Welcome to the world of Deep League Risers and Fallers, where the thrill of the game never sleeps! This week, we're diving into the highs and lows of Week 9, exploring the players who are soaring to new heights and those who are struggling to find their footing. Get ready for an in-depth analysis that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
The Fallers
Cole Young
Cole Young, a second baseman for the Seattle Mariners, was a bright spark in April, but his May performance has been a bit of a dampener. With a .175/.254/.246 batting average, no homers, stolen bases, or runs scored, Young's hard-hit rate, exit velocity, whiff rate, K rate, chase rate, and walk rate are all just a bit below their respective MLB averages. However, his contact ability looks better now than it did for nearly all of April, and his .250 BABIP in May is a bit of an outlier. I'd hold Young through this slow period, as double-digit steals and homers with a respectable batting average still look achievable.
Colt Keith
Colt Keith, a versatile player for the Detroit Tigers, had a strong April with a .326 batting average, but his May performance has been a letdown. With a .216/.293/.243 batting average, no homers, and just four runs scored, Keith's BABIP is still high at .333. His decision value and contact ability have dipped below the mean, and his fantasy impact has been negligible. I was initially excited about a breakout, but now I'm barely seeing any upside. Keith's struggles with runners in scoring position and his overall downward trend are concerning.
Jose Fernandez
Jose Fernandez, a first baseman and shortstop for the Arizona Diamondbacks, had a rough start in April with a high chase rate and low walk rate. However, he's picked up the pace with four stolen bases in four attempts in May. His BABIP has dropped to .240, and his line of .162/.225/.189 is not impressive. Fernandez's process chart shows variability, and his K rate of 25% is a concern. I'd hold him in dynasty formats, but he could benefit from time at AAA. If Pavin Smith returns, I expect Fernandez to head down.
The Risers
Gavin Sheets
Gavin Sheets, a first baseman and outfielder for the San Diego Padres, is on fire! With a .256/.333/.543 batting average, nine homers, three steals, and 40 combined runs and RBI, Sheets had a late-career breakout last season. He's maintained his growth and even improved his barrel rate. While his chase rate is below the league average, he's become a legitimate power source. I predict Sheets can slug 25-30 homers this year with a 250ish average. He's a must-add player and a great addition to any team.
Carson Benge
Carson Benge, an outfielder for the New York Mets, had a slow start in April but has been rolling in May. With a .350/.409/.483 line and a .400 BABIP, Benge's sprint speed, hard-hit rates, exit velocities, chase, whiff, and K rates are all above average. His process chart supports his improved performance, and the Mets have taken notice, leading off for the last seven games. I expect Benge to provide 12-15 homers and 30 steals, making him a valuable addition to any league.
Keibert Ruiz
Keibert Ruiz, a catcher for the Washington Nationals, is a high swing rate, low walk rate player with elite whiff and K rates. His 2023 season was impressive, with 18 homers and 67 RBI. In May, Ruiz is slashing .333/.343/.788 with three homers, seven runs scored, and 12 RBI. His exit velocity and barrel rate are higher, and his contact rate remains well above the league average. While his power output is below average, it's trending up sharply. Ruiz is a great replacement for Cal Raleigh, Ryan Jeffers, or Drake Baldwin, offering more upside than expected.
