Fantasy Baseball Pops and Drops: Week Three
We’re heading into week four! There are a lot of changes coming with players hitting the disabled list and players behind them getting some extra playing time. Here’s a recap of who were among the top added and dropped in ESPN fantasy baseball leagues during week three and what to do now.
Week Three Pops
Chris Johnson, Atlanta Braves, 1B/3B: ESPN +73.9%
My undying love of Chris Johnson pays off in week three as my “predicted pop” each of the last two weeks finally gets added in the ton of leagues, I even talked about him on this week’s podcast. I also did pretty well with “pops” Tony Cingrani, Daniel Nava, and Joaquin Benoit. If you grabbed Johnson I would use him this week on the road against the Rockies and he should get DH at-bats against the Tigers. With Freddie Freeman’s return though, Johnson will soon be back in a platoon with Juan Francisco. Sell high while he’s leading the NL in batting average!
Edward Mujica, St. Louis Cardinals, RP: ESPN +50.1%
Who’s gonna be the closer for Mike Matheny’s squad? Jason Motte seems destined for Tommy John surgery. Mitchell Boggs has been horrendous in 2013 and that might be an understatement. Trevor Rosenthal is an intriguing option, but it looks like the job for now belongs to journeyman Edward Mujica. If he can keep the job for the season I’d expect 30 saves. Grab him while you still can.
Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants, SS: ESPN +68.2%
To quote Randolph and Mortimer Duke from “Trading Places” get in there and SELL SELL SELL! I don’t think he’s remotely this good. He’s a great glove at shortstop, but a career .242 hitter and is already one home run short of the four he hit last year in 435 at-bats. There’s some growth here, but if you can get Derek Jeter’s owner to overpay for him at shortstop or middle infielder, you have to pull the trigger on a trade.
Predicting next week’s pops: Brett Anderson, Athletics, SP, Lorenzo Cain, Royals, OF, Wandy Rodriguez, Pirates, SP
Week Three Drops
Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, SS: ESPN -36.3%
It’s no longer time to hold on to the Yankees captain as his ankle injury will now keep him out through the All-star break. In standard leagues that only have one DL spot, there are better players (Jose Reyes, Jered Weaver, Ryan Zimmerman) for you to be using your DL spot on. Even when he comes back I don’t think we see the player you’re expecting and there will be not as much speed. Just a batting average play at best.
Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals, 3B: ESPN -33%
The Royals really have a chance to contend this year but Moustakas and teammate Eric Hosmer are going to have to pick up the pace. Moustakas is never going to hit for average, but you were hoping there would be a chance at a 25-30 home run season. Instead he hasn’t gone yard this season and has just one RBI on the year. I still slightly believe, so if he’s been dropped in your league, throw him on a watch list as May and June were his best month in 2012.
Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants, SP: ESPN -30.4%
Is there a pitcher that can have one bad start and elicit such a drop-off as Barry Zito? He gets rocked on the road by the Brewers (9 earned runs), but hasn’t given up a single run in 21 innings at AT&T Park this season with 3 wins. He’s a match-up play, but one of my favorite match-up spot starts this season, especially at home. I just wish he could drop under 50% so I can use him for #MapesFantasySpecial’s again.
Predicting next week’s drops: Adam Dunn, White Sox, 1B, Kendrys Morales, Mariners 1B, and Dan Haren, Nationals, SP
-Bryan Mapes (@IAmMapes)
Three Up, Three Down 