MLB Fantasy: Buy-Low on Gary Sanchez, Sell-High on Puig

Apr 5, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) calls a play during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB Fantasy: Buy-Low, Sell-High Week 1

While I do not condone overreacting about fantasy baseball players just three or four games into a season, some people do just that. While some fantasy owners freak out about a slow start, or Mark Reynolds ranking as the No. 1 first basemen through Thursday’s MLB games, I typically hold strong with who I have on my roster, unless someone is having a yard sale of players early in the season.

Whether you are someone like me who is going to try to get some great buy-low candidates, or you are playing your cards smartly and realize an owner will think a player’s start to the MLB season will lead to them hitting 150 home runs this season, then we have some names to look for over the weekend…

MLB Fantasy – Buy-Low: Gary Sanchez

Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

After absolutely exploding onto the scene in 2016 with a .299 batting average and 20 home runs in 201 at-bats. Gary Sanchez has not started 2017 quite the same. Through his first three games of the season, Sanchez is batting 1-for-14 (.071 batting average) with a .143 OPS. All three of those games were on the road, and not at the launching pad that is Yankee Stadium.

On ESPN, his average draft position was in the early-70’s. Those who bought stock in Sanchez may already be freaking out about their investment. This allows the opportunity for you to buy-low on the young backstop.

If you own Sanchez, don’t freak out. It’s three games into a 162 game campaign. I didn’t think he would replicate his domination of MLB pitching in year two, but I am still expecting 20-plus home runs and a batting average around .260.

MLB Fantasy: Sell-High: Yasiel Puig

Apr 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs the bases after hitting his second two run home run of the game against the San Diego Padres in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Yasiel Puig hit two home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. It was his first multi-home run game since his second career MLB game.

Entering play on Friday, Puig is hitting 5-for-12 with five runs scored, three home runs, five RBI, and a steal. That is some solid production for a guy with an average draft position of 212.4. Most importantly for Puig is that he’s actually getting consistent playing time, which had been a worry the past couple seasons.

Now that Puig is back in the everyday lineup, it will allow his fantasy owners to reap the benefits. If you own Puig, it may be hard to part with him as he’s peaking right now. Then again, this may be the highest his value will be all year if he goes back to his 2016 form.

If I owned Puig, I would be wary of making a deal just to make a deal, but if an offer was enticing enough, I would pull the trigger.

MLB Fantasy: Buy-Low: Gregory Polanco

Sep 27, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Gregory Polanco (25) hits an RBI single against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Cubs won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Gregory Polanco was an outfielder I was trying to get a lot in drafts this season. He has serious 25 home run and 25 stolen base potential, but the beginning of his 2017 season is making me nervous. Sure, Polanco has never had a great batting average, with last season’s .258 as his highest full season average, but the way he’s playing now is not ideal.

Polanco has gone 1-for-12 from the dish so far, and the one time he has gotten on base he was caught stealing. Alas, that is not very efficient for the 25-year-old outfielder.

In one of my leagues, someone actually dropped Polanco onto the waiver wire and I was able to snag him. I am stashing him on my bench (playing Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Adam Eaton for now) until Polanco returns to form.

Be on the look-out to acquire Polanco right now if you do not own him. Once he heats up, his owner will likely not want to part ways with him.

MLB FanDuel: Sell-High: Dallas Keuchel

Apr 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Keuchel won the 2015 American League Cy Young with a 20-8 record, 2.48 ERA and 216 strikeouts over 232 innings. He backed that up with a 9-12 record, 4.55 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 168 innings last season.

So, which Keuchel will we get in 2017?

Well, on Monday, he pitched seven shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners. He only allowed two hits and walked a batter, while striking out four. He will make his second start of the season on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.

Keuchel slid down the draft board this season, with an average draft position of 147 in ESPN drafts, so he could be a candidate for biggest draft-day steal in Week One.

If you own Keuchel, take a similar approach to owning Puig, only pull the trigger if the value you are getting in return is more than you think Keuchel could offer for you this season.

Who are your favorite buy-low, sell-high candidates for this week? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @fantasycpr!

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