Shortstop ADP Market Report: 1/19/2021
With drafts beginning to ramp up, it is important to monitor where players are being draft on a regular basis. Throughout draft season, I will be doing that work for you with regular updates on the Average Draft Position on NFBC up until Opening Day.
Top 100 Players Rising
Adalberto Mondesi (+5.91)- Mondesi is slowly moving towards being a top 20 pick in fantasy. The upside is huge considering his power and speed profile. The risk is huge as well when you are talking about a player that has a career .284 on base percentage and an almost 30% strikeout rate and has dealt with injuries in his short career. If you are risk averse then he is not the player for you, but if you shoot for the moon, Mondesi is a rocket that can take you there.
Top 100 Players Falling
Corey Seager (-6.46)- I am a little surprised to see Seager beginning to drop. Part of that is because we are starting to see a huge rise in pitching in the top 25-50 picks. Seager had a monster season after two years in 2018 and 2019 that were shortened by injuries. His StatCast data was out of this world and there is no reason to think that if he can stay on the field like he did in 2020, he could return top 20 value, but there is still risk that the injuries pop back up.
Top 200 Players Rising
Tommy Edman (17.38)- See the article in this series on second basemen.
Top 200 Players Falling
Jonathan Villar (-10.96)- See the article in this series on second basemen.
Didi Gregorius (-12.63)- Gregorius is dropping in drafts in part because he has yet to sign with a team. He shrugged off the injury bug in 2020 to put up a really nice season and play in every game for the Phillies. There are some concerns aside from him still being a free agent. His StatCast data is really ugly. His exit velocity and hard hit percentage were both in the bottom eight percentile of the league and his barrel percentage wasn’t much better. He has benefited from nice home parks from his career and I have doubts he can keep hitting for the same kind of power if he lands in a worse park than Philly or New York. I am fading him until I see him sign like many others appear to be.
Top 300 Players Rising
Ha-Seong Kim (+45.68)- Kim had another larger jump in ADP which is directly tied to his signing in San Diego. He has shown power and speed in the KBO, hitting 30 home runs and stealing 23 bases, with a .306/.397/523 triple slash in 138 games in 2020. I don’t have any questions that the speed and hit tool will carry over after watching him during the MLB shut down last spring. I do have some concerns that the power won’t translate as well, We have seen some power hitters do well from the KBO like Eric Thames and others fail like ByungHo Park 박병호. The upside is huge, but there is risk considering how stacked this Padres team has become.
Andres Gimenez (+26.43)- See the article in this series on second basemen.
Chris Taylor (+14.22)- Taylor has been an under appreciated fantasy player for a few years, but it seems like people are starting to catch on a bit. He is triple eligible and he has now been a full time player in two of the last three seasons. With it looking like Joc Pederson and Enrique Hernandez won’t be back, Taylor should be in line for a full time role once again and should deliver his draft value and more.
Willi Castro (+14.37)- Castro is emerging as a popular sleeper among fantasy players this year after having a surprising power burst in 2020 considering that he was expected to be more of a hit tool and speed kind of asset. I am definitely not sold on the power considering his atrocious exit velocity and hard hit percentage. The speed is definitely there and I buy into the hit tool, but I do worry that the speed won’t translate into a ton of stolen bases at the Major League level. The Tigers were tied with the fifth fewest stolen bases in the Majors and new manager A.J. Hinch was not one who pushed it on the bases in Houston. If the price goes up much more, he becomes a player to fade.
Top 300 Players Falling
Wander Franco (-64.07)- Franco had another big tumble in the ADP which is probably tied to him leaving Winter League ball with a biceps injury. Franco is widely considered the best prospect in the game, but there are some concerning things aside from the injury. Some information came out that his launch angle was minuscule and that the power may not be there yet. Long term, he still is a beast of a prospect, but being in Tampa, who knows when he will be up? However, the cheaper he becomes, the more enticing he is in deeper formats. Risk/reward play.
| 12/1/2020-1/19/2021 | Player | Team | Position(s) | 10/1/2020-10/31/2020 | 11/1/2020-11/30/2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | SD | SS | 3.5 | 3.26 | 0.56 |
| 7.05 | Trea Turner | WAS | SS | 6.5 | 7.07 | 0.02 |
| 11.62 | Trevor Story | COL | SS | 10.75 | 11.56 | -0.06 |
| 16.45 | Francisco Lindor | CLE | SS | 15.25 | 17.04 | 0.59 |
| 22.68 | Adalberto Mondesi | KC | SS | 31 | 28.59 | 5.91 |
| 23.02 | Bo Bichette | TOR | SS | 18.75 | 19.15 | -3.87 |
| 35.05 | Corey Seager | LAD | SS | 32.25 | 28.59 | -6.46 |
| 35.37 | Xander Bogaerts | BOS | SS | 35 | 36.67 | 1.3 |
| 40.67 | Tim Anderson | CWS | SS | 42.75 | 38.33 | -2.34 |
| 69.17 | Gleyber Torres | NYY | SS | 68.25 | 66.33 | -2.84 |
| 71.96 | Javier Baez | CHC | SS | 74.75 | 73.19 | 1.23 |
| 103.27 | Dansby Swanson | ATL | SS | 116.25 | 103.07 | -0.2 |
| 126.88 | Carlos Correa | HOU | SS | 131.25 | 128.56 | 1.68 |
| 127.66 | Tommy Edman | STL | 2B, 3B, SS, OF | 133.75 | 145.04 | 17.38 |
| 141.48 | Jonathan Villar | TOR | 2B, SS | 119.25 | 130.52 | -10.96 |
| 147.45 | Marcus Semien | OAK | SS | 139.75 | 142.3 | -5.15 |
| 154.78 | Jake Cronenworth | SD | 1B, 2B, SS | 160.75 | 157.81 | 3.03 |
| 165.62 | Ha-Seong Kim | FA | SS | 271.25 | 211.3 | 45.68 |
| 167.41 | Didi Gregorius | PHI | SS | 161.5 | 154.78 | -12.63 |
| 188.35 | Andres Gimenez | NYM | 2B, 3B, SS | 223.75 | 214.78 | 26.43 |
| 209.87 | Jorge Polanco | MIN | SS | 206 | 195.63 | -14.24 |
| 217.76 | David Fletcher | LAA | 2B, 3B, SS | 221.25 | 219.74 | 1.98 |
| 217.78 | Chris Taylor | LAD | 2B, SS, OF | 250 | 232 | 14.22 |
| 222.17 | Paul DeJong | STL | SS | 233.25 | 216.7 | -5.47 |
| 230.96 | Willi Castro | DET | 3B, SS | 239 | 245.33 | 14.37 |
| 282.57 | Mauricio Dubon | SF | 2B, SS, OF | 347.5 | 311.37 | 28.8 |
| 290.32 | Isiah Kiner-Falefa | TEX | 3B, SS | 378.25 | 314.78 | 24.46 |
| 295.18 | Wander Franco | TB | SS | 200.25 | 231.11 | -64.07 |
| 303.01 | Joey Wendle | TB | 2B, 3B, SS | 323.75 | 309.78 | 6.77 |
| 314.38 | Willy Adames | TB | SS | 286.25 | 286.96 | -27.42 |
| 332 | Amed Rosario | NYM | SS | 350.75 | 358.78 | 26.78 |
| 375.1 | Miguel Rojas | MIA | SS | 378.75 | 390 | 14.9 |
| 378.1 | Nick Ahmed | ARZ | SS | 353.25 | 386.3 | 8.2 |
| 392.56 | Jose Iglesias | LAA | SS | 379 | 393.11 | 0.55 |
| 395.85 | Luis Urias | MLW | 2B, 3B, SS | 394 | 401.96 | 6.11 |
| 398.28 | Niko Goodrum | DET | 2B, SS | 430.5 | 434.22 | 35.94 |
| 415.1 | J.P. Crawford | SEA | SS | 426 | 422.26 | 7.16 |
| 425.57 | Nico Hoerner | CHC | 2B, SS | 500 | 461.96 | 36.39 |
| 439.48 | Jazz Chisholm | MIA | 2B, SS | 404 | 419.7 | -19.78 |
| 447.12 | Elvis Andrus | TEX | SS | 337 | 360.67 | -86.45 |
| 467.1 | Andrelton Simmons | LAA | SS | 472 | 466.81 | -0.29 |
| 502.29 | Jeter Downs | BOS | SS | 529.25 | 510.41 | 8.12 |
| 502.99 | Orlando Arcia | MLW | SS | 505.25 | 513.93 | 10.94 |
| 508.82 | Pat Valaika | BAL | 1B, 2B, SS | 575 | 550.33 | 41.51 |
| 521.21 | Kevin Newman | PIT | 2B, SS | 503.5 | 505.33 | -15.88 |
| 525.7 | Anderson Tejeda | TEX | SS | 503.25 | 493.74 | -31.96 |
| 532.32 | Brandon Crawford | SF | SS | 582 | 515.56 | -16.76 |
| 596.54 | Erik Gonzalez | PIT | 3B, SS | 697.5 | 636.3 | 39.76 |
| 599.89 | Freddy Galvis | CIN | 2B, SS | 580 | 583.7 | -16.19 |
| 623.98 | Jose Garcia | CIN | SS | 542.75 | 560.19 | -63.79 |
| 627.41 | Royce Lewis | MIN | SS | 586.25 | 605.33 | -22.08 |
| 664.61 | Leury Garcia | CWS | SS | 639.5 | 628.96 | -35.65 |
| 701.07 | Tyler Wade | NYY | 2B, SS | 723.25 | 681.19 | -19.88 |
| 706.49 | Tyler Freeman | CLE | SS | 669.75 | 704 | -2.49 |
| 728.13 | Bobby Witt Jr. | KC | SS | 730 | 664.41 | -63.72 |
| 728.39 | Owen Miller | CLE | SS | 695.5 | 724.63 | -3.76 |
| 730.13 | Ramon Urias | BAL | SS | NA | 747.3 | 17.17 |
| 735.24 | Oneil Cruz | PIT | SS | 742.5 | 735.74 | 0.5 |
| 737.9 | Austin Martin | TOR | SS | 686.5 | 725.44 | -12.46 |
| 739.68 | Richie Martin | BAL | SS | NA | NA | NA |
| 740.16 | Yu Chang | CLE | SS | NA | 750.37 | 10.21 |
| 741.23 | Eric Sogard | MLW | 2B, 3B, SS | 735.5 | 749.3 | 8.07 |
| 742.28 | Joe Panik | TOR | 2B, 3B, SS | 720.25 | 734.3 | -7.98 |
| 745.21 | Ehire Adrianza | MIN | 3B, SS | NA | 750.59 | 5.38 |
| 745.27 | Kyle Farmer | CIN | 2B, SS | NA | 748.78 | 3.51 |
| 748.39 | Nick Gordon | MIN | SS | NA | 747.15 | -1.24 |
| 748.98 | Marco Luciano | SF | SS | NA | 745.93 | -3.05 |
| 749.37 | Santiago Espinal | TOR | SS | NA | NA | NA |
| 749.51 | Ryan Vilade | COL | SS | NA | NA | NA |
| 750.62 | CJ Abrams | SD | SS | 735.25 | 744.93 | -5.69 |
Justin is the co-host on The Sleeper and The Bust Podcast and writes for Rotographs covering the Roto Riteup as well as other periodic articles. In addition to his work at Rotographs, Justin is the lead fantasy writer/analyst and co-owner for FriendswithFantasyBenefits.com, and the owner of The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. He is also a certified addiction treatment counselor. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinMasonFWFB.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa……is there opportunity (at bats), upside and value at this position (SS/MI) for Isiah. He seems to add a little in every category.
Adames also looks like a value pick in this group.
Agreed Adames somehow struggled after getting glasses, but I have read that he is practically blind, and is getting it worked on this offseason. I owned him in a few high dollar leagues last year, and he seems to be young enough that a power boost could certainly happen. He was tied for 11th in the league last year in doubles, and from watching most his at bats he came so close to 5+ more home runs.
his value is that he is C elig but doesnt play much C
I was looking at him earlier in the offseason, and I think this price is based on using him as a 3B/SS. I think he’d rate as around the 7th-10th best catcher if eligible, which would comfortably put him in the top 200.
He isn’t catcher eligible anywhere but maybe Yahoo. He is going to steal bases, and get fulltime at bats. That is where the value is, around his ADP there isn’t a lot of guys without PT risks.
He did not play catcher at all in 2020 so unless a format is carrying over 2019 eligibility, he will not be C eligible. Shame because he was a fantastic fill-in at C in 2020.
I know. Forgot where I read it, but Yahoo I think is carrying over 2019 eligibility, hence why I said Yahoo.
Franco is still so young. He was getting drafted in leagues last year too…but I still think he is a year plus away. It is still Tampa, they are going to be as cheap as possible with him and delay him as much as possible. Assuming the reports about having exit velocity among the lowest of all players in winter ball are accurate, his bat simply probably isn’t ready, and bat is all that matters in fantasy. When you couple that with Adames, Lowe, and Brosseau (who has a career 128 wRC+ and is coming off a 157 as mostly a platoon who probably should be an everyday player) I cannot see them being in any sort of hurry to move him along at all. I get it, he is a generational talent, but they certainly aren’t going to move him along fast if he isn’t ready when they have all those well above average options.
It is odd to see Seager fall. Statcast data is amazing. Mondesi obviously is the most polarizing player in this draft, and one of few players who could put up 1 overall value. Lots of people won’t draft him ever, regardless of price, whereas other people think he is key to winning an overall and push him way up. I don’t really like him in standalone leagues, but leagues with overall prizes the intrigue of his 21 hrs and 55sbs PROJECTION is hard to fade. In standalone leagues winning stolen bases by a lot means you wasted resources that you could of used elsewhere, but that is basically never an issue when there is an overall prize. And would anyone really be surprised to see a 25 year old improve? Def not out of the realm of possibility.
Word that Seager is dropping is music to my ears. Expecting a top 3 SS year.
Hey Justin, thanks for all of these updates and for keeping your finger on the pulse of the ADP market for us. Have you ever thought about doing a review of past season ADPs to see if the early market was more accurate to final player values or if later market ADPs perform better? I’m not really talking about instances of injury in the off-season or spring training, so it would be tricky to control for that. What I’m really interested in is what do early ADPs reflect vs later ADPs? Are changes between them mainly driven by MLB roster changes? Or are early APDs only produced by sharps and die hard analysts that focus on baseball year round so they have more predictive power? Maybe I’m talking gibberish, after all I have been locked up in my house with two young kids for almost a year now, but with all the updates you have done it would be interesting to have someone crunch the data and see what it tells us, if anything.