MLB Stock Watch: Norris and Lamb rising, Zimmermann falling
STOCK UP
Bud Norris: He has a 1.78 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP with a 35:5 K:BB ratio over his last five starts (30.1 innings). It’s obviously a small sample, but Norris has featured a new cutter that’s suddenly given him an ability to get lefties out, a problem he’s had throughout his career. As if the new pitch and recent stretch of dominance (he hasn’t allowed a homer in 54.0 straight innings) wasn’t enough to make him interesting in fantasy leagues, Norris was recently traded from the Braves to the Dodgers (my condolences to all Clayton Kershaw owners, although hopefully his herniated disc doesn’t keep him out too long), which should be a big help to his value, as he gets big upgrades in defense, bullpen and run support. It’s crazy Norris is still available in 75 percent of Yahoo leagues.
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Eduardo Nunez: What earlier seemed like nothing more than a hot streak during a small sample has slowly turned into a full breakout for the 30-year-old, as Nunez is batting .313 with 11 homers and 18 steals over 278 at bats. He’s now a fixture atop Minnesota’s lineup and is one of only three players in baseball with at least 15 steals and 10 home runs. Undrafted in almost all leagues, Nunez is currently the No. 6 ranked fantasy shortstop in Yahoo, ahead of Corey Seager, Trevor Story and Carlos Correa (to name a few) despite seeing fewer at bats. He’s been one of the best waiver wire adds in 2016.
Lonnie Chisenhall: It’s taken longer than hoped, but the former first round pick is finally becoming fantasy relevant. Chisenhall has hit .333/.391/.539 with five homers, 20 RBI and three steals over his past 141 at bats and the lefty has held his own against southpaws this season (.792 OPS). He’s slowly moving up in Cleveland’s lineup, and it’s surprising the third baseman is owned in just 26 percent of Yahoo leagues. That number should start climbing fast.
Xavier Cedeno: With Alex Colome on the disabled list, Cedeno looks like the favorite to close in Tampa Bay right now. Colome’s injury isn’t supposed to be serious, so it’s unclear how long this will last (Brad Boxberger should eventually return as well), but who knows with a biceps, and saves are hard to come by. Cedeno is still available in nearly 90 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Jake Lamb: He’s homered in three straight games and deserves a spot on the National League All-Star team as one of the biggest breakouts in 2016. Lamb still strikes out a lot, but he’s improved against left-handed pitchers, and he currently sports a .963 OPS. He no doubt benefits from Chase Field, but he’s actually hit better on the road so far this season, and he’s increased his OPS each month throughout the year. Lamb is now hitting cleanup behind Paul Goldschmidt and his .426 OBP, and he’s been a top-40 fantasy player. He’s on pace to finish with 36 homers and 111 RBI in just 522 at bats.
STOCK DOWN
Noah Syndergaard: As someone who owns multiple shares, I hope I’m wrong, but news of Syndergaard dealing with a bone spur in his pitching elbow is more than a little worrisome. He gave up a season-high five runs over three innings during his last start, although his velocity remained fine. Syndergaard has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, so this could prove devastating to his owners. Let’s hope he’s right when he called the bone spur “pretty insignificant.” It’s been a brutal stretch for Mets fans, as Steven Matz (who hasn’t won since May 25) is dealing with a similar issue.
Fernando Rodney: One of the most pleasant surprises of the season, Rodney sports a 0.31 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP at age 39. But a trade to Miami has all but killed his fantasy value, as he’s now setting up A.J. Ramos, who blew his first save of the season following Rodney’s debut appearance for the Marlins. It would likely take a few more hiccups by Ramos for Rodney to leap him in the back of the bullpen, although in reality Rodney makes more sense pitching the ninth and utilizing Ramos in higher leverage situations earlier. Meanwhile, Brandon Maurer is going to get the first chance to take over closing duties in San Diego (and not Ryan Buchter, as most expected).
Jordan Zimmermann: He got off to a great start with his new team in Detroit, sporting a 1.50 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over his first seven starts this season. But it’s been all downhill since, as Zimmermann has recorded a 6.42 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over his past eight starts (47.2 innings). He has a 6.0 K/9 rate over that span, which just isn’t going to cut it, especially now in the American League and in front of a Tigers defense that’s one of the worst in baseball.
Nathan Eovaldi: His average fastball velocity (97.0 mph) is the second highest among all starters (third is a distant 95.7 mph), but Eovaldi simply can’t turn it into swings and misses nearly enough (his 8.7 SwStr% ranks No. 69 in MLB). His 22.1 HR/FB% is likely to regress, but he struggles versus lefties and calls Yankee Stadium home, so long balls will remain a major problem. Eovaldi was just lit up in Petco Park, so he can’t be trusted in any matchup or even in the deepest of fantasy leagues.
Brett Gardner: He’s actually controlling the strike zone quite well, but Gardner’s .344 slugging percentage is his lowest since his rookie season in 2008, and his OPS has dropped each of the past four years. He’s been completely useless against lefties, batting .200 with just one extra-base hit over 75 at bats. Gardner has slumped especially of late, as he’s hit .215/.278/.231 over his past dozen games (65 ABs).
