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MLB DFS: Simmering Sluggers- Week of 7/22-7/28

By Juan Carlos Blanco

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 12: Christian Walker #53 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a line drive foul during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field on May 12, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 12: Christian Walker #53 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a line drive foul during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field on May 12, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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MLB DFS
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MLB DFS: Last Week’s Simmering Sluggers Revisited

                        Sluggers Recommended for Week of 7/15-7/21

CATCHER:

Yasmani Grandal, MIL

Batting Line from 7/15-7/21: .300 average (6-for-20), two doubles, two RBI, three walks, two runs

  • Line-Drive Rate from 7/15-7/21: 12.5 percent
  • Hard-Contact Rate from 7/15-7/21: 37.5 percent
  • BABIP from 7/15-7/21: .375
  • Plate Appearances from 7/15-7/21: 23

Quick analysis: LD rate actually was poor, but a .375 BABIP led to a solid week. May not be as fortunate this week if LD rate doesn’t come up.

Additional suggestion:

Gary Sanchez, NYY

Batting Line for 7/15-7/21: .150 average (3-for-20), one double, one RBI, one walk, three runs

  • Line-Drive Rate from 7/15-7/21: 21.4 percent
  • Hard-Contact Rate from 7/15-7/21: 42.9 percent
  • BABIP from 7/15-7/21: .214
  • Plate Appearances from 7/15-7/21: 21

Quick analysis: LD and HC rate solid, but BABIP continued stubbornly low. Candidate for turnaround again this week.

FIRST BASE:

Freddie Freeman, ATL

Batting Line for 7/15-7/21: .296 average (8-for-27), one double, one home run, seven RBI, four walks, one stolen base, four runs

  • Line-Drive Rate from 7/15-7/21: 28.6 percent
  • Hard-Contact Rate from 7/15-7/21: 38.1 percent
  • BABIP from 7/15-7/21: .350
  • Plate Appearances from 7/15-7/21: 31

Quick analysis: Luck started turning as predicted with continued strong LD/HC rates, leading to corresponding big bump in BABIP.

SECOND BASE:

Joey Wendle, TAM

Batting Line for 7/15-7/21: .250 average (5-for-20), two doubles, three walks, two runs

  • Line-Drive Rate from 7/15-7/21: 31.3 percent
  • Hard-Contact Rate from 7/15-7/21: 12.5 percent
  • BABIP from 7/15-7/21: .313
  • Plate Appearances from 7/15-7/21: 23

Quick analysis: Hits finally started to fall a bit with another strong week of LD rate, but lack of HC capped overall production.

THIRD BASE:

Kyle Seager, SEA

Batting Line for 7/15-7/21: .111 average (2-for-18), one double, one run

  • Line-Drive Rate from 7/15-7/21: 14.3 percent
  • Hard-Contact Rate from 7/15-7/21: 28.6 percent
  • BABIP from 7/15-7/21: .143
  • Plate Appearances from 7/15-7/21: 18

Quick analysis: Significant drop in LD rate over preceding period led to predictable outcome — an abysmal week.

SHORTSTOP:

Trevor Story, COL

Batting Line for 7/15-7/21: .321 average (9-for-28), four doubles, one triple, two home runs, seven RBI, one walk, four runs

  • Line-Drive Rate from 7/15-7/21: 27.3 percent
  • Hard-Contact Rate from 7/15-7/21: 45.5 percent
  • BABIP from 7/15-7/21: .350
  • Plate Appearances from 7/15-7/21: 29

Quick analysis: The start of last week’s suggestions, Story kept both his LD and HC rates at excellent levels and saw the extra-base hits come in bunches as expected and in line with his batted-ball profile.

OUTFIELD:

Byron Buxton, MIN  (*went on Injured List after article was written)

Additional Suggestion: Melky Cabrera, PIT

Batting Line for 7/15-7/21: .273 average (3-for-11), one RBI, one run

  • Line-Drive Rate from 7/15-7/21: 40.0 percent
  • Hard-Contact Rate from 7/15-7/21: 60.0 percent
  • BABIP from 7/15-7/21: .300
  • Plate Appearances from 7/15-7/21: 11

Quick analysis: BABIP solid and sample especially small, but LC and HC rates were elite. If reasonably maintained over larger sample this coming week, should produce even more impactful result.