We are just four days into a new MLB season, and it is time to start digging in on some risers and fallers to keep an eye on or even add to your leagues right now. Some of these players had big weekends after most wrote them off during the draft season. On the other hand, some failed massively over the weekend, and situations do not look nearly as good as they did just a few days ago. As the season goes on, we will have more information to help target even more risers and fallers, but for now, let’s look at a few of the significant risers and fallers from the opening weekend of MLB action.
Risers
Going into the season, there were questions about playing time for McNeil. Would he play full-time? Would he split with J.D. Davis (3B – NYM) and Dominic Smith (1B, OF – NYM)? So many questions. After the opening weekend, McNeil has played every day while the others have split time. Over the first four games, he has played second base and left field, batting eighth three times and fifth once. McNeil has produced seven hits for a .438 average and a home run in his time. McNeil had a down 2021, but a start like this at least leaves one optimistic that a return to his 2019 form is within reach. McNeil is multi-position eligible and will bring some power and speed to your roster, making him an excellent addition or, at worst, place him on your watch list.
Joe was another player entering the season where playing time looked to be a concern. However, there is more optimism after the opening weekend versus the Dodgers. He played in all three games playing first base and DH. Even better than just playing in every game, Joe hit sixth twice and even led off once. He has produced a bit in his role with three hits, one being a home run, and has even stolen a base. This week, Joe and the Rockies have a great schedule with two games at Texas and then a four-game series in Coors versus the Cubs. This week, Joe is a significant waiver wire target, and if he plays every day, fantasy managers should add him to most leagues.
Jurickson Profar (1B, 2B, OF – SD)
With all the injuries in San Diego, Profar has benefited by playing in three of four games. He is 4-10 on the season with two home runs, six RBI, and three walks. He does bat seventh, which is less than ideal, but playing nearly every day will have his perks. Profar should be available in many leagues, and his positional flexibility will come in handy this season. For now, add him in deeper leagues with an eye on 12-team and shallower formats. Lastly, feel free to add now, but he is an easy cut for someone else that you may find as a riser in future columns if playing time falters.
On a high note, Jansen finished the 2021 season, hitting .322 with 14 extra-base hits, six being home runs, over his last 22 games after returning from the IL. He has appeared to have picked up where he left off, going 4-7 in his first two games (Jays played three games) with a double and two home runs. Jansen will rest from time to time, with Alejandro Kirk (C – TOR) getting the occasional start behind the plate, but for now, the primary role appears to be Jansen’s, and if he is hitting, he becomes an excellent C2 with C1 upside.
Wright was once a high-end prospect for the Braves, but his stints in the bigs have not worked well. However, until we saw him deal in the postseason, he carried that over in his 2022 debut. He threw six shutout innings in his first start, allowing two hits, and striking out six. In addition, he showcased a pitch mix change of throwing his curveball and sinker over 40% of the time, a pitch mix he utilized in the postseason. Wright’s velocity was also up, which is another promising sign. His next two starts are against the Padres and Dodges which may not be the best, but the pitch mix changes and velocity increases are intriguing and may be worth adding to teams that need some starting pitching help.
Fallers
Dalbec was receiving a ton of draft season buzz, and so far, albeit in three games, it has been a bit of a disappointment. He hit a home run Sunday night but is now 2-10 to start the season, and most importantly, he has struck out five times. For now, you do not need to drop Dalbec as he is still playing every day for the Red Sox but monitor his production. If he is still striking out way too much, he may become more harmful than helpful to your teams.
Gimenez started the first two games for the Guardians, hitting eight and ninth while playing second base and shortstop. Hitting at the bottom of the order on a bad Guardians team is less than ideal, significantly when his production drops. He is 1-7 to start the season with no extra-base hits, no steals, and one strikeout. Gimenez’s primary value comes with stolen bases, but he is not suitable for your fantasy rosters if he cannot hit major league pitching like he couldn’t previously. He received Sunday off, so monitor his playing time this week as he may be an immediate drop if you have not dropped him already.
I was very high on Dansby to start the season, and I am not panic dropping him yet, but monitoring him this week will be near the top of my things. He has hit at the bottom of the Braves’ lineup to start the season and has not produced with only two hits and a .167 batting average. In addition, he has struck out eight times which is not typical for Swanson, who usually only strikes out 223% of the time. The Braves’ offense will be dominant this season, and even the bottom of the order will bring fantasy value. If Swanson keeps striking out, though, I will be concerned, and for now, he may sit if I have a more favorable option this week.
I and many others were down on Bellinger entering the 2022 season, and he continued to disappoint this week with three juicy matchups in Coors Field. Bellinger started all three games in center field, hitting in the bottom third of the order, and only collected two hits on Sunday. Heading into Sunday, he had yet to barrel up a baseball and had a hard-hit rate of around 17%. Bellinger looks lost at the place and does not deserve a starting spot on any fantasy roster until he shows signs of life.
Expectations were not gigantic for Sanmartin entering the season, but there was some optimism from his production in recent seasons. Unfortunately, his first start was a disaster as he only lasted 2.1 innings, pitched five earned runs, five walks, and only two strikeouts. In addition, he allowed an 80% Z-contact while only forcing swings out of the zone on 22% of his pitches. Sanmartin will need to show some significant improvements just to stick in the rotation long-term, let alone stay on any fantasy rosters.
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Brian Entrekin is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Brian, check out his Twitter @bdentrek.
