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2022 Player Outlook

If you look up "contact hitter" in the dictionary, Kiner-Falefa's batted ball profile is what it is at this point, in that he doesn't make a ton of loud contact, but he makes a ton of contact overall. He's posted a strikeout rate under 16 percent in three of the last four seasons, and less than 15 percent in each of the last two seasons. He hit a career high eight home runs last season with a .271 batting average and 20 stolen bases! Yes, he'll continue to make contact with a little bit of pop, but 15 of his 20 stolen bases came before the All-Star break last season. That's notable because he actually posted better metrics in the second half of the season, sans stolen bases. It's been a whirlwind of an offseason for Kiner-Falefa, but he joins a Yankee team with a lot of pop in the lineup and a desperate need for a shortstop. The Yankees typically don't run much, so it will be interesting to see what happens with Kiner-Falefa's most intriguing fantasy asset, but he's more-or-less locked in for everyday at-bats in a good New York lineup (and stadium).