Jake Ciely
The Athletic
Twitter: @allinkid
Website: https://theathletic.com/
Featured Pros: Buy Low, Sell High
What one player are you trying to buy low and what type of player would you give up to get him?
Since May 4, Ronald Acuna's play is deserving of being back in the Minors. He's hitting .186 with 11/2/7 in that span with a 30.8 K%. The strikeout rate is a legitimate concern with Acuna regularly over 20% since hitting High-A. However, he's also too talented to remain in this slump, even if he only carries a .240-.250 AVG all season. The power will improve, as will his stolen base total once he's back on base more. I'd consider moving any player around 75 overall or lower to grab Acuna.
What one player are you trying to sell high right now and who would you want in return?
Sell Juan Soto... NOW! Soto is a great talent, sure. However, just as with Acuna, who I mentioned as a buy low, even the most-talented youngsters (and it doesn't get any younger than Soto) can struggle to make the transition. On top of that, Acuna had a better track record in the minors (and much longer), the Nationals can be impatient (see: Victor Robles last year) and Robles could be back soon. Sell him for anything in the Top 200, and you can probably near Top 100 value for the hype.
Since May 4, Ronald Acuna's play is deserving of being back in the Minors. He's hitting .186 with 11/2/7 in that span with a 30.8 K%. The strikeout rate is a legitimate concern with Acuna regularly over 20% since hitting High-A. However, he's also too talented to remain in this slump, even if he only carries a .240-.250 AVG all season. The power will improve, as will his stolen base total once he's back on base more. I'd consider moving any player around 75 overall or lower to grab Acuna.
What one player are you trying to sell high right now and who would you want in return?
Sell Juan Soto... NOW! Soto is a great talent, sure. However, just as with Acuna, who I mentioned as a buy low, even the most-talented youngsters (and it doesn't get any younger than Soto) can struggle to make the transition. On top of that, Acuna had a better track record in the minors (and much longer), the Nationals can be impatient (see: Victor Robles last year) and Robles could be back soon. Sell him for anything in the Top 200, and you can probably near Top 100 value for the hype.
Featured Pros: Bold Predictions
Please give us one fantasy related bold prediction with the season about to start that owners should keep in mind.
Kyle Schwarber will hit 40 home runs in 2018. Rhys Hoskins won't be the only National Leaguer to reach the 40-homer plateau this year, as Schwarber has a new slim and sleek look. Not only does that help him defensively, which prevents Joe Maddon from yanking him late in games and potentially missing at-bats, but Schwarber is hitting lefties a bit more. In the second half of last year, Schwarber had a .200 AVG with two home runs and an improved K% against lefties. That .200 doesn't sound like much until you see the .118 mark in 2015 with a near 50 K%! The new and improved, and streamlined, Schwarber is on his way to a breakout season and 40-plus home runs.
Kyle Schwarber will hit 40 home runs in 2018. Rhys Hoskins won't be the only National Leaguer to reach the 40-homer plateau this year, as Schwarber has a new slim and sleek look. Not only does that help him defensively, which prevents Joe Maddon from yanking him late in games and potentially missing at-bats, but Schwarber is hitting lefties a bit more. In the second half of last year, Schwarber had a .200 AVG with two home runs and an improved K% against lefties. That .200 doesn't sound like much until you see the .118 mark in 2015 with a near 50 K%! The new and improved, and streamlined, Schwarber is on his way to a breakout season and 40-plus home runs.
Featured Pros: Players You'll Regret not Drafting
Please name one hitter ranked outside the top 50 in the expert consensus that owners will regret the most not drafting.
Nomar Mazara took a big step forward last year, reaching 101 RBIs to go with the 20 home runs, around 60 Runs and middling average. Mazara was actually the same player from the year before, but his lineup position changed. After spending most of 2016 at the top or bottom of the order, Mazara spend most of his time hitting 3rd or 5th. That's where the big jump in RBIs came from, and that's why owners should buy into another Top 35 outfielder finish, potential even higher as Mazara turns just 23 this year.
Please name one starting pitcher ranked outside the top 25 in the expert consensus that owners will regret the most not drafting.
Luis Castillo should be near the Top 25 and has a chance to reach the Top 15-20 starters this year. The kid has everything you want in a high ground ball percentage, high strikeout percentage and quality fastball speed. In fact, batters hit just .198 off Castillo last year. The only concerns are the innings jump and ballpark, but based on pure talent, Castillo has the makings to be a star pitcher.
Nomar Mazara took a big step forward last year, reaching 101 RBIs to go with the 20 home runs, around 60 Runs and middling average. Mazara was actually the same player from the year before, but his lineup position changed. After spending most of 2016 at the top or bottom of the order, Mazara spend most of his time hitting 3rd or 5th. That's where the big jump in RBIs came from, and that's why owners should buy into another Top 35 outfielder finish, potential even higher as Mazara turns just 23 this year.
Please name one starting pitcher ranked outside the top 25 in the expert consensus that owners will regret the most not drafting.
Luis Castillo should be near the Top 25 and has a chance to reach the Top 15-20 starters this year. The kid has everything you want in a high ground ball percentage, high strikeout percentage and quality fastball speed. In fact, batters hit just .198 off Castillo last year. The only concerns are the innings jump and ballpark, but based on pure talent, Castillo has the makings to be a star pitcher.
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Featured Pros: Buy Low, Sell High
What one player are you trying to buy low and what type of player would you give up to get him?
Since May 4, Ronald Acuna's play is deserving of being back in the Minors. He's hitting .186 with 11/2/7 in that span with a 30.8 K%. The strikeout rate is a legitimate concern with Acuna regularly over 20% since hitting High-A. However, he's also too talented to remain in this slump, even if he only carries a .240-.250 AVG all season. The power will improve, as will his stolen base total once he's back on base more. I'd consider moving any player around 75 overall or lower to grab Acuna.
What one player are you trying to sell high right now and who would you want in return?
Sell Juan Soto... NOW! Soto is a great talent, sure. However, just as with Acuna, who I mentioned as a buy low, even the most-talented youngsters (and it doesn't get any younger than Soto) can struggle to make the transition. On top of that, Acuna had a better track record in the minors (and much longer), the Nationals can be impatient (see: Victor Robles last year) and Robles could be back soon. Sell him for anything in the Top 200, and you can probably near Top 100 value for the hype.
Since May 4, Ronald Acuna's play is deserving of being back in the Minors. He's hitting .186 with 11/2/7 in that span with a 30.8 K%. The strikeout rate is a legitimate concern with Acuna regularly over 20% since hitting High-A. However, he's also too talented to remain in this slump, even if he only carries a .240-.250 AVG all season. The power will improve, as will his stolen base total once he's back on base more. I'd consider moving any player around 75 overall or lower to grab Acuna.
What one player are you trying to sell high right now and who would you want in return?
Sell Juan Soto... NOW! Soto is a great talent, sure. However, just as with Acuna, who I mentioned as a buy low, even the most-talented youngsters (and it doesn't get any younger than Soto) can struggle to make the transition. On top of that, Acuna had a better track record in the minors (and much longer), the Nationals can be impatient (see: Victor Robles last year) and Robles could be back soon. Sell him for anything in the Top 200, and you can probably near Top 100 value for the hype.
Featured Pros: Bold Predictions
Please give us one fantasy related bold prediction with the season about to start that owners should keep in mind.
Kyle Schwarber will hit 40 home runs in 2018. Rhys Hoskins won't be the only National Leaguer to reach the 40-homer plateau this year, as Schwarber has a new slim and sleek look. Not only does that help him defensively, which prevents Joe Maddon from yanking him late in games and potentially missing at-bats, but Schwarber is hitting lefties a bit more. In the second half of last year, Schwarber had a .200 AVG with two home runs and an improved K% against lefties. That .200 doesn't sound like much until you see the .118 mark in 2015 with a near 50 K%! The new and improved, and streamlined, Schwarber is on his way to a breakout season and 40-plus home runs.
Kyle Schwarber will hit 40 home runs in 2018. Rhys Hoskins won't be the only National Leaguer to reach the 40-homer plateau this year, as Schwarber has a new slim and sleek look. Not only does that help him defensively, which prevents Joe Maddon from yanking him late in games and potentially missing at-bats, but Schwarber is hitting lefties a bit more. In the second half of last year, Schwarber had a .200 AVG with two home runs and an improved K% against lefties. That .200 doesn't sound like much until you see the .118 mark in 2015 with a near 50 K%! The new and improved, and streamlined, Schwarber is on his way to a breakout season and 40-plus home runs.
Featured Pros: Players You'll Regret not Drafting
Please name one hitter ranked outside the top 50 in the expert consensus that owners will regret the most not drafting.
Nomar Mazara took a big step forward last year, reaching 101 RBIs to go with the 20 home runs, around 60 Runs and middling average. Mazara was actually the same player from the year before, but his lineup position changed. After spending most of 2016 at the top or bottom of the order, Mazara spend most of his time hitting 3rd or 5th. That's where the big jump in RBIs came from, and that's why owners should buy into another Top 35 outfielder finish, potential even higher as Mazara turns just 23 this year.
Please name one starting pitcher ranked outside the top 25 in the expert consensus that owners will regret the most not drafting.
Luis Castillo should be near the Top 25 and has a chance to reach the Top 15-20 starters this year. The kid has everything you want in a high ground ball percentage, high strikeout percentage and quality fastball speed. In fact, batters hit just .198 off Castillo last year. The only concerns are the innings jump and ballpark, but based on pure talent, Castillo has the makings to be a star pitcher.
Nomar Mazara took a big step forward last year, reaching 101 RBIs to go with the 20 home runs, around 60 Runs and middling average. Mazara was actually the same player from the year before, but his lineup position changed. After spending most of 2016 at the top or bottom of the order, Mazara spend most of his time hitting 3rd or 5th. That's where the big jump in RBIs came from, and that's why owners should buy into another Top 35 outfielder finish, potential even higher as Mazara turns just 23 this year.
Please name one starting pitcher ranked outside the top 25 in the expert consensus that owners will regret the most not drafting.
Luis Castillo should be near the Top 25 and has a chance to reach the Top 15-20 starters this year. The kid has everything you want in a high ground ball percentage, high strikeout percentage and quality fastball speed. In fact, batters hit just .198 off Castillo last year. The only concerns are the innings jump and ballpark, but based on pure talent, Castillo has the makings to be a star pitcher.
Go to the Fantasy Accuracy Reports to see how this expert stacks up.
