Let's dive into the world of fantasy baseball and explore the fascinating dynamics of Week 17's FAAB frenzy and waiver wire moves. This weekly column is your insider's guide to understanding the strategies and trends shaping the fantasy baseball landscape.
The Week 16 Recap
In Week 16, we witnessed some impressive hitting performances. James Wood and Ben Rice led the pack with five home runs each, closely followed by Shohei Ohtani and Esmerlyn Valdez with four apiece. The Pittsburgh Pirates, with their 15-run Sunday, now share the Major League lead in runs with the Nationals, both teams having scored 516 runs so far. Interestingly, the San Diego Padres are at the opposite end of the spectrum with the fewest runs scored (379 in 96 games).
On the pitching front, five out of the 33 two-start pitchers emerged as winners in both their starts. Zack Wheeler, motivated by an All-Star snub, dominated with 24 strikeouts. However, NL All-Star Game starter Cristopher Sánchez had a rough outing, allowing 9 ER in 3.1 IP. Despite this, Sánchez's ERA remains elite at 2.62. My prediction about Griffin Jax outperforming Ian Seymour came true, with Jax allowing fewer runs and earning a win.
Week 17's Top Acquisitions
This week, we'll focus on the most popular acquisitions in the 15-team Main Event, where fantasy managers have an average budget of $230 remaining. Patrick Sandoval, Luis Lara, and Zach Thornton were among the top picks, with reasonable prices. Janson Junk, a deep-league pitcher, was an interesting addition due to his control and ability to make starts in a pitcher-friendly park.
Connelly Early, who was 100% rostered just two weeks ago, was picked up again in 20% of leagues for an average of $57. This was based on positive news about his elbow injury being 'just inflammation.'
Luis Lara, an intriguing prospect, made his mark in his first week of at-bats. However, his role in the Brewers' offense is uncertain, and his AWB of $20 is a reasonable gamble.
In the NFBC OC, Kyle Karros stood out as the most added player, with a 60% league addition rate. His recent performance has been exceptional, ranking him as the 12th best roto hitter over the last 30 days. Luis Robert Jr., slated for activation post-break, is another player to watch, especially if he maintains his health and is utilized more at DH.
Fantrax's Popular Picks
Tyler Tolbert, Zach Thornton, and Kyle Karros topped the charts in Fantrax's most popular player adds. Tolbert tied an MLB record with 12 consecutive plate appearances with a hit, but his playing time may be limited against right-handed starters. Heriberto Hernández, with his solid performance against both left- and right-handed pitchers, is another player to keep an eye on.
Drop of the Week
Mike Burrows, a prized prospect with the Pirates, was the most dropped player in Main Events. His first season with the Astros was a disappointment, with a 5.99 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. However, his recent placement on the injured list due to elbow neuritis might explain his struggles.
As we head into the Home Run Derby and All-Star break, it's an opportune time to reflect on the strategies and trends that define the fantasy baseball marketplace. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis as the season progresses!
