If Novak Djokovic played baseball: outfield, rated 89

Novak Djokovic as a baseball player: scouting report

Novak Djokovic plays the outfield, and the return of serve explains why. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest returners tennis has seen, reading serves that arrive at well over a hundred miles an hour and sending them back deep, and that is the same skill a hitter uses against a fastball. His eye is the top mark on his card. He won a men's record twenty four Grand Slam singles titles, including ten at the Australian Open, by refusing to give away points, and he would refuse to give away at bats.

His speed is the other headline rating, and his flexibility is famous: he slides into near splits on hard courts to reach balls other players concede. In center field that becomes range to both gaps and the ability to get low for a sinking liner. His fielding is excellent, his contact is strong and there is useful pop in the bat. He finally won Olympic gold in Paris in 2024 after years of chasing it, which shows the kind of drive that keeps a hitter sharp deep into a season.

The arm is the honest weakness, so put him in center or left and let a strong arm play right. Bat him second or third, where his eye keeps innings going and his contact drives in runs. If the outfield is crowded, second base works with a small drop and shortstop is playable. Draft him early. Few hitters in the pool combine this much patience with this much range.

Plays like A rubber limbed outfielder who never gives away an at bat

Put Novak Djokovic in your lineup

12 rolls, nine hitters and a rotation, 162 games. Can you win 117? Free, no account.