Bold predictions in a fantasy baseball setting are bold for a reason, because they are risky and beyond conventional wisdom. Predicting Aaron Judge to hit 30 home runs is far from bold. Predicting him not to, well, is bold. With 2024 spring training games underway, now seems like a fine time — not at all bold, incidentally — to go bold.

Some of our bold predictions from last season hit the goal or came close, which makes us smile. Cody Bellinger and Jose Berrios indeed bounced back nicely with the Cubs and Blue Jays, respectively. The Dodgers’ James Outman and Tigers’ Kerry Carpenter won starting roles and hit for power. Oakland’s Esteury Ruiz stole 50-plus bases, and Pittsburgh’s Ji Hwan Bae stole 24. Miami’s Jesus Luzardo and Minnesota’s Jhoan Duran were great.

Then again, other picks look foolish in retrospect. Vaughn Grissom and Michael Soroka did not thrive for Atlanta. They barely played at all. (But watch out in 2024!) Colorado’s Kris Bryant flopped, yet again. Don’t ask about the now-retired Nelson Cruz and Adam Wainwright, or afterthoughts Drew Rucinski and Oscar Gonzalez. Hey, we take chances, and sometimes we should not have.

Regardless, let us go bold yet again, this time for 2024, finishing up with the National League.