Every week during the fantasy baseball season we do a stock report looking at players whose value is rising or declining. If there are specific players you want me to dive into, feel free to tag me on Twitter.
Without any further ado, let’s get to it. Here are a few fantasy baseball players trending up and others on the way down.
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Fantasy Baseball Stock Report (Week 21)
Stock Up
Sitting 18 games out of first in the National League East, the Nationals’ plan for the remainder of the season is to build up their young talent for the future. Someone who has proved their worth down the stretch this year has been 21-year-old James Wood.
At 6-foot-7, he’s one of the premier power hitters in the league. When he makes good contact, there’s almost always a viral clip of his homer circling the internet. Since August 1st, Wood has the 11th-highest xFIP (191) and 11th-highest wOBA (.444). I’d be looking at stashing Woods for the future alongside CJ Abrams for the Nats.
Brandon Pfaadt has always been a serviceable pitcher in his young career, but he has flashed some upside in the second half of this season. This entire Diamondbacks team has been clicking since the All-Star break, and Pfaadt has been a key piece.
In August, Pfaadt has a 9.13 K/9 and 3.24 xFIP. His xFIP is the 15th-best in MLB this month. He’s flashed strikeout upside in favorable matchups, most notably eight strikeouts against Oakland and 11 versus Colorado. He’s done a great job keeping the ball in the yard, having surrendered just five homers over his last nine games. He’s also just 25 years old and should have playoff utility with the way Arizona is playing right now.
Speaking of Arizona players, Joc Pederson has been one of the hottest hitters in August. The veteran ranks second in wRC+ (235), ninth in ISO (.356) and second in wOBA (.512) this month. Pederson’s walk rate is also a whopping 21.7% in August, on par with Aaron Judge.
He’s doing all this as a part-time player for the Diamondbacks. He’s the perfect veteran piece to a team that has some of the best young talent in baseball. The 32-year-old already has two World Series Rings to his name and is looking to make it three with the reigning National League champs.
Stock Down
Lane Thomas had plenty of upside in the first half of the season with his stolen base ability, but he hasn’t quite done what the Guardians were hoping for when they acquired him at the deadline. Over his last 10 games, Thomas is just 2-for-26 with 14 strikeouts.
His 40.3% strikeout rate is the highest in baseball in August. He also has just one stolen base this month. The 28-year-old still ranks eighth in MLB with 29 stolen bags, but he won’t have the opportunities to maintain that if he doesn’t get on base. You can’t steal first, as they say.
Jose Quintana has had a rough August. The veteran lefty has the highest xFIP in the month (6.21), alongside a paltry 6.97 K/9 and an elevated 5.23 BB/9. He gave up a combined 11 runs to the Orioles and the Athletics over his last two, falling on the wrong side of zero in the fantasy points department.
He’s had a tough time going deep into games with his walk rate holding him back. I’d be avoiding the 35-year-old for the rest of this season, and perhaps beyond.
Isaac Paredes (1B, 2B, 3B, DH – CHC)
Along with Thomas, Isaac Paredes is another trade deadline acquisition that hasn’t quite panned out. Paredes made the All-Star team for the American League this year, but he’s been struggling since being traded to the Cubs.
He has the 14th-lowest wRC+ (38) and wOBA (.218) in August. His 10-game log looks about as bleak as it gets with just two extra-base hits. Paredes is still just 25 years old and proved he can be an All-Star with the Rays, but I would stay away from him until he warms up to his new team.
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