Jake Cronenworth

Cronenworth's 2024 campaign was a near carbon copy of his 2022 season, as he hit the same amount of homers (17), drove in five fewer runs (83) and batted two points higher (.241) over 28 fewer plate appearances. The infielder has established a pretty predictable skill set over his time in the majors -- he makes good contact (both his chase rate and whiff rate last year were just below the 90th percentile leaguewide) but doesn't hit the ball with enough authority (his hard-hit rate has been below the 30th percentile in four straight seasons) to produce more than middling power numbers. Cronenworth's lack of speed (he's never stolen more than six bases in a season in the majors) further drags down his fantasy profile, though he does get a boost from having eligibility at both first and second base and from hitting in a potent lineup. Overall, the parts add up to a rosterable fantasy middle infielder -- the second-base eligibility is particularly important given the current dearth of impactful hitters at the position -- best left for the very late rounds of drafts. Read Past Outlooks