2020 Triple-Asset Batters

by Pat Cloghessy

Triple-asset bats (power, speed, batting effectiveness) are the lifeblood of championship teams, however they typically come at hefty cost. This season is no exception. Ten of the top nineteen picks (per ADP) are what BABS likes to call “triple-threats”. If we eliminate pitchers, the ratio increases to nine out of the first fourteen batters selected. 

Poster-boy Fernando Tatis, Jr. is the BABSiest of all the triple-threats. From a strictly skills-based perspective, one could say he has the highest ceiling in the draft. There are other considerations. He has liabilities aplenty, but at an ADP of 17 is there a sliver of hope for profit? Maybe. 

BABS has few quibbles with the other eight tri-asset holders up at the top of the draft. Maybe Trevor Story (PW,SB,a) sitting right next to Ronald Acuna is telling us something about Acuna’s lofty status. 

There are only 18 triple-asset bats in all, which leaves only nine available after pick 20. And four of the nine are projected for mid- or part-time plate appearances.  

So pay up. And maybe move some of the less heralded triple-threats up your draft board. At the very least, leverage the market, which seems to be sleeping a bit on guys like Javy Baez (p,s,a – ADP 41), Bo Bichette (p,SB,AV – 73), Ramon Laureano (p,s,a – 80) and 2019 September stud Tommy Edman (p,SB,a – 135). 

BABS likes all four as value plays at their current prices. While they have their warts (who doesn’t?), they do allow for various routes to roster construction. For example, if your draft slot presents you with two SP in rounds 1-2, there are still options that provide a solid base in all of the offensive categories. There are obviously innumerable ways to build a roster, but if we’re being truly BABSian, we’d prefer to avoid empty asset columns, at least early in the draft. Bare asset slots potentially cause roster imbalance and a tendency towards category deficiencies. Scrambling to fill those out with extreme sources of power or speed can often exacerbate shortfalls in other categories (like BA or HR). Ditto for taking BA drags early. Just don’t.

J.T. Realmuto (p,s,a) is the first catcher taken in drafts, and for good reason. He’s the ultra-rare triple-asset backstop. It’s a matter of personal preference and league parameters as to whether or not a catcher is draftable at pick 52. BABS sees the skills as worthy of it.

Shohei Ohtani’s (PW,s,AV) batting skills are comparable to Juan Soto, who goes about 85 picks earlier. Once more for those in the back: Ohtani’s (pictured) BABS assets are on par with one of the most exciting young players in baseball, and he’s the only hitter who can make that claim. That alone might make him worth the gamble at his draft slot. Ohtani has many questions, but the ability to contribute across all scoring categories is not among them. The playing time is a legitimate wild-card. When will he pitch? If healthy enough to pitch effectively, his DH at-bats will likely be scaled back. His positional designation in your league will ultimately determine his final price. 

Rounding out the three-piece asset wearers are two big prospects and a still-skilled veteran. All three come from the (p,s,a) family. A.J. Pollock’s prospects for playing time just took a hit with all of the drama in Los Angeles. That said, the assets play. So when the time comes, he will be ready (provided he’s healthy). Jo Adell is a consensus Top 10 prospect with, at present, Brian Goodwin as his biggest obstacle to regular plate appearances. If he comes out hot this spring, expect his ADP to go stratospheric in March drafts (currently 208). At first glance, Dylan Carlson appears to have a bit more in his way, but Harrison Bader and Tyler O’Neill are still unproven as MLB regulars. Dexter Fowler is a steady vet. Nothing too daunting. Carlson is not “undrafted” at ADP 323, but slotting him higher on your draft board still leaves plenty of room for potential profit.