The Dynasty Digest: March 17, 2023

Grab a cup of coffee and read Chris Clegg runs down everything you need to know for dynasty leagues from the previous days action.

Cover photo with image by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Welcome to the Dynasty Digest! Baseball is back, and so are we, with our daily reports of everything you need to know from the previous days’ action for you to win your dynasty leagues.

Spring Training is always an interesting time, as box score stats don’t necessarily matter, but I am looking for other things of note. Has a pitcher seen an increase in velo or do they have a new pitch that compliments the arsenal well? Has a hitter simplified their approach, or did they post a new max exit velocity? The little things are much more important than box score stats for Spring Training, and we are going to talk about them. Unfortunately, nearly all of the Arizona games got rained out, but we still have plenty to talk about.

Another great day of Spring Breakout + Training is on Saturday, with a ton to cover. Let’s get to the action.

Spring Training + Breakout Standouts From March 16

Josue Briceno, C/1B, DET

Briceno had just one hit, but it was notable because it left the bat with an exit velocity of 111.7 mph that ended in a double. Briceno had an additional batted ball that also left the bat at 97 mph. This is obviously notable because Briceno is just 19 years old.

Briceno had a strong 2023 season, spending time at the Complex and Single-A, posting a .319/.402/.529 slash with seven home runs and 28 extra-base hits in 55 games. Signed as one of the top players in the 2022 international class, Briceno has displayed solid power and a decent feel for contact to his point. 

While it has only been a small sample, the results have been solid for the big-bodied slugger. Briceno will likely start 2024 back in Single-A and spend the entire season as a 19-year-old. If the success continues next season, Briceno is sure to vault up boards.

Jace Jung, 3B, DET

Jung mashed two home runs on Saturday off of Mick Abel and Griff McGarry. While the first one had just a 96.6 mph exit velocity, Jung got all of the second one as it left the bat at 105 mph.

The power breakout happened in 2023, as Jung mashed 28 home runs while showing solid exit velocities. With ideal launch angles, the power plays up even more in the game and has the potential to be a plus grade long term. 

There is still some swing and miss, as Jung made contact on just 78 percent of pitches in the zone last year, but he does show a good feel for the strike zone and the ability to take walks. Regardless, the swing is solid and works well. After spending most of his career at second base, Jung has now fully shifted to the hot corner.

Xavier Isaac, 1B, TB

Isaac stole the show of the Rays and Twins breakout game as he homered twice and posted three batted balls over 103.5 mph. It has been long known that Isaac had big power, and it was clearly displayed on Saturday. The home runs left the bat with exit velocities of 107.7 and 110.4 mph. He also smoked a double the other way with a 103.6 mph exit velocity.

Spending the 2023 season as a 19-year-old, Isaac posted a 108 mph 90th percentile exit velocity to pair with an 89 mph average exit velocity. Isaac has also hit some majestic home runs, maxing out at 115 mph. 

The contact skills have shown to be questionable at times, as he posted just a 67 percent contact rate in 2023, which dropped down in the second half to 65 percent. The zone contact also showed slightly below average at 77 percent. The good news is that Isaac had a strong strike zone recognition and chased just 22 percent of pitches out of the zone, leading to solid walk rates near 15 percent in 2023. 

Spencer Jones, OF, NYY

While Isaac put on a display, Spencer Jones was in step with him, hitting two home runs and having three batted balls over 104.5 mph. This is nothing new for Jones, who has been mashing and putting up big exit velocities all spring and for most of his career. If any prospects has seen their stock move up(which I don’t suggest doing based on spring performance), it is Jones. This is largely due to his contact skills looking much improved.

The power comes easy, as you might expect from a 6’7” frame, but the long limbs do create some swing and miss. The 94 mph average exit velocity puts him among the best hitters in the minors in terms of exit velocity alone. Surprisingly, he managed just 16 home runs in 2023, mainly due to a ground ball north of 47 percent. Jones will need to hit the ball at better angles to make the most of his power.

Jones’s contact rate improved all season as he posted a 68 percent clip through June 15 2023, which was 236 plate appearances. The number continued to rise all season as Jones finished the second half with a 75 percent contact rate, a notable jump. The contact has carried over into 2024 and if Jones can be consistent in the 75 percent range he could be a top 10 prospect.

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