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MLB Buy or Sell: What to make of hot starts around the league

By Eric Treuden

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 28: Josh Bell #19 of the Washington Nationals looks on before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 28, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 3-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 28: Josh Bell #19 of the Washington Nationals looks on before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 28, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 3-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 08: Nate Lowe #30 of the Texas Rangers takes batting practice before facing the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Field on June 08, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 08: Nate Lowe #30 of the Texas Rangers takes batting practice before facing the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Field on June 08, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Buy or sell? Texas Rangers first baseman Nate Lowe

Nate Lowe, once a highly-touted prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays system, is currently the everyday first baseman for the Rangers. Lowe is entering his second full season at the spot and while he actually had a pretty solid season last year, he may be due for a regression.

Lowe has an excellent eye at the plate and draws plenty of walks paired with a sweet left-handed power swing but he only has one good season in the big leagues under his belt (2021) after struggling to catch on in the majors in 2019 and 2020.

While the majority of his power comes against right-handed pitching, his career slash-line is nearly identical against both righties and lefties. He will receive a full season of at bats while not having to be a part of any sort of platoon but the pace he’s on right now is most likely not sustainable as he is slashing .372/.413/.419 through his first 11 games and 46 plate appearances.

Verdict: Sell

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 10: Josh Bell #19 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 10: Josh Bell #19 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Buy or sell? Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell

For years now, Josh Bell has looked like he is right on the cusp of breaking out into a star-caliber player. In 2017, 2019 and 2021 Bell hit for insane amounts of power, drove in a ton of runs, drew a lot of walks and looked like he was really turning a corner.

A switch-hitter who has considerable thump in his bat from both sides of the plate, Bell is once again serving as the Nationals’ everyday first baseman and is even capable of making spot starts in the outfield corners, where he played 50 innings in left last season and one game in right.

To start this season, Bell has been taking the world by force, appearing in every game and posting a slash-line of .354/.456/.521 with two home runs, 11 RBI and 8 BB / 5 SO in 58 plate appearances. Pairing two successful seasons in a row has been a challenge for Josh Bell throughout his career but his start to 2022 has been promising, maybe he is finally hitting his stride.

Verdict: Buy

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