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

Well-Known Fantasy Baseball Players - Drop, Hold, or Sell Low for Week 2? (2025)

Felix Bautista - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Joey discusses five well-known fantasy baseball hitters and pitchers who have not performed well heading into Week 2 of 2025. Is it time to drop, sell, or hold?

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our weekly article about well-known fantasy baseball players. During each week of the fantasy season, we will identify which big-time players are in a slump and determine what we should do with them in fantasy (drop, hold, or sell low). These difficult decisions could be the difference in winning your matchups every week. 

At this point in the season, though, most fantasy managers won't cut some of their well-known players. It is too early in the season to panic, and plenty of players can turn it around in the coming weeks. Still, several players are struggling in the early going. 

So, let's look at which five well-known players are off to slow starts to begin the 2025 campaign and determine if we should drop, hold, or sell them heading into Week 2 (April 7 - April 13). If you have any other questions after reading this, be sure to check out all the fantasy baseball content here at RotoBaller.  

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Yainer Diaz, C, Houston Astros

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz was one of the best fantasy options at the position last year. He hit .299 with 16 home runs, 29 doubles, 84 RBI, and two stolen bases in 148 games. His .299 batting average ranked eighth in the majors, and his 84 RBI ranked third among all catchers in 2024. That made Diaz a safe pick early in 2025 fantasy baseball drafts. 

However, the 26-year-old is off to a brutal start this season. He has just two hits across 26 at-bats and will enter Week 2 with a mere .077 batting average. That slow start has certainly made fantasy managers question what to do with the catcher in the early going.

Despite looking lost at the plate, he is a strong hold in all formats. We shouldn't totally panic after a seven-game sample size because we have seen what Diaz can do when he is at the top of his game.

He hit 23 home runs behind a .282 batting average in 2023 and followed that up with a solid all-around campaign last year. Therefore, we should expect the Astros catcher to post better numbers in the coming weeks, especially since his expected slugging (.452) and barrel rate (13.3 percent) both rank pretty well. 

 

Ronel Blanco, SP, Houston Astros 

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco was a popular regression candidate heading into the 2025 season. After finishing with a 2.80 ERA and 166 strikeouts across 30 appearances (29 starts) last year, Blanco wasn't getting much love in fantasy drafts. Part of the reason was that the right-hander had a 4.15 FIP and a 10.1 percent walk rate. 

In the early going, we are seeing why Blanco wasn't going near the top of drafts. He allowed three runs on three hits with six strikeouts across five innings against the San Francisco Giants in his first start before only lasting one 1/3 innings in his most recent outing against the Minnesota Twins. In that outing on Sunday, the right-hander gave up four runs on five hits with three walks. 

Blanco is definitely not off to the best start in 2025, and walks continue to hurt him. With his struggles early on and a 14.3 percent walk rate, he is someone fantasy managers should be looking to sell low in the coming days. Regression was always expected from the right-hander, so make sure to sell him because his fantasy value could tank even further. 

 

Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays

It wasn't always going to be smooth sailing for Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero in 2025. Young hitters always seem to go through ups and downs throughout the year, and Caminero certainly falls under the latter through his first eight games this season. The 21-year-old is batting just .250 with two RBI and three runs scored. 

There's no doubt that Caminero hasn't exactly lit up the box score to begin the season and is just 2-for-18 at the plate in his last five games. Nonetheless, no fantasy manager should drop or sell the young third baseman in fantasy. Given his upside in that Rays offense, he is a firm hold in all formats. 

Although Caminero isn't off to the best start, there are plenty of encouraging signs from him so far. His 80.1 mph bat speed ranks in the 100th percentile, and both his whiff rate (13.6 percent) and strikeout rate (11.1 percent) rank in the top 10 percent of the league through the first week and a half. As a result, fantasy managers should be patient with the Rays' third baseman because there is potential for a 30-home run season. 

 

Felix Bautista, RP, Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista was one of the best closers in baseball back in 2023. The flame-throwing right-hander finished with a 1.48 ERA, 33 saves, and 110 strikeouts in 56 appearances. However, Bautista underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery toward the end of that campaign and missed the entire 2024 campaign as well

Therefore, seeing the 29-year-old struggle in his first couple of appearances back is not a total shock. He allowed a hit and one walk with three strikeouts in his first appearance and then allowed two runs on two hits with two walks in his second appearance on March 31. With Bautista only pitching twice through the team's first 10 games, some fantasy managers might already be looking to sell him.

The command hasn't been there, and he hasn't pitched in one week. But there is no need to panic just yet. The Orioles were always going to be cautious with the right-hander in his return from Tommy John surgery. In addition, Bautista is likely just getting off some rust since he missed the whole 2024 season.

That makes him a firm hold in fantasy because better pitching days are indeed ahead for the former 2023 Reliever of the Year. 

 

Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves 

Austin Riley hasn't made much loud contact at the plate to begin the season. He is batting just .143 with one home run, three RBI, and 14 strikeouts through nine games. However, slow starts are nothing new for the two-time All-Star, as Riley struggled to get going early during the 2024 season. 

Riley batted only .225 with three home runs, 20 RBI, and 54 strikeouts across his first 51 games last season. The good news is that things eventually turned around for him. Following his rough offensive showing, the third baseman hit .284 with 16 home runs, 16 doubles, and 36 RBI over his next 59 games before suffering a season-ending hand injury in the middle of August. 

As a result, fantasy managers shouldn't be dropping or selling Riley for cheap at this point in the year. He will eventually figure things out and should finish with elite offensive numbers once again. The two-time Silver Slugger winner has hit at least 33 home runs and driven in over 90 RBI in three of the past four years.

We shouldn't expect that to change much in 2025, considering his barrel rate already sits at an elite 23.8 percent.



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!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




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

Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Chase Elliott

an Easy DFS Pick at Chicago Street Course
Chris Buescher

Should Be Strong at Chicago Street Course
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace a Solid DFS Target After Qualifying 37th at Chicago
Michael McDowell

Has Solid Saturday at Chicago Street Course
Will Brown

an Interesting Fantasy Option at Chicago Street Course
Justin Haley

Has Strong Record at Chicago Street Course
Todd Gilliland

Could Surprise at Chicago Street Course
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Seeking Another Top 10 at Chicago Street Course
Josh Berry

Is Awful At Road Courses
Josh Bilicki

Shows Unexpected Speed at Chicago Street Course
Katherine Legge

Qualifies for Chicago Street Course on Speed
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
Corey Heim

Does Not Qualify for Cup Race at Chicago Street Course
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF