2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 18 NFBC FAAB Run
As we approach the trade deadline less than a week from now, the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 18 NFBC FAAB Run will focus on a few key players that might benefit from teammates being traded away. The Minnesota Twins appear to be in fire sale mode and should leave some viable fantasy roles left to be refilled by next week. We can speculate on such situations now, knowing we will have to pay more next week when roles are redefined. Nonetheless, there isn't a player on the wire this week worthy of more than 5-10% of what you have in remaining FAAB dollars.
Brandon Marsh, OF, Los Angeles Angels (2% owned)
It is a bit perplexing why the meddling Angels signed Adam Eaton off the scrap heap, only to start the service time clock on highly-touted prospect Marsh up just a few days later. But here we are, and Marsh has been a fixture in the lineup every day for nearly a week now.
Marsh is a well-rounded hitter who brings a speed/power element to the table. We are all chasing stolen bases, and the now 23-year old has a 19 stolen base in his last full season of organized ball, 2019.
There appears to be a path to playing time for the rest of the season for Marsh, even when Mike Trout returns. He will have to earn it though, as fellow prospect Jo Adell is having a tremendous year behind him and could eventually get called up as well.
Greg Allen, OF, New York Yankees (2% owned)
It's really quite incredible that the Yankees are in a position that Greg Allen is even on the team, let alone thrust into a necessary starting role. But he has made the best of it, with four stolen bases in the past week.
While we all would probably have given $100 FAAB just for those four stolen bases, unfortunately, they are in the past and we do not have access to them. I would not go crazy here. While Allen does have 36 career stolen bases in just over 500 career at-bats if he were to continue in an everyday role beyond the Trade Deadline, his subpar on-base skills would be exposed and fantasy owners would be left disappointed.
While I am pretty desperate for stolen bases in some of my NFBC contests, I would only be willing to go a few dollars in hopes of catching two or three steals over the next three lineup periods.
Estevan Florial, OF, New York Yankees (unowned)
Estevan Florial is having a disappointing year across two levels in the minors but was forced into a callup out of necessity. The 23-year-old may only be up for a few days, but has the opportunity to showcase himself in a job interview to supplant veterans such as Allen and Brett Gardner.
While the Yankees are seemingly out of the division, they are only 3.5 games out of a Wild Card slot. Whoever gets hot will stay in the lineup, and Florial has taken that first step toward claiming the prize. This week he has reached base in five of six games while recording one home run and one stolen base.
Bid on Florial with speculation, understanding that he may have the ability to outperform Marsh the rest of the way. A few dollars here could go a long way for you.
Andrelton Simmons, SS, Minnesota Twins (49% owned)
Andrelton Simmons' best fantasy category is at-bats. He doesn't do much, and you can expect that to continue. As the Twins continue to sell off parts, he should move up in the batting order. This is how thin the NFBC contests get this late in the year. Simmons simply offers a healthy option you can count on for minimal counting stats weekly.
Carson Kelly, C, Arizona Diamondbacks (61% owned)
If you are still having catching woes, now is the time to jump on Carson Kelly if available in your league. He has started a rehab assignment after missing several months with a fractured wrist.
Before the mistimed injury, Kelly was on a path to the All-Star Game. With eight home runs in only 150 at-bats and a not-to-scoff-at .260 batting average, Kelly was a clear top ten option at the position.
While he may struggle to regain his swing after such an injury, he would be a welcome addition to almost every fantasy team struggling at the position this year.
Luis Patino, P, Tampa Bay Rays (59% owned)
Rostering a Tampa Bay starting pitcher might be the biggest headache in Fantasy Baseball. You cannot trust the innings load with Patino, as he may rarely be allowed to complete five innings to qualify for the win. But the stuff is electric and the ceiling to develop into a #2 starter is certainly there.
The Rays have retaken their perch at the top of the American League, now sitting in a three-way tie for the best record on the Junior Circuit with the Red Sox and Astros.
Tampa Bay this week traded away a competent starting pitcher in Rich Hill during a pennant race. This may be interpreted as a vote of confidence for Patino's ability to stay with the team and contribute.
There is a new rash of misinformation in Major League Baseball where suddenly teams are not announcing their upcoming rotation plans, and the Rays will continue to be among the most difficult to speculate regarding. Bidding on Patino is taking a stab at the upside, knowing the floor may be unusable for fantasy.
Wily Peralta, P, Detroit Tigers (42% owned)
Wily Peralta has recently pitched 26 innings in which he only gave up one earned run across four weeks. However, he sandwiched that between two starts in which he gave up five earned runs. The end result is a 2.56 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.
Peralta is very difficult to project. He has one of the lowest spin rates in the game, resulting in a putrid 15% strikeout rate. Despite a poor 41% hard-hit rate, he is among the league leaders in xWOBACON at .314.
Where will this go, who knows? Hopefully, the five earned runs on Friday night will suppress the price. This week he will face Minnesota again, a team he recently held to one earned run in 12 innings across back-to-back starts. Set aside a three-game set with the Red Sox, Detroit does not face any offenses that scare us for fantasy over the next four weeks. There is a good upside to helping your ratios here.
Wil Crowe, P, Pittsburgh Pirates (unowned)
I own Wil Crowe in a few dynasty formats and he has been a boon for me the last few weeks. In the month of July, he has struck out 22 batters in 20 innings behind a 4.50 ERA. While this doesn't excite anyone a road win at San Francisco with nine strikeouts yesterday certainly should.
I wouldn't mind a couple of dollar speculative add here. His next outing will be against Milwaukee, who strikes out the most of all National League teams.
Touki Toussaint, P, Atlanta Braves (unowned)
Touki has seemingly been around forever. In the latest episode of this drama, Toussaint stymied the Padres on Tuesday night. He held them to one run in 6.2 innings while spreading out only three hits. The 25-year-old former first-rounder struck out five while walking only two. Today he faces the Phillies, a matchup worth monitoring before placing your NFBC bids.
Alex Colome, P, Minnesota Twins (49% owned)
Seeing Nelson Cruz traded from the Twins this week shows they are in hard-core sell mode. Jose Berrios is likely gone next. It is feasible that relievers Taylor Rogers and Hansel Robles may be their most attractive trade pieces afterward. This could potentially thrust Colome into a closer-by-default role.
Colome was intended for the role this preseason based on a stellar 2020, but could not hold the job down. Perhaps the Twins would like to see if he can regain form in the role in a lost season. There is a mutual option to decide on going into 2022?
For any questions related to the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 18 NFBC FAAB Run, or for additional options, you can reach me on Twitter @jtrela20. Otherwise, check me out streaming LIVE every Wednesday at 9:00 PM EST on the Stack Attack Fantasy Podcast.