Ty France

France looked like a potential fantasy stalwart in the first half of 2022 following solid seasons in 2020-2021, but the right-handed hitting infielder posted just a .646 OPS in the second half of that campaign, and his .250/.337/.368 slash was more of the same.His on-base percentage was buoyed heavily by being hit 34 times, and that's the second time over the last three seasons he's ended up the leading baseball in plunkings. His power numbers dropped considerably with just 12 homers in his 665 plate appearances, and a barrel percentage under seven percent (6.8) suggests that wasn't a case of bad luck. He does seem likely to rebound in the average category, as he struck out in just 17.6 percent of his plate appearances last year, and while he hasn't been among the league leaders in hard contact, the ability to use the whole field while putting the ball in play on a consistent basis should see him closer to the .279 mark he had prior to 2023. Because of the lack of power and a complete lack of speed France is a flawed fantasy player, but a bounceback to the stats he put up from 2020 to 2022 could make him a strong fantasy value in the later rounds.

France may not sport the typical corner infield skill set, but it plays and can be a fantasy asset when used in the proper lineup build. His primary skill is an elite contact rate as his average exit velocity is 24th percentile flanked with a 29th percentile hard hit rate. France's fly ball exit velocity is a little higher, allowing him to maintain a slightly above average HR/FB. Put together, France has registered a wRC+ of 133, 130 and 127 over the past three seasons. His job as the Mariners' every day first baseman is secure, and manager Scott Servais likes to hit him in a prominent lineup spot. France's run production should benefit from an improving Seattle lineup. It hurts a bit that France no longer has second base eligibility, but France can provide batting stability with enough power to merit mixed league corner infield consideration.

Through April 19, France was slashing .311/.411/.525, but he left a game early after being hit by a pitch on the forearm. Over his next 20 games, France hit .157/.263/.229 before being put on the IL with wrist inflammation. Neither the HBP nor sore wrist were cited for the slump, but one or both likely contributed. France had the minimum stay, then didn't miss a game the rest of the way. He did endure another slump (2-for-21) while playing through a bone bruise on his wrist. France is an accumulator, benefiting from a career-low 16.3 K%. His power is average but a penchant for line drives supports a high BABIP. Seattle runs, but France's 21st percentile sprint speed grounds him. France is slated to again be the Mariners' everyday first baseman, but he'll also qualify at second where his numbers play better for fantasy. France's solid contact provides a floor. Just beware hitting line drives can be a fleeting skill.

On the surface, France's 2020 season appears to be a breakthrough campaign, but the underlying metrics say, "proceed with caution." He began the season with the Padres and was slashing .314/.375/.510 when he was dealt to the Mariners at the trade deadline. France recorded a .300/.364/.444 line with Seattle. While his expected stats were just a little shy of his actual marks, France's eighth percentile average exit velocity and 11th percentile hard-hit rate indicate he's working with a small margin of error and is likely in store for regression on his .390 BABIP. Seattle has several players capable of playing multiple positions, so if France has a poor spring or struggles in season, he's a risk to fall into a utility role or perhaps even return to the minors. France's 1.247 OPS back in 2019 for Triple-A El Paso is still enticing, but it's probably a mirage.

France had the type of minor-league season that looks like a typo. He thoroughly enjoyed the spoils of the juiced ball in the Pacific Coast League and playing in El Paso, hitting .399/.477/.770 in 348 plate appearance with 27 homers and 172 runs-plus-RBI. He earned a promotion to San Diego, where his production returned to a more believable level. That said, 34 homers, 103 runs and 113 RBI in a season is some accomplishment. He also has a knack as a ball magnet at the plate, having been hit by pitches at least 25 times in each of the past four seasons. The Padres brought in Jurickson Profar to take over at second base in 2020, though France arguably has more upside at this point. Given the roster construction, France would likely be hitting seventh or eighth even if he were to take over as the starter eventually.