Even as the grandson of a Hall of Famer, Mike Yastrzemski has had his doubters entering last season, but he quieted those voices with a brilliant 2020 season which backed up a surprising 2019 campaign.
2019 was a feel-good season for Yastrzemski, as the then 28-year-old posted a .272/.334/.518 slash line with 21 HR, 64 runs scored, and 55 RBI over 411 plate appearances. Despite the production, Yaz was unclaimed until early July when the Cloverdale Clovers scooped him up. In a move they wish they had back, GM Chris Shelley cut Yastrzemski on August 4th with the Lake Merced Goutfish quickly claiming him a few days later. Fortunately for the RDBL competition on an already loaded Goutfish roster, Yaz was claimed after the Keeper Deadline and pushed into Free Agency at the end of the 2019 season.
Fantasy players were not ready to believe in him going into 2020 but Yastrzemski backed things up with a even stronger follow-up season, compiling a .297/.400/.568 slash line with 10 home runs and 35 RBI over 225 plate appearances while playing his way into the National League MVP conversation.
2021 Outlook
Yaz might be the hardest player to review, because what can you say? In 2019, he made his MLB debut as a late-20s Minor League journeyman after being DFA'd by a talent-starved Baltimore Orioles organization and just one year later he sat in the MVP conversation with the 5th highest fWAR in the National League.
Most importantly for 2021 projections, Yaz made some solid plate discipline improvements that should carry over to continued success. He was more considerably selective, swinging at fewer pitches out of the strike zone which led to a strong increase in walk rate and a higher BABIP and average.
Interested RDBL Teams
Giants players tend to draw more interest in the RDBL but Yaz's market should stretch across the entire league. Entering his age-30 season with steady playing time ahead of him and building off of two strong seasons at the plate, interest should push Yaz's market into the $30+ price range.
The Burlingame Blue Ducks and Las Vegas Aristocrats have made a living in their price range throughout their history with each entering Draft Day needing additional firepower from the outfield. The Alamo Short Stacks, Meinert Hops and St. Joseph Jokers also have been rumored to have early interest if the price stays within the $30 range.
2021 Auction Prediction
$36 to the Burlingame Blue Ducks
The Ducks have seen several players drop in value over the last 12 months and will likely continue to stay out of the top of the market and spread their available cap space around. That makes the club an ideal fit for Yastrzemski who would pair with Gleyber Torres and Whit Merrifield for a strong core on offense while allowing the club to fill other holes on the roster.
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