Taking stock
Fantasy values fluctuate early
FANTASY baseball is like the stock market: Prices for every player, the studs and the duds, fluctuate on a daily basis. You just have to know when it is time to buy more, sell all of it or stand pat and wait for the rebound.
A big stock like Kris Bryant (he is like Google) may not have had a hit in his f irst 13 at-bats, but that doesn’t mean you should be ready to sell. In the same respect, just because a penny stock like Clayton Richard, who pitched eight shutout innings against the Dodgers, had a big day doesn’t mean you should be ready to invest everything you have in the 32-year-old Padres pitcher with a career 4.15 ERA and 5.5 strikeouts per nine innings. You would be better off spending your life savings on a burning building.
You have to know your stocks, and know when they’re on the rise or about to fall. And, most importantly, you have to diversify. Having this knowledge will carry you to fantasy glory.
The Twins’ Ervin Santana will make his second start Sunday after allowing one run on two hits while striking out three in an impressive season debut.
Santana, at least after this one start, appears to h ave picked up where he left off last season. Over his f inal 18 starts in 2016, the 3 4 - ye a r - old went 6-4 with a 2.41 ERA, a .213 opponent average and a .589 OPS. In that span, he allowed three earned runs or more three times and had a 100:32 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 116 innings. That is impressive for a pitcher who went 3-8 with a 4.12 ERA, 73 strikeouts and a .266 opponent average over hi s first 17 starts last season.
Santana is not the sexiest name out there, and being on a rebuilding team (despite Minnesota being 3-0 before Friday’s games) could lead to less wins or a lot of trade talk, but considering the way he finished last season, his solid spring (2-0, 1.98 ERA, 14 strikeouts) and the fact he is available in more than 50 p e rce n t of ESPN leagues and 35 percent at Yahoo, this is a stock that should continue to perform well for your portfolio.
Here is a look at some other rising and sinking stocks:
Jeanmar Gomez
After giving up two runs and almost blowing the save in Monday’s opener, the Phill i es cl oser ’s leash is about as short and tight as it can get. It isn’t like he is a closer with lights-out stuff,. He had a 4.85 ERA last season while striking out 6. 2 per nine. It is time to stash Hector Neris (or Joaquin Benoit).
Travis Shaw
It is just four games, but he is 5-for-14 (.357) with a homer, f ive RBIs and 1.295 OPS for the Brewers. He is eligible at multiple positions and is an every day player who plays in a hitterfriendly park. Potential breakout season ahead.
Byron Buxton
The Twin followed his solid spring with one hit and seven strikeouts in his first 14 at-bats. Until he performs in the regular season, he cannot be considered a player on the rise.
Nomar Mazara
He is ready to build on his solid rookie year (.266, 20 HR, 64 RBIs) — he was 7-for-12 (.583) with a homer and three RBIs in his first three games.
Dylan Bundy
The trendy late-round pick was outstanding in his first start for the Orioles against Toronto, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out eight.