We have made it through another week of the season, so we have another set of players to Buy High or Sell Low based on their weekly performances. Based on their recent performances and a full-season outlook, I will break down some players to buy or sell in the coming weeks. Some are just hot streaks, and some are worth buying into, so we are here to help make the right decisions for your fantasy teams. With that said, let’s look at a handful of players that you should buy high or sell low.
Buy High
Kris Bryant (1B/3B/OF – COL)
Welcome back, Kris Bryant. After a dreadful start to the season, Bryant’s bat woke up this past week. He hit his first four home runs while also hitting .346 with a 246 wRC+. Bryant also walked nearly 11 percent of the time while striking out less than seven percent. He was locked in with a 20.8% barrel rate and 41.7% hard-hit rate.
Bryant is now hitting .300 on the season, which is good to see, but finally adding some home runs to the season is very nice. Bryant has battled back injuries throughout the season and is now on paternity leave. Hopefully, with the extra time on the IL, Bryant is healthy and good to go. He is too good to be this bad all season, so trade now if you can; as some may be a little down on Bryant, you may be able to get him for a bit of a discount.
Marcus Semien (2B/SS – TEX)
It’s hard even to imagine that Semien didn’t hit for any power to start the season; he didn’t hit at all. He’s been raking for over a month, and this past week was no exception. Semien hit .320 last week with four extra-base hits and a stolen base. Semien had a great 1.050 OPS and 195 wRC+ while striking out less than 15 percent of the time.
Semien is now hitting .236 on the season, which is much improved from his start, and more importantly, he has 11 home runs and 14 stolen bases. Semien is on his way to 20+ home runs and possibly 30 stolen bases. That is one heck of a season. Semien is the real deal, so buy high wherever you can.
Juan Soto (OF – WAS)
If someone was panicking about Juan Soto, well, shame on them. It is not his fault the Nationals are atrocious, hurting him quite a bit. And yes, his season batting average has been quite concerning compared to his career norms. He usually hits over .300, and his current sub .250 average is not ideal. Hopefully, this past week was a sign of great things to come.
This past week, Soto hit .500. Yes, he hit .500! Soto was 9-18 with two home runs, but sadly, only four RBIs because the Nationals stink. Nevertheless, Soto hit for power and average and showcased his usual excellent plate discipline with a 25% walk rate and 8.3% strikeout rate. Being able to hit for power, batting average, and still walk like that is Barry Bonds-type stuff. Soto is a stud and if anyone is worried about him in your leagues, trade them for him now.
Nick Lodolo (SP – CIN)
Lodolo returned from the IL this past week and quickly reminded us why there was so much buzz surrounding him as he came up through the minors. Lodolo made two starts last week. He was throwing 9.2 innings while allowing only three runs and striking out 14. Lodolo was still getting stretched out but did pitch both of his games in Great American Small Park and was able to allow only one home run while striking out 31.1%. His 22.2% K-BB is outstanding, as well as his 12% SwStr.
Lodolo has a 21.1% K-BB through five starts and 11.6% SwStr. He always showcased excellent strikeout skills in the minors, and a 3.29 xFIP backs up his current 4.44 ERA. Lodolo is the real deal and should be in for a solid second half of the season if he can stay healthy. He has league winning upside.
Carlos Rodon (SP – SF)
Speaking of league winning upside, let’s talk about Carlos Rodon. Last week Rodon made two starts, and his second start was massive. After lasting just five innings while allowing four runs and striking out seven versus the DBacks, he threw a complete game where he allowed one run and struck out 12 versus the Padres. Rodon had an outstanding 27.8% K-BB for the week with a 33.3% O-swing, 65% contact rate, and 16.4% SwStr. He has an exceptional 23% K-BB on the season with 3.10 SIERA and 3.07 xFIP. As long as he can stay healthy, Rodon should be a fantasy beast for the rest of the season.
Sell Low
Randal Grichuk (OF – COL)
Most of us were extremely excited about Grichuk joining the Rockies, but he has yet to produce the fantasy goodness this season. Last week, Grichuk collected two hits while striking out 26 percent of the time. He had a putrid .261 OPS and -51 wRC+. Grichuk is now hitting .244 on the season with only nine home runs and a 74 wRC+. The fact he still plays his home games in Coors could leave him with some fantasy appeal to some, so trade him now if you can.
Cesar Hernandez (2B – WAS)
The Nationals’ offense has been bad most of the season, allowing Hernandez to keep leading off, but that may eventually stop if he keeps performing like he did last week. Hernandez collected one hit for a .043 batting average. He struck out nearly 21 percent of the time to go with a .170 OPS and -58 wRC+. Hernandez is now hitting .241 with no home runs and three stolen bases. He scored 42 runs, which is a plus, but the overall production is awful, making him only roster-able in the deepest of leagues.
Bryson Stott (2B/SS – PHI)
There was some optimism surrounding Stott returning from the minors, but that was quickly squashed after his recent slump. Last week, Stott collected three hits for a .143 batting average. He only struck out 4.3 percent of the time, which is a plus, but a 0% barrel rate will hamper production and help lead to a 6 wRC+. Stott is now hitting .177 on the season with four home runs and could be replaced in the Phillies lineup at any moment.
Michael Kopech (SP – CWS)
Kopech made two starts last week, and the struggles continued for the season. He threw 10 innings and allowed eight runs on five home runs while walking seven and striking out nine. Kopech allowed a 22.6% barrel rate with a 90.7% Z-contact rate. Kopech is not fooling anyone these days as his 4.89 xFIP backs up and a poor 10.7% K-BB. Kopech has electric stuff but can’t put any consistency behind it every fifth day.
Martin Perez (SP – TEX)
I have been waiting for regression to hit Perez, and his last start may have been the beginning of the end for the Rangers lefty. He allowed six runs over six innings with five strikeouts versus the Twins. Perez has allowed 13 runs over his last three starts, with four home runs. If there is any value left with Perez in your league, it is time to ship him elsewhere immediately.
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