With the 2023 MLB season approaching, for the first time since 2019, Major League Baseball is looking to begin a regular season at the end of March. No more COVID delays, ballpark travel restrictions or lockouts. We start on time (hopefully!) and play 162 games for everyone. <\/span><\/p>\n
But just as some things are returning to normal, we’re seeing big changes in other parts of baseball we’ve grown accustomed to. It has a mild to massive impact on the game every year. <\/span><\/p>\n
Other major changes come in the form of new dimensions in various ballparks. How Parks plays for both pitchers and hitters is a key variable for every fantasy trying to put together a team and his DFS manager. How will these parks factors affect play this year and which stadiums are adopting the changes? <\/span><\/p>\n
First, let’s take a look at some of the changes that have been made to various ballparks around Major League Baseball and see what changes to expect. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Comerica Park (Detroit)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
In early January, the Detroit Tigers announced significant changes to their outfield wall, from center field to right field foul pole. those changes, <\/span>According to MLB.com<\/u><\/span> becomes:<\/span><\/p>\n
\u2022 Centerfield wall moved from 422 feet to 412 feet and lowered from 8.5 feet to 7 feet.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u2022 The right-center field wall above the out-of-town scoreboard will be reduced in height from 13 feet to 7 feet.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u2022 The right wing wall is lowered flush from 8.5 feet to 7 feet.<\/span><\/p>\n
These are relatively large-scale changes, affecting many left-handed hitters in the Tigers’ lineup and visiting lineups. The iconic tall centerfield wall no longer holds many balls in the park. <\/span><\/p>\n
Looking at these changes the first thing I found was <\/span>Riley Green<\/span>The young prodigy did more than hit .362 with five homers in 93 games last season. <\/span>Austin Meadows<\/span> When <\/span>Akil Badu<\/span> Also a left-hander who can benefit from these outfield changes. <\/span><\/p>\n
We haven’t drafted a pitcher for the Tigers this year. <\/span>Eduardo Rodriguez<\/span> throw some darts <\/span>Alex Lange<\/span> if he is near. But these new outfield dimensions can wreak havoc on pitchers who tend to give up left-handed power.<\/span><\/p>\n
The changes the Blue Jays have announced to the outfield are more extensive, but far more subtle than what we’ve heard from Detroit. <\/span>Proposed changes for this year<\/u><\/span> that is: <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
Left field line: 328 feet (unchanged), wall 14 feet 4 inches (previously 10 feet)<\/span><\/li>\n
Right wing line: 328′ (unchanged), 12’7″ wall (previously 10′)<\/span><\/li>\n
Left center power array: 381 feet (previously 383 feet), wall 12 feet 9 inches (previously 10 feet)<\/span><\/li>\n
Right middle power array: 372 feet (previously 383 feet), walls 10 feet 9 inches (previously 10 feet)<\/span><\/li>\n
Center Field: 400′ (unchanged), 8′ wall (previously 10′)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Knocking the ball out of a Toronto park seems a little harder if you choose to pull it down either line. Come. <\/span><\/p>\n
Where we seem to see an increase in attack is in the power array, which has been shortened all around, including right-center 16 feet. To offset that, the walls are taller in these areas, but that’s more likely than some scrapers hitting home runs just above the shortened fences, and we’ve seen doubles off the walls a few times. It means that it is likely. <\/span><\/p>\n
We definitely need time to see how these changes work. In Detroit, we know that the aggressive environment has an opportunity to rise across the board. It’s not very clear here, but none of these changes will lower the asking price of a Blue Jays stud being drafted this year. <\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span> Photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays<\/span><\/p>\n
Why are park elements important to fantasy?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Stadiums in Toronto and Detroit are great examples of how park elements can be evaluated and given an edge in fantasy baseball. There are several ways to do this.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Lineup utilization in daily leagues and DFS<\/span><\/li>\n
Use park factors to rate pitchers based on how they have historically played to their dominant hand<\/span><\/li>\n
Use Perk Factor as a tiebreaker between surrounding players in late round draft situations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
More and more fantasy sites now offer weekly leagues, but with the option of Friday\/midweek swaps for injuries, lineup adjustments, or other shifts. Another bench player who might face the second best pitcher at the Great American Ballpark, or a stream pitcher who might face the Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum (second-home run park percentage lowest). <\/span><\/p>\n
In Draft, perk factors also help you make quick decisions between two otherwise similar players. Consider the following example: In the NFBC League, <\/span>Andrew Benintendi<\/span> (OF51, ADP 218.9) and <\/span>Ramon Laureano<\/span> (OF52, 219 ADP) were selected within one slot of each other in the January draft. Here’s a comparison of carriers:<\/span><\/p>\n
While there are some distinct points that distinguish them (experience being the main one), there are many similarities. If you need more on-base percentage, go for Benintendi. If you don’t like steel, Laureano might be on your side. <\/span><\/p>\n
But all things being equal, <\/span>Andrew Benintendi<\/span> A move to the White Sox and guaranteed rate field might tip the scales his way when you’re pressed for time and faced with a decision.<\/span><\/p>\n
Rate guarantee field<\/strong>: <\/span>Park factor average over 3 years<\/u><\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n
Run \u2013 8th place<\/span> Home Run \u2013 2nd Place<\/span> OBP-11th<\/sup><\/span> Overall \u2013 7th place<\/span><\/p>\n
Oakland Coliseum<\/strong>: <\/span>Park factor average over 3 years<\/u><\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n
Run \u2013 28th place<\/span> Home Run \u2013 29th<\/span> OBP \u2013 28 days<\/span> Overall \u2013 28th<\/span><\/p>\n
Certainly there are many other factors involved and this is just considering them in a vacuum. can be a useful tie breaker.<\/span><\/p>\n
best aggressive park <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
According to Statcast data for Baseball Savant, the top three offensive perks in each category for 2020-2022 are:<\/span><\/p>\n
point:<\/i> We knew the Coors and Great American Ball Park were a hitter’s paradise, but Fenway and Kaufman, though not homers, were a very friendly offense overall. The two new stadiums finished second in home runs last year and he finished third. Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox) and Dodger His stadium is now big enough to hit a lot of home runs. <\/span><\/p>\n
Best Pitcher Park<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
According to Statcast data for Baseball Savant, the top three pitcher-friendly parks in these categories for 2020-2022 are:<\/span><\/p>\n
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