Why does it feel like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has disappeared off the face of the planet? That was mostly a rhetorical question. I realize he isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire the way the hype leading up to his call up last year might have set the stage, but fear not, it’s coming. VGJ has been a superstar at every level and he will be one in the MLB. In case you have forgotten, he’s only 21 years young. Even if it took another year (or two) until he started clicking on all cylinders, he would still be in his very early twenties. But I don’t think it’s going to take that long. Forget this year, it’s a lost cause for many, but 2021 feels like a good bet. In case you haven’t figured out what I’m trying to say, I’ll spell it out for you. This is the best opportunity you are going to have to buy low on Vlad Junior. Vlad’s stock has hit its floor and there’s only one way for it to go.
Right now everyone is in love with Bo Bichette. While I completely understand why, I’m still taking Vlad over Bo in dynasty leagues (or leagues where you can keep players long term). While everyone is busy oogling (get the “g” out) over Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, Cavan Biggio and Kyle Lewis, I’m over here not regretting owning VGJ. And in leagues where I don’t, I’m making offers to acquire him. Operation VladGo is a go. I repeat, Operation VladGo is a go.
If you are still putting Kris Bryant in your lineup you are a dummy. In fact, in redraft leagues I’d make a strong case that he’s droppable. He hasn’t done squat, there’s only a few weeks left in the fantasy season, and he’s hurt. Bye bye Bryant. See you next year. Except he’s a player I annually avoid unless he drops in the draft to where the juice is worth the squeeze.
Here’s a post I wrote two years ago about Wilmer Flores. Year after year he seems to be a player that I want on my team if he can get consistent plate appearances. He’s getting just that in San Francisco, and the result is fantasy points. Flores currently has 0.833 points per plate appearance. For reference, Mike Trout is at 0.843, Corey Seager is at 0.836 and Trevor Story is at 0.783. Enough said? Only Brandon Lowe, Whit Merrifield and Cavan Biggio have more fantasy points at the second base position. In CBS leagues he’s only 43% owned. That’s just stupid.
Of hitters with at least 50 plate appearances, only Juan Soto (1.31) and Bryce Harper (1.12) have a better points per plate appearance than Mitch Moreland (1.10). Say what?! Since he will often sit against southpaws, his value is really in daily lineup leagues where you can switch him in an out when he’s in the starting lineup. I’m not telling you to run out and grab him, but I wanted to point this out.
Speaking of Bryce Harper, he is having a heck of a season. His 96 points make him a top five outfielder. The key point to point out (overuse of the word point?) is that Harper has had approximately 40 less plate appearances that the four players ahead of him, yet he’s only 16 points from the top of the list.
Dominic Smith (76 points, 1.01 PPPA) is a top six first basemen based on points. He’s the number two first basemen based on points per plate appearance (behind Moreland). Hopefully you’re not starting Pete Alonso (59 points, 0.531 PPPA) or Anthony Rizzo (61 points, 0.616 PPPA) over Smith. Unless, of course, you like losing.
Since I’ve already brought Alonso and Rizzo into the discussion, let’s compare them to Eric Hosmer.
Alonso: 59 points, 0.531 PPPA
Rizzo: 61 points, 0.616 PPPA
Hosmer: 60 points, 0.909 PPPA
If Hosmer is playing, he should be in your lineup.
Winky winky. If Jesse Winker (0.833 PPPA) is available you might want to see who you are starting in the OF that is putting up better numbers.
I opened this post talking about how Vlad is a great buy low candidate. I’ve got another. Jo Adell. To say that the start of his Major League career has been a bust would be an understatement. That error where the ball popped out of his glove, going over the fence for a home run was just funny. It reminded me of the time the ball hit Jose Canseco in the head and went over the fence for a homer back in 1993. That is my all time favorite sports blooper. Let’s get back to Adell. He’s having a rough go at it. Perhaps he wasn’t quite ready for the jump. After all, his AAA numbers didn’t jump off the page. Adell is much better than this. If you can stash him for next year I think it will be a good investment.
If your league’s trade deadline has not passed and your are out of the running, start preparing for 2021.
Random comment. In the last two weeks I’ve seen a handful of articles and tweets about Charlie Blackmon hitting .400 this year. News flash, even if he does, it doesn’t count. You’ve got to do it in a full season. In the same flavor, if you win your league this year, it don’t count. This year is bullshift. That’s all.
This tweet made me laugh.
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