Mitch Moreland Back in Boston: Fantasy fallout

The Red Sox get their first baseman but it’s not who you thought it would be. How does Mitch Moreland do in another two seasons in Boston?

The Boston Red Sox have been linked to signing a first baseman this offseason, primarily Eric Hosmer. The team did announce they signed a first baseman but not Hosmer. They went with a familiar face in Mitch Moreland. After a good first year in Boston, how will he do in his year-32 season?

Moreland spent the first seven years of his career with the Texas Rangers as their first baseman and DH. He then signed with the Red Sox last offseason, a team in need of a new first baseman. He posted numbers close to his career average.

Moreland played in 149 games, the most in his career. In that span, he hit 22 home runs, 49 RBI and a .246/.326/.443 line. He also hit 34 doubles. They all either matched or exceeded his 2016 numbers.

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He was a 23rd-round pick in standard ESPN leagues, 220.4 ADP, and the 19th first baseman drafted. With the low batting average and modest power numbers (compared to the rest of the league), Moreland finished as the No. 34 first baseman on the Player Rater.

Moreland lowered his strikeout rate by 2.5 percent while raising his walk rate by 2.9 percent. His batted ball rates stayed within one point of each other between 2016 and 2017. He did a better job spreading the ball around the field. He went from 44.7 pull/34.2 center/21.1 oppo to 37.2/36.1/26.7 respectively.

Moreland also became more patient at the plate. He was swinging at fewer pitches in and out of the strike zone, 30.2 O-Swing and 69.3 Z-Swing rates, helping his strikeout and walk rates and on-base percentage.

He will have some protection in the lineup and has become a different batter over the last year. The peripherals point to another good season from Moreland.

Moreland re-joining the Red Sox solidifies him as the starting first baseman, giving him ample playing time.. This move also moves Hanley Ramirez as the primary DH option. The Red Sox could use some help in the infield but locking up first base is a good start.

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Looking ahead to 2018, Moreland comes in as my No. 18 first baseman, ahead of Ryan Zimmerman and Chris Davis. He should be available at Round 23 like he was last season, considering the depth at the position. He is a good corner infield or utility option in most leagues.