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Should I trade for Garrett Crochet, Matt Olson, Paul Skenes in fantasy baseball Week 16? Are these players fantasy baseball buy or sell trade targets?
BALLER MOVE: Sell Garrett Crochet
ANALYSIS: There are not many negative things to say about Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet. He has been one of the biggest surprises this year after appearing in 13 games out of the bullpen in 2023. However, Chicago converted him to a starter this offseason, where he currently owns a 3.08 ERA and 146 strikeouts across his first 19 starts.
Crochet has really been exceptional all year, allowing two earned runs or less in 15 of 19 outings in 2024. There's also a strong chance that the southpaw gets traded to a contender at the deadline. Nonetheless, fantasy managers should be looking to sell the left-hander in Week 16 because he could be extremely limited in the second half of the season.
Y'ALL! Garrett Crochet has been named to the 2024 American League All-Star team 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ld4TCTvZve
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 7, 2024
Crochet has already thrown 105 1/3 innings this season, which is way past his career high. The 25-year-old threw just 25 innings last year, zero innings in 2022, 54 1/3 innings in 2021, and 9 1/3 innings in 2020. So, expect the left-hander to be on somewhat of an innings limit in August/September, especially if he stays on the White Sox past the deadline. That's why fantasy managers should be looking to trade him while his value is at an all-time high.
BALLER MOVE: Buy Matt Olson
ANALYSIS: It has been somewhat of a disappointing year for Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson. He is hitting just .239 at the plate with 13 home runs and 42 RBI across 90 games. After hitting 54 HRs and 139 RBI in 2023, Olson is on pace to finish with his worst power numbers in a full season since 2017.
However, Olson is a player fantasy managers should be looking to buy before the All-Star break. Things should eventually pick up for him in the second half of the season, considering his average exit velocity (91.7 mph), barrel rate (10.3%), and hard-hit rate (46.6%) all rank in the top of the half of the league.
WHAT A PLAY BY MATT OLSON! pic.twitter.com/OjDaTfCKtT
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2024
Olson also went on a tear after the All-Star break last year, so expect him to really heat up at the plate in the coming weeks. He hit .321 with 25 HRs, 10 doubles, and 67 RBI in the final 73 games of the 2023 campaign. The slugger should post better numbers in the second half, so buy low on him now.
BALLER MOVE: Buy Paul Skenes
ANALYSIS: Since making his MLB debut on May 11, Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. He has a 2.11 ERA and 78 strikeouts across his first 10 career starts. In those outings, Skenes has tossed eight quality starts while striking out at least eight batters seven different times.
While the Pirates will likely limit Skenes down the stretch, especially if they are out of playoff contention, he is still someone to buy in fantasy. He has been untouchable on the mound so far to begin his major league career, and that won't stop anytime soon. The 22-year-old should be on everyone's radar in Week 16.
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