Fantasy Baseball: 2018 Rookies and Their Fantasy Impact
By Neil Ragavan
Every year, rookies come up to the big leagues and have a profound impact on their teams, and Fantasy Baseball. This is a list of some of the top rookie standouts during the 2018 MLB season (position players only).
Fantasy Baseball Rookies: Gleyber Torres– 2B New York Yankees
When the Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs in 2016, they knew that they were getting a promising, young rookie in Gleyber Torres. Not only has he been impactful for fantasy baseball, he has exceeded expectations. Since Torres made his debut, the Yankees have gone 35-11, and currently have the best winning percentage in baseball. Torres is second in home runs (13) among rookies this season to San Diego’s Christian Villanueva (15), but has played in 26 less games. Torres is hitting .290 and has an OBP of .345, and will continue to get many opportunities to drive in and score runs in a torrid Yankee lineup, so he should to be a must-start in all leagues.
Fantasy Baseball Rookies: Miguel Andujar– 3B New York Yankees
While Gleyber Torres has gotten a lot of hype and praise, Miguel Andujar has been just as good. Through 56 games, Andujar has slashed .298/.326/.528, with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs, and leads all rookies in doubles with 22. He had plate discipline issues during the early part of the season, but has made adjustments and is becoming a much better hitter. Andujar is a solid option for fantasy owners, but be careful when he faces lefties. He is only hitting .217 against them, while hitting .329 against righties.
Fantasy Baseball Rookies: Brian Anderson– 3B Miami Marlins
The Marlins are in the middle of a rebuild after trading Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, and Christian Yelich. However, Brian Anderson has been a nice surprise for them this season. Anderson is hitting a solid .303, and getting on base at a clip of .381. He also is second in RBIs among rookies with 34, so he will give your lineup production. However, don’t look for him to deliver in the power department, as he only has 4 home runs this season.
Juan Soto– OF Washington Nationals
Six years ago, Bryce Harper made his much anticipated MLB debut for the Nationals at the age of 19. This season, another 19 year-old phenom is raking for the Nats, and his name is Juan Soto. Soto has been excellent through his first 22 games, hitting .319/.417/.597. Obviously, 22 games is a pretty small sample size, but with Michael A. Taylor struggling, Soto should get plenty of opportunities to prove his worth. He is already 71% owned in Yahoo Leagues, and 79.9% owned in ESPN leagues, and if you’re still not convinced, take a look at his two-homer performance at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.
Fantasy Baseball Rookies: Austin Meadows– OF Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are in search of a new star after trading Andrew McCutchen, and they may have found him. Austin Meadows has had an impressive start to his career, hitting .333 with 5 homers and 10 RBIs in 24 games. It’s a bit of a crowded outfield in Pittsburgh with Meadows, Corey Dickerson, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco. However, Polanco is hitting an abysmal .200, and has been losing playing time, so that should open up more opportunities for Meadows. Don’t be surprised if he disappears from waivers, as he’s 49% owned in Yahoo leagues, and 63.9% owned in ESPN leagues.
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