Fantasy Baseball: Breakout Players for the NL 2022

National 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 National League players I have breaking out this year in real life and in fantasy.

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

Atlanta Braves: Kyle Wright

Kyle Wright is a former top prospect that finally broke through in a long-term stay up at the Majors last year. Now, he’s the lead pitcher to earn the #4 spot in the Braves’ rotation. I know I remember his World Series performance where he pitched 4.2 innings of great baseball. He’s a strike-thrower that struck out 137 batters in 137 innings last year. Strikeouts are huge to have in fantasy. Another huge factor are innings, in which he threw 143 innings across the two levels, not counting playoffs. With his strong sinker that he’s throwing more and more, don’t be surprised if he pushes his to the #2 pitcher slot on the Braves. I would gladly pick up Wright in the late rounds as a dart throw that could pay off quite handsomely. This spring so far, he’s thrown 3 innings with 2 K’s and 1 walk.

Miami Marlins: Jesus Luzardo

Yes, Jesus struggled quite a bit in his Miami showing last year. However, the Marlins have quietly turned their coaching staff into a pitching wonders department. It’s no secret that the Marlins are overloaded with talented and strong arms. Luzardo has a ton of potential and it looks like he’s starting to show it finally. During this spring, he’s throwing his curveball and changeup for strikes more often and his speed is reaching 99 mph. 99! In his 7 innings of work so far, he’s thrown 7 strikeouts to only 1 walk, 5 hits, and 1 unearned run. That’s great for fantasy. Don’t be surprised if he scores a ton of points this fantasy year if he keeps this up.

New York Mets: Dominic Smith

This is kind of a re-breakout since Smith broke out in 2020 with a .316 and .993 batting average/OPS respectively. However, in 2021, he tanked badly and it turns out he was dealing with a torn labrum the whole season. Due to that, fantasy players have really soured on Smith. I’m here to tell you that you shouldn’t be. He’s healthy and he’s HOT this spring. With the DH in town now, Smith will get regular playing time. As for how hot he is this spring, he has 7 hits in 18 at-bats with 3 runs, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 4 walks, and 7 K’s. Yes, those K’s hurt. However, the power with the total bases runs, and RBIs will absolutely make up for those strikeouts. Get him on your squad before it’s too late.

Philadelphia Phillies: Alec Bohm

Bohm is seeking to re-establish himself after a great 2020 shortened season and a miserable 2021 season. The Phillies are short on “breakout” players since they mostly have a proven player base and unless you believe in Didi Gregorious or Matt Vierling, then it’s hard to predict a breakout. At least with Bohm, he has the pedigree (high prospect), history, and proven ability to play in the MLB. If he can change his bat angle to stop hitting grounders, he will boom this year. He hits the ball extremely hard with an 89 percentile exit velocity, just has to get the angle right. For what will be a very late pick, I’ll take the risk on him.

Washington Nationals: Keiburt Ruiz

Keiburt Ruiz is a well-regarded prospect that performed well for the Nationals after being acquired from the Dodgers in the Max Scherzer trade. In 23 games with the Nationals to end the season, he slashed .284/.348/.395, with two homers, 14 RBIs, and an OPS of .743. If he can do that once again, only over a whole season, then Ruiz will easily be one of the best hitting catchers in fantasy, and baseball. Yes, it’s a short sample, but catchers are the tight ends of the fantasy baseball world. If you can get a breakout one, it could win you the championship. Take the risk for a late pick, it’s worth it.

Milwaukee Brewers: Keston Hiura

Hiura officially broke out way back in 2019 when he hit .303/.368/.570 with 19 homers. Then, he slumped horribly in 2020 and 2021 when the Brew Crew sent him to the minors multiple times. During both of those spring trainings, he struggled immensely. His big issue was striking out far too much. It seemed like every at-bat was a K at one point. However, he spent a ton of time this off-season redoing his swing and eliminating a toe tap from his swing. The results are showing off as he is raking this spring. Over his 17 at-bats this spring, he has gotten 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 double, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs, 2 walks, and only 6 K’s.  He’s earning his way onto the Opening Day roster and your roster too. Look for him late in the draft and snag him. Perhaps he’s even on waivers right now too.

St. Louis Cardinals: Dylan Carlson

Carlson looked the part early on last year with an impressive April, before struggling mightily from May to August. In September, he flashed with 5 HRs and 17 RBIs once again. So, which Carlson is the real one? I’m saying the September one if I go off his work so far this spring. Over his 16 at-bats, he has 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 double, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 walk, and 3 K’s. Those are impressive numbers for spring training. For a guy who’s being taken in the late 100’s, I’ll take him as my OF4/5 for sure. Cheap, yet great production, sign me up.

Chicago Cubs: Clint Frazier

Clint Frazier is a name that has been around for a while. He showed quite a lot of potential with the Yankees, but unfortunately due to a serious concussion last year, he never got the chance to truly showcase it. Then, the Yankees released him in the off-season. Now, he’s with the Cubs and showing off what the Yankees could never unlock in him. In a season where there are limited proven outfielders, I’m buying shares of Frazier. He’s a former top prospect that’s raking right now and is set up to be playing a ton this year. Over his 16 at-bats, he has 5 hits, 1 run, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, 5 walks to 7 K’s. The walks are what excite me the most. They give me points and protect  against any strikeouts he has. He’s going nearly undrafted, grab him and stash him on your bench. You’ll be happy later.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Mitch Keller

There are so many reasons why Mitch was such a top prospect for so very long. Yet, over his career 39 starts, he’s struggled a ton to the tune of a 6.02 ERA. That’s why during this offseason, he went to work with some noted pitching specialists. Now, he’s throwing 99 MPH! That’s 2-3 more than he’s ever thrown, and is using it to full effect this year. His secondary pitches are harder and work better thanks to the increased velocity of the fastball. Over his 8.2 innings, Keller has given 7 hits, 1 walk, and 7 K’s, with no runs. Those are impressive numbers. As a player going very late, I think Keller will easily outperform his draft status. He could win you a chip if he keeps this up all year.

Cincinnati Reds: Tyler Stephenson

If this were a points for defense fantasy league, then no way would I recommend Stephenson. However, luckily it isn’t and that’s why I am saying Stephenson will have a breakout-hitting year. In limited duty last year, Tyler raked with 21 doubles, 10 HRs, 45 RBIs, and 41 walks in part-time playing duties. Now, he’s the lead catcher for the Reds and should DH on the days he doesn’t catch. I see him easily eclipsing those numbers with a full workload. He’s proving me right this spring already by getting 7 hits in 19 at-bats with 3 runs, 2 doubles, 4 walks, and 3 K’s. I want him as my late-round catcher so that I can avoid the temptation of Realmuto or other high-priced vets.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Daulton Varsho

Varsho is a legitmate cheat code. How? Well, in most leagues, he has a double position code in that he can play catcher or OF. Wait. You’re telling me that I can have an OUTFIELDER as my CATCHER? Yes, yes I am. Varsho is the backup catcher for the Dbacks, so it’s not cheating since he still plays the position. Last year, Varsho hit .290/32 runs/10 HRs/31RBIs/5SB over 200 at-bats. If you extrapolate that to a full season, it would be a gaudy 77 runs, 18 HRs, 49 RBIs, and 20 steals. Well, Varsho will be playing every day for the retooling Dbacks. He’s going to be a main performer of the offense. Yet, he’s still going in the 200’s of draft picks. I am taking him in the 100s every time. I want a player that steals bases for me so that I can slot into my catcher spot. It’s free points! Sign me up.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Tony Gonsolin

Gonsolin is yet the latest Dodgers prospect making a healthy transition to the MLB. He has had issues with health in the past, but a career 2.85 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 10.5 K/9 will earn you playing time. He’s the leader for the Dodgers’ 5th SP role after his performance last year. Even if he is in the bullpen, he will pitch a ton and should see plenty of starts due to the Dodgers’ consistent injury woes in the rotation. As a believer that you can never have enough pitching in fantasy baseball, I’ll take him off waivers right now thank you very much.

San Francisco Giants: Joey Bart

The Heir to the throne or the catcher set to replace future HOF’er Buster Posey has a lot of weight on his shoulders this year. I think he can handle it. Once again, we are in need of breakout players at the catcher position so we can avoid having to reach and take one way too early. Bart’s a former high prospect that can absolutely hit. Bart should play nearly every day this year and we will gladly take his offense. This spring, he’s showing the Giants and us what his bat can do. Over his 12 at-bats, he has 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, and 5 K’s. Not only does he have power, but he has speed too. Don’t be shocked if he swipes a few bases. He’s going in the late rounds and I wouldn’t mind having him be my main catcher.

San Diego Padres: Mackenzie Gore

I think we all remember former flame-throwing top prospect Mackenzie Gore who was getting hyped as the next Kershaw. Well, in 2021, he forgot how to pitch. Literally. He spent most of the season in extended spring training or low-A ball relearning. It looks like it worked too, since so far this spring, he’s performing like a man on a mission to be the best pitcher. Over his 9 innings, he has allowed 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, and a whopping 11 strikeouts. It’s good to see his strikeout ability is back. Plus, he’s going undrafted right now. GO get him off your waivers. He should start in the MLB on Opening Day, but won’t be long till he is up if he isn’t.

• Suggested Read: Where Should You Draft Fernando Tatis Jr?

Colorado Rockies: Brenden Rodgers

Rodgers is a former top prospect that has hit decently in the MLB so far. He hit .284 with 15 HRs last year. That’s not bad, but it’s not great for a Rockies hitter either. He’s finally healthy after a bunch of injuries the last couple of years, will get consistent playing time with Trevor Story gone and is set to do well at Coors Field this year. He was great on the road last year, but not so much at home. With a completely healthy off-season in which he was able to prepare for Colorado air, I see him doing quite well this year. Over his 16 at-bats, he has 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 walk, and 3 K’s. Not bad numbers. If he can reach 20+ homers as a late 200’s pick, then I’ll gladly take that. He’s a great backup to have, and one that might earn a starting spot on your fantasy squad before long.

Hope these help! Let me know your thoughts on Twitter!

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