Every week during the season, we are releasing a list of the best batters in fantasy baseball that’s designed to be similar to Nick’s list of Top 100 Starting Pitchers that comes out each Monday. Our objective is to give you the most current rankings of who we see as being the top 150 hitters league-wide for the rest of the season. They take into account expectations going into the season and production to this point—as well as recurring trends and streaks—as a way of analytically extrapolating who will bring you the most fantasy dividends throughout the year. Use these rankings to help understand what to expect from batters for all of 2017 and as a tool to gauge trade value in your fantasy leagues.
Note: These rankings have been made with H2H 5×5 12-teamers in mind. These rankings do not take games from 8/15 into account.
Thoughts on Hoskins?
I get it’s a small sample size but I think his upside makes him a more exciting add than a lot of the guys in the 100-150 range.
As you said, small sample size. The power is exciting. Not sure if he gets the playing time he’s getting to enjoy now once Aaron Altherr is back healthy. The fact that he’s risen so rapidly through the Phillies’ farm system with very little attrition statistically upon each promotion speaks volumes, though. He’s more of a dynasty/watchlist kind of dude in my eyes at the moment, but the ball is in his court to secure a job. Cody Bellinger was able to do exactly that, although timing was more on his side early in the year. If anything, I want Hoskins to be working on reaching base with plate discipline now that he’s perhaps scared opposing pitching staffs into thinking they could be his next victims. The average needs to be better for roto viability, but the BABIP is super low so we’ll see. I’m definitely intrigued, even though I may be gunshy on recommending a start when we just can’t predict if he’ll struggle soon just yet. Is that helpful?
Thoughts on Miggy ROS? He’s currently on waiver wire in my league. I would drop broxton, but saving that roster spot for when Trea Turner comes back. Either that or drop tommy pham but need his speed. Thanks!
If you need the speed, why are you motivated to drop either guy for Miggy who doesn’t steal? I feel like the value Pham/Broxton poses to you in your particular situation trumps any hopes that Miggy is poised to close on a strong power tear. I’ll admit it has been a challenge trying to figure out where Cabrera goes in this list, since he’s been so elite but is just not producing at the same level. I’m actually convinced he might be dealing with a nagging injury privately that’s not bad enough to DL him, but his mechanics don’t seem right. Anyway, I think you stay put for your scenario. Let me know what other thoughts you have, as I don’t know everything about your roster!
Honestly the logic is that Cabrera has historically been a player that if he ever made it on your waiver wire, you make room for him. I figured that Turner would be my steal threat, and it’s typically a no brainer to add a theoretically elite 4 category stud. Gut instinct said make room for him, but can’t seem to justify given his performance to date coupled with other players on roster. Wouldn’t drop him for Grandal, Edwin E, merrifeild, bryant, A rosario, zimmerman, upton, trout, sano, pham, duvall, broxton or any of my pitchers.
Thanks for the insight!
Mookie at #8? The guy clearly hasn’t delivered on his pre-season ranking as anywhere from the 2nd through 5th pick in the draft ( Betts, Arenado, Goldy, Altuve). Given a mulligan, I’d take any of the aforementioned before Mookie, hands down. Hes probably a mid 20s hitter, and thats being generous. It’s ok to call him a disappointment.
Where is Correa? He could be back in a few weeks
Great question. His rehab is going well, but I’m super weird about throwing a guy in his situation back in the rankings in an arbitrary spot that can’t be justified without a timeline for his return when he hasn’t even taken BP yet. If that does indeed go down this weekend, and we get a clearer picture of what his minor league assignment(s) are going to be, I’m absolutely going to take the idea seriously of estimating his value based on return date. He was a top-10 guy for sure when healthy earlier on, so it becomes tricky to “prorate” his value when you may only get him back for one regular season H2H matchup. Feedback welcome, as I struggle with this!