(Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire)
Before we address the undervalued OBP targets, let us bow down before one Mike Trout. The Weatherman has a .472/.623/.833 slash line over the last two weeks. Yes, that’s a .833 Slugging Percentage – higher than Yogi Berra’s career OPS (.830). There are two types of people in this world: those who like rap, and those who haven’t heard Illmatic. There are two types of baseball players in this world: Mike Trout, and everyone else.
And we’re off…
Max Muncy (3B/1B – Los Angeles Dodgers)
Out in the City of Angels, Max Muncy has continued to produce for the men in blue. A 27-year-old Texan, Muncy has put his two underwhelming seasons with Oakland in the rearview mirror. Muncy is rocking a .500 OBP over the last two weeks – despite a .200 BABIP – and his 35% Walk Rate over that stretch is something out of the Ted Williams Hitting Manual. In 184 plate appearances this year, Muncy’s slash line reads .257/.397/.574. In other words, Muncy has performed like Aaron Judge. Additionally, his 11.4% Barrel Rate (Brls/PA) is 5th in baseball, behind only J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, Joey Gallo, and Teoscar Hernandez. Perhaps more impressive, Muncy is 2nd in all of baseball in Barrels per Batted Ball Attempt (Brls/BBE), which is a strong measure of power. While it would be foolish to expect this dominance to continue, he is a must-own player in every league. At 62% owned, there is a chance that your league-mates are sleeping on Max. Grab him now, ask questions later.
Viewing Gallery
Muncy gives Newcomb a lesson in launch angle
Muncy wins the Battle of the Max’s
Jake Bauers (1B – Tampa Bay Rays)
A 22-year-old lefty from Newport Beach, California, Jake Bauers has not been overmatched in his first test against Major League pitching (.240/.387/.440). Bauers was consistent but unspectacular in four full Minor League seasons (yearly OPS of .789, .760, .789, .779) and he has continued his (relative) success in Tampa Bay, boasting a 19.4% Walk Rate and a 135 wRC+ through 62 plate appearances. Bauers is owned in fewer than 10% of leagues, and if you’re in need of a corner infielder with an above-average eye, above-average hit tool, and solid pop, Jake Bauers is worth a flier. He has been getting consistent starts, and his above-average tools should lead to more home run power in the immediate future. Bauers is worth an add in 14-team leagues, or deep 12-team leagues.
Viewing Gallery
Bauers showcases his silky smooth lefty
Bauers does his best J.T. Snow impression
Bauers belts his first career home run
Bauers outduels King Felix for his first career hit
Mystery Player
The people have spoken. They crave mystery player trivia the way Carlos Gomez craves breaking balls in the dirt.
Who Am I?
Over the last calendar year, I have the 11th highest Walk Rate in baseball.
I am owned in 71% of leagues.
I got my first taste of MLB action as a replacement for Michael Young
In 2017, I became the first player to hit a leadoff home run on Opening Day for my franchise since a year in which nuclear fission was discovered and the average gallon of gasoline cost 10 cents. Additionally, the country from which I hail is awash with natural gas and petroleum, which accounts for 12% of my country’s GDP.
I have a stellar career .360 OBP and I led the league in triples in 2016
I have succeeded in 68% of my career stolen base attempts.
Last decade, my franchise housed consecutive MVP award winners – but our best player from that era never won MVP.
My name-brethren is currently amidst a 39-game hitting streak
Agrega pollo, y yo soy una ensalada
To see who I am, click here
BB% leaders to note (last 14 days)
1. Max Muncy (35.0%)
5. Jake Bauers (22.2%)
7. Ronald Guzman (21.6%)
8. Gregory Polanco (21.1%)
11. Daniel Descalso (19.5%)
15. Delino DeShields (17.8%)
18. Jeimer Candelario (17.6%)
22. Ian Desmond (16.7%) <– hell hath frozen over
29. Stephen Piscotty (15.6%)
50. Cesar Hernandez (12.7%)
Hello Tim. Good stuff.
I drafted Gallo in the 7th round of a 12 team 6×6 H2H redraft league hoping for 40+ HR’s and around an .800 OPS. We all knew the batting average would be low .200, but below the Mendoza line is no longer tolerable. Muncy is available and I’m wondering if I should pull the trigger now that Gallo is DTD or do I suck it up and hope for a turn around in the second half. Your thoughts for ROS would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Barry. Are there any players you could drop for Muncy instead of Gallo?
Hi there! I’d like to add that any of your thoughts for ROS would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your kindness!