Fantasy Baseball Weekly Roundup: April 15
After the first few series of the season, people tend to overreact to bad performances such as Julio Urías or Kiké Hernandez’s slow starts to the season.
Many other players have gotten off to hot starts this year, but the tricky part is predicting which players will continue to perform and which will tail off.
One player who has gotten off to a strong start this season is Rockies outfielder Connor Joe, who also has first base availability and has had at least two points in each of his last five games.
Outfielder Seth Brown of Oakland has four runs on the season and is hitting just under .300 and can likely continue to crack that lineup.
Gavin Lux of the Dodgers is very versatile with shortstop, second base and outfield eligibility. He has hit safely in all but one game so far this season while being a part of one of the best lineups in the league.
For streaming options on Friday, look to Phillies starter Zach Eflin who will take on the Marlins and is coming off of an 11-point game against Oakland.
On Saturday ,look for Jameson Taillon of the Yankees, who held the powerful Toronto lineup to just two runs while having six strikeouts. This week, he will be facing a poor Orioles lineup.
On Sunday, the Tigers’ Tyler Alexander will face the Royals. He performed well in the past as a fifth starter, pitching into the sixth against Boston to start the year.
Some players have outperformed themselves at the start of the season and now is the best time to get some amazing value on them as their performances are likely to decline.
Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan has the second most points out of all batters with 32 and his incredible run is unlikely to continue, so try trading him to a team in desperate need of an outfielder.
Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna has 26 points on the year, but 15 of those come from one game against the Nationals where his team won by a blowout.
Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo started the season on fire, but has since tailed off in production, totaling just one point in his last two games.
Mets starter Tylor Megill has 23 points in his last two starts which is more than anyone would have expected. With time, however, teams are going to start learning how to hit him and will eventually get to him.
Some players have struggled so far this season, but their potential is so much greater than what they’re currently doing, making them prime buy-low candidates.
Try to acquire starters Brandon Woodruff, Urías, Ian Anderson, José Berríos or Marco Gonzales, who all had terrible first starts but are likely to rebound.
Another starter to target is Boston’s Tanner Houck, who proved that he can get himself out of a jam and showcased his ability in the first game of the season.
In terms of hitters, Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez is going through rookie pains right now and has negative points on the season.
Shortstop Trevor Story and outfielder Bryce Harper have one point so far this year and are likely to perform as one of the better players at their positions.
Middle infielders Ketel Marte and Trea Turner have also gotten off to slow starts this season but are each very likely to turn it around.
James Morrison is a sophomore majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email jpm6920@psu.edu.