Welcome to the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 17 Hitting Planner!
The trade deadline is always an exciting time for baseball. It also makes Fantasy Baseball a little more interesting because players' value can change so quickly thanks to a trade. It also makes writing a weekly hitting planner the week of the deadline interesting because we still do not know where everyone is going to end up.
I write these on Thursday and seeing as the deadline is on Friday, there is a chance I miss a trade that comes in after I write this. If a move happens, I will try to update the article.
These trades can really impact a hitter's value, like Joey Gallo becoming a Yankee and getting to used that short porch in right field. A hitter could also end up in a pitcher's park and see a few home runs turn into doubles.
This could be a great time to try to pull off a Fantasy Baseball trade as well. I always look to see if I can flip a guy for better value during this time. We are coming up on the home stretch of the Fantasy Baseball season!
With that being said, I think we can jump into the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 17 Hitting Planner now.
2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 17 Hitting Planner
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2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 17 Hitting Planner Schedule
Credit: Baseball Monster
Offenses To Target
Chicago White Sox
Team wRC+: 108
The White Sox will take on the Royals for three games and then travel to the Cubs for a three-game set. The Royals are 27th in team ERA (4.98) and the Cubs are 15th (4.15).
I would also add that both clubs could be sellers, and this could mean trading off some key rotation or bullpen arms. Add in that teams sometimes phone it in after a sell-off, and the White Sox might be in line for a big week offensively.
Notable Players
I say we start with the (reported) new member of the White Sox, Cesar Hernandez. Hernandez is hitting .231/.307/.431 with eighteen home runs, sixty runs, forty-seven RBIs, .319 wOBA, and a 100 wRC+. I think he might be motivated by moving to a contender and might try to make a strong impression for his new club. Also, the eighteen home runs are already a career-high for Hernandez.
Andrew Vaughn is having a solid rookie campaign. I think most would have been happy with a .262/.321/.455 with eleven home runs, forty-three runs, forty-five RBIs, and a 112 OPS+. Remember when Tony La Russa was not playing him consistently early in the year? Thankfully, that is not the case any longer. In deeper redraft leagues, he has been a solid play.
Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert look like they could become plays again soon for our Fantasy Baseball teams. Jimenez is already back, but Robert is getting closer, so keep an eye out for him!
Cincinnati Reds
Team wRC+: 101
I think the Reds arguably have the most desirable schedule from a hitter's standpoint this week. They will play the Twins for two games, and then play a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates to close out the week. All six games will be played inside the Great American Ball Park, which makes the games even more exciting.
The Twins are 28th in team ERA (5.01) and the Pirates are 26th in team ERA (4.94). They also will probably be sellers at this deadline, and they have some solid bullpen arms to move.
The pitching staffs for these teams may be even worse come next week, and that might benefit the Reds offense for Fantasy Baseball.
Notable Players
Please be alright Nick Castellanos.
Joey Votto is giving Father Time a solid fight this year. He is hitting .276/.373/.548 with nineteen home runs, thirty-seven runs, fifty-six RBIs, 142 wRC+, and a 133 OPS+. I think he may have found the fountain of youth recently because he has been scorching hot in July. In the past month, Votto is hitting .325/.455/.738 nine home runs, fifteen runs, twenty-two RBIs, and a 203 wRC+.
Jesse Winker's month has not been as kind. In July, he is hitting .242/.308/.400 with two home runs, ten runs, ten RBIs, .309 wOBA, and a 90 wRC+. I think it is just a down month, and it is not something to worry about. Even with the down month, Winker is still hitting .304/.380/.546 with twenty-one home runs, sixty-six runs, and fifty-eight RBIs.
Jonathan India is having a solid season, .276/.401/.414 eight home runs, fifty-three runs, thirty-nine RBIs, seven steals, and a 110 OPS+. I think if someone took a shot on India in a deeper league, they are pleased with the results from the young second baseman.
Offenses to Avoid
Arizona Diamondbacks
I try not to pick on the Diamondbacks too often, but this week might get ugly. They take on the Giants for four games before traveling to San Diego for a weekend series.
The Giants have the third-best team ERA (3.34) and the Padres are fourth (3.54). Oh, and both teams have had discussions about acquiring more starting pitching. Both have been tied to a certain pitcher out in Washington that goes by Mad Max. Good luck Arizona!
Notable Players
Eduardo Escobar is no longer on this team; he is heading to Milwaukee. Another name potentially on the move is David Peralta, who is hitting .253/.327/.401 five home runs, thirty-seven runs, forty-five RBIs, and a 96 OPS+. It has not been a great year for Peralta, but I think there is a chance he could turn it around if he is moved to the right team.
I know that Pavin Smith has been a frustrating player, but I think there is still some value in deeper formats. His .269/.330/.422 with nine home runs, forty-seven runs, thirty-two RBIs, and a 102 OPS+. I would be worried about him this week, but I think he could be a fine piece in larger leagues.
Seattle Mariners
Team wRC+: 91
I really do not know what the Mariners are doing. Trading Kendall Graveman to a division rival while always saying they want to contend was certainly a choice. Especially with reports that the clubhouse was not happy with the move.
Now they travel to the East coast for games with the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees. The Rays have the 6th best team ERA (3.55) and the Yankees are 10th (3.74).
I think the Mariners are set up well for the long-term, but the next week could make or break their chances for this season.
Notable Players
Will Mitch Haniger be traded? I think a lot of teams could benefit from his .258/.314/.504 with twenty-five home runs, seventy runs, sixty-two RBIs, and a 128 OPS+. I also think the Mariners might want him back in 2022, but no matter the team he is on, he will be a beneficial Fantasy Baseball bat.
Jarred Kelenic has a 9 OPS+ so I think it is safe to possibly give up on him for redraft this year. However, we should buy low on him in dynasty leagues. Prospects start slow all the time.
Ty France has been a solid addition for our teams this year. He is hitting .278/.356/.421 with nine home runs, forty-nine runs, forty-four RBIs, and a 121 OPS+. I think he can still be productive next week despite the tough matchups.
2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 17 Hitting Planner Sleeper/Waiver Option
Jorge Soler, OF, Kansas City Royals
Has Jorge Soler been bad this year? Yes, he is hitting .194/.291/.375 with thirteen home runs, thirty-seven runs, thirty-seven RBIs, a .293 wOBA, and an 83 wRC+. I know that is a bad start to the waiver wire pick-up section. However, I need everyone to stay with me.
Jorge Soler in July: .226/.324/.597 with seven home runs, fourteen runs, nine RBIs, .384 wOBA, and a 144 wRC+. I like that.
I think there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Soler for the rest of the season. His xwOBA is .341, which suggests his numbers should begin to tick upwards from where they currently are. His BABIP this season sits at .232, but he is a career .300 BABIP guy.
I know he strikes out a lot, but his 27% strikeout rate this season is right in line with his career 27.8% strikeout rate. So, he is not striking out more than usual.
I think Soler could be a great add off the waiver wire or a buy low in certain leagues, but the window will close fast if he gets hot.
Thanks for reading the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 17 Hitting Planner!
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