I often talk about how important getting the 5 category contributing studs are. Often, the types of players that make the jump into the 1st-2nd rounds are those types of players. Let's take a look at some of those guys from the short season - a thread

Juan Soto was exactly what I thought he'd be - elite AVG, power, and upped his running (6 SB)... if he can maintain those SB next season, which I think he can, he's a top 5 player easily.

Manny Machado reemerged as a stud and ran a lot more in the short season (16 HR 6 SB and hit .300). The Padres showed a willingness to run a TON so I'm officially a believer in Manny again. Should be a 2nd round pick next season

Tim Anderson pretty much proved last year was no fluke. He was my runner-up pick for AL MVP... and while he won't quite get there, he showed his power, speed, and high BABIP ways leading to an elite AVG were no fluke. I'll be buying again next year if he goes in the 3rd or later

Xander Bogaerts looked much more like his 2016 self... which is not a bad thing. We figured last year's power output was somewhat fluky, but if he starts running more again (8 SB), that's great for his value. He's still a .300 hitter with some pop as well. BOS seems likely to run

I've long been a Bryce Harper detractor (at his draft cost) but if he keeps running, I may be in on him in the 2nd round next season...the Nats seemed more willing to run with Rendon gone (Soto uptick as well). Harper will likely never be a .300 hitter, but he has everything else

Kyle Tucker has always had MONSTER potential (Think 35 HR/35 SB), but the PT was just never there. Now it is. He didn't have the monster breakout that would make his 2021 draft cost prohibitive though, so getting him in the 3rd-4th round could be a coup. 9 HR 8 SB .268 AVG

JT Realmuto... this season exemplified exactly why I was in on him to some degree (11 HR 4 SB playing every day hitting middle of the order) and why I couldn't pull the trigger as early as he goes (catchers have such a high risk of injury comparative to other hitter positions)

Trent Grisham was the poster child for what I look for in an emerging hitter going into 2020... phenomenal plate approach in minors with high BB% low K% power and speed. He showed that this season with 10 HR 10 SB and a .250 AVG. I think there's much more here too. I'm in!

Alex Verdugo got in on Boston's propensity to run now that they don't have the middle of the order big bats anymore. He had 6 HR 4 SB and has always been a .300 hitter. Love that profile. Only concern is as a lefty he may not stick as the leadoff guy when facing lefties

Christian Vazquez was yet another Boston player to get in on the SB revolution there with 4 SB in addition to 7 HR and a .283 AVG. Getting anything other than power from a catcher is already a boon, but getting power, speed, AND solid AVG? I just hope he doesn't go TOO high

Eric Hosmer is another Padre who got in on the SB parade with 4 of his own in only 150 PAs to go along with 9 HR and a .287 AVG. LOVE his profile... changed his swing and approach and I'm buying into this big time. Now he just needs to stay healthy...

Dansby Swanson looks like about the same player he was last year (10 HR 5 SB) but that he traded some contact points for power... he still ended up with a .274 AVG thanks to a .350 BABIP, but his barrel% has increased from 4.1% to 7.7% up to 11.4% this season, which is awesome!

Kyle Lewis showed that despite a high K% and low contact% he can likely sustain a high BABIP due to how hard he hits the ball... he also continued to barrel a high percentage of balls (though not the 18.6% from 2019). 11 HR 5 SB .262 AVG was great this year. Love the power upside

The Mariners are another team running wild and who likely will continue to do so. Dylan Moore exemplifies that perfectly. 8 HR 12 SB .255 AVG this year, Moore was a guy I was always high on despite his low AVG. I am buying into him next year again as well. I think he's legit

Austin Slater is yet another guy I've been high on for years who finally broke out. He's always been a higher AVG guy with some pop, but 8 SB in just 104 PAs?! Where did that come from? The Giants don't run much so not sure what accounted for this but not sure I buy into those SB

Miguel Rojas showed some pop (4 HR) and speed (5 SB) and hit .300 as well in under 150 PAs. With a sub 1% barrel rate and low hard hit rate, it's tough to buy into the power... but the Marlins should continue to run wild and an AVG around .280-.290 is legit.

Kevin Pillar has pretty much been the same HR/SB combo guy for his whole career... this year was no different except he also added a .288 AVG. But the BABIP inflation (.335) might continue while he hits in Coors, so if he's the every day CF in COL again next season I'm in!

Jackie Bradley Jr. had a pretty damn good season as well with 7 HR 5 SB and a .283 AVG w/ contact% K% and BB% gains. His barrel rate was down though and his hard hit rate was way down so I don't think he's a 20 HR guy, but if he can hold the AVG gains, I think he'll def run more

Yet another beneficiary of the Mariners SB revolution, Kyle Seager even had 5 SB! He hasn't had that many steals in a FULL season since 2015! Seager isn't gonna help much in AVG and his power is capped around 25 HR but if he steals 10 bases, he can provide late value. He's solid