It is that time again for our 2022 Dynasty Player of the Week! But before we get started, I gotta do some housekeeping! So first and foremost, don't forget to check out my guy Dave's Dynasty Baseball Rankings! Also, be sure to tune into the On Deck Circle Podcast.
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This brings us to the man of the hour, or the man of the following few paragraphs! His name is Daulton Varsho. I'm going out of my comfort zone and acknowledging a catcher. Talk about truly growing.
2022 Dynasty Baseball Player of The Week: Daulton Varsho
Scarlet Letter
Varsho has been a reasonably high-regarded prospect throughout the last few years. Varsho was drafted in the 2017 draft in the 2nd round with the 68th pick overall by the D-backs. He got started early, and there is one thing that followed Varsho through his rise through the minors: the dude got on base. He boasted an OBP through all levels over .350. This ultimately leads Varsho to burst through the system and rise up prospect ranks as well. This is the beginning of my dynasty fantasy baseball, and he was a name I was always seeing. Like Emma Stone in Easy A (fantastic film), or the girl from the Scarlett letter (never read it), there was again red-letter next to Varsho, that letter was C.
2020
Varsho spent the beginning of the covid year at the alternate training site. Then the call came the call that every baseball player is waiting for. It was Varsho's time to go to the big leagues. In his first game, Varsho came off of the bench and drew a walk in his first career AB. He only started eight games; this is not the recipe for success when developing a promising young player. Varsho did not exactly set the world on fire; he went 4 for 25 with an ops .516.
The month of September brought some more fortune for Varsho, not only statistically but getting more chances. He played 21 of 25 games and slashed .234/.338/.484. This was a welcomed sign to end the year; he even played some games in the outfield. With his new versatility, he was close to a lock to enter the 2021 season as a starter for the Diamondbacks.
2021
As it turns out, Varsho was not a lock to make the active roster going into 2021. However, he did not wait long as he was called up in late April. This was primarily due to the solid season that Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly was having. Varsho found himself in the outfield for most of his starts. Varsho was not behind the dish until May 15th. During that year, he was 84th percentile in sprint speed! You read that correctly, a catcher who might be kind of fast! All in all, this was the year that cemented Varsho as a piece of the D-backs' puzzle.
Fantasy Impact
Is Varsho going to be a league winner for you this year? I would lean towards no. However, he does have that red C with catcher eligibility. On the flip side, I don't think he will keep that eligibility going into next year. I foresee him being an outfielder for the majority of his career. When it comes to catching, he would be the perfect Catcher on an excellent team; however, when it comes to outfielders on a good team, he would need to be your 4-5th outfielder. It's funny just how much a difference he is in my mind the position is.
I would say I would be selling Varsho at this point. Currently, Varsho is ranked 142 in Dave's ranks. I do not value Varsho nearly this high. I believe he is closer to the 200's level of player. He will be losing his catching eligibility soon, and you can capitalize on that.
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