JonathanVillar

News: 5 days agoVillar may not be the Marlins' regular center fielder this season, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Spin: The veteran second baseman had just begun adjusting to a new defensive home when spring training was put on pause, and the quick ramp-up and circumstances of summer camp may not give Villar enough time to get comfortable in the outfield. "We do see him a little more infield now," manager Don Mattingly said Monday. "With the DH, he can go a little bit back and forth -- with center field, second base, shortstop and DH -- to be able to keep him fresh." Villar still figures to be in the lineup every day as the leadoff hitter, however, and the shift away from a full transition to center field could actually be good news for his fantasy value if it allows him to gain extra position eligibility.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Despite his posting the first 20-homer, 40-steal season in six years in 2019, Villar was cast off by the rebuilding Orioles this winter, with their loss the Marlins' gain. They'll utilize him all over the diamond, granting him a realistic chance at in-season fantasy eligibility at third base and outfield eligibility in addition to his current second base/shortstop combo. They'll also presumably continue to grant him green lights on the base paths, exploiting his greatest strength, as he has averaged 41 steals between the majors and minors the past five seasons. Let that drive your interest in him, and in this era of declining steals, Villar's speed coupled with his double-digit homer ability makes him a viable top-50 pick in rotisserie leagues. In points leagues, as is often the case with speed-oriented players, he's a bit -- perhaps as many as 3-4 rounds -- less valuable.