This week’s biggest add was Marlins hurler Andrew Heaney, whose ownership percentage rose +59% after his call up and strong debut last week. JB Gilpin broke it down in yesterday’s Pitcher Profile. Heaney should only get better tonight against a Phillies lineup that has struggled offensively at home this season. The 23-year-old lefty was this season’s big pitching prospect stash over the last few weeks and now that he’s up his ownership numbers have ballooned even more. Heaney could see a start or two skipped to limit his workload, but other than that he has the ability to make a big impact in the second half for fantasy owners. In three Triple-A starts prior to his call up, Heaney sported a 10.6 K/9 and a 0.78 BB/9. Pitching against the mediocre offenses of the NL East at Crayola Canyon adds to his fantasy value. If you stashed him, kudos. If you’re late to the party, get on board before he shows his stuff against Philly tonight. Here are this week’s big adds and drops in 2014 fantasy baseball…
J.D. Martinez – 47% owned (+47%)
If you have one foot in yesterday and one foot in tomorrow you’re pissing on today. That’s one of my favorite pieces of advice and it applies to fantasy baseball at times. Martinez seems like the hottest of the hot schmotato brigade, and of course must be due for a collapse that will land him back on the pine. However, I think this is for real and the near half of ESPN fantasy teams that have scooped him up will be rewarded in the second half. I’m not worried about what Martinez’s struggles were in the past and I’m not going to fret over future playing time and regression. I’m just going to ride this one out. Martinez didn’t just make adjustments. Apparently he completely changed his swing, modeling it after players like teammate Miguel Cabrera. I don’t play professional baseball (shocking) but I would imagine reinventing a baseball swing isn’t an easy thing to do. We can’t argue with the results either. He hit ten homers in 17 Triple-A games prior to his call up and has hit .310/.344/.593 with seven home runs in the middle of the Tigers’ lineup. TREASURE.
Christian Yelich – 74% owned (-20%)
Yelich is scheduled to return to the Marlins on Sunday, and while some leagues have limited DL slots I would be making room for the 22-year-old outfielder instead of dropping him. Prior to his injury Yelich was hitting .259/.342/.418 with six homers, ten steals, and 41 runs scored. That’s a top twenty outfielder in runs scored/steals and a top thirty outfielder in on base percentage. He should slot right back at the top of a surprisingly good Marlins offense when he returns. When it’s all over Yelich could put up a 15/20 season in just his second year in the majors, making him one of the better draft day bargains of 2014. Batting from the left side of the plate, Yelich is actually hitting over .300 against left-handed pitching compared to .249 against righties. An improvement against right-handers could be in store in the second half as he continues to make adjustments to major league pitching. If you’re in need of an outfielder in a league where he has become available, scoop him up. TREASURE.
