Yuli Gurriel DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Free-agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel is finalizing a deal with the San Diego Padres. Last season, Gurriel spent most of the campaign with the Gwinnett Stripers but did get a brief look with the Kansas City Royals. Across 18 contests in Kansas City, Gurriel posted a .241/.338/.296 line. He showed an excellent eye at the plate with a 13.8 percent walk rate. In addition, he also generated an above-average .254 xBA. In 75 games at the Triple-A level, the 40-year-old posted a .292/.378/.485 slash line with 18 doubles and 12 long balls. He held an impressive 39:49 BB:K ratio. Gurriel spent the majority of his MLB career with the Houston Astros. Fantasy managers should expect the infielder to compete for a depth role in San Diego. Currently, Luis Arraez is slated to be the team's starting left fielder, but Gurriel could have a good opportunity to win the No. 2 role with a strong spring training.

Kansas City Royals first baseman Yuli Gurriel (leg) was removed early during Monday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The 40-year-old suffered a leg injury while trying to run out a double during Monday's game. Well, Gurriel made it through one full game with the team before getting injured. The team hasn't given an update on his status, but it's likely that Gurriel heads to the injured list. If Gurriel misses time, Freddy Fermin will likely do most of the catching while Salvador Perez sticks at first base. Both players are viable fantasy options and should be rostered and started in most fantasy formats.

The Atlanta Braves will have 40-year-old Yuli Gurriel playing some third base for Triple-A Gwinnett as the team scrambles to replace third baseman Austin Riley (hand), who was placed on the injured list Monday. Gurriel has not played third since 2019, when he was with the American League champion Houston Astros, and he has not played in the majors this season. The 2021 American League batting champion is hitting .300 in 72 games this season with Gwinnett. The Braves are also closing in on a deal with Gio Urshela, who was released by the Detroit Tigers Sunday. Neither project to offer impactful numbers for fantasy managers if/when they are called up.

Veteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel has signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Approaching his 40th birthday in June, Gurriel hit .245 with only four home runs in 329 plate appearances in 2023 for the Miami Marlins. It is a low-risk signing for the Braves, who feature slugger Matt Olson at 1B and Marcell Ozuna at DH. Gurriel has played some second and third base in his career, but Atlanta already has Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley at those spots. Gurriel figures to be a bench bat depth option for the Braves if he can get his bat back on track in Triple-A Gwinnett County. This signing will have little to no impact on fantasy baseball rosters.