Welcome to our weekly fantasy baseball risers and fallers column. In this article, I’ll provide three risers and three fallers based on what has transpired in the previous week.
Given that we’re over a month into the season, there are more options to choose from. We now know how managers are deploying their players, with some surprisingly receiving less playing time than initially expected. We also have a few young hitters who are making their presence felt immediately.
Without further ado, let’s find out who this week’s biggest risers and fallers are.
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Fantasy Baseball Risers & Fallers
Fantasy Baseball Risers
Xavier Edwards (2B, SS – MIA)
Xavier Edwards has been terrific this season, slashing .313/.395/.478 with six home runs and six stolen bases in 229 plate appearances. He has an elite 147 wRC+ while bumping up his walk rate from 7.9% to 11.8%.
Edwards is hitting the ball a lot harder this year, increasing his barrel rate from 0.8% to 6.3%. It’s fair to say that the Marlins infielder is no longer a zero in power. He could put up 12+ homers with 30+ steals, making him quite valuable in all formats.
Ryan Waldschmidt (OF – ARI)
Ryan Waldschmidt is living up to the hype. The Diamondbacks’ top prospect has hit the ground running since being called up, slashing .353/.411/.471 with five stolen bases in 57 plate appearances coming into Monday’s action.
While we haven’t seen the power just yet, Waldschmidt is putting up a respectable 11.1% barrel rate, so it’s only a matter of time before he starts leaving the yard.
Bubba Chandler (SP – PIT)
Just when it looked like Bubba Chandler should be dropped in all formats, he comes up with an absolute gem against a Blue Jays team that is tough to strike out. Chandler recorded 11 strikeouts in only five innings against Toronto, while allowing three runs (one earned).
Perhaps this is the case of a young and talented pitcher who finally found his rhythm. We’ll be looking closely at what Chandler comes up with as an encore.
Fantasy Baseball Fallers
Ozzie Albies (2B – ATL)
Ozzie Albies had gotten off to a good start, looking like a major resurgence, but he’s gone ice-cold since. In the last 14 days, Albies is slashing .167/.255/.167 with zero home runs in 55 plate appearances.
While this is just the ebbs and flows of a long season, it’s still worth pointing out.
Seiya Suzuki (OF – CHC)
Seiya Suzuki is a viable buy-low candidate because he’s a proven hitter in the midst of a lengthy slump. In the last 14 days, Suzuki is slashing .152/.204/.174 with zero home runs in 49 plate appearances.
It’s a good idea to put out some feeler offers for Suzuki, as he’s too good to perform this poorly for long.
Robbie Ray (SP – SFG)
Robbie Ray has been a mess lately. In his last three starts, he has a 6.62 xFIP with an 8.6% strikeout rate and a 15.7% walk rate.
While he’s always been erratic, this is on another level. What if Ray is dealing with an undisclosed injury? Whatever the case, it’s time to downgrade him considerably.
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