Who is Being Dropped & Why (Week 10)

A few guys I like (Heredia, Kim, and Webb) are available, but it seemed like catchers dominated this week’s drops. Additionally, it’s mainly hitters who no long have playing time.

For this weekly feature, I use the NFBC Main Event because of the number of identical leagues. Additionally, the managers stay engaged longer on the whole since each spent $1700 per team. I tried to find that sweet spot between the obvious and bizarre drops and will focus on players dropped in seven to ten leagues. Previously the number was six to nine, but I adjusted with the Main Event adding four leagues since I did the report.

Hitters

Ha-Seong Kim 김하성 (10): Is only hitting .203/.256/.329 (5 SB though) and has only started in three of the last seven games.

Bobby Dalbec (9): The combination of not hitting (.195/.248/.377) and not playing (started six of the last 10) have him heading to the waiver wire.

Zach McKinstry (9): The Dodgers are finally getting healthy so McKinstry (.732 OPS) has started in just five of the last eight games.

Dom Nuñez (9): Since hitting fifth and last home run of the season so far, he has a .105/.215/.158 triple-slash line with a 40% K%.

Albert Pujols (8): Started in five of the last ten games. Even with nine homers, it’s not enough production to be rosterable.

Keston Hiura (8): He has hit .069/.129/.103 since being called up from AAA while being on the short side of a first base platoon. And now he’s back in the minors.

Tim Locastro (8): I’m a little surprised he was still being held. He hasn’t been a regular since mid-April. No one has any fantasy value playing once or twice a week.

Jose Trevino (8): Boring catcher option and it makes sense that some managers took a chance elsewhere.

Rowdy Tellez (8): He has been mainly starting against right-handers but his playing time could take a hit with Cavan Biggio about to come off the IL.

Wilson Ramos (8): While he was hitting for decent power (6 HR), he’s on the IL with a vague return timeline. Droppable.

Francisco Mejía (8): Starting about half the time for the Rays with a good batting average (.253) and some power (3 HR). Someone will add him as he’s definitely a top-30 catcher.

Jon Berti (7): While there is hope for some steals (4 SB), he’s just not hitting (.573 OPS).

Brian Anderson (7): Since he’s on the IL with a shoulder issue, he’s not worth stashing. Even when playing, barely a replacement level bat.

Miguel Rojas (7): On the IL with a finger injury. When playing, he is an all-around contributor (.275 AVG, 3 HR, 4 SB) who was hitting near the top of the order.

Guillermo Heredia (7): I thought Heredia might be more than a replacement-level outfielder, but he’s not providing much power (2 HR) and absolutely no speed (0 SB). He is playing every day and that will be valuable to some team.

Edmundo Sosa (7): Still the everyday shortstop for the Cardinals but limited on talent (.726 OPS).

Tomás Nido (7): Acceptable catcher who plays less than half the time.

Mike Tauchman (7): His production (.188/.312/.274, 2 HR, 3 SB) might not kill a fantasy team, it will sink an MLB team. The Giants aren’t going to continue to roll out someone with a sub-.600 OPS. Once the team gets healthy, I expect him to head to the bench.

Pedro Severino (7): He might be a below replacement level catcher. He has no power (2 HR) and he is a drain on batting average (.232). A catcher should at least have power or a league-average batting average to be rostered.

Andres Gimenez (7): Demoted to the minors after struggling in the majors (.534 OPS).

Harold Castro (7): He was playing every day while only providing batting average (.306 AVG, 0 HR, 0 SB). Now, he’s not playing at all.

Starters

Deivi García (10): In two major league starts this season he has a 1.44 WHIP and a 6.48 ERA. He’s a flyball pitcher (i.e. allows home runs) who walks a decent number of batters (4.3 BB/9, 6.4 BB/9 in AAA). Not a good combination and right now he’s back in AAA.

Jake Arrieta (9): First four games: 2.57 ERA, 4.68 xFIP. Last six games: 8.28 ERA, 5.58 xFIP.

Mitch Keller (9): Unproductive (6.65 ERA, 1.72 WHIP) and now on the COVID-IL.

Kwang Hyun Kim 김광현 (9): On the IL (back) for now but was having a productive season (4.05 ERA, 1.35).

Corey Kluber (8): Trailing drop (60-day IL for shoulder) who might be healthy enough to throw later in the season. Last week, 20 teams dropped Kluber, so I looked into my Trailing Drop theory with him, but he’s the first player to break even. The managers who dropped him last week, have an overall average ranking of 323 (median = 296) and those this week average out to 293 (median = 317). **

Matt Shoemaker (8): Everything is worse compared to last season. Fewer strikeouts and groundballs. More walks. Now, he has a 7.28 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. And there is no sign of him improving with his K%-BB% going from 9% to 4% to -10%.

Logan Webb (8): I have several shares of Webb, so I needed to make the call on him. In all my 12-teamers, I dropped him. In deeper leagues, it was a case-by-case decision since he’ll be out a few weeks. Needs to be rostered if pitching.

Vince Velasquez (7): He rewarded those who used him in a two-step with 7 K, 11.57 ERA, and a 1.86 WHIP.

Mike Foltynewicz (7): He got lit up in Colorado and that’ll happen to even the best pitchers. A couple of weeks ago, I focused on his struggles. He’s been slowly moving away from the four-seamer and curve. Hopefully, he’ll be a useful fantasy pitcher this season.

Carlos Martinez (7): His talent had him un-startable all season, but allowing 10 runs in under an inning means he’s on the wire. He’s not been the same since losing 3 mph off his fastball.

Relievers

Blake Treinen (9): Good backup closer who is not getting any Save chances.

Stefan Crichton (7): He’s not a good pitcher (5.09 ERA, 1.58 WHIP), but it’s tough to know who is Arizona’s closer. Their last real Save (Riley Smith picked up a 3 IP on May 30th) was on May 10th. Some managers will immediately take a chance on him.

Luis Patiño (7): Starting in AAA. Only threw 15 IP in 5 G when in the majors. He only has any fantasy value as a follower.

 

*** Besides Kluber, I had already noticed Marcell Ozuna as Trailing Sog Sh …. Drop. A big difference exists between those who dropped last week at an average standing of 329 (median = 299) and the those who heald on at 413 (median = 418).