Fantasy Baseball: Breakout Players for the AL 2022

American League: Breakout Players in 2022

It’s fantasy baseball season! As Spring Training starts to wind down, fantasy baseball drafts are launching with the speed of a Randy Johnson fastball. Thus, I thought I’d help you out in your drafts, or in early trades, to get the best fantasy baseball team you could have. In order to really excel in fantasy baseball, you need some or a lot of breakout players, both pitchers, and hitters. Plus, since they are “breaking out”, you can get these guys really late in drafts or for really cheap in trades. Perhaps one of these guys is on waivers. Add him right away!

Well, I won’t take too much time from you, let’s get started by looking at the American League players I have breaking out this year in real life and in fantasy.

• Check out the other conference:  National League: Breakout Players

Toronto Blue Jays: Alejandro Kirk

In the fantasy baseball world, catchers are very similar to tight ends. As such, there are few proven studs that you draft early. The rest are a guessing game as to who will break out, outperform their metrics, or have a hot week. I never believe in drafting a catcher early since I don’t want to waste a premium pick on a catcher compared to other positions. Due to this, I routinely take two catchers very late. One such player will be Alejandro Kirk. He’s a catcher/DH as he isn’t the main defensive catcher. In fact, I’m not sure anyone wants to see him catch 100+ games. I do want to see him hit in 100+ games. Kirk hit 8 HRs and 24 RBIs with 19 walks to 22 K’s in only 60 games last year. Imagine what he could do with an entire season. He’s starting hot too as in spring training, over 15 at-bats, he has 6 hits, 1 double, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 2 walks, 1 K, 1 run. Not bad. Draft him late and watch him lead your catchers’ position.

Baltimore Orioles: Austin Hays

Hays has kind of broken out, but not really. He’s not fully established himself as a mainstay regular big-league player. I think Hays is better than what he put up last year with 22 HRs, 71 RBIs, and so on. I could see him approach 30+ and near 100 RBIs this year. In what is a loaded outfield in fantasy, I like to have one to two guys that aren’t widely known. That way, if they do break out, I can trade my star outfielder for a king’s ransom and not lose much in production. Hays is off to a slow start this spring but I have the faith in him to say that he will right the ship. He does already have 3 RBIs.

Tampa Bay Rays: Shane Baz

Draft this pitcher super late and plant him on the IL. Leave him there until he comes back. He’s an impressive young pitcher that pitched great in the playoffs. He’s just the latest good pitcher from the Rays’ system. He struck out 18 of his 49 batters last year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take the lead on being the ace of the Rays before long. He’s recovering from arthroscopic surgery and is out 2-3 weeks. Like I said, take the best pitchers and put this one on your IL. Then you get to basically make another free pick off the waivers!

Boston Red Sox: Bobby Dalbec

Man, I can’t wait for Bobby Dalbec to eventually break out. This year should be it too. The first base job is his. He’s had time to adjust to the MLB. He’s their starting first baseman for sure. Plus, he worked hard this off-season to ensure he will perform this year. It’s working so far as in spring training, he has 6 hits in 22 at-bats with 2 HRs, 1 double, 7 RBIs, 3 runs, and 5 K’s. Don’t be surprised if he hits 30+ HRs this year. Getting that production for a late-round pick is an absolute steal.

New York Yankees: Isaiah Kiner-Falefa

The new SS for the Yankees is IKF. He’s set to be featured heavily in a big-bopper offense. This will enable IKF to get tons of hittable pitches and be driven in a ton. The more runs and hits help my fantasy team a ton. He’s excelling this spring with 8 hits on 19 at-bats with 3 runs, 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 K. Like I said, tons of hits and runs work for me. They add up to lots of points. I wouldn’t be surprised if he scores over 110 runs and gets over 150 hits.

Cleveland Guardians: Triston McKenzie

Triston is set up to finally put everything together for an entire season. So far, it’s been hot/cold. Last year, he really struggled before being sent to the minors. After returning, over 11 starts, he put up a 2.96 ERA with a 1.5 BB/9 before wrecking his season again by allowing 14 runs over his final 10+ innings. So what version will we get? I believe in the Cleveland pitching coaches and in Triston’s innate talent. He’s proving me right so far in spring with 5.1 scoreless innings with 4 K’s to only 1 hit and 1 walk. Not bad at all for a pitcher going in the 150+ range.

Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr.

Yes, Bobby is going pretty early for a SS, but I think he’s going to exceed that pick range which is why I’m including him. I think he wins Rookie of the Year for sure. He’s demolishing pitchers so far this spring. He has 10 hits in 21 at-bats with 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 2 walks, 2 K’s, and 8 runs. Yea, I think he can hit close to 30 HRs this year while flirting with a .300 batting average and over 100 runs for sure. Don’t be surprised if he earns him a top-10 SS fantasy season. Take him early, he’s worth the hype and breakout.

Minnesota Twins: Alex Kirilloff

Alex has been one of the top prospects for the Twins for a while. He was earning more playing time last year until he hurt his wrist and missed the rest of the season. He’s a great talent from the outfield who should play every day this season and become a proven reliable fantasy option. Alex has great power, hitting ability, and speed. I wouldn’t be surprised if he steals 10+ bags this year. Combine that with 25+ HRs and 80+ RBIs for a guy going in the 18+ round range, I love it. Give me Kirilloff right now.

Detroit Tigers: Spencer Torkelson

It’s refreshing to see an organization commit to its youngsters and not delay their inevitable promotion to the bigs. Of course, Torkelson is doing everything possible to show them that they would be the biggest laughingstock in the MLB if they sent him down. Tork’s the latest great first baseman prospect and is set to homer his way to perhaps the Rookie of Year title? He has great power as seen this spring with 4 doubles in his 6 hits so far. First base is hard to choose correctly in fantasy since there are great ones and then just average ones. To see Tork going in the hundreds is a steal in my opinion. He will have an impressive season and will help your team make the playoffs for sure.

Chicago White Sox: Andrew Vaughn

Take advantage of Vaughn’s injury as his ADP is falling fast due to it. Vaughn is only out for a few weeks and should be back in the MLB not very long after. He’s going to play every day as the RF or DH. Vaughn struggled last year having to learn a bunch of new positions on the fly. With a proper off-season of training, he can focus on hitting once again. He has a great eye at the plate which limits his strikeouts while possessing terrific power. Vaughn had 7 hits, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, and 2 K’s in only 15 at-bats. That’s pretty good. Draft him late, put him on the IL, and when he comes back, it’s like you just acquired a player for free!

Los Angeles Angels: Jo Adell

For the past few years, Adell had a ton of pressure on him as people said he would unseat Mike Trout in center and push him over to a corner spot. Alas, Jo has been unable to hit super well in the bigs. However, last year, he managed to cut his strikeout rate from 42% to only 23%. That’s a massive improvement. The latter rate will play in the MLB. Plus, he homered 27 times over 108 total games between the minors and majors. Now, in spring he has 7 hits in 25 at-bats with 5 runs, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs,  2 walks, and 6 K’s. Oh yeah, he can steal with 3 stolen bases already. He’s a potential 20/20 player, perhaps even 30/20 and he’s going in the 140+ range of the draft. Draft him and watch his explode this year while your league-mates are angry at you for drafting him.

Texas Rangers: Nate Lowe

Last year, Lowe had a fine season. He hit  18 homers with a .771 OPS. That’s not bad at all. However, for a first baseman, you want much more. He struggled with his exit velocity last year and hit too many ground balls. After working with coaches over the off-season, it seems to have worked. He has 8 hits in 21 at-bats, 3 runs, 1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, and 5 K’s. That’s a pretty good spring and could be a sign of things to come. In a lot of leagues, Lowe is going undrafted, or in the final rounds. I wouldn’t mind drafting him and planting him on the bench while I see him start to do well. You can’t ever have enough good players. Thus, why not give him a few weeks to prove his mettle and you’ll get rewarded.  You don’t want to see him added by someone else on waivers now do you?

Houston Astros: Jeremy Pena

Could the Astros have another star in the making at short-stop? If you ask his teammates, the answer would be yes. All spring training, players have sung his praise and said he’s going to be a star. So far, Pena isn’t letting them down. Over his 11 at-bats, Pena has 4 hits, 1 run, 3 RBIs, and 3 K’s. He might go through a bit of an adjustment period in the bigs but should get roaring soon. He’s earned his spot I believe. Plus, he plays a premium position in fantasy. I know I want as many talented middle infielders as I can get so that my league-mates don’t have them. Take Pena late and watch him earn a spot in the Rookie of the Year consideration and in your starting lineup. I can see Pena hitting at least 20 homers and running a batting average of .275 or better.

Oakland Athletics: Sheldon Neuse

Well, Matt Chapman is gone from the Athletics. Sigh, this will be a very trying season for the A’s. As such, it was hard to truly predict a player breaking out for fantasy. One player that could is the man replacing Chapman, Sheldon Neuse. He has decent power, a good eye, and will get tons of at-bats this year. He’s proving himself at third this spring too. Over his 19 at-bats, he has 7 hits, 2 runs, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, and 5 K’s. If he can give me 25 or so homers, 80+ RBIs, and consistent playing time, he’s worth a backup spot on my roster. I’d gladly have his production off the waivers than take another player that might bust completely or isn’t guaranteed to play a bunch. For his late-round price, you could do way worse. 

Seattle Mariners: Abraham Toro

Toro struggled after being traded to the Mariners. It’s okay that he struggled. It’s really okay since his fantasy ADP is so low. He’s being drafted so low compared to what he can do.  Toro doesn’t have a complete spot at this time as the team is playing him at third, second, first, and DH. However, if he keeps hitting as he is in spring so far, then he will play a ton. He’s got 10 hits, 5 runs, 1 triple, 1 RBI, and 1 walk in 20 at-bats. He’s proving himself worthy of lots of playing time. He should be proving to you too that he deserves to be drafted. Stick him on your bench while the team figures out his daily position and use that to your advantage. Play him this year and watch him be yet another late-round pick to help your team to the playoffs. It’s Toro-time.

As always, May the Force be with You, and Good Luck this fantasy baseball season!