RADIO
Eric Hosmer 2020 Outlook: Former Stud Is A Middling Late-Round Option
5 years agoEric Hosmer had a decent season on the surface in 2019, hitting .265/.310/.425 with 22 homers, 99 RBI, and 72 runs as the primary cleanup hitter for the reloaded San Diego Padres lineup. Looking under the hood, though, reveals some brutal hitting metrics that need to be considered for his 2020 fantasy outlook. His 24.4% strikeout rate (highest of career), 6% walk rate (lowest of career), 73.7% contact rate (lowest of career), .160 ISO, .320 wOBA, and 4.6% barrels per plate appearance rate are all alarmingly terrible. He did hold a solid 40.1% hard-hit rate and he was reliable against righty's (30% better OPS and 21-of-22 homers against RHP), so he could be deployed as a matchup-based option. He's durable (at least 152 games played in 7-of-9 seasons) and doesn't have much competition for playing time, so he'll get his opportunities. Expect him to hover right around what he did last season, holding a subpar batting average and contributing just enough in homers and RBI's in a somewhat-scary lineup to remain relevant. He's being taken as the 23rd first baseman at pick 219 in early drafts, which is right around where he should be valued. There are less-reliable, higher-upside options (Christian Walker, Yandy Diaz, or Michael Chavis) in his range if you choose to go that route.
