At this point in the season, fantasy baseball managers have had a large enough sample size to know what to expect from the team they drafted. Managers are either shaking their heads or just hoping that their rosters can stay healthy enough to keep doing what they’re doing.
However, no matter which end of the spectrum a fantasy baseballer finds themselves, moves should still be made as there is no perfect team. One way to make such improvements is by dealing players at the apex of their production when their value is higher than it normally would be. While this isn’t an exact science, there are plenty of indications for an owner looking to improve his or her roster.
Fantasy Baseball Sell Highs for June, 2014
Josh Hamilton, LAA OF
Josh Hamilton owners may be loving the production they’re getting from him right now but they shouldn’t overlook some glaring issues. The 33-year-old outfielder has played just 13 games since returning from a thumb injury that put him on the shelf and onto your DL in early April. But some owners may be enjoying the newfound production coming out of Anaheim’s $125 million dollar man, ignoring his health and consistent disappointment over the past few seasons.
Sitting on a .391 batting average with three homers, eight RBI, and 10 runs, I find it hard to believe he can keep up the impressive pace. And while that might seem obvious, I don’t expect him to even stay above a .300 average. Based on his inconsistency since arriving to Anaheim and his increasing age, I would expect him to hit the .270 average Angels fans have become accustomed to. He’ll continue to strikeout about once a game and his value right now is as high as it will be this year—unless he can prove me wrong.
Edwin Encarnacion, Tor 1B
He has had one of the hottest bats in the game in terms of power and offensive production, hitting 19 jacks and 50 RBI with a .268 average through 62 games, and because of this, his value is higher than it’s been his entire career.
The 31-year-old corner infielder started the season off hitting closer to .300 but, as you’d expect based on his career, has dipped closer to his career average. He’s second in the MLB in homeruns and put himself in the same sentence as Mickey Mantle after his incredible month of May. I wouldn’t expect Encarnacion to continue at this pace, but unlike Hamilton, I think he’s going to continue to do well—just not the top-pick numbers he’s currently wielding. Look for a team in need of power. Trading him could bring you an elite arm and solidify your pitching staff for later in the season.
Lonnie Chisenhall, Cle 3B
Chisenhall started the year off with an eight-game hitting streak that many overlooked given the small sample size and a week off in between those eight games. He has owned lefties with a .524 average against them and has even been a part-owner of righties hitting a solid .336 batting average. While the latter could remain, lefties will figure him out and his .362 average on the season will drop.
The Pittsburgh Community College product has hit just four homers on the year and I wouldn’t expect that to change anytime soon. Plenty of teams would love to have a guy with a .362 average on their squad, so take advantage of his early success in Cleveland and deal him before he cools off. Although he shouldn’t be, he’s available in some leagues.
Thank concludes my fantasy baseball sell high list for this month. Make sure to hit me up on Twitter @ThisJustM or The Couch directly @fantasycouch.
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