With eight weeks of games in the books, here are 10 of the most added fantasy baseball players.
Note: the following "changes" are week-over-week percentages.
Mike Trout
Change: +14.3 (59.5 percent owned)
Analysis: Last week, I said: “I expect {Trout’s} 27.2 {ownership} percentage to reach 50 percent by June.” It took less than a week. He hit .481 with two home runs, seven runs, five RBI, and four stolen bases during that stretch.
Buy/Sell: Bought
James McDonald
Change: +13.0 (47.5 percent owned)
Analysis: His 9.10 K/9 rate ranks in the top 15 among all MLB pitchers. His 58 punch outs has him tied with Cole Hamels and Bud Norris for 11th in the bigs. The 3-2 record is deceiving because of Pittsburgh’s lack of offense. It will be interesting to see if he can keep his ERA (2.51) and WHIP (0.99) down.
Buy/Sell: Bought
R.A. Dickey
Change: +8.0 (32.7 percent owned)
Analysis: Investing in knuckle ball pitchers is always risky. His K/9 rate of 8.01 is nearly three strikeouts higher than his average over the last three seasons. Despite an ERA hovering around 3.00 and a 1.20 WHIP, Dickey is a sub-.500 pitcher (19-22) over the last two seasons.
Buy/Sell: Hold
Ian Desmond
Change: +7.6 (51.4 percent owned)
Analysis: Three players have hit four home runs in the past week, most in MLB: Andrew McCutchen, J.P. Arencibia and Desmond. He’s hitting over .300 in May with 12 runs and 14 RBI. I think he’s a great get for those who have to start a middle infielder.
Buy/Sell: Bought
Carlos Zambrano
Change: +7.2 (39.2 percent owned)
Analysis: Regardless of Zambrano’s success from this point forward, Cubs’ fans have to be hitting their head against a wall. Chicago’s “headache” has turned into an asset on the hill for Miami. The Z-Train is off to one of his better starts in recent seasons. He’s pitched at least six innings in each of his eight starts. In his last four starts, he’s gone at least seven and only allowed three earned runs total with 23 strikeouts. Call me pessimistic, but I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Buy/Sell: Sell
Andy Pettitte
Change: 7.2 (23.2 percent owned)
Analysis: He turns 40 in a few weeks, but Pettitte looked like a spry youngster last Friday night against the Reds. He hurled eight innings (115 pitches) and struck out nine. The odds he has a game like that again this season are slim, but in deeper leagues I’d give him a look. The Yankees offense can pick him up on a bad day.
Buy/Sell: Bought in 19-team league
Felix Doubront
Change: +6.4 (13.6 percent owned)
Analysis: He took a tough loss on Tuesday night against the Orioles. Doubront tossed six innings and allowed two runs on four hits, but struck out a season-high nine batters. His K/9 rate is inside the MLB’s top 10 (9.54).
Buy/Sell: Hold
Alfredo Aceves
Change: +4.8 (32.8 percent owned)
Analysis: I get the feeling some owners will continue to connect AA’s fantasy value to his implosion the first two weeks of the season. He’s converted eight straight save opportunities and allowed only two earned runs in his past 15 1/3 innings pitched. The Red Sox are not as bad as they’ve looked. Boston is going to win some close games. Aceves is the closer. It adds up.
Buy/Sell: Bought
Aaron Harang
Change: +4.6 (9.1 percent owned)
Analysis: Outside of the overall success of the Dodgers, I don’t see the allure of adding Harang to my roster.
Buy/Sell: Sell
J.P. Arencibia
Change: +4.3 (41.9 percent owned)
Analysis: A career .222 hitter, Arencibia is mashing at a .256 clip this season (.323 in May). His power numbers will continue, but there will be stretches where he provides diddly squat.
Buy/Sell: In leagues where you start two catchers, sure.
