PROSPECT: Elly De La Cruz, SS, Cincinnati Reds
ANALYSIS: The narrative for Elly De La Cruz for a while now has been that he possesses massive fantasy upside given his elite power and speed, but that the approach needed refinement. We saw that all on full display last season when De La Cruz went bonkers for 28 home runs and 47 steals in 121 games.
However, he also struck out in 30.8% of his plate appearances. This season was off to a similar tune, but De La Cruz's approach has done a complete 180 from April to March. And fortunately, De La Cruz hasn't sacrificed his power to improve his approach either, as is often the case.
On the season, Elly is already up to six home runs and four steals in 103 plate appearances with a .278/.369/.589.
VERDICT: Once De La Cruz is up, the potential fantasy impact is immense, and there will surely be a massive rugby-style scrum to pick him up or acquire him via weekly FAAB. If he's sitting on your league's waiver wire, do your best to change that in a hurry.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
A.J. Puk - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 10% of Leagues ANALYSIS: A.J. Puk's time as a starting pitcher for Miami will certainly be a time that's going to try to forget. He made four starts for the Marlins back in March and April and struggled mightily to throw strikes. His ERA is north... Read More
John Schreiber - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 13% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Schreiber is enjoying a stellar start to his first season in Kansas City. The big right-hander came over in a trade from Boston this offseason and has been a great addition to the KC bullpen. Through his first 20 appearances, he has... Read More
Yennier Cano - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 38% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Orioles have turned to Cano to close out games as their veteran closer Craig Kimbrel has struggled of late blowing multiple saves. Cano has two saves on the season, both coming in the last two weeks since Baltimore moved Kimbrel into... Read More
Daniel Hudson - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 31% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With Evan Phillips on the IL, Hudson is the de facto closer for the Dodgers for now. However, he could be used situationally and share the closer duties with lefty Alex Vesia. Since Phillips went down, Hudson has recorded only one save... Read More
Chayce McDermott - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Chayce McDermott has been one of the best arms in the minor leagues this month. Through the first half of May, he holds a 1.54 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in two starts with an impressive 19:3 K:BB ratio. In April and his... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!