X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Baseball Buy Low / Sell High: Hitters Week 17

By Keith Allison on Flickr (Originally posted to Flickr as "Alejandro De Aza") [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Billy Johnston analyzes some MLB hitters that should be targeted as buy low or sell high candidates in trades in your fantasy baseball leagues.

We are now entering the post-All Star Game portion of the fantasy season.  My biggest takeaway from the game itself was how bad Yasiel Puig choked in not JUST the game, but the Home Run Derby, too.  Poor guy.

We should all know by now whether our teams need true adjustment or if it'll be smooth sailing from here on out. This week I am re-examining some of my previous buy and sell hitters.  This is not only a mid-season check-in on how my buy / sell recommendations panned out, but a chance to update how these players adjusted following my article.  Don't worry, I won't be patting myself on the back, merely readjusting or reinforcing my viewpoint using updated and trending stats from when I previously wrote about them.

 

Fantasy Baseball Hitters To Buy

Matt Adams – 1B, Cardinals

Matt Adams St Louis Cardinals MLB NewsIn week 6, I recommended selling Matt Adams, but I have officially changed my mind.  Even though Adams’ BABIP did drop from .409 in week six to .370 today, his AVG increased from .298 to .325.  As strange as it is, he has increased his AVG despite dropping his BABIP.

A big reason for this phenomenon is how he has hit the ball.  His LD% increased to 31.9% from 23.6%, which is well over his career 21.3%.  It is no surprise that his wRC+ sits at a very pretty 140 right now.  He should continue to hit the ball this well the rest of the season and the results can help any fantasy team, good or bad.

 

Jhonny Peralta – SS, Cardinals

In Week 5, I recommended buying Jhonny Peralta due to his unusually low BABIP of .167.  That has since risen to a respectable .280, and could go higher.  His career BABIP is .313, so expecting him to continue producing is realistic.

Since my article, his AVG has naturally followed his BABIP and risen to .255, which is still below his career .267 AVG.  Peralta rebounded by lowering his GB/FB ratio from 1.17 to 1.01.  By hitting fewer ground balls and more fly balls, Peralta has shown an increase in power.  His ISO currently sits at .199, which is good for second highest in his career.

 

Adrian Gonzalez – 1B, Dodgers

Adrian GonzalezLike Peralta, Adrian Gonzalez is beginning to rebound on BABIP and AVG, but also has more room to grow.  His BABIP increased from .268 (in my Week 13 article) to .276 but is still below his career .319.  Similarly, his AVG has risen to .259 from .248, but is still below his career .292 AVG.  Look for Gonzalez to continue this trend, and hopefully you can ride his hot streak into the playoffs.

 

Alejandro De Aza – OF, White Sox

One of the biggest turnarounds I’ve written about this season is Alejandro De Aza.  At the time his BABIP was .211 and AVG was .175.  Now, his BABIP has returned to a more normal .295 and his AVG has followed, up to .237.  He should continue this upward trend and wind up closer to his career averages of .327 and .268, respectively. Surprisingly, at the time of my article, he was owned in only 25.8% of ESPN leagues, and that number has actually lowered to 24.9%.

 

Fantasy Baseball Hitters To Sell

Matt Kemp – OF, Dodgers

By Keith Allison on Flickr (Originally posted to Flickr as "Matt Kemp") [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsMost of what I said in my Week 9 article still applies to Matt Kemp today.  His GB/FB ratio is still high at 1.63 (compared to his career 1.15 average), as is his 26.1% K% compared to his career 23.8%.

My biggest worry when it comes to Kemp is this nagging disagreement with his coach, which is now beginning to materialize into trade rumors.  That scares me because for a guy who has had a fair share of injuries and still makes $20 million a year, not many teams will be willing to take that risk.  If he were to stay in Los Angeles, I can see his playing time continue to dip.

 

Leonys Martin – OF, Rangers

In Week 8, I wrote that Leonys Martin’s BABIP would fall from .369, and it has (to .336).  That should continue to trend towards his .322 career average.  His AVG has also dropped from 282 to .268.  His wRC+ remains at 88, which can be easily replaced in fantasy baseball. Unfortunately, Martin remains a one-category contributor.  That said, SB are one of those stats that grab owners' attention, and if you catch the right one you can make yourself a great deal including the overvalued Martin.

 

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Keon Johnson

Gets Team Option Picked Up
Rayan Rupert

Staying in Portland
Jonathan Kuminga

Recieves Qualifying Offer
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Sam Merrill

Sticking with Cavaliers
Davion Mitchell

Staying in Miami
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Cody Ware

Rarely Enough Attrition at Atlanta for Cody Ware to Seriously Contend
Ryan Blaney

Is Always Strong at Atlanta
Joey Logano

Wins Pole, Looking for Third Atlanta Win
Denny Hamlin

Has Huge Place-Differential Upside But Shaky Atlanta Record
Isaac Okoro

on the Move to Chicago
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Lonzo Ball

Traded to Cleveland
Kyle Busch

Has Been Elite at Atlanta Lately
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Ross Chastain

a Prime DFS Target at Atlanta
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Daniel Suarez

Hopes to Rekindle Atlanta Flame as Contract Concerns Loom
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. an Easy DFS Pick at Atlanta
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Todd Gilliland

Has Shown Upside at Atlanta
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in Fourth Win
Nick Martinez

Flirts With No-Hitter, Settles for Win
Gary Sánchez

Gary Sanchez Homers, Reaches Five Times in Onslaught
Trea Turner

Blasts Two Homers, Steals Base
Los Angeles Angels

Ron Washington to Remain on Medical Leave for Rest of the Season
Jeremy Peña

Imaging Negative on Jeremy Pena's Ribs on Friday
Spencer Steer

Slugs Three Home Runs in Win
Ace Bailey

to Report to Utah on Saturday
Sonny Gray

Tosses Complete-Game Shutout
Justin Edwards

Sixers Agree on a New Contract
Naz Reid

Agrees to a New Contract with Minnesota
Hunter Goodman

Dealing With Hamstring Soreness
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Returns Against Marlins
Wyatt Langford

Rangers to Place Wyatt Langford on Injured List
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Now in Friday's Lineup
Wyatt Langford

Out With Strained Oblique
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Friday
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Not in Friday's Lineup
Xander Bogaerts

Back in Lineup on Friday
Jae'Sean Tate

Rockets Want to Bring Back Jae'Sean Tate
Andre Drummond

Accepts Player Option
Jihaad Campbell

to Begin at Inside Linebacker
Josh Conerly Jr.

to Play Right Tackle for Now
Tyleik Williams

Expected to Fill Big Role Right Away
Malaki Starks

Should Make an Immediate Impact
James Pearce Jr.

Impressing the Falcons
Jaxson Dart

has "Excellent" Spring
Donovan Jackson

has Inside Track on Starting Job
Matthew Golden

Appears Set for Significant Role
Derrick Harmon

in Line to Start
Jahdae Barron

Primarily Working at Cornerback
Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Proctor Selected by Cavaliers With the No. 49 Pick
Portland Trail Blazers

Caleb Love Lands with Trail Blazers
Dallas Mavericks

Ryan Nembhard Signs a Two-Way Deal with Mavericks
Orlando Magic

Noah Penda Drafted and Traded to the Magic
Phoenix Suns

Rasheer Fleming Taken With the First Pick of the Second Round
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Josh Giddey

Receives Qualifying Offer from Chicago
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
SJ

Sharks Buying Out Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Jamie Benn

Stays in Dallas on One-Year Deal
Reilly Smith

Signs New One-Year Deal with Vegas
Michael Kesselring

Traded to Sabres
Josh Doan

Moves to Buffalo
JJ Peterka

Mammoth Acquire JJ Peterka
Evander Kane

Traded to Canucks
Miami Heat

Miami Selects Guard Kasparas Jakucionis
Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Takes Nolan Traore in the First Round
Utah Jazz

Walter Clayton Jr. Heading to Utah
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
Ryan Poehling

Becomes a Duck
Trevor Zegras

Moves to Philadelphia
Andre Burakovsky

Traded to Blackhawks
Jamahal Hill

Gets Dominated At UFC Azerbaijan
Khalil Rountree Jr.

Dominates At UFC Azerbaijan
Rafael Fiziev

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ignacio Bahamondes

Drops Decision At UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Gets Split-Decision Win at UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Rizvan Kuniev Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Tofiq Musayev

Submitted In His UFC Debut
Myktybek Orolbai

Scores First-Round Submission
Nikolas Motta

Gets Finished After Back-And-Forth Fight
Nazim Sadykhov

Scores Second-Round TKO
Bogdan Grad

Drops Decision
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF