The new year in MLB is just now underway, and what better way to celebrate than by taking a look at the first projection to be published for the 2020 season, FanGraphs’ Steamer projections?
Before we begin to take a look at what they have to say, let’s just first remind ourselves what these projection systems actually do. Each projection system uses statistical analysis to create what is essentially an “over/under” for a player’s performance, using some combination of the player’s history and typical regression. Initially created by Jared Cross, Steamer produces its forecasts by analyzing a player’s last five years of progression alongside the typical “career arc” of players at that position.