Well-Known Fantasy Baseball Players - Drop, Hold, or Sell Low for Week 19? (2025)

August 5, 2025

Shaun discusses five well-known fantasy baseball hitters and pitchers who have not performed well heading into Week 19 of the 2025 season. Is it time to drop, sell, or hold?

Welcome back, RotoBallers. Week 19 is here, and the fantasy baseball season is officially entering crunch time. This is the stretch where savvy managers win leagues, not just by riding hot streaks, but by knowing when to cut losses. In our weekly "Drop, Hold, or Sell Low" series, we spotlight five players whose recent struggles have fantasy managers wondering whether it's time to stay patient or make a move.

This week's list features a mix of big names and fringe contributors. Some are still rostered in over 50% of Yahoo! leagues, while others, like Jake Mangum, have seen their roster share dip dramatically amid slumps. Regardless of their popularity, each player has recently given fantasy managers a reason to question their short-term value.

So, what should you do with these trending-down players? With the playoffs fast approaching, it's critical to get every lineup spot right. Let's break down five notable names for Week 19 and decide whether it's time to drop, hold, or sell low.

Kodai Senga, SP, New York Mets 

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga was dominant to start the season, flashing ace-level stuff before landing on the injured list in June with a hamstring strain. In his first few starts since returning on July 11, however, Senga has struggled to regain his early season form. His trademark fastball is averaging about 1 mph slower, and his command has taken a significant hit.

After showing pinpoint control earlier in the season, Senga has now issued 11 walks across his past 12 innings. The results have been concerning. Over his last three starts, Senga owns an 8.25 ERA and has often looked out of sync on the mound. His usually devastating forkball hasn't been as sharp, and his mechanics appear slightly off, leading to missed spots and longer innings.

For a pitcher who thrives on deception and precision, these minor mechanical flaws have a significant ripple effect. Despite the recent downturn, it's important to remember how elite Senga was before his injury.

SFG - Dominic Smith 2-run HR (3)

📏 Distance: 366 ft
💨 EV: 98.3 mph
📐 LA: 28°
⚾️ 92.6 mph four-seam fastball (NYM - RHP Kodai Senga)
🏟️ Would be out in 20/30 MLB parks

SFG (3) @ NYM (3)
🔺 3rd#SFGiants pic.twitter.com/e2Fy8F4D0N

— MLB Home Runs🚀 (@MLBHRs_) August 2, 2025

Fantasy managers might be tempted to "sell low" on Senga, but now is the time to stay patient. Unless a trade partner is willing to pay for the "first half of the season" version of Senga, it's best to hold. There's too much upside here to offload him at a discount. With a bit more time to adjust and rebuild his rhythm, Senga could still be a difference-maker down the stretch.

Verdict: Hold in all formats

Jake Mangum, OF, Tampa Bay Rays 

Mangum has gone ice cold at the plate in recent weeks, going just 4-for-34 over his last 11 games. He's contributed just one run and one stolen base during that stretch, and his lack of power is starting to weigh on his fantasy profile. Still, Mangum's elite glove has kept him in the Rays' everyday lineup, and his season-long numbers remain respectable with a .285/.324/.358 slash line and 16 steals.

WHAT A CATCH JAKE MANGUM

SHEEEEEEESH #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/IgFi8S6n1y

— Kevin Forrest Cash, PhD💰 (@ExtendKevinCash) August 3, 2025

Despite the slump, Mangum continues to avoid strikeouts; his 14.7% strikeout rate ranks in the 85th percentile. That kind of bat-to-ball skill gives him a decent floor, especially in points or OBP formats. However, the absence of extra-base power and modest on-base skills limits his upside when he's not contributing in runs or steals.

For now, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should look to stash Mangum on the bench while he works through his funk. He's still making contact and playing every day, which makes him a hold in 12+ team leagues. In shallower formats, his limited category juice may make him expendable.

Verdict: Buy low in 12+ team leagues

James Wood, OF, Washington Nationals 

James Wood has cooled off following a red-hot start to his 2025 campaign. Since July 4, the 22-year-old outfielder has been batting just .220 with one home run, struggling to find the same rhythm that made him one of the most exciting hitters in the league. The timing of the slump is frustrating for fantasy managers trying to secure playoff positioning.

Still, even in this down stretch, Wood's season-long production is nothing to scoff at. He's slashing .258/.361/.484 on the year with 45 extra-base hits and 14 stolen bases, all while holding down a key role in the Nationals' everyday lineup. His underlying metrics remain elite, ranking in the 95th percentile or better in walk rate, barrel rate, and bat speed. The tools are still clearly there.

James Wood since his 5-hit game on July 3 (22 games):

10-for-84 (.119 AVG)
1 HR
41 strikeouts
12 multi-strikeout games
8 3-strikeout games

Man. pic.twitter.com/JIJFChccpg

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) August 3, 2025

Fantasy managers would be wise to stay patient. Wood is too talented to fade without a significant reason. He's shown the ability to make adjustments quickly and is a central figure in Washington's lineup. His combination of power, speed, and plate discipline makes him a hold in all formats, even during a cold spell.

Verdict: Hold in all formats

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, New York Yankees 

It's been a rough post-All-Star break stretch for Paul Goldschmidt, and it might be time for fantasy managers to face the music. Since the break, the 37-year-old is slashing just .200/.256/.250 while striking out at a staggering 37.2% clip. Once considered one of the most consistent bats in baseball, Goldschmidt's swing has lost its edge.

Paul Goldschmidt from 3/28 to 6/1:

234 PA
.340/.395/.495
148 wRC+

Paul Goldschmidt from 6/1 to 8/2:

179 PA
.201/.260/.305
55 wRC+

🤯 pic.twitter.com/R35AjDmmil

— The Yankee Report (@YankeeReport_) August 3, 2025

Goldschmidt's average has plummeted from .303 on June 19 to .278 entering Week 19, and there's little in his recent play to inspire confidence in a turnaround. To make matters worse, Ben Rice is pushing for more playing time, with an OBP of .345 and a pair of home runs in just 19 games since July 4.

With the Yankees in the thick of a playoff race, it's unclear how long Aaron Boone will stick with the struggling vet.

While Goldschmidt's name still holds some value in trade negotiations, this may be your last window to get something in return. He no longer offers elite power, speed, or average, and in one of baseball's most pressure-packed environments, the leash may be shorter than expected. It's time to sell low before his playing time fades completely.

Verdict: Sell low in all formats

Sonny Gray, SP, St. Louis Cardinals

Sonny Gray entered the 2025 season as a reliable mid-round pick and looked like a bargain through the first half. The Cardinals ace has posted a 4.0% walk rate, ranking in the 98th percentile, and backed it up with an elite 32.2% chase rate (88th percentile). His precision and efficiency were key to his early season success.

However, things have taken a sharp downturn since Gray left his July 13 start after just three innings. Over his last three outings, he has surrendered five home runs and 30 hits, resulting in a brutal 11.48 ERA during that stretch. While his control hasn't wavered, his command within the zone has, and hitters are capitalizing.

Gray still has the skill set to rebound, but at age 35, and with this level of regression, it's risky to wait it out. His underlying metrics remain strong, but the recent contact quality against him is a red flag. Fantasy managers should look to move on before the slump deepens, especially while his name still carries value.

Verdict: Sell in all formats 

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