Fantasy baseball, like any other fantasy sports game, is all about predicting and selecting players who will outperform expectations. Every season, there are a few players who come out of nowhere and become true game-changers for their fantasy owners. These rookies, previously unknown or unheralded players, prove their worth and become household names in the fantasy baseball world. Let’s take a look at some of the fantasy baseball players who surprised everyone by going from rookies to MVPs.
One of the most notable examples of a rookie turning into an MVP in recent years is Ronald Acuña Jr. When the Atlanta Braves called up Acuña in 2018, many fantasy owners were cautiously optimistic about his potential. However, Acuña exceeded all expectations and played in 111 games, hitting an impressive .293 with 26 home runs and 16 stolen bases. His stellar performance not only earned him the National League Rookie of the Year award but also made him a top fantasy baseball asset. Since then, Acuña has become a first-round draft pick and a legitimate contender for MVP honors.
Similarly, Pete Alonso burst onto the fantasy baseball scene in 2019. The New York Mets’ first baseman hit a rookie record-breaking 53 home runs and had 120 RBIs, winning both the National League Rookie of the Year and a place on fantasy baseball rosters worldwide. Alonso became a true fantasy baseball superstar overnight, exceeding everyone’s expectations and providing an enormous return on investment for those who drafted him.
Another player who surprised everyone in 2019 was Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks. After an unremarkable start to his career, Marte exploded onto the fantasy baseball scene by hitting .329 with 32 home runs, 92 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. His tremendous season led him to finish in the top five in the National League MVP voting. Although Marte had shown glimpses of potential in previous years, few predicted that he would have this kind of breakout season.
Moving to the pitching side, Shane Bieber had a remarkable 2020 season. The Cleveland Indians’ ace finished the shortened season with an incredible 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts in just 77.1 innings pitched. Bieber’s dominant performance earned him the American League Cy Young Award and made him an invaluable fantasy baseball asset. His unexpected rise from relatively unknown to fantasy MVP transformed him into a must-have player in drafts for the 2021 season.
These examples highlight the excitement and unpredictability of fantasy baseball. Every year, there are players who surprise everyone by exceeding expectations and becoming fantasy MVPs. Whether it’s a rookie like Acuña or Alonso or an established player like Marte or Bieber, their meteoric rise to the top of the fantasy baseball world proves that anything can happen in this exciting and dynamic game. That’s the beauty of fantasy baseball – the thrilling journey from rookies to MVPs.