The first update of the corner infield and catcher position is here. Now that we’ve gotten through some of the hot and cold starts, deeper dives can be made. Age is a huge part of dynasty, so some older players are valued lower and younger players the opposite. The excitement of players called up to make an MLB debut often leads to overvaluing them, but there are a few I’d highlight as buys. Below are some long-term players to buy and players to sell immediately if you own them.
Be sure to head over to the Pitcher List dynasty page to check out other helpful articles such as the dynasty performance report for outfielders!
Dynasty Risers:
Alec Bohm, 3B, PHI:
One of the younger hitters in the Phillies deep lineup, Bohm is right in the middle of it all. The team leader in average, Bohm has stepped up in a big way. Not the stereotypical third baseman in terms of power, but Bohm is dangerous at the plate. A pure hitter for the last few years, Bohm has continued to improve.
Everything is trending upwards for Bohm in 2023. His barrel percentage is up from 5.7% to 6.9%, with a slight increase in average exit velocity, hard hit percentage, and launch angle. Bohm has had the above-average hit tool, and the swing that resembles Kris Bryant. The power is what could lead Bohm to become elite. He’s tallied 16 doubles in just 42 games, which is more than half of the 31 he posted in 2023. If Bohm can turn those into home runs, we’re looking at a top-tier third baseman.
A controlled bat, Bohm maintains a low whiff and strikeout percentage. While the above-average contact limits walks, Bohm has seen an increased walk rate in 2024. Perhaps the biggest metric that has led to success is the decrease in chase rate. Bohm went from a 30 percent chase rate in 2023, to a 24.7 chase rate in 2024. Shockingly this hasn’t lead to a decrease in strikeout rate, as it’s identical to last season at 15.4%. That being said, Bohm is improving everywhere else. If the 6’5 third baseman can convert those doubles into home runs, Bohm could become a top 5 3B dynasty option.
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, KCR:
Much like 3B, 1B is a top-heavy and aging position for dynasty. Pasquantino is one of the younger options with high upside. There’s potential of a plus hitter with his low whiff and strikeout rate. Pasquantino is chasing that .295 average from 2022, where he walked more than he struck out. The last two seasons have been a sub .250 average but he’s maintained that elite walk-to-strikeout rate. One would think a jump from .233 to .290 against left-handed pitching would get Vinnie back into the elite average range, but that hasn’t been the case. We have yet to see a full season from Pasquantino but a .350+ OBP, with 25+ home runs is in play. Fringe top 10 for 1B, Vinnie P has age on his side which probably safely puts him above a few of the older first basemen.
The 2022 statistics are more of what we can expect from Vinnie Pasquantino moving forward. He boasts a xBA of .284, with a career best 92.2 average exit velocity. Compared to his 2022 season, Pasquantino is reaching career highs in nearly everything. His hard hit rate and barrel percentages are up, and nearing the top of the league. Pasquantino has a similar profile to both Triston Casas and Kyle Manzardo. The power isn’t quite as high as Casas, but those two should finish with similar slash lines. If age is the main value for dynasty owners, Pasquantino is firmly in the top 10 and pushing top 5 dynasty first baseman.
Honorable Mention
Kyle Manzardo, 1B, CLE: One of the more exciting and seemingly MLB ready prospects, Manzardo got his shot. Manzardo was on an absolute tear in Triple-A before his call-up, but his MLB career was off to a rough start. Starting 0-5 with 5 strikeouts, Manzardo didn’t look overmatched but rather overpatient at the plate. A bat first corner infielder, Manzardo is the latest prospect to struggle early on. Believe in the bat and if you can grab Manzardo for cheap, do it. The bat-to-ball skills should lead Manzardo to a ~.280 average with a good amount of walks. If the 2024 power is more what we can expect, Manzardo could easily hit 20+ home runs a year.
Bryan Ramos, 3B, CHW: The Double-A numbers in 2024 were ugly for Ramos, but the White Sox promoted him to provide a spark. The overall profile of Ramos is exciting, as he boasts plus power potential. Only 8 games into his MLB career, Ramos has made more contact. His 2024 Double-A strikeout rate was 28.6% through 24 games, but lowered to 10.7% in Chicago. Third base has seems to be an aging position and Ramos has mid .300 OBP with mid 20 home run potential. Regular playing time won’t be an issue if the White Sox decide Ramos is here to stay.
Dynasty Fallers:
Alex Bregman, 3B, HOU:
Alex Bregman has been one of the more reliable and consistent dynasty third base options over the last 8 seasons. 2024 has been a rough start for Bregman, like a good chunk of the top players in the league. Reliability is a quality best used at other positions. While Bregman can put up .350+ OBP, and 90+ RBI/run totals, the power is lacking. For a typical corner infielder, power is the calling card that puts them at the top. Bregman has had home run totals in the 20’s since his monstrous 2018 and 2019.
With a steady decline in hit tool since 2018 and 2019, Bregman has slipped in third base rankings. A sub 10% walk rate for the first time since 2017, Bregman isn’t seeing the high OBP that makes up for average power. His xBA is .233 with an xSLG of .357. The tools that attract you to Bregman are the OBP, RBI, and runs. Without those three categories being above average, Bregman is a fringe top 10 3B option.
A player who has never hit the ball very hard, Bregman needs the above-average hit tool or walk rate to rank highly. That being said, Bregman is usually a fantastic doubles hitter. Perfect for the RISP, Bregman makes good contact, limits his strikeouts, and shows patience. Usually, an elite chase rate, Bregman has seen that jump from 18.6% to 22.9%. Bregman is still getting the opportunity to hit 4th in the Astros lineup for now, but that could change. Newly 30 years old, Bregman is now clearly behind the top tier of 3B options.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, STL:
Time seems to be catching up with Goldschmidt, as the former MVP looks like a shell of himself at the plate in 2024. The age alone makes Goldschmidt avoidable in dynasty formats but it’s difficult to ignore the the previous consistency. Coming into the 2024 season, Goldschmidt was a fine pick in a top-heavy position. However, the reliability looks to be a thing of the past as Goldy has struggled similar to how he ended 2023. Goldschmidt has looked lost at the plate with some ugly swings to start 2024. Currently in a major slump, Goldy is batting sub .200 with only 3 home runs on the season. An MVP in 2022, Goldschmidt has steadily declined in 2023 and 2024. The overall totals in 2023 weren’t as bad as his 2024 start, but he was far off his normal self.
With a career-high 31.7% strikeout rate, Goldschmidt has been sub 25% percent since his rookie season. His walk rate dipped below 10% for just the second time in his career, but it doesn’t end there. His barrel rate is down from 12 to 4.4 percent, and hard hit is down from 50.8 to 41.8 percent. Goldschmidt has seen his whiff rate jump from 27.5 to 32.2 percent. With a higher whiff rate, comes a higher strikeout rate, which has climbed from 23.4 to 31.6 percent. Everything is pointing towards continuous decline for Goldy as he nears his 37th birthday. Even with a bit of correction, Goldschmidt still holds a .233 xBA. After 11-12 years of consistency, the 2022 MVP is very much a bench/avoid player until he can prove otherwise.
Honorable Mention
Matt Chapman, 3B, SFG: A player that I never quite understood as a 3B fantasy option, Chapman is a player I avoid. Outside of 2019, when he launched 37 home runs, Chapman has been a bottom-half option for 3B. A power bat with a low average and OBP, Chapman doesn’t provide plus power for the third base position. Just 5 home runs in his first 40 games on 2024, Chapman also has an ugly 43K:9BB ratio, and a .213 average. A 5.5% walk rate in 2024 eliminates the potential of a decent OBP, leaving Chapman as a one-category player. Given he’s on the older side at 31, Chapman is outside the top 10 of dynasty 3B options.
Keibert Ruiz, C, WSH: Ruiz put together his best season in 2023 and looked to be tapping into his former top-50 prospect potential. 2024 hasn’t been the same for Ruiz as his average is sub .200 in 21 games. Keibert Ruiz has always put the bat on the ball, holding a low strikeout and walk rate. The top prospect potential has worn off for Ruiz, and waiting for the upside has ended. A .145 BABIP in 2024 suggests things could get better, but not much more than a .260 average with ~15 home runs. An overall solid potential, but the consistency needs to be there before he’s a viable option. Almost 26 years old, Ruiz most likely won’t reach the potential he held as a top prospect. The slow start to 2024 has Ruiz trending in the wrong direction for dynasty formats.