We have made it through the first week of the season, and we have some early results to overreact to possibly., The early results give us a 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. Let’s look at a handful of players you should buy high or sell low.
- Weekly Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Trade Value Chart
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Buy High
After an injury-riddled 2022 season that saw India’s production fall to a .249 batting average with 10 home runs and three stolen bases, he dropped a lot in fantasy drafts for 2023. Fantasy managers were allowing 2022 to cloud their judgment of India, who was just one year removed from winning the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year. India got to work early, making fantasy managers forget about 2022.
India reached base safely in the season’s first three games, collecting hits in each game. India collected five hits, including a home run and a stolen base. India struck out only 15.8% of the time while also walking 15.8%. India is healthy and hitting and he’ll play his home games in Great American Small Park while leading off, further increasing his fantasy value. Do not wait too long and get India in trades if you still can.
Xander hits for a solid batting average most seasons, but the power has been dropping, as low as 15 home runs last year while throwing in a handful of steals. When looking at the top end of the shortstop position, most hit for 20+ home runs and/or steal 20+ bases. Bogaerts’ season last year resulted in a significant drop in ADP compared to years previous.
Well, it’s only one weekend, but Bogaerts is trying to make all the haters regret their opinions quickly. In Bogaerts’ first four games with the Padres, he collected a hit in each game, including two doubles and two home runs. He drove in five runs while only striking out 11.8% of the time. Bogaerts was locked in, and I am entirely buying a healthy Bogaerts putting up a big season in San Diego. I only wish I had that same sentiment during the draft season.
Ward had a fantastic start to the 2022 season, a rough middle of the season that occurred while battling an injury, and an excellent finish. The end of the season got fantasy managers excited for Ward in 2023. That hype has paid off so far, as Ward came out hitting on the season’s opening weekend. He collected a hit in each game, racking up seven hits over the three games, including a home run. There should be a big season ahead for Ward.
Springs had a strong 2022 season, and he carried that success over to his first start of 2023. Again, Springs was terrific as he threw six no-hit innings with a walk and 12 strikeouts. Springs was beyond locked in, and he should have many more starts like this than blow-ups this season. The Springs and Drew Rasmussen combination with some Shane McClanahan makes for an outstanding, young, three-headed starting pitching monster for the Rays.
Steele had a quality 2022 season that was cut short for load management. As silly as that sounds, as this is not the NBA, it was brilliant by the Cubs and has left Steele fresh and ready to go this season. He came out of the gates like gangbusters with six shutout innings with eight strikeouts. Steele should have more quality starts than bad and could be in for a leap in producing in 2023. Get some Steele before his price tag gets even higher.
Sell Low
The Oscar Gonzalez situation has come as quite a surprise to me and many others. Gonzalez is a solid offensive talent, especially regarding the batting average. Gonzalez also played nearly every day for the Guardians last season, becoming a staple in their lineup. So, when we saw Gonzalez out of the lineup on Opening Day, there was some concern. However, to the surprise of many, Gonzalez is in a platoon with Will Brennan. If this continues, side note that Brennan is struggling, then Gonzalez will be a tough player to roster in weekly leagues.
Most thought Brett Baty should have made the team over Escobar, but sadly, the veteran somehow won that battle. Early on, though, Escobar is doing everything in his power to get Baty to the bigs quickly. Escobar collected only one hit in the opening weekend while striking out nearly 44% of the time. The days of fantasy viability are clearly behind Escobar, and if you took the chance on him in drafts, you should put that behind you now too.
Ozuna came into the draft season with many questions on the field. His draft price dropped significantly from previous seasons but did not decline enough. Over the season’s opening weekend, Ozuna hit .071 with one hit, a home run. He had a measly 30% hard-hit rate and 24 wRC+. Ozuna is hitting at the bottom of the Braves’ batting order, and I would not be surprised if some platooning arrives down the road.
Stripling had a great year with the Jays last season, pitching to a 3.01 ERA and collecting 10 wins. That success earned Stripling a new contract with the Giants. In his Giants debut, Stripling’s biggest weakness was unleashed. Stripling is not a significant strikeout guy, pitching more to contact. That’s a tricky thing to do for a whole season. Making it dicey to start Stripling each week. That inability to start him regularly makes him worth a sale to me.
Gray has a great fastball and some nice strikeout abilities, but he also loves giving up some walks and all the home runs. That was on full display in his first start. Gray faced the powerful Braves lineup and allowed five runs on seven hits; three were home runs and two walks over five innings. More often than not, this will be a usual result for Gray, which makes him better left for the waiver wire.
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