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Fantasy Baseball Advice: Buy low and rookie targets

By Justin Buckhanan

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 9: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox enters the field before a game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on September 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 9: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox enters the field before a game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on September 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – JUNE 21: Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JUNE 21: Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Matt Carpenter 1B/3B St. Louis

While Carpenter never hits for a high average, the power source has always been there. Especially last year with a career high 36 HR at the age of 32. This year’s .201 BA, 4 HR, 9 RBI start is extremely disappointing, but Carp still hits at the top of the Cardinals order and eventually has to warm up, especially with Paul Goldschmidt hitting behind him. It’s sometimes worrisome when a 30-something players starts to decline, but Carpenter is worthy of a good bet to bounce back.

Jose Martinez 1B/OF St. Louis

Yes another Red Bird. While Martinez has gotten off to a really good start (.339 BA, 3 HR, 19 RBI), he is often overlooked as a fantasy stalwart. Whether it’s his terrible defense anywhere he plays or the fact that he started off on the short end of a platoon with the likes of Dexter Fowler, Harrison Bader and Tyler O’Neill, all Martinez has done has hit his way into the starting lineup. He can still be had at something of a bargain because people don’t trust him. But buy away. Ohh, did I mention, Martinez can absolutely mash.

Corey Seager SS Los Angeles Dodgers

Seager missed all but 26 games last season due to Tommy John surgery. Seager has gotten off to a very slow start this season .227 BA, 3 HR, 17 RBI. Seager has mainly hit second in the order, but has recently been moved to the five hole and even hit cleanup once. Whether you’re hitting just before or just behind Cody Bellinger, one should either get good pitches to hit or hit with multiple runners on base. Either way is a good situation and Seager is too talented of a hitter to slump all year.

Alex Verdugo OF Los Angeles Dodgers

Yes, also another Dodger. Verdugo is a former top prospect who previously fell victim to a numbers game in the Dodgers outfield. Now with Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp gone, he is a near every day player. Verdugo is hitting .333 4 HR 19 RBI and at age 22, showing more power than some people expected him to have this early. He has a long, bright future with the Dodgers. As the season goes on, look for Verdugo to get even more playing time against lefties, provided he keeps hitting like he has at the start of the 2019 season.

Noah Syndergaard SP New York Mets

As I wrote in last weeks column, Thor is too talented to have an ERA of 5.14 and a WHIP of 1.33. I previously said as the weather heats up so will Thor’s fastball and I’m sticking too that. His walk rate is still low and his strikeout rate is still high. Like Carrasco, Syndergaard has been bitten by the long ball early this season, giving up 7 HR in 49 innings pitched. As long as Syndergaard keeps the ball in the park, his pure stuff is too good to continue to struggle.

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