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Welcome RotoBallers to the first edition of my 2024 fantasy baseball start/sit article for the week ahead, April 1 - April 7. This week's article will focus on Wyatt Langford, Jackson Chourio, Bo Naylor, Luis Campusano, Jorge Polanco, Tim Anderson, Matt Chapman, and Jorge Soler.
Whether you are prepping to set your weekly lineups or determining who to play in a pivotal daily matchup, choosing who to start vs. sit is one of the most nerve-racking and potentially frustrating aspects of fantasy baseball. Fortunately, there is a free solution available at RotoBaller. The Who Should I Start Tool allows you to quickly compare up to four players and receive fantasy projections for today, tomorrow, the current week, next week, or the rest of the season.
The tool provides rankings, projections, recent news, and schedules side-by-side to aid in your decision-making. The tool defaults to ESPN scoring, but the Premium version within Team Sync will automatically use your league's scoring and roster settings when making recommendations. Each week, I will use the tool to review a few interesting start/sit comparisons for the final day of the period and preview the following week. With the season finally upon us, let's get into some start vs. sit comparisons for the week ahead, April 1 - April 7!
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Top Outfield Prospects
Wyatt Langford vs. Jackson Chourio
Our first comparison is between two of fantasy's top prospects. Wyatt Langford is currently baseball's sixth overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and earned a spot on the Ranger's Opening Day roster. Jackson Chourio is currently the second overall prospect and signed an eight-year, $82 million contract extension this off-season. Both players carry a ton of fantasy hype, but which one should fantasy managers start early on?
RotoBaller gives Langford a strong recommendation for Week 2. The Rangers will face tough matchups with three games at the Rays and three against the Astros. The Brewers only play five games and face two games against the Twins and three against the Giants.
Chourio is projected for a better batting average and slightly better steals, but Langford is projected for more at-bats, runs, RBI, and home runs.
At this point, it is hard to make confident decisions on these players given their lack of big-league experience and few in-season stats to go off of. However, Langford put forth an excellent showing this spring and plays one more game, giving him the Week 2 nod.
Young Catchers
Our next comparison is between two promising catchers. Bo Naylor's overall 2023 numbers weren't great, but he finished the season strong and is looking to take the next step in 2024. Luis Campusano put together great numbers in limited playing time last season and should now have the opportunity to start full-time. Which catcher has a better chance to make an impact early on?
RotoBaller gives Campusano a strong recommendation for Week 2. Naylor will face middling matchups with three games at the Mariners and three at the Twins. Campusano will get more favorable matchups, with three games against the Cardinals and three at the Giants.
Naylor offers more speed upside, while Campusano offers a higher batting average, run, and RBI upside. As such, Campusano is preferred in at least points leagues for Week 2.
Middle Infielders In New Places
Jorge Polanco (2B) vs. Tim Anderson (SS)
We'll now look at two corner infielders with new starts. Jorge Polanco will be playing second base for the Mariners after almost a decade with the Twins. Tim Anderson spent almost as much time with the White Sox but is now on the Marlins. Both players had strong springs; which one has a better chance of continuing their hot streak?
Anderson receives a slight recommendation for Week 2. The Mariners face middling matchups, with three games against the Guardians and three at the Brewers. The Marlins will face slightly more favorable matchups with three against the Angels and three at the Cardinals.
Positional need could help determine this one, as Polanco has the projection advantage in HR and RBI but Anderson has the advantage in steals and batting average. This decision is close and could come down to what fantasy managers need more help with.
New Power-Hitting Giants
Matt Chapman (3B) vs. Jorge Soler (OF)
Our final comparison is between two sluggers who joined the Giants this off-season. Matt Chapman had a down 2023 with 17 home runs but hit 27 in each of the previous two seasons. Jorge Soler had a nice bounce-back 2023 season with a .250 batting average and 36 HR. Now that both are teammates, which one can help the Giants and fantasy managers more?
RotoBaller gives Soler a strong recommendation for the second week. The Giants face tough matchups with three games at the Dodgers and a three-game rematch against the Padres.
Chapman has had a hot first couple of games while Soler has been cold, but Soler is projected for more HR and RBI. This gives Soler the edge, although this decision may be closer than the projections.
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