Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It’s that time again…
One of the most entertaining “games” to play associated with Fantasy Baseball is Buy Or Sell. Well, at least to me. Anyway, now is a perfect time to continue playing, as a handful of surging players are producing as of late, making me question whether or not I am buying into their success.
Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies: With this appealing rookie finally in the Rockies lineup, Colorado just might have the most formidable offense in all of baseball. Just seven games into his major league debut, Arenado is wasting no time making a name for himself, batting .323 with three home runs and eight RBI. Surprisingly, the rookie looks rather disciplined at the plate, only striking out three times in 31 at-bats. The power seems to be legit, but I thought he would be more of a doubles guy, seeing as he hit 11 doubles in 18 games in the PCL league in the minors. However, the fact that he is hitting at Coors Field allows him to hit more home runs than usual. Arenado could finish the season as a borderline top seven fantasy third baseman. I’m buying.
Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta Braves: One of my biggest sleepers heading into the season, Simmons is finally starting to heat up. The shortstop has six hits, three runs, two homers and six RBI over the past three contests, making him one of the hottest and most productive players in fantasy as of late. All season long, Simmons has been flip-flopping back and forth between the lead off spot and the eighth spot, but if he can consistently bat first in a powerful Braves lineup, runs will come in boatloads. Catcher Brian McCann stated in the beginning of the season that Simmons will be regarded as one of the best shortstops in the league at season’s end, and while that may be true, fantasy land is a whole different story. Still, in a very shallow shortstop position, I believe Simmons can remain relevant all season long. He currently ranks 10 among shortstops in Yahoo! leagues, and while the power certainly won’t be a strong point, I’m buying him in that general area in the rankings.
Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates: Marte has been surprisingly AWESOME this season, currently ranking as the number two fantasy outfielder in Yahoo! points leagues. And no, I am not kidding. Currently on a five-game hitting streak with eight RBI and four home runs during that span. On the year, he is batting .325 with five long balls, 16 RBI and an impressive 10 steals, which ranks second in the National League. Marte also has scored 24 runs through 30 games, which is 4th in the NL. Batting lead off certainly isn’t hurting his fantasy value either. I think his speed is extremely legit, but I am not sold on the power just yet, seeing as he had never hit more than nine home runs in the minor league level. I’m buying him as a viable option in the outfield, but am certainly selling him as a top 10 guy at the position. Simply just too many better guys out there.
Kevin Slowey, Miami Marlins: Through seven starts, Slowey holds a record of 1-2 with 36 strikeouts, an ERA of 1.81 and a 0.94 WHIP. Who would have thought he, not Giancarlo Stanton, would be the Marlins best fantasy player at this point of the season. I expect some serious regression from Slowey, as he has never been a strikeout guy (career high of 123) and his current BABIP is lower than it ever has been. Playing for the Marlins, win are obviously going to be a struggle, especially with Stanton sitting on the disabled list. I’d look to dangle Slowey in front of an owner that has a serious need for pitching and sell him now while his value is at it’s peak.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
