Mookie Betts’ recent shift from second base to shortstop has caught the attention of fantasy baseball managers. Betts has played seven games at second base and three games at shortstop this season, making him a potential three-position qualifier for the 2024 season. The recent rule changes for player eligibility could make this a reality.
New Eligibility Criteria
Starting with the 2024 season, a player will have to meet either of the following criteria to begin the season with eligibility at any given position:
– Play at least 20 games there the previous season
– Play at least 25% of their games at the position the previous season (minimum five games at the position)
For outfield eligibility, a batter must play at least 10 games in any outfield position. If a player only played in the Minor Leagues, the combined minor league and major league games played by position will be used to determine eligibility.
Other Players to Watch
Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets and Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies are both on track to qualify at two positions. Enrique Hernandez of the Boston Red Sox and Gio Urshela of the Los Angeles Angels are currently on track to qualify at three different positions. However, each player will need to maintain at least 25% of their appearances at those positions or reach 20 games played to retain eligibility.
MJ Melendez of the Kansas City Royals is another player to watch under the new eligibility rules. As a C/OF player, Melendez has played 14 games in the outfield and seven games as a catcher, making him eligible for both positions. The question is whether he can play the minimum 20 games at catcher or appear in at least 25% of his games there to maintain eligibility at this challenging position.
In conclusion, the new ESPN fantasy baseball rules could provide additional opportunities for players to gain eligibility at multiple positions, making them more valuable to fantasy managers.
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