Welcome to the 2022 Fantasy Baseball Week 11 Stock Up/Stock Down article!
As the summer continues, more and more prospects will get the call. We have been lucky with the prospect debuts so far this season, and there have been a few that could have some fantasy relevance.
Of course, as new names and faces pop up in fantasy, that means older ones are on their way out. While it is hard to completely write off a player, sometimes you can just tell when a player is on the decline of their career.
This week we have some of those prospects who made their debuts this year. They could carve out large roles for their respective teams and possibly even yours. We also have some older players who have not been performing at all this season after not having the greatest 2021, and another player whose great 2021 has not been followed up thus far.
If you have any questions about fantasy baseball, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter at @MikeSollicito1.
I think it's about time we hop into the 2022 Fantasy Baseball Week 11 Stock Up/Stock Down!
2022 Fantasy Baseball Week 11 Stock Up/Stock Down
Are you looking for a Fantasy advantage? Get the ultimate in-season edge with customized Fantasy Baseball advice for your team using My Playbook from FantasyPros.
Stock Up
Riley Greene, OF, Detroit Tigers
He has finally arrived!
Riley Greene is someone who is an absolute must-add in every league regardless of size. He has absolutely amazing fantasy upside and his impact is already being felt in Detriot. Getting his first MLB hit in his first MLB game, Greene wasted no time showcasing what he can do.
His solid defense in the outfield will keep him in the lineup and Tigers' manager AJ Hinch has so much confidence in him that he is actually beginning to hit second in the lineup.
While the Tigers lineup is not crazy, hitting second in any lineup is always a plus for fantasy. As is the case with every rookie, expect growing pains. However, Greene's power, speed, and plate discipline make him a prospect to own in redraft.
Already hitting .417, expect the power to come as he continues to adjust to MLB pitching. His average should remain relatively decent as he looks to be a possible five-category contributor. Add Greene now while you still can.
Luis Garcia, 2B/SS, Washington Nationals
Known to always be a pure hitter, Garcia struggled in his few cups of tea in the majors. However, after lighting up Triple-A this year while showcasing more power, the Nationals called him up.
On a weak Nationals team who is rebuilding, Garcia should be given a chance to play in the infield every day. To me, he seems like a Cesar Hernandez type with a bit more power. He hits the ball consistently and should get a good amount of extra-base hits but don't expect maybe more than 10-15 home runs.
After hitting .314 in the minors, Garcia has gotten off on the right foot in the majors, hitting .342 thus far. His career in the minors helps with the optimism that he can continue this strong run throughout his time in the majors.
Players like this are important for fantasy, especially ones who can maintain their high average. By having a solid floor, Garcia is someone you should buy into now before his sample size and counting stats grow.
Michael Harris II, OF, Atlanta Braves
Michael Harris II is a stud. The kid has some serious power/speed upside and much like Riley Greene should be owned everywhere. Hitting ninth in a loaded Braves lineup should prove beneficial for at least some of his counting stats as the top of this lineup is very good.
Capable of supplying power and speed, Harris makes a great addition to anyone in need of an outfielder or some extra stolen bases. While Harris was originally called up to help a depleted outfield, it seems as though he has settled into an everyday role. The kid can play and I expect him to potentially be up for good now barring a huge cold streak.
Already hitting .345 with an xBA of .294, Harris has the potential to be a five-category stud. He is making consistent contact and hitting the ball hard, and his 20% strikeout rate is similar to that throughout the minors. While his walk rate is a bit low, that is about the only thing that can be negatively said of Harris.
Between his defense and hot start offensively, Harris should hopefully be up for good. Add him now before it gets too late in your league.
Stock Down
Kyle Hendricks, SP, Chicago Cubs
After struggling for much of last year, some expected a turnaround for Hendricks. Known as being one of the most boring pitchers for fantasy due to his lackluster strikeout rate and solid ratios, Hendricks simply is not that anymore.
Hendricks has maintained his poor strikeout rate but he is allowing harder contact than in recent years. His secondary pitches just are not as effective as they once were. This makes it tough for someone without elite velocity for their fastball. Relying on secondary pitches to get outs all his career, Hendricks no longer can.
His xERA is 5.45 which is actually higher than his current 5.43 ERA. Failing to go more than six innings in any of his recent six starts, Hendricks is a drop for me in just about any league. He looks done and after the poor year he had last year, maybe this is who he is now. He was a great pitcher for many years, but age catches up with everyone.
Drop Hendricks now while you can still scoop some solid players up off the waiver wire.
Luis Urias, 2B/SS/3B, Milwaukee Brewers
Luis Urias had a very good 2021 season which led many to peg him as a potential breakout this year. After missing most of Spring Training and the beginning of the season with a quad strain, Urias looked good the first few weeks back. However, over time he has slowly fallen off and now sees his average barely above .215.
He is not hitting the ball as hard as he was last year, and his strikeout rate is a bit higher this year than last year. While his walk rate is solid, he isn't speedy enough to nab some stolen bases when he gets on base. Unfortunately, he is simply getting fooled on offspeed and breaking pitches.
Pitchers know this and are exploiting him, however, if he can begin to hit these secondary pitches he could recoup some value for himself
As of right now, Urias is a hold for me unless there is someone better on waivers. His positional eligibility is solid, and while he has had a slow start this year, he had a slow start last year too before heating up.
Urias' stock is dipping, but that doesn't mean that all hope is lost. Hold onto in hopes that he breaks out of this funk soon. If not, then feel free to cut bait.
Eduardo Escobar, 1B/2B/3B, New York Mets
Eduardo Escobar looked like a really sneaky signing by the Mets in the offseason. His positional eligibility and solid bat were thought to be a solid addition to their lineup.
However, thus far Escobar is struggling mightily, hitting just .231 with six home runs. His power metrics are in line with last year, however, his strikeout rate is nearly five points higher. Add together the higher strikeout rate and lack of hard contact and it makes sense why Escobar is struggling.
He should continue to maintain a near everyday role with the Mets, but do not be surprised if some of his playing time dwindles as others come back from injury and/or get hot.
Perhaps Escobar is continuing the decline that began last year. Either way, Escobar is a drop for me as there are plenty of other infielders who are doing better. While his positional eligibility is nice, the stats he is currently putting up are not.
Make sure to keep tabs on the Fantasy Baseball content here at F6P as the season carries on!
