Welcome to the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 16 Hitting Planner!
Wild news this week as Yermin Mercedes announced he was stepping away from the game of baseball on his Instagram. The next day, he was back in the AAA lineup.
I know that Mercedes was instrumental to Fantasy Baseball owners early in the season. We remember him being featured in hitting planners and in breakout candidate articles. There were even talks of him being in the AL Rookie of the Year race early on.
Hopefully, there is nothing serious is wrong with Mercedes. I hope to see him turn it around soon and find a way back to the majors.
Maybe we will be writing about him in future hitting planners, but we hope to hear everything is alright in the meanwhile. Now, let us jump into the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 16 Hitting Planner
2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 16 Hitting Planner
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2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 16 Hitting Planner Schedule
Credit: Baseball Monster
Offenses to Target
Toronto Blue Jays
Team wRC+: 112
I loved the Blue Jays coming into the season, and I love having Blue Jays hitters in my Fantasy Baseball lineup. I am sure that the last part is a sentiment shared by many.
Those who agree with me probably really like the year some of these young hitters are putting together, and will love the schedule they have this week. We have a four-game trip to Boston and a three-game set at home with Kansas City to look forward to this week.
The Red Sox rank 14th in team ERA (4.10) which is not the worst, and while they are trying to upgrade pitching, I like the matchups. I also think the Blue Jays will want to make up for the brutal loss they suffered in the previous week.
After Boston, they have a favorable matchup with the Royals. As we know, the Royals are bad pitching wise (28th- 5.08 ERA), and they could be sellers. They may be a different team by the end of the week.
Notable Players
I do not need to tell anyone about Vlad Guerrero Jr. I think his 197 OPS+ and his inclusion in the AL MVP conversation does enough for him. Same goes for Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien. These guys look to have a big second half to finish off great seasons.
How about Teoscar Hernandez? A .298/.344/.488 line with thirteen home runs, forty runs, fifty-three RBIs, and a 125 OPS+ is a beautiful sight for fantasy purposes. Another reason we love him is he has added seven steals. I know it is said a lot, but a guy that can add some steals provides far more value than someone who does not steal at all.
I know Cavan Biggio has been frustrating this year, and he gave us a solid June (.304/.412/.554), but he has came back down to earth in July. His July features a .162/.233/.297 line so far. I think it might be time to give up on him, and his .197 xBA which is in the bottom 1% of the league.
Philadelphia Phillies
Team wRC+: 94
I know the Phillies fall in the category of aggravating teams but hear me out. I really like their week.
They will take on the Washington Nationals at home for four games who are 17th in team ERA (4.30). Then, they travel to the Pirates for a weekend series. It could be a fun week for Philly, for a multitude of reasons.
I do not think they are looking to sell, but they may try to buy a few rentals to win a weak NL East. Also, the Nationals and Pirates might decide to sell next week. I really would be tempted if these teams sell off their better arms and we might see the Phillies take advantage.
Notable Players
Bryce Harper leads the way with a .287/.387/.521 line including fifteen home runs, forty-nine runs, thirty-five RBIs, eight steals, and a 148 OPS+. I think he gets too much hate, he has been consistently great for a long time now.
J.T. Realmuto continues to be a positional advantage at the catcher position. I know a 121 OPS+ is impressive on its own, but five steals at catcher is extremely valuable.
Andrew McCutchen has better value in OBP leagues, but I still love him and I will until he hangs up the cleats. We know that the veteran will produce, and he has seventeen home runs, forty-nine runs, and fifty-two RBIs.
I have to mention Jean Segura. I know a .134 ISO is not sexy in today's game, but he makes up for it with a .312 batting average. Batting average is overrated, but we still use it in some Fantasy Baseball leagues. Being a singles hitter means his margin for error is smaller, but he has continued to produce for fantasy purposes.
Offense to Avoid
Atlanta Braves
Team wRC+: 99
As a Braves fan I hope I am wrong here, but I am worried about the next week. I see the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers on the schedule, two top-five pitching staffs.
This week is a big week for the Braves in determining if they are buyers or sellers. Good thing they face the Mets who are 5th in ERA (3.49) and the Brewers who are 3rd (3.39).
As a Braves fan, I hope for the best, but as a Fantasy Baseball player, I prepare for the worst. Also as a fan watching this season, I fully expect it to go poorly for me.
Notable Players
I hope Freddie Freeman can keep it up, he currently has 133 OPS+ this season and looks like the superstar he is. Ozzie Albies continues to impress this season as well, although not with as many home runs. I know fifteen home runs are great for Albies, but he has been a doubles machine with twenty-eight on the season.
I love the Austin Riley breakout campaign. His 115 OPS+ has paid off for the Braves and those who drafted him late or grabbed him off waivers. He has rebounded well off a poor June where he had a .643 OPS, and currently has a .856 OPS in July.
I do not know what to tell anyone about Dansby Swanson. His .234/.290/.442 line is perplexing. He strikes out a lot and refuses to take a walk, which has lead to the low average and OBP. However, his .208 ISO with fifteen home runs is intriguing as a middle infield option.
Joc Pederson has a .316/.350/.526 line that includes a .375 wOBA and 134 wRC+ since joining the Braves. I know that is a small sample. Overall, he is hitting .236/.303/.425 .314 wOBA, and 96 wRC+. Maybe the move was for the best, I mean he hit his first home run against a lefty since 2018 with the Braves.
Kansas City Royals
Team wRC+: 89
Another interesting team to watch over the next week. I could easily be writing about a few of these players on new teams by the next Hitting Planner. However, this is the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 16 Hitting Planner, meaning they are still Royals.
I do not like their week though.
I see a four-game set with the White Sox who have the 7th best ERA (3.58) and then the Blue Jays for three games who rank 12th (4.03). However, the Blue Jays are looking to acquire a pitcher, so they could be tougher by next weekend.
Notable Players
Will the Royals finally trade Whit Merrifield? I have no idea. However, I do know that Merrifield will have some fantasy value wherever he ends up. I think two-hit Whit is a much better fantasy player than an actual baseball player, as evident by his 97 OPS+. However, he will get his hits, and twenty-five stolen bases are elite for any format.
Andrew Benintendi is also a name to watch at the deadline. They acquired him in the offseason, but there were rumors that they would not be afraid to flip him at the deadline if it made sense. His .270./.318/.426 line is solid for fantasy purposes. However, the lack of power hurt his fantasy value in thinner leagues.
Jorge Soler has been a disappointment. His .186/.279/.333 line speaks for himself. Add in only nine home runs and a 67 OPS+ and I do not know if should be on any roster in any format.
2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 16 Hitting Planner Sleeper/Waiver Option
Eric Haase, C/OF, Detroit Tigers
An interesting name to consider this week is Eric Haase of the Tigers. I know catchers are not the most appealing, but he has been tearing it up.
Overall, he is hitting .237/.289/.537 with a .348 wOBA and a 120 wRC+. I see the metrics like him as well, especially the .451 xwOBAcon. Add in the 47.8% hard-hit rate and he could be a fun option for a few weeks.
I know he is not the sexiest option, but he could really benefit a Fantasy Baseball lineup for a few weeks. That could help someone to reach the top of their league.
2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 16 Hitting Planner Waiver Bonus Pick
Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox
We thought he would be gone for the year after that injury in Spring Training. However, he is currently playing in rehab games. It could be worth stashing him if there is an extra IL spot or bench spot.
I know it is risky, but he could be back soon and would be a deadly addition to a lineup late in the season. This is a career .276/.321/.527 .353 wOBA and 123 wRC+ guy.
I am just saying, it is worth a look.
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