Dynasty league codecs at all times add a bit of additional planning. Weighing the age and manufacturing of gamers is one thing that requires an ideal combine. If a crew is competing or rebuilding, the technique varies. However, in case your dynasty league is simply beginning, there are a number of methods to go. Listed here are some key matchups between prospects and youthful gamers and ageing veterans for dynasty gamers.
CJ Abrams vs Trea Turner:
Velocity and energy are the calling playing cards for each Trea Turner and CJ Abrams. Each are persistently within the 20-20+ vary for dwelling runs and steals, so the opposite classes are the game-changers right here. Age performs a big issue on this matchup as properly. Abrams is newly 24, and Turner might be 32 midway into 2025. Each gamers hit on the prime of their lineups, with Turner in a way more confirmed lineup. Whereas it’s possible neither put up excessive RBI totals, they each have the possibility at 100+ runs a 12 months. This matchup comes all the way down to the hit instrument and stroll price. Turner is a a lot better hitter than Abrams, however neither walks at a very excessive price. Trea Turner is signed by 2033, however the velocity is more likely to be dialed again as he will get older. For the dynasty format, Abrams is the play in case your crew isn’t able to compete. That being stated, for the instant future, Turner ought to outproduce Abrams for the following one to a few seasons relying on video games performed.
Breaking it down by every class, Turner leads by an honest margin in common, on-base share, and run potential. Each Turner and Abrams must be inside 10-15 RBI of one another once more given video games performed. Abrams has the benefit in steals as we noticed him put up 31 in a “down 12 months”. In the meantime, Turner managed to steal lower than 20 bases for the primary time in a full season. Turner might not be stealing 30+ anymore, however he must be round 25-30 within the 2025 season. Each hitters are 20+ dwelling run hitters and must be inside 5-7 dwelling runs of one another every season. I’m giving Turner the win right here with common, on-base share and runs. Velocity is trending within the route of Abrams and energy is likely to be after 2025 or 2026. For now, dwelling runs and RBI are each in the identical ballpark. Abrams is the longer participant in dynasty codecs however Turner remains to be the short-term choice right here.
Winner: Trea Turner
JJ Wetherholt vs Bo Bichette:
A 2024 top-10 MLB Draft choose versus a six-year professional coming off his first poor season makes for a enjoyable debate. Wetherholt was talked about because the sure-thing first total choose previous to the 2024 faculty baseball season. After a sluggish begin and a few accidents, Wetherholt shortly put his identify again in competition for the highest choose. Drafted seventh total by the Cardinals, Wetherholt ought to transfer shortly to Double-A in 2025 and have an outdoor shot at a September call-up. He has a bit of each instrument in his offensive sport. The hit instrument is the calling card, as is the affected person method that ought to result in a ~.350+ OBP. The profile of the bat can slot him in any of the primary three spots of a lineup, however most probably is a two-hole hitter. The contact price permits him to chop down on the strikeout share and endurance sees him draw extra walks. Velocity is the following finest instrument presently and may translate to twenty+ steals per season. The facility may very well be the bottom of his instruments, however nonetheless must be above 15 dwelling runs per season. If all of it comes collectively, Wetherholt ought to simply be a .290 hitter with 20 dwelling runs and 20-25 stolen bases per season.
Bo Bichette has been a mannequin of consistency from his debut in 2019 to his 2023 season. Bichette has a plus-hit instrument, by no means hitting under .290 previous to 2024. Tagging alongside on the hit instrument is the above-average energy that has seen him hit 20+ dwelling runs from 2021-2023. The velocity hasn’t translated to stolen bases exterior of 2021, and the stroll price leaves a lot to be desired. Hitting on the prime of the lineup, Bichette is ready to put up excessive run totals. The RBI totals have at all times been above common as properly on condition that he hits within the two-hole. 2024 was an enormous concern for Bichette as he performed simply 81 video games and hit .225, with 4 dwelling runs and 5 steals. Bichette might be 27 years outdated for all the 2025 season, however the issues are there. The velocity has been in decline and the injured/poor efficiency in 2024 raises some questions. Bichette will look to get again to his close to .300 common with 20+ dwelling runs in 2025. This battle is shut, however the slight benefit nonetheless goes to Bichette right here.
Winner: Bo Bichette
Jordan Lawlar vs Ezequiel Tovar:
Jordan Lawlar appears to be a extra underrated prospect within the final 12 months as a result of his lack of video games performed. Nonetheless simply 22 years outdated, Lawlar had a brief MLB debut on the finish of 2022. The Diamondbacks didn’t commit Lawlar to a beginning function as a result of a playoff push and Geraldo Perdomo taking part in properly. Heading into 2025, that ought to change. Perdomo didn’t repeat his 2023 success in 2024 and Lawlar has an immensely increased upside. With plus instruments throughout the board, Lawlar usually obtained comparisons to now celebrity shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. over his 2022 and 2023 MiLB seasons of 100 and 105 video games, the place he went 16 HR/39 SB and 20 HR/36 SB, respectively. Velocity is the very best instrument for Lawlar and he shouldn’t have any problem stealing 30 luggage a 12 months. The remainder of the sport is coming collectively however the energy numbers are positive to be 20+ dwelling runs. The hit instrument is what is going to decide the result for Lawlar, however given starter taking part in time, he might see a three-year incline like Witt. Lawlar is and has been my primary total prospect given all of the uncooked expertise. Even when the hit instrument maxes the typical at .270, Lawlar is a prime shortstop choice. 20+ dwelling runs, 30+ stolen bases, and given his spot within the order he may very well be a plus choice for RBI and runs. The Diamondbacks must be slotting Lawlar in because the on a regular basis shortstop in 2025.
Ezequiel Tovar had an incredible 2024 season in simply his second full MLB season. 157 video games performed, with a 3.7 WAR at 23 years outdated is large. Presently, his sport interprets extra towards actual baseball than fantasy, however Tovar nonetheless has worth. Tovar hit 26 dwelling runs in 2024, which was a big bounce from 15 in 2023. Most spectacular was that Tovar led the NL in doubles with 45. The draw back is the shortage of method and make contact with price. Tovar struck out 200 occasions and walked simply 23 whole occasions in 157 video games. Each of these numbers are wildly one-sided and wish enchancment to extend worth. Presently, Tovar is a three-category participant as a result of quantity. The house run, run, and RBI totals are all at respectable ranges however he did play 157 video games. With a sub-.300 OBP and a non-threat on the bottom paths, Tovar wants to enhance the method. Given the shortage of enchancment in affected person method from 2023 to 2024, Tovar gained’t win this matchup.
Winner: Jordan Lawlar
Marcelo Mayer vs Zach Neto
One of the anticipated MLB debuts to possible come early in 2025 is Marcelo Mayer. Main the cost of the highest prospects in Boston, Mayer has an opportunity to be the on a regular basis shortstop by July on the newest. 2023 was a down 12 months for Mayer as he hit simply .236 between Excessive-A and his first motion at Double-A. With 26, 91, 78, and 77 video games performed in his first 4 MiLB seasons, Mayer hasn’t seen eye-popping totals. The house runs totals have maxed out at 13 in each 2022 and 2023 and the stolen bases at 17 in 2022. Mayer might be 22 years outdated for all of 2025 when he possible will get his first crack as the longer term Purple Sox shortstop. Drafted two picks earlier than Jordan Lawlar, Mayer doesn’t have the identical athleticism as Lawlar. The hit instrument and affected person method are what have allowed Mayer to probably debut a couple of months after turning 22. He turned each of these numbers round in 2024 at Double-A, hitting .307 with a .370 OBP. With eight dwelling runs and 13 steals in 77 video games, Mayer was on tempo for a 20-20 plus 12 months once more. An harm lower his time brief however Mayer seems to be to be above common in all 5 classes. As a possible .280+ hitter, with a .350+ OBP, 20-20+ potential may be very life like for Mayer. Hitting both in entrance of or behind each Rafael Devers and Triston Casas provides Mayer a fantastic alternative to excel in RBI or run potential.
Fairly presumably the largest breakout participant in 2024 was Zach Neto. Neto tallied 23 dwelling runs and 30 stolen bases over 155 video games. The 2024 breakout was just like Tovar as he additionally doesn’t hit for a excessive common or stroll a lot. 30 stolen bases is a excessive mark for a younger shortstop who also can hit 20+ dwelling runs. Given the poor Angels lineup, Neto didn’t excel in both RBI or run totals. An above-average participant in two classes, Neto nonetheless places up strong OBP, RBI, and run totals to supply loads of worth. There was some harm historical past and Neto goes to overlook the beginning of 2025 with a shoulder harm. An enormous bounce from his debut in 2022, Neto has proved he’s a shortstop the Angels can depend on. It’s an in depth matchup, however Mayer has an excessive amount of potential to miss right here.
Winner: Marcelo Mayer
Featured picture by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)
