Welcome Back! There are a number of 2nd year players going through some cold spells at the moment, but keep in mind that these young players are still learning how to play with consistency, even wunder kids Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. Don’t fall asleep on some of these guys as many of them could catch fire for the second half. I got some good feedback on this format last week so we’ll do another edition of Struggling Stars, Waiver Help, and The Young Guns. Let’s dive right into it, and remember to post your questions in the comments section below. Here’s what I saw in fantasy baseball yesterday. All ownership percentages are from Yahoo!
Struggling Stars:
Anthony “Rising Crust” Rizzo (94%): 0-2, 2 BB. Rizzo broke out of an 0-23 slump a week ago, looked like he was turning it on with 9 hits in 6 games, before posting his 2nd straight 0-fer last night. I wasn’t a huge fan on draft day but as a buy-low option he could be a good get right now. Just like Will Middlebrooks, I believe the best is yet to come. Panic Meter: Mild
Matt Kemp (98%): DNP. Wow did I call that DL stint or what? If I have Kemp on my team I’m selling before it gets any worse. It’s really hard to see him coming back and justifying the first round pick you spent on him. 30/30 just doesn’t appear to be in the cards. Panic Meter: High
Chase Headley (88%): 0-4, BB. The last time we had anything good to say about Headley was back on May 8th following a modest 12 game hitting streak. Since then it’s been more of the same with a scary number of strikeouts. It’s tough to keep the faith, but he is a notoriously slow starter. Hold for now, or look for the team in your league that’s the most desperate for a 3rd basemen and get the best deal you can. Panic Meter: Xanax
Waiver Help:
Kendrys Morales (60%): 2-4. After a poor start to the season, the real Morales has returned with a .300 average plus 3 Hrs and 12 RBIs in his last 10 games. He’s a very good hitter and should be a pleasant surprise these next few months.
James Loney (44%): 1-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB. Still quietly going about his business, .326/.394/.525 on the year and has managed 2 2bs and 3 HRs in his last 5 games. He’s a good place to start for your batting average woes.
Michael Brantley (37%): 2-4. While Bryce Harper is on the shelf and we wait for Austin Jackson to return, we can take comfort in Brantley getting hits and getting on base. There’s room for a lot of growth here as well.
Kevin Gausman (17%): ND, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 K, 0 BB. There we go, that’s better. Young pitchers are unpredictable but if he can build on this then at 17% owned he could really sway some leagues. Upside, upside, upside.
Marcell Ozuna (15%): 3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI. I believe the term is “raking.” The .333 average is for real.
The Young Guns:
Tyler Skaggs (9%): DNP. Skaggs has been called up to start on Tuesday for the injured Brandon McCarthy. There’s chatter that McCarthy could miss an extended period of time so Skaggs could stick with the club this time around. High upside.
Anthony Rendon (3%): It’s almost a guarantee that Rendon will be the Nationals’ starting second basemen by the end of the year. How much longer will it take you ask? I’m saying two weeks.
Nick Castellanos (1%): Castellanos has made a nice transition to the outfield in Triple-A Toledo and could be a real impact bat when he finally is called up. The Tigers don’t have an immediate need for him but it’s clear they are looking forward to him taking the starting job as much as we are, and my gut tells me it’s happening this month.
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