Welcome back to the pre-trade deadline edition of Buy & Sell, AKA the OMG Rafael Devers is up! Edition. With the trades and major moves that have already happened, there is a surge of young talent, and new playing time opportunities on several teams creating opportunities for sleeper value. Of course, most of these younger guys have more of a high-risk, high-reward profile, but hey, that’s what makes them fun, right? Fantasy heartbreak is also fun. So much fun.
BUY
Rafael Devers (3B, Boston Red Sox) – Here’s a guy whose promotion is well Deversed. He hit .300 with 18 HR in 320 PA in Double-A before his promotion to Triple-A where he hit .400 with 2 HR in his last 38 PA. The Red Sox would’ve loved to keep him marinating in the minors, but after foolishly trading Shaw in hopes for Kung-Fu Panda succeeding, which was as wise as hoping for panda mating success. Anyway, Devers is just 20, and despite the massive hype, it’s hard to expect too much from a player at this stage of his development. While the strong Triple-A performance (small sample size warning) was encouraging, his walk rate went down and his K rate did go up to 21%, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that K rate be closer to 25-30% in his first. Now that Eduardo Nunez is in the fold, he'll have to hit to secure regular playing time, but he can earn it with a strong start as he has far more offensive upside. I actually believe in his likelihood to succeed this year in AVG. and HR over Moncada and be a better fantasy asset despite the lack of speed. Despite the playing time risk, he should still be added in 15 team leagues and deeper 12-team leagues. However, I wouldn’t be starting him in 10-teamers where you can just wish him luck on his future en-Devers.
In a 10-team OBP league would you rather have Devers or Bell? Also would you cut Trevor Story to have both?