2024 Active Rosters: Aquarius
Early in my career as a baseball astrologer, I‘ve made many a joke about Aquarius being the least competitive sign of the zodiac. Those jokes tapered off as I continued backwards in history to the mid-1950s, and discovered that the Water Bearers had some years at the top of the heap, with Henry Aaron and Ernie Banks leading the offense. Suffice it to say, despite what actual astrologers might say about the position of Pluto, we are not entering an Age of Aquarius… dominating on the baseball field.
Any conversation about Aquarius in 2024 should start with Jazz Chisholm Jr., who is as dynamic as he is versatile. Earning eligibility in center field and at third base this past season, the Bahamian slugger is likely ticketed for second base in 2025. Next in fantasy points, and overall offensive value, is Bryan Reynolds, who signed a long term extension to remain with the Pirates. Speaking of big contracts, the highest-paid Aquarian on the 2024 roster is Dansby Swanson, although he’s fallen to number two on the shortstop depth chart.
The lead was officially taken by Zach Neto, who forms a young Aquarius core in Anaheim, along with first baseman Nolan Schanuel and catcher Logan O’Hoppe. Speaking of catchers, while Adley Rutschman was heralded as the future offensive lynchpin of the Orioles, it now looks like the more promising Aquarian in Baltimore might be infielder Jordan Westburg… or outfielder Heston Kjerstad, but that’s looking way down the line.
Third base is strong for this sign, even assuming Chisholm Jr. moves off the position. Isaac Paredes – new to the Astros – handled the hot corner this past season, but if Josh Jung and Ke’Bryan Hayes can return from injury, the Water Bearers will have a surplus. The outfield, by contrast, doesn’t look nearly as solid without Chisholm – you’re looking at Tyrone Taylor for center field, and a platoon of Josh Lowe and Hunter Renfroe for the other corner.
Aquarius has a solid starting rotation, thanks almost exclusively to Seattle and the Mets. George Kirby and Bryan Woo make up the top two 2024 Aquarius pitchers in points and points-per-game, respectively. Out of Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana, only the former re-signed with the Mets, but Kodai Senga should be healthy and ready to pitch in Queens next season. The lone Aquarius starter from another team was Nathan Eovaldi, who also recently re-signed with his former club (the Rangers).
The bullpen, I have to say, was a complete disaster; at least in terms of fantasy points, which are heavily dependent on saves. Luis Ortiz had more relief appearances than starts for the Pirates, so he gets the top nod here, even though I’m not sure what his role will be with Cleveland after being traded. With Liam Hendriks injured, the only Aquarius relievers with closing experience were Jorge Lopez (who got himself booted OFF the Mets) and Gregory Soto (who couldn’t even crack six (6) fantasy points per game).