4. TJ Friedl, Reds
Friedl was really good in 2023- he threw up a .819 OPS and was above average in every category and elite in contact rate. Hampered by injuries, he took a massive step back in 2024. I'm not bullish that 2023 wasn't buoyed by significant over-production- Friedl's advanced metrics weren't good at the plate. His exit velocities and barrel percentages were in the bottom 10% of the league and expected OBA and slugging were even lower. Friedl also doesn't have an elite prospect pedigree or a history of slugging in the minor leagues to give me confidence that 2023 wasn't an aberration.
5. Victor Scott, Cardinals
Scott is fast. Potentially incredibly fast. Outside of that, I'm not really sure if he has MLB tools. He posted a meager .219 OBP in his 155 plate appearances last year with a 40 wRC+. It's actually hard to believe that the Cardinals are comfortable entering a season (even a retooling season) with Scott or Michael Siani taking everyday at-bats. Because of his defense and fielding, Scott could present some decent value if he could be even close to league average with the bat. There was nothing in 2024 that suggests he could get there.