It’s Thursday. I know what that means.
Each week during fantasy baseball season, we produce a stock report examining players who are rising or falling in value.If there’s a specific player you’d like me to jump into, feel free to tag me twitter.
Now, without further ado, let’s get down to business.
Fantasy Baseball Stock Report
stock up
Bobby Witt Jr. (SS – KC)
Bobby Witt Jr. is excited for the start of the 2024 season. Through six games, the Royals shortstop is batting .400 with two home runs and a 1.344 OPS.
If it weren’t for Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 41/73 season last year, Witt’s 30/49 season would have garnered more attention.
Wit can also do it with gloves. Last year, he had above-average outs and above-average defensive RBIs among all shortstops in the American League.
The 23-year-old didn’t have much batting support around him last season. In 2023, Witt led Kansas City with 61 barrels, 19 barrels more than second-place MJ Melendez.
But as we’ll soon see, there’s reason to be more optimistic about the Royals’ lineup this season.
out of stock
Anthony Rendon (3B – LAA)
Anthony Rendon has yet to record a hit this year (as of this writing).
Rendon made headlines this offseason when he said on the Jack Vita Show that the MLB season is too long, suggesting that he entered the season with a lack of focus. there is a possibility.
The Angels opted to start Rendon for Wednesday’s series finale against Miami, resulting in a 10-run onslaught for the Halos.
Rendon makes about $240,000 per game, so it’s difficult for the Angels to justify benching or cutting the veteran.
Rendon’s head doesn’t seem to be in the game yet.
stock up
Michael Garcia (3B – KC)
Some people may be surprised to see a serial royal in the “stock up” category. But this team has some good hitters and pitchers.
Bobby Witt is obvious, but not many people know about the 23-year-old from Kansas City’s hot corner.
Michael Garcia already has three home runs and seven RBIs in just six games this year. If this early power surge is real, Garcia could improve by a modest .086 ISO from his rookie season.
Garcia also stole 23 bags last year, third most on the team behind Witt and Dairon Blanco.
out of stock
Joey Gallo (OF – WSH)
This year will be Joey Gallo’s fifth team in recent seasons.
Gallo, known primarily as a power hitter, has only hit 21 and 19 home runs over the past two seasons. This was a major fall from grace since joining the club where he hit 40 home runs in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018.
Last year with the Twins, Gallo’s 142 strikeouts led all Minnesota batters. That says a lot considering the Twins led the league in overall strikeout rate (26.6%).
Like Rendon, Gallo was hitless through five games before going 3-for-4 with a home run against Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
Even banning shifts won’t save Garo.
stock up
Garrett Crochet (SP – CWS)
If you’ve watched Garrett Crochet start this season, the first thing you’ll notice is his leg kick. That’s top notch.
The 11th overall pick in 2020 looked elite when he started the first two games of the year. He struck out eight against the Tigers in the opening game, but drew attention by striking out eight against the Braves in his next start.
He pitched 13 innings for the White Sox this year, giving up just two runs and one walk.
Crochet is primarily a fastball/slider pitcher, with about two-thirds of his pitches being either fastballs or cutters.
Dylan Cease signed with the Padres just before the start of the season, so this could be Crochet’s rotation.
out of stock
Ronel Blanco (SP – HOU)
Ronel Blanco pitched a no-hitter in his eighth career start against the Blue Jays on Monday. Blanco led off the game by giving up a walk to George Springer, then recorded 26 outs, then walked Springer again with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, resulting in a strange no-hitter.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. then grounded out, completing the 30-year-old pitcher’s first career no-hitter.
Houston now has four starting pitchers with no-hitters, joining Justin Verlander, Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez.
Why put Blanco on the “stock down” list after a no-hitter?
Blanco has been with Houston since 2017, with a career xFIP of 4.93 and a strikeout rate of just 23% in the majors.
Monday’s performance reminded me of Domingo German’s perfect game against Oakland last season. Even if you’re a mediocre pitcher, everything can fall apart until the ninth inning.
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