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  "description": "PJ Benasillo digs into the data and unearths some fantasy gold for your dynasty teams. ",
  "path": "/xpected-edge-7-hes-otto-this-world/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-13T10:00:08.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.prospectslive.com",
  "tags": [
    "xPected Edge - Prospects LiveProspects LivePJ Benasillo",
    "Otto Lopez",
    "Xavier Edwards",
    "Liam Hicks",
    "Kyle Stowers",
    "Jakob Marsee",
    "Subscribe now"
  ],
  "textContent": "Welcome to the seventh edition of xPected Edge!\n\nFor those new to the program, the goal of this series is to isolate and examine the data points behind the slash line and the box score. All season long, I'll be looking into the Data Darlings and Disasters to help expose edges for dynasty league players to either buy low on guys due for better days or sell high on players who have been performing way above their true talent.\n\nxPected Edge - Prospects LiveProspects LivePJ Benasillo\n\n### Otto Lopez, MIA, SS\n\nPhoto Credit: Sam NavarroOtto Lopez 2026 Savant Sliders\n\nOtto Lopez may possibly be the best fantasy asset that no one has been talking about throughout 2026. Lopez caught my eye in 2025 as an offseason target following his solid, if unspectacular, 2025. At the start of 2025, Xavier Edwards was the primary SS for the Fightin' Fish, while Lopez was the 2B. Following a mid-season defensive switch, both players found themselves having dramatically more success on the other side of the game.\n\nLopez ultimately compiled a .246/.305/.368 slash line with 15 HR and 15 SB in 2025. Lopez's xBA for 2025 was .269, indicating that he was fairly unlucky with his production last year. Entering 2026, he looked like a capable bench piece in 12- team leagues who wouldn't hurt you when a star player got hurt, or had an off day. However, Lopez has been carrying teams outright so far.\n\nIn 40 games, Lopez has an OPS almost 200 points higher than last season. He's been absolutely sensational. While he's dramatically increased his slash line production, he hasn't quite yet found that translates into his counting stats, as he's barely on pace to match 2025's HR total, and is only marginally surpassing his total thefts from last year. Between his sensational defense and surprising, but not unwarranted, offensive production, Lopez is on pace to rack up an 8-win season at the moment.\n\nSo what has unlocked this offensive surge in Lopez?\n\nOtto Lopez 2025 Savant Sliders\n\nWell, for starters, Lopez has been more aggressive in 2026. He's sacrificed some of his higher-end plate discipline in favor of pursuing a more aggressive strategy. His whiff, strikeout, and walk rates have all taken a step back, but in exchange, Lopez has been making harder contact with an almost 3 MPH increase in his average exit velocity. Lopez has also set a career high Max EV this year, with an almost 2 MPH increase from his previous career best. As a result, Lopez has increased his Hard Hit % by 8.3%, good for the 7th-best year-over-year improvement in baseball this season.\n\nOtto Lopez's Positioning in the Batters Box 2025 (left) v. 2026 (right)\n\nIt's a series of small changes, but Lopez has also been further up in the batter's box. That positioning adjustment has enabled him to make contact with the ball 4.1\" further in front of the plate compared to last year. That tweak in his intercept point has increased the number of balls Lopez has hit to the central part of the field. Lopez still has some meat left on the bone if he wants to tap into his power. His pull % has actually decreased 5% YOY. He has modestly increased his AirPull rate by 2 points, but it hasn't yet translated into a significant power uptick.\n\nAll in all, I am bullish on Lopez's 2026 and beyond. The Marlins have quietly been improving their hitting development. While the rotation and pitching staff have sucked up much of the oxygen in the 305, the Fish have been making strides with the boomsticks. Liam Hicks has been one of the best surprises of the 2026 season, and so too has Xavier Edwards's improvements (which you may be reading more about soon). Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee were two of the big 2025 breakouts. While both have taken steps back in 2026, I believe they'll be closer to their 2025 production levels than to their current performance.\n\n## Sign up for Prospects Live\n\nYour one stop shop for Dynasty Fantasy Baseball, MLB Draft, Baseball Card & MiLB Baseball content. Blending Data & Scouting into our Player Evaluation\n\nSubscribe\n\nEmail sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.\n\nNo spam. Unsubscribe anytime.\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "xPected Edge #7: He's Otto This World",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-20T00:21:21.995Z"
}