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Wil Myers heating up, but metrics provide caution

Although Wil Myers' return to fantasy lineups has been positive, Colin Henderson adds perspective to the optimism surrounding his recent production.

Video Transcript

COLIN HENDERSON: Welcome back to Fantasy Lineup's Wil Meyers. The Padres outfielder returned from the COVID-19 injured list on May 23 and has been starting to lock in. Entering Monday, Meyers has gone 7 for 16 with two homers, six RBIs, and 3 runs scored in the last four games. This has brought his season line to .252/.338./430 With six homers, 22 RBIs, 19 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 154 plate appearances.

While Meyers' counting stats have been fine so far, his metrics paint a far less rosy picture. He is below average in nearly all major Statcast metrics, including in the bottom 7 percentile and average exit velocity, the 22nd percentile in expected batting average, and the bottom half of the league in barrel percentage, expected slugging, and hard hit percentage.

On the brighter side, the 30-year-old is walking at a career high rate, and has improved his strikeout percentage to only 22%, his best mark since his rookie year. With a spring speed still in the top 15% of the league, Meyers should still be able to swipe 10 to 15 bags by the end of the year. But he will need to start making far more solid contact if he is to replicate his 2020 season, where he hit .288 with 15 homers and 40 RBIs in only 198 at bats.