Starting off this week’s hitter profiles, we have to visit one of the more exciting hitters of the last few weeks in Luis Arraez. He may be the truest definition of a better real-life player than fantasy player. Hitting .402 heading into games on Saturday, he is otherwise average or downright terrible in every other rotisserie category. We are talking Joey Gallo with home runs or Scott Podsednik with steals. These types of guys hurt a balanced fantasy attack but are ideal trade targets for the stretch if you need a single category to push you over the top. Arraez’s profile under the covers shows some significant luck and his lowest hard-hit rate in five years. If there was ever a guy to sell, this would be it and hopefully, there is a team in your league that is simply a boost in batting average away from a stretch run. Like Arraez, this week we will focus on recent hot streaks and assess their viability for the rest of the season. With the London Series underway, we will change things up from our traditional Buy or Sell to an England version with Aye or Na!
Jake Fraley
Jake Fraley and TJ Friedl have both been hot and big parts of the Cincinnati Reds winning streak giving them control of the NL Central. Fraley returned from the injured list and a wrist injury last week. Since his return, he has hit .350+ with three long balls, five runs and eight RBI in only five games. One of those hits included a game-winning homer. Already with a 10/10 season this year, Fraley has a spot in the Cincinnati lineup when righties are on the mound, but does not hit against lefties at all. While the upcoming week features a number of righty matchups that would make Fraley a good streamer, he is not likely to get enough playing time long-term and is a significantly streaky hitter to invest in for the rest of the season.
Verdict: Na! (But enjoy while he is hot)
Maikel Garcia
This last week, Garcia has hit well over .400 with five steals, a homer, and decent counting stats. Over that time and looking back a bit further he has struck out barely more than he has walked while carrying a 40% plus hard hit rate. Garcia had limited pedigree coming up through the minors as a high-average batter that could do some damage on the base path. What is interesting about Garcia is that he is relatively available in many leagues (32% in Yahoo leagues). With a hard hit rate in the top 12% of baseball, he is a launch angle adjustment from unlocking some real game power. If he can make that type of adjustment, you will be kicking yourself for not taking a second look. Even without that shift, he still will be a positive contributor the rest of 2023.
Verdict: Aye!
Ha-Seong Kim
One of the best hitters over the last week has been Ha-Seong Kim with a .391 average and a pair of homers and steals apiece. He has moved into the leadoff spot for the Padres over the last few games getting some additional plate appearances to do some damage. Kim was one of the best players coming out of Korea a few years back and we have had high hopes he could develop into a mid-level fantasy asset. Batting at the top of the Padres lineup should produce runs and have a high floor. Unfortunately, the Padres do not seem fully committed to everyday playing time with Kim as they have played him in a super-utility role. I would tend to agree with the Padres as exit velocities are middling at best and he has one of the worst hard-hit rates in the big leagues. Kim could fill a bench spot but is best left to the waiver wire the rest of the season.
Verdict: Na!
Ezequiel Duran
Over the last five games, Duran has four multi-hit efforts. On the season as a whole, in just under 60 games, he has hit for power (nine homers) and average (.314 with a .288 xBA). Duran is eligible at multiple positions (2B, 3B, SS, OF) depending on league requirements and is in a strong Texas lineup that should continue to provide decent counting stats. Sure, his average is going to regress and it does not appear that his top 10% speed is translating to steals at this point. However, he has strong contact quality and seems to be poised for more power than he has shown as he adjusts in just his second season. Owned in only two-thirds of Yahoo leagues, he is undervalued and should be a piece of fantasy lineups going forward.
Verdict: Aye!
