Robbie Ray is the top must-have fantasy player

A recent survey in Fantasy Baseball highlights popular player choices and trends for the upcoming draft season. Participants were asked about their must-have players, breakout pitchers, and strategies for filling critical positions. Robbie Ray topped the list as the most desired player this year, with positive performance boosting his draft value. Other popular names include Bo Bichette and Junior Caminero. Players like Isaac Paredes and Gavin Williams were also noted for their potential, while concerns linger around Oneil Cruz and Jacob deGrom due to past performance issues. When it comes to breakout pitchers, Gavin Williams emerged as a favorite. His strong mechanics and recent improvements have made him a hot commodity. Cristopher Sanchez also gained attention for his velocity increase this spring. The survey revealed some skepticism about early-round players like Rafael Devers and Jazz Chisholm, but many respondents still expressed confidence in Freddie Freeman’s abilities. Concerns about injury risks, particularly with deGrom and Cruz, influenced some choices. For cheap power, Jake Burger and Jorge Soler again stood out, alongside Ryan Mountcastle, who is expected to rebound this season. In terms of speed, Nico Hoerner is gaining traction despite being drafted later. First base was identified as the most critical position to fill early, given the scarcity of talent compared to other positions. Lastly, Alexis Diaz was highlighted as a closer at risk of losing his job, with respondents wary of several other bullpen situations. Overall, the survey reflects a mix of optimism and caution among fantasy players as they prepare for the upcoming baseball season.