We are a month into the fantasy baseball season, so it's time to check in on some of our favorites from Generation Z.
Do you have a Dylan on your fantasy baseball team? More importantly, should you have a Dylan on your fantasy baseball team?
Before the 2021 season, I talked about Dylan Bundy as an example of a player that benefited from a change of scenery. Southern California looked good on Dylan in 2020 as he had career-bests with a 3.29 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 27% strikeout rate, and 6.4% walk rate. He also had a career-low HR/FB rate of only 8.2%, which was good for the fourth-best in the league amongst qualified starters. His four-seamer had been losing a tick every season, but smartly he also used it less while increasing use of his changeup. So, my biggest question coming into 2020 was- can he repeat this over a full season? Well, it may be early, but I am already leaning toward yes. Surprisingly, Bundy's fastball velocity has actually increased this year from 90 mph in 2020 to 92 mph in 2021. His strikeout rate and walk rate are in line with his career-bests from last year, and his 30% hard-hit rate so far is a new career-best. Yes, his ERA is higher this season, but Statcast says his expected ERA is only 2.88. Bundy has above-average command and stuff, and he's low injury risk. I'm a believer, and I'm looking to acquire him as an SP2 for my fantasy leagues.
I was very high, as I know many were, on rookie Dylan Carlson last year. Unfortunately, Carlson had a slow start in 2020, and though he did look better going into the postseason, fantasy managers were left mostly disappointed. Well, those who remained believers and drafted Carlson for 2021 have been rewarded so far. The promising rookie has burst onto the scene for the Cardinals in 2021, batting .292 with three home runs and thirteen RBI. St Louis has responded by moving him up in the lineup. So, should we expect this to continue? Looking closely at Statcast data, his exit velocity and hard-hit rate are in the bottom 20 percent of the league, and his whiff rate is in the bottom 25 percent. Not so impressive. What is impressive, though, is that his walk rate has doubled from last year, and his strikeout rate has decreased by six percentage points. Verdict? Dylan Carlson is major-league ready and will be a good contributor to your team, but expect him to cool off as the season goes on. Sell high or hold.
At one month into the season, one of the bigger surprises is Seattle's .565 win percentage, ahead of both Houston and Anaheim. Dylan Moore , however, hasn't been a big part of that. After bursting onto the scene in 2020 with eight home runs and twelve extra bags in just 38 games, Moore is batting only .133 and striking out nearly 33% of the time. Now, the good news. Moore is taking his walks, and his sprint speed is still in the 81st percentile. He's already stolen four bases, and he has been perfect in steals attempts. Moore qualifies all around the diamond, including both infield and outfield. With injuries and Covid scratches already piling up, that eligibility is very valuable. If you need stolen bases, and Moore has been dropped, I would consider adding as a source of speed. Yes, his batting average may hurt you, but so will Myles Straw 's and Billy Hamilton 's, and they don't have the positional flexibility. As long as Moore is batting seventh in the order, there won't be a lot of counting stats coming, but the speed makes him worth a spot, even if only on your bench.
The south side of Chicago saw a spectacular start from Michael Kopech this week, and it left many wondering if Dylan Cease will remain in the rotation. Cease has struggled with command this year, but there are many positive signs, including striking out batters at a rate of ten per nine innings. His fastball Velo and fastball spin rate are in the top 5% of the league, and his curveball spin rate is in the top 10%. Cease has four good pitches, and he is inducing an overall 29% whiff rate. Michael Kopech is someone I want to roster, but he will be on an innings limit. If I am the Cease manager, I am holding. If someone in your league has dropped Cease, I would be looking to stash. If Cease figures things out, he could be a huge contributor to your fantasy squad, and in the meantime, he won't cost you any capital.
So, who's your favorite Dylan?
Mine?
It's still Bob.