NATIONAL LEAGUE HITTER PROJECTIONS
Here’s a closer look at the top NL players at each position, with 2023 projections from BaseballHQ.com. The dollar values are based on maximum league size and should be used for comparison purposes, rather than specific bid limits. Players are listed at all positions at which they qualify (20-game minimum required for eligibility.)
Catcher
One of the biggest advantages fantasy teams can gain on their opponents is by getting an elite catcher. J.T. Realmuto (.276, 22 HR, 84 RBI, 74 R, 21 SB) is the position’s only true five-category performer.
The Braves’ acquisition of All-Star Sean Murphy from Oakland gives them a dynamic duo with veteran Travis d’Arnaud. Both should see plenty of playing time. Atlanta had so much depth behind the plate, William Contreras was traded to Milwaukee, where he should see full-time at-bats after hitting 20 homers in just 97 games. Brother Willson Contreras was also on the move this offseason, landing in a potent St. Louis lineup.
Realmuto Contreras Smith Contreras Stephenson Murphy d’Arnaud Moreno Ruiz Diaz Kelly Bart Fortes
First base
Team
First base is traditionally a position where fantasy teams can find plenty of power. At the top of the scale, that’s certainly true with NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt, two-time Home Run Derby king Pete Alonso and Braves slugger Matt Olson – each of whom had at least 30 homers and 100 RBI last season.
But if you miss out on the elite first basemen, there’s still enough depth at the position to get solid production in the middle to late rounds with C.J. Cron (29 HR, 103 RBI), Rhys Hoskins (30 HR, 79 RBI) and Christian Walker (36 HR, 94 RBI) as excellent targets.
Team
AB
AB
R
R
HR
HR
RBI
RBI
SB
SB
AVG
AVG $ $
Second base
There’s depth at second base in the NL. The Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm, who’s slated to start in center field, could be the position’s top producer if he can just stay healthy.
The same could be said for Ozzie Albies, who hit 30 homers and stole 20 bases in 2021 but played in just 64 games last season due to a broken foot and pinkie. Vaughn Grissom (.291/.353/.440) filled in capably for Albies as a rookie but will slide over to shortstop with the departure of Dansby Swanson.
Team AB
Chisholm Albies Grissom Edman McNeil Arraez Estrada Marte Cronenworth India Rojas Stott Muncy Segura Garcia Urias Flores Taylor Berti Wendle Gorman Castro Morel
Shortstop
The biggest question at shortstop this year isn’t whether Trea Turner should be the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy drafts. It’s how much of an impact Fernando Tatis Jr. will make after missing all of 2022 due to injuries and a PED suspension, one that will carry over to the first 20 games of this season. Adding to the uncertainty, Tatis will now be a full-time outfielder following the Padres’ signing of free agent Xander Bogaerts. A breakout season could be in store for the Pirates’ Oneil Cruz. He generates some of the highest exit velocities in the game, but he’ll need to cut down on his strikeouts (he whiffed in 34.9% of his plate appearances last season) to truly be a difference-maker.
Team
AB
R
R
HR
HR
RBI
RBI
SB AVG
SB
AVG $ $