Welcome back to Buy & Sell, where this week’s theme is “Don’t Panic. Capitalize on the panic of others.” If suddenly you find Luke Keaschall on your 12-team wire, or even the likes of Crow-Armstrong, just add now, spend big FAAB if needed, and assume it will turn around. After all, if these stats happened in mid-July, nobody would bat an eye. Then again, there are some stats that you absolutely must overreact to. You don’t want to play it safe and miss the next Hunter Goodman, after all, and fortune favors the bold. Bold, not impulsive! Tell me if you know what the difference is, I’m not sure I do anymore, but anyway, on to the list!
BUY
10-team
Jordan Walker (OF, St. Louis Cardinals)
See, this is why you can’t just give up on elite bat speed guys. Especially when they’re still just 23 years old. Sure, it’s been just a few weeks, but that he’s hitting .300 with 4 homers and a stolen base, and Walker has sent people running to their waiver wires. After all, it has added context of the offseason swing changes after “He Went to Driveline (TM)”. Seeing his Statcast page now does make me want to propose.
He’s leading the league in exit velocity with an insane average EV of 98 mph, but has also improved his K% to a completely acceptable 27%, with 7 barrels to boot. Oh, and while he’s not running wild, did I mention he also has 95th percentile sprint speed? Basically, it’s already getting kind of hard to not see him as a younger Oneil Cruz with an arguably bigger runway in St. Louis and fewer platoon/contact concerns. Yes, that’s a bit superlative, but even if the speed doesn’t turn up, I could easily see an outcome more along the lines of Jo Adell, where he can remain flawed and on a bad time but still hit for enough power to make a big impact despite some wild swings. The sample has still been tiny, but you’re better off adding now (Despite being the most added player, he’s still available in 47% of Yahoo leagues).
Cam Smith (OF, Houston Astros)
He’s not quite Caminero, but this could still be a Kodak moment for the Cam Era. He is similar in a lot of ways to Walker as a post-hype sleeper who is still way too young an inexperienced to be dubbed “post-hype” and I’ll admit that I think the edge still goes to Walker, but Cam still should be plenty valuable. Cam’s off to a rip-roaring start hitting .300 with 3 homers and 3 SB, making the projections that all agreed he’d hit under 15 homers and under 10 SBs look a bit silly.
I mean, last year he had lots of spring hype as a potential 25/25 guy or even 30/30, and then he had to adjust with almost no minors experience AND learning a new position as a 22-year-old. I think he still has some flaws… He’s swinging out of his shoes a bit with a poor 67% Contact% (though a better 81% Z-Contact% and 29% CSW%), and while his bat speed and barrel rate jumps are exciting, the 46% Groundball% is still rather high. But about that bat speed jump… It went up THREE miles an hour, and his current rate of 77 mph is 98th percentile, with 93rd percentile sprint speed. He’s actually more rostered than Walker but still available in 41% of Yahoo Leagues, so add him or buy high in a trade… he should be special.
Honorable Mention: Konnor Griffin (SS, Pittsburgh Pirates) – It might seems stupid or overly obvious to say, but many fantasy owners are impulsive, and there were two chances for him to get dropped between the initial demotion and the fact he’s off to a slow start. Do not worry, add at any cost, or target at a trade since I doubt the struggles continue for long.
Honorable Mention: Chandler Simpson (OF, Tampa Bay Rays) – While the wheels have been slow to start, he’s hitting .400, but what’s even more important is the defense looks greatly improved, which greatly improves his job security. He’s already earned more WAR (0.8) than he had all last year.
12-team
Mickey Moniak (OF, Colorado Rockies)
On the IL Mickey was fine, first day back he blew our minds, hey Mickey! Of course, that may have ruined the chance to add him on the sly, though he’s still only rostered in 13% of Yahoo Leagues, and let me tell ya, that is way too low! He’s picked up right where he left off with a strong barrel rate similar to last year’s, except he’s been leaning hard into flyballs and pulled balls (both 57% each) in his tiny sample, which certainly is fine playing half your games in Coors. He’s already up to a .278 AVG with 3 home runs in just 18 AB, so it’s clear his IL stint is in no way lingering.
My biggest concerns about Moniak were that last year was a peak or a fluke, and so far it seems this is his new level, and although he’s been swinging at everything (probably a bit too much) he’s still making similar contact and above-average CSW% as last year, with a better surrounding cast (or at least so it seems with some new breakouts). I think he’s a must-add in 12-team formats since I think a 30 HR 15 SB season is a real possibility. Though I get that it’s a tougher sell in OBP, it could work based on your needs.
Liam Hicks (1B/C, Miami Marlins)
This does feel like a sucker’s play, doesn’t it? Well then call me a sucker, because THIS IS MY UNITED STATES OF WHATEVER… Oh wait that was Liam Lynch. Hicks has been one of the most surprising FAAB adds of early April, as he was expected to be a punchless defense-first backup catcher that was only of interest in 50 Round Draft & Hold formats. But he worked on adding power to his already excellent plate discipline in the offseason, and the early returns are promising. He’s managed to maintain an elite 9% K% backed by an elite Whiff%, but is also managing an above-average HardHit% and Barrel%. Which makes me dream on “What if we had a Luis Arraez, but with some actual pop… and a catcher?
No, I don’t think he’ll continue at this level and hit .290 with 20 homers. But even last year, he did have excellent contact metrics, and his excellent defense will keep him in the lineup. I think the power should at least get him to double digit power… he could end up not too far off from Alejandro Kirk! Then again, this could be more like this year’s Carson Kelly, who crashed back hard to earth after a big first half. But hey, a big first half would be many more weeks of production. Hicks should at the very least be a good fill-in for an injured Alejandro Kirk, but do NOT drop a top 15 catcher for him… but look, once you get to J.T. Realmuto, Tyler Stephenson, Ryan Jeffers… Yeah, I’d take the plunge.
Honorable Mention: Carter Jensen (C, Kansas City Royals) – Don’t you hate when you oversleep? Well, as dumb as that was, a few jumpy owners cut him in panic after a few benchings, but he’s forgiven after a trio of homers. He’s been whiffing more, but if someone dropped him, add him fast.
Honorable Mention: Jakob Marsee (OF, Miami Marlins) – I get that he’s off to an ugly start, but don’t forget why the relatively unproven OF was a top 200 pick, with an ADP in the 150-160 range. The bad strikeout rate (27th percentile) is not supported by a much better whiff rate (93rd percentile), and he’s at least still stealing bases (5). Add and profit from another’s possible mistake.
15-team
T.J. Rumfield (1B, Colorado Rockies)
When I tried to keep my team afloat with a waiver wire add, I shouted “But why is the Rumfield gone?” Maybe you won’t have the same luck as me, as he’s still only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues, and I expect that number to rapidly climb, especially with so many Rockies games against righties, which is his wheelhouse. He came out of nowhere this spring after being a low-profile trade acquisition from the Yankees, but his high-contact approach does well in Coors confines, and flashed big power this spring with a MaxEV of 113 mph that’s way beyond his high mark last year at 110 mph or the 2026 season (107 mph so far).
He’s making a good amount of contact with a 25% CSW% and also hits a lot of pulled flyballs that help work around his lack of true raw power. He might be a big hard-pressed to reach 20 homers even with the aid of Coors, but if he keeps playing, he could certainly hit .270 with 15 homers, which would be quite useful for the team that trotted out Michael Toglia at the cold corner last year. And if that big power flash comes back, he could elevate himself to 12-team consideration.
Jesus Sanchez (OF, Toronto Blue Jays)
I’ll admit I stumbled into this one, thinking my main argument for him was improved role security after Toronto’s litany of injuries, but one look at his Statcast page had me celebrating Easter again. You know, because it’s the resurrection of Je-Okay nevermind. He’s been cromulent, hitting .300 with a homer, but my eyes got buggy when I saw his .334 xBA and .542 xSLG, though my excitement returned to earth as I went further down the page, It seems most of the success was due to a 99th percentile Launch Angle Sweet Spot, which isn’t as sticky as most other metrics.
Still, he has a better HardHit% than last year, has so far kept his improved 22% K%, and while he’s listed as in a platoon, he’s hitting cleanup against righties. Hitting cleanup for Toronto could easily make him 12-team viable if things click, and I think it’s important he’s hitting well on a new team that isn’t pitcher-friendly Miami. One thing to note: His sprint speed is WAY down, from 27 ft/s (40th percentile) to 23 (2nd), so if you’re hoping for a handful of stolen bases, that’s worth keeping an eye on, it still could be a small sample fluke. But still, that bat is what really matters, and with his raw bat speed, there’s always a chance he’s the next Jordan Walker lite (ultra lite).
Honorable Mention: Luisangel Acuna (2B, Chicago White Sox) – He could be the most valuable of all of Chicago’s middle infielders, as he makes good contact, hits the ball pretty hard, and can steal a lot of bases. With his multi-eligibility, I could see a Tommy Edman-like career arc for him, with the breakout happening this year.
Honorable Mention: Nasim Nunez (2B, Washington Nationals) – His offense has been pretty weak, but it’s still gotten him on base enough to nab 7 bases. He could be the NL’s answer to Jose Caballero, which could save you if you underdrafted SBs.
Deep Leagues
David Hamilton (2B/3B, Milwaukee Brewers)
I was going to mention him as a 15-teamer, before seeing he’s only 4% rostered in Yahoo Leagues. Last week he seemed to be a backup who nabbed a few bases, this week he’s landed more playing time, though only one nabbed bag. Still, I love that he’s hitting for more contact than ever (82%, with a 97% Z-Contact%), and drawing lots of walks. If he finally gets regular at-bats, if he keeps this up, he could end up being quite Caleb Durbin-like, with more AVG volatility, but scrappy OBP and even more SB upside. I’d add in all deep leagues and 15-team OBP formats. Could switch Hamilton with Nasim, honestly.
Ildemaro Vargas (2B/3B, Arizona Diamondbacks)
He’s 34. He’s had a long career and averaged about 3 home runs a season. But I’m intrigued! He’s off to a good small sample start, hitting .438 with a homer in 17 PA. I think it could be something, maybe, that his bat speed is up by 2 mph at a surprisingly decent 72 mph, and has a higher launch angle with 2 barrels. Given the fact he’s now in a regular role following the Santana and Lawlar injuries, he could be pretty decent for a good avarage and maybe a bit around it.
Honorable Mention: Angel Martinez (2B/OF, Cleveland Guardians) – He’s still on the outside looking in at regular PT, but I like that he’s already bested his 2025 MaxEV (110 mph) and also sporting a much better contact rate. Could surge to relevance in a hurry.
Honorable Mention: Juan Brito (2B, Cleveland Guardians) – Less upside perhaps than Martinez, but had a good first game after call-up, and I still look at his strong 2024 minors season as closer to his talent than his injury washout 2025 season.
SELL
10-team
Lawrence Butler (OF, Athletics)
I find it unnerving what Butler has been serving. After a 2024 season that made us sure the breakout is upon his, he declined in every area last year, so we really needed some sign that he’s ready to bounce back. But so far, I’m really not seeing it. His contact%, which was 75% in his breakout year and down to 70% last year, has plunged to new depths at 65%, with an unacceptable 74% Z-Contact%. Sure, he’s been hitting the ball decently hard at 47%, but its not enough. Given he’s also been platooned, I think he’s an example of the post-hype sleeper where the bears may have been right.
Dishonorable Mention: Samuel Basallo (C/1B, Baltimore Orioles) – I normally don’t advocate worrying about Top 200 players in early April, but yeesh. He’s doing a repeat of his terrible 2025 debut, but with an even worse 38% K% (backed by a 66% Contact% and 19% SwStr%). He really needs to turn it around fast or he could be facing another demotion.
12-team
Jordan Beck (OF, Colorado Rockies)
With multiple benchings, he won’t be there to answer your every Beck and call. Well, after including a few Rockies (I also wanted to add another honorable mention to Troy Johnston) someone had to lose out in the Rockies outfield. Beck of course could stun us with another monstrous game like last year, but hitting .080 with no homers in his first 27 PA is not a great way to keep getting reps. The contact rate is notably down at just 65%, and he’s definitely not hitting the ball hard enough (37% HardHit%) to make that work, even in Coors.
Dishonorable Mention: Jose Caballero (2B/SS/3B/OF, New York Yankees) – He really doesn’t have that much time to make his impact, and the early returns are pretty darn bad. For all his talk about bat speed training, his exit velocity is down and so is his contact rate. There are lots of other interesting high-SB plays right now like David Hamilton who I’d rather roll with.
Dishonorable Mention: Garrett Mitchell (OF, Milwaukee Brewers) – He’s healthy, that’s good, he’s hot, and I think you should flip him like a hot potato. I just don’t trust he’ll continue to provide value with a hideous 60% Contact% and awful 34% CSW%, and I don’t think the power surge will last (still same 75 mph bat speed as career rates).
15-Team
Marcell Ozuna (UT, Pittsburgh Pirates)
I really thought during draft season he was bound to bounce back, but it seems the new Pirate may soon be walking the plank. Things definitely plunged off a cliff even from last year, as he’s hitting an abysmal .065 with no homers and just 1 run scored across 35 PA, good for a -23 wRC+. I’m just saying, statistically if they sign me, I have at least some odds of beating that!
So far, his exit velocity is way down, with a 30% HardHit% and a MaxEV of 105 mph down 7 mph from last year. The contact rate is within career norms, but it’s just looking like he’s given up the ghost and I’d cut him for pretty much any regular on a waiver wire.
Dishonorable Mention: Chase Meidroth (2B/SS, Chicago White Sox) – He seems fine with a .270 AVG, but I’m concerned by a drop in his contact% from 88% to 83% (Z-Contact% from 92% to 84%), since he also allows tons of called strikes and has a very low-power contact-dependent profile. If you own him, sell now, before his lack of offense will Chase you away.
Deep Leagues
Yoan Moncada (3B, Los Angeles Angels)
He reminds me of the penny stocks I used to play around with, in which they start strong, and just keep going down and you figure at some point you’re “buying the dip” until they go bankrupt. I’ve even cut him in some 30-team dynasty leagues. His CSW% is at a career-worst 32% (thanks to a career-high called-strike rate, but the power also seems down with a 2 mph bat speed decline from last year. Bury him on waivers, he’s now a Moncadaver.
Dishonorable Mention: Coby Mayo (1B/3B, Baltimore Orioles) – Some prospect evaluators believed that despite his big minors numbers, his unorthodox swing wouldn’t work against MLB pitchers, and maybe they were right. Shades of Michael Choice. And no, the high walk rate is meaningless, his O-Swing% is actually worse. Mayo still might find some utility on some ballpark fries.
Dishonorable Mention: Tristan Peters (OF, Chicago White Sox) – I’m glad he’s getting a chance and hitting .267 with a stolen base. But it’s all downhill from there, with a strikeout rate as terrible as his hardhit% (all 1st percentile). I’d cut him for many backups, so if you can flip him in a super-deep league for anything at all, go for it.
