That BTXJ is one smart fella. Last week, he predicted Khris Davis (+60%) would be this week’s biggest add and he would have had it locked down if not for Oscar Taveras (+80%) getting called up. Davis has been a hot topic in the comments section lately and for good reason. After a slow start in April, Davis hit .281/.330/.584 with six home runs and nine doubles in May. His splits are interesting. He’s posted a pedestrian 70 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, but he’s annihilating lefties with a 229 wRC+. Not that we all have the luxury of platooning hitters, but that’s a big split. The 26-year-old outfielder raised his walk rate from 1% to 7% in May, and nearly cut his 30% strikeout rate in half. He’s hit fifth in a strong Brewers lineup most nights and Steamer projects him for another 13 home runs and 40 runs batted in by the season’s end. That RBI total might actually be on the conservative side if he has indeed made adjustments at the plate. Here are two more buy/sell picks from this week’s most added and dropped players…
Lorenzo Cain – 29% owned (+26%)
I don’t have anything against Cain. In fact, I own him in a really deep league. But that’s really where he has value – deeper formats. For starters, Cain isn’t playing every night. In 12-team mixed leagues I’m not jumping on guys who might not be in the lineup. Second, he’s just not productive enough to matter in most standard leagues. He’s never stolen more than 15 bases or hit more than seven home runs in the majors. While he’s still only 28 years old, the steals aren’t suddenly going to pick up and I’m not confident the power will either. He hasn’t been able to stay on the field for a full season and has already missed time with a groin injury this year. He reminds me a little of Cameron Maybin. Lots of potential that we keep thinking is coming to fruition, but never quite gets there. His high batting average is fueled by a .400 BABIP and I’m not sure the Royals lineup is going to provide the counting stats fantasy owners want. TRASH.
Yordano Ventura – 58% owned (-42%)
I’m as concerned as anybody about the elbow. I’m looking to get what I can for him in keepers and dynasty leagues since the Royals may limit his innings, the injury may resurface, and long-term there is a chance he may actually wind up as a fireballer in the bullpen. But those are all long-term worries. In the short-term he threw a successful bullpen session and is on track to start on Thursday. Dropping him in half the leagues just doesn’t make sense to me. I’d rather have a more proven, not-injured starter who will pitch more inings this year, but if I already own Ventura in a re-draft league there’s no reason to drop him like he has cooties. The 22-year-old still sports a 9.3 K/9, a 52% ground ball percentage, and a nice little 11.4% swinging strike percentage. He also calls pitching-friendly Kauffman Stadium his home. Maybe bench him for his next start if it’s scary. Maybe have a plan in case the Royals limit his innings later this season or he gets injured again. But if the Royals are comfortable letting him pitch, fantasy owners should too. TREASURE.
Mike’s on Twitter @643ball
