pulled fewer of his flies (10.8%) than he has over his career (15.1%), meaning that all three of his power indicators are trending in the wrong direction.

Some analysts are expecting Hosmer's numbers to improve after escaping Kansas City, and San Diego was a slightly better ballpark for left-handed HR according to the newly updated FanGraphs ballpark factors (96 vs. 93). However, neither park is great and Hosmer already hit more homers at home (16) than on the road (nine) in 2017. Furthermore, the site's five year averages suggest that Kansas City is better for overall scoring (102) than San Diego (95). Essentially, Hosmer is exchanging one bad park for another.

His .318 batting average takes some of the sting out of power regression, but the .351 BABIP it's based upon is equally likely to decline (.316 career). Hosmer murders his ground balls (87.4 mph last year, 90.2 in 2016) and boasts an above average Statcast Sprint Speed (27.5 ft./sec), but last year's .259 BABIP on the ground (.251 career) was not the primary reason for his success.

Instead, he crushed his career BABIPs on both fly balls (.186 vs. .161) and line drives (.703 vs. .663). His LD% (22.2%) also exceeded his career number (20% LD%). Considering the above decline in airborne contact quality and the random fluctuations LD% is prone to, neither should be expected moving forward.

This is not to suggest that Hosmer is a completely lost cause. His airborne contact quality remains strong enough to produce sustainable power seasons if he hits more fly balls, and he seldom strikes out (15.5% K%, 9.3% SwStr% last year). Heck, he even has enough speed to swipe 10 or more bags! However, his current ADP takes growth as a given when the 28-year old has resisted change in the past. Let somebody else pay a premium.

Verdict: Chump

 

More 2018 Player Outlooks




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
RJ Harvey

to be Relegated to Third-Down Role After Rookie RB Addition?
Baker Mayfield

A Lot of Uncertainty Surrounding Baker Mayfield Going into Fourth Year in Tampa
Brian Robinson Jr.

a Must-Have Handcuff in Dynasty Leagues?
Sam LaPorta

Could be Excellent Buy-Low Candidate for Risk-Tolerant Managers
Jordyn Tyson

on a "Maintenance Plan" During Offseason Workouts
Kenneth Walker III

One of Dynasty's Biggest Risers for 2026
D'Andre Swift

an Underappreciated Dynasty Buy Candidate
Ray Davis

Still a Dynasty Stash Despite a Lack of Standalone Value
Travis Kelce

Now a Low-Cost Dynasty Rental
DJ Moore

a Reasonable Buy Candidate Now That Dynasty Market Has Cooled
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Devin Vassell

Posts 20 Points in Game 3 Loss
De'Aaron Fox

Struggles From Deep in Friday's Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Held to Four Rebounds in Game 3 Loss
Jaylin Williams

Catches Fire From Deep Friday
Jared McCain

Drops Playoff-High 24 Points in Game 3
Nazem Kadri

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Guides Thunder to 2-1 Series Lead
Ajay Mitchell

Does Not Return in Game 3 Win
Ross Colton

Nets Lone Avalanche Goal Friday Night
Rasmus Andersson

Extends Assist Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Focuses on Playmaking in Friday's Win
Jack Eichel

Enjoys Multi-Point Outing in Game 2 Win Friday
Ivan Barbashev

Amasses Three Points as Golden Knights Grab 2-0 Series Lead
Jordan James

Most Likely to be 49ers' RB2 in 2026
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Rudy Gobert

Earns Eighth All-Defensive First-Team Selection
Victor Wembanyama

Headlines 2025-26 All-Defensive First Team
Ajay Mitchell

Starting Game 3 Against Spurs
Dylan Harper

Available for Game 3 Against Thunder
De'Aaron Fox

Returns to Action Friday
Jalen Williams

Won't Play Friday Night
Derrick Henry

Remains in RB1 Discussion
Ladd McConkey

is Solid Buy-Low Candidate
Ryan Flournoy

an Intriguing Dynasty Stash Option
Jalen Nailor

is Expected to Have Larger Role in Las Vegas
Frederik Andersen

Hurricanes Keep Faith in Frederik Andersen
Devon Levi

Attracting Interest From Senators
Jacoby Brissett

Cardinals Not Close to a Reworked Deal
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Game 2 Against Golden Knights
Ben Hutton

Scratched for Game 2 Against Avalanche
Mark Stone

Won't Play Friday
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
Cale Makar

Remains Out Friday
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
NFL

Evan Stewart Pushing Oregon Receiving Corps
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
New York Giants

Giants, GM Joe Schoen Agree on a Multi-Year Extension
Andrew Thomas

Giants Managing Multiple Injuries for Andrew Thomas
Cam Ward

Loses 10 Pounds in the Offseason
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Tucker Kraft

a Top Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Evan Mobley

Fills the Box Score in Game 2 Loss
James Harden

Held to Two Assists Thursday
Donovan Mitchell

Leads Cavaliers in Scoring in Game 2 Defeat
Karl-Anthony Towns

Records Double-Double in Game 2 Win
Sebastian Aho

Picks Up an Assist in Series-Opening Loss
Mikal Bridges

Adds 19 Points as Knicks Grab 2-0 Lead
Jalen Brunson

Hands Out 14 Assists in Game 2 Win
Seth Jarvis

Needs 33 Seconds to Score in Game 1 Loss
Josh Hart

Erupts for Playoff Career-High 26 Points in Game 2
Jaccob Slavin

Struggles in Game 1 Against Canadiens
Jakub Dobes

Sharp in Game 1 Victory
Cole Caufield

Bags Two Points in Impressive Road Win
Juraj Slafkovsky

Opens Conference Finals With Three-Point Performance
Nick Suzuki

Notches Three Assists in Game 1 Win Over Hurricanes
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Jrue Holiday

Wants to Stay in Portland
Alex Tuch

Hopes to Remain in Buffalo
Sidney Crosby

Wants to Play for "as Many Years as Possible"
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF