Fantasy Baseball Value of Injured Players Returning in 2023
The 2022 season had its fair share of injuries. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Adalberto Mondesi are eager to jump back into the game.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is suspended for 80 games. He is eligible to return in mid-April. Tat is 23 years old and has a full career ahead of him. His ADP is 21.75. He slashed .282/.364/.611 with a .975 OPS in 2021. If he keeps off the injured list, he is projected to display a slash line of .283/.365/.574 with 47 HRs and a 163 wRC+.
Kris Bryant is expected to make a full return for the 2023 season. He made 181 PAs in his first year as a Colorado Rockie. Since 2017, Bryant has not eclipsed a seven WAR. NFBC gives Bryant a 127 ADP. William Contreras and Jake McCarthy are ahead of him.
Ozzie Albies is a two-time All-Star and three-year veteran of the Atlanta Braves. He has suffered 10 injuries in his six-season career. Albie is worth 53.91 ADP, ahead of Julio Urias and Zach Wheeler. Kris Bryant is the better option. The 2023 season is an ideal year for Ozzies to return to full fitness.
Jazz Chisholm has had a difficult start to his professional career. He played in 60 games last season and suffered two injuries. The Miami Marlins want to keep him for the 2023 season. Chisolms is a 25-25 player with 28 HRS and 26 swipes for 20 23.
Anthony Rendon is a 32-year-old veteran who plays for the Los Angeles Angels. He has been plagued with injuries and he is not getting any younger. The best-case scenario for 2023 is 400 PAs. Steamer gives him a 3.3 fWAR with 566 P As and a 122 wRC+.
Rendon's ADP is 248.10. Alex Cobb and Christopher Morel are ahead of him. He's a right-handed player.
Dustin May was a top-three prospect for the Dodgers. He has made 25 starts in four years in the pros and has a 3.25 ERA. His average fastball in 2022 was 98.1 mph, which ranked fourth among all starting pitchers. May is a perennial talent and was given a 164 ADP.
Adalberto Mondesi is a seven-year veteran and hasn't played more than 100 games in any season aside from 2019. He played just 15 games before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. When he returns to the action in 2023, Steamer gives him a .234/.279/.384 line with 28 swipes and 14 HRs.
Mondesi has a 282.99 ADP. Eric Haase and Jared Kelenic are ahead of him.
Chris Sale is injured and his performance has deteriorated over the past few years. Steamer projects a 3.47 ERA, 26 starts, and a 28.4 K% with a3.24 FIP for Sale. His ADP is 175.21.
