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Fantasy Baseball 2018: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is a deep-league stash

By Bill Pivetz

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 21: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. #13 is congratulated in the dugout after scoring on a double by Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 21, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 21: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. #13 is congratulated in the dugout after scoring on a double by Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 21, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The Blue Jays will be starting Lourdes Gurriel Jr more. If you need a middle infielder in deep fantasy baseball leagues, he’s your man.

The Toronto Blue Jays are long out of the American League East race. With injuries and poor performances, the team will likely be sellers at the deadline. Yet, they can still showcase some of their talent for the future. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is one of those players. He will be getting more consistent playing time and is worth a fantasy baseball roster stash.

The 24-year-old made his first MLB appearance on April 20. He played 20 games before being sent out. Gurriel made one more start on June 21 before getting a permanent call-up on July 2.

With injuries to Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson and poor first halves from Devon Travis and Aledmys Diaz, Gurriel will have plenty of chances to make an impact for the Blue Jays.

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In his short time in the big leagues, Gurriel is hitting .226 with four home runs, 13 RBIs, eight runs scored and a .19:2 K:BB ratio. Not much of an upgrade compared to the current Blue Jays infielders.

But, if you look at his numbers from the minors this season, then good things should be expected. Between Double-A and Triple-A, Gurriel hit .299 with six homers, 39 RBIs, 24 runs and a 37:6 K:BB ratio.

He isn’t much of a walker, considering his career walk rate but he makes good contact with the ball.

Gurriel has a 79.0 percent contact rate, 57.4 swing rate and 71.1 O-Contact rate with the Blue Jays this season. Though his 47.7 percent ground ball rate isn’t ideal, he carries a 30.8 percent fly ball rate.

According to Rotowire (h/t CBS Sports), Gurriel is in line to receive more playing time. Diaz will move over to third base to cover for Donaldson when Gurriel plays shortstop.

Though, most of his playing time will come at second base, moving Travis down the depth chart. He already has second base and shortstop eligibility in ESPN leagues.

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Gurriel has the power potential but he needs to work on swinging at fewer pitches out of the zone and putting more balls in play. If he can do those things, he may be able to hit like his brother. He is worth a stash as a middle infielder. Gurriel is owned in just 0.8 percent of ESPN leagues, making the risk of adding him very low.

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