Welcome back to the Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch where player values continue to rise and fall. With us being one month into the 2024 MLB season, now is the time to start deciding who is your top sell-high candidate and which struggling superstars you should be buying low. 

You have also probably spent far too much time sifting through the array of MLB Injuries and seeing who is available on your fantasy baseball waiver wire. That’s fantasy baseball for you – it is a relentless six-month grind. 

Fortunately for you, Fantasy Alarm makes it easy for you to keep up with all the latest MLB news and player trends. The Stock Watch does just that, tracking which players are rising and falling in value and making suggestions. But just keep in mind – we are talking about both performance and public perception. 

Not all risers can be trusted and not all fallers should be cast aside. Not only should you listen to what I’m saying in the video but read through as well and catch some of the other nuances you need to know.

It’s time for a little 3 Up, 3 Down.

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch: Risers

Jacob Young, OF Washington Nationals

While very little was expected out of the Nationals outfield, we are getting some fantastic production out of Young right now. Currently riding a nine-game hit streak in which he is batting .438 (.328 on the season), Young has been entrenched as the Nationals starting center fielder with little competition for at-bats. 

Even when Lane Thomas returns from the IL and James Wood is eventually promoted, Young should stick around and continue playing regularly. Is he going to stay this hot forever? Of course not, but keep in mind that his strongest asset is his speed and with six stolen bases over his last three games, you know he’s going to continue to run.

If you are well off with steals, he’s an instant sell-high candidate, but if you’re struggling in the category or he’s really the only guy you’ve got, ride the wave until it breaks. You’ll endure a cold spell at some point, but even with a lower batting average, if his on-base work continues to be solid, he’s going to keep running wild on the basepaths.

Tyler Nevin, 3B/OF Oakland Athletics

Credit Jon Impemba for pointing out what Nevin is doing right now, because he’s not only hot for DFS purposes, but he’s got some strong potential for season-long as well. Remember this time last year when no one was believing in Brent Rooker? 

Well, we have a very similar situation which has the value of Nevin on the rise. The thing about Rooker was that he never saw regular at-bats when he was with the Twins. When he started seeing them last year, he was able to put his power on display without much pressure. Same for Nevin who is currently riding a seven-game hit streak, batting .385 with three home runs in that span. 

He’s just hitting his physical prime at age-26, and he’s locked into batting second in the lineup. So long as he continues to produce, he should stay there and become a true value play for fantasy.

Erick Fedde, SP Chicago White Sox

Another bottom-feeding team producing a Stock Riser? Yes, indeed. He also is a tried-and-true sell-high candidate. Over the past two weeks (three starts), Fedde has allowed just three earned runs with 25 strikeouts over 20 innings. He’s even picked up the win in all three starts. 

So, does this mean we found someone who honed his skills in Japan and is now bringing the hat in the US? Kind of, maybe. He’s performed well and people are starting him but be careful. Fedde’s last three starts have come against the Raus, Twins and Royals, all of whom have struggled mightily at the plate over the past couple of weeks. 

Fedde’s next two starts will come against Cleveland and Washington, so he should be okay to start then. After that, the White Sox get the Yankees, Blue Jays (twice), Orioles and Brewers. That is a gauntlet no pitcher wants to contend with, especially someone like Fedde. The tough road ahead should be avoided.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch: Fallers

Jackson Chourio, OF Milwaukee Brewers

It’s always a little depressing when an exciting, young rookie goes into the tank. Chourio started the season well but has since gone 2-for-19 (.105) over his last seven games. His batting average has been dropping steadily since April 10 and he hasn’t stolen a base since April 20. He’s also now seeing days off here and there as manager Pat Murphy continues to shuffle things around. 

Chourio is too talented to drop in competitive 12-team leagues, so you’re going to have to stash him if you can. If you play in a super-shallow re-draft league or have very limited bench spots, it may be time to say goodbye. If you don’t own him and have the space, I would definitely try buying low. His owners are definitely frustrated.

Michael Busch, 1B/3B Chicago Cubs

After a six-game home run streak, Busch has been riding the struggle bus in a bad way. He is 8-for-41 (.195) since that last home run of his and he’s only got one extra-base hit in all that time. The whole Cubs lineup has seemingly gone into the tank since Cody Bellinger landed on the IL, so I do expect a bounce-back at some point soon. 

Busch, if you remember, was a highly-touted prospect in the Dodgers system and the only reason they traded him was because he was blocked by Freddie Freeman and was offered a highly-touted pitching prospect. You can definitely try to buy-low here, but Busch’s owners may end up just dropping him if he continues to struggle. 

Griffin Jax, RP Minnesota Twins

This one is as simple as it gets. Jhoan Dyran was just activated from the injured list which pushes Jax out of the closer gig and into a set-up role where he was originally projected. But before you completely cut him loose, keep in mind that should Duran experience a setback upon his return, Jax will be the guy again. 

So, don’t just cut him right now. See what happens with a few outings for Dyran before making a move. And if you play in a league that counts holds or saves plus holds, then definitely keep him on your roster.