2023 Fantasy Baseball: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not?
I just crunched the numbers, and we’re 11% done with the MLB season already. To put that in perspective, if the entire MLB season were to be compared to a single game of baseball, we would just be getting done with the first inning (I think, don’t hold that one against me).
Math aside, though, us fantasy baseball players are finishing up our third game of the season. While it may sound like we have time to get things together, we’ll be at the all-star break before you know it, so it’s important for you to keep track of who’s hot, and who’s not–and wow, would you look at that, that’s the name of this story.
I’ve got some players that you should target in waivers, some you should bench, and some you should even consider dropping. Who knows, these moves may be the difference between a win and a loss.
Even if you don’t play fantasy baseball, this information could be of use to you if you plan on betting on baseball. Online Casinos offer prop bets for every baseball game, and betting on a hot player to record a hit is always a good time.
Apps like DraftKings Sportsbook also offer daily fantasy for baseball games, and finding a low-price star to collect you a few points could be the difference between ending in the money and going home broke.
So, without further to do, let’s get underway.
Who’s Hot: Patrick Wisdom
Last 7 Days: 27 AB, .333 AVG, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R
Hot is an understatement here–Patrick Wisdom has been one of the best players in the league these past seven days. He’s on a six-game hit streak and has sky-rocketed to the top of the MLB Home Run leaderboards, tied with only Pete Alonso with 8 home runs.
He’s owned in only 36.1% of ESPN leagues, and if you’re in need of a third baseman or utility player, I would highly recommend going out and picking up Wisdom. Do I expect him to continue to play like this? No. But, for the time being, it’ll be a nice flash in the pan and source of offensive points.
Who’s Not: Gleyber Torres
Last 7 Days: 21 AB, .047 AVG, 5 K, 1 RBI
After what could’ve been the hottest start to a season by any Yankee, Gleyber Torres has gone ice cold. In his last seven days, he’s scored only 1 fantasy point and has collected only one hit in 21 at-bats.
He did hit a walk-off sac fly RBI last night against the Angels though, so maybe this will light a match and get him going again. This cold streak began after Torres quickly dealt with a bit of a hip flexor injury, so it makes you wonder if there are any underlying health issues causing havoc.
Who’s Hot: Rowdy Tellez
Last 7 Days: 25 AB, .360 AVG, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R
It’s no surprise that Tellez has been smashing ‘taters this season. The power-hitting first basemen is a bit of a one-trick pony, and hitting dingers is kind of his thing.
However, the most remarkable part of this seven-game hot streak is that he hasn’t hit a home run in five games. He’s just been a hit machine, collecting hits in 6 of his last seven games, and two hits in three of them.
Tellez is owned in 66.9% of ESPN leagues. I’d be a bit tentative to pick him up, but again–keep an eye on him. If he continues to rake, then you’ll want to make some moves.
Who’s Not: Taylor Ward
Last 7 Days: 24 AB, .125 AVG, 8 K, 1 RBI
Ward had a modest start to the season. He kicked off the festivities with a five-game run streak and scored 13 points across his first seven games. However, in his next seven, he’s only managed to muster up 2 points, collecting only 3 hits across 24 at-bats. Ward has also only collected one RBI all season, and it was done just last night against the Yankees.
Taylor Ward had a breakout season with the Angels last year, but it’s been a tough start to the season for the power-hitting outfielder. I’d still give him some time before cutting him, but I’d let him rot on the bench for the time being.
Who’s Hot: Jake Burger
Last 7 Days: 18 AB, .278 AVG, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R
Saying Burger got off to a slow start is a bit of an understatement. However, his early struggles have all culminated to his last seven games, which have resulted in the bulk of his season stats. He’s hit four of his five home runs, collected 8 of his 10 RBIs, and 5 of his 8 hits.
So, he’s jammed his first two weeks of the season into his last seven days…not bad Mr.Burger, not bad.
He’s only owned in less than THREE percent of ESPN leagues, and if you think the Burger train will keep flippin’, then you should give him a shot.
Who’s Not: Byron Buxton
Last 7 Days: 19 AB, .053 AVG, 13 K, 1 RBI
Buxton started off the season with a four-game hit streak and all seemed to be right in the world. However, he’s gone on the skid of all skids recently, collecting only 2 hits across his last seven games, striking out 13 times in the process.
Out of all of these “Who’s Not” players I’d be the least concerned about Buxton considering his past injuries. He missed a lot of time last year, so he may just be re-adjusting. He’s only owned in about 70% of ESPN fantasy leagues, and I wouldn’t rush out there to pick him up any time soon. However, if you see him starting to heat up, then I think you should swoop in like a hawk.
