X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Three Up, Three Down for Prospects - Shortstop

Shortstops are generally the most athletic players on the field. It is also a very important position, defensively, but we don’t really concern ourselves with that in fantasy, aside from ensuring a player will be able to stay on the field. As usual, there is a vast collection of athletic players to choose from, and the most beneficial aspect is that players usually have a rollercoaster of performances. It doesn’t strictly ascend or descend.

Finding value is one of the primary purposes of the minor league prospecting venture. The climbs and drops provide fantasy owners with favorable moments to move or acquire prospects. This is one of the best opportunities to make improvements to your dynasty roster. Generally, prospects will have their highest value right before they are set to debut in the majors. So, we will help you identify prospects that are trending up and down, so you know how best to maximize the values.

Below are three shortstop prospects that are trending with increased value as well as three prospects who have declined in various degrees. Then, there are courses of action to consider for each player. You can read other prospect risers/fallers here: first basemen and starting pitchers.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:

 

Stock Rising

Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays

At only 17 years old, Wander Franco has shot up rankings so quickly that NASA would be impressed. Franco was already highly touted after the Rays signed him for nearly $4 million. His professional debut in 2018 reinforced some of the expectations. In 251 plate appearances, Franco hit 11 homers with a .351/.418/.587 slash line. Most impressively, he walked (9.9%) more than he struck out (7%). Extra-bases were also coming with ease as he hit seven triples and 10 doubles. Franco also has above-average speed, only displaying it enough to get four stolen bases in 2018.

Franco accomplished this in the Appalachian Rookie league, but again, at only 17 years of age. Historically, the Rays have taken their time with their prospect development so expect him to start 2019 at Low-A. However, Franco’s list of skills read off as a recipe for a perfect hitter: switch-hitter—check, bat speed—check, plate approach—check, speed—check, and some power—check. As such, Franco might be the one exception that forces their hand. Nothing in his first year has shown any reason why Franco can’t compete at higher levels. Expect 2019 to be even better.

Reasons to buy: He is a young dynamite bat with plenty more upside and is destined to be the top prospect one day.
Reasons to sell: You can market his top-10 prospect status and are satisfied with the early return.

 

Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

Bo Bichette might not get the credit he deserves as he is often overshadowed by another prospect in the organization. Bichette played the entire 2018 season in Double-A where he filled up the stat sheet with 11 homers, 95 runs, 74 RBI, and a .286 batting average. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he also hit 43 doubles, seven triples, and stole 32 bases in 43 attempts. If you’re looking for a hole in his game, you’ll not find it with plate discipline as he took his fair share of walks (8%) and limited his strikeouts (17%). Bichette is even adept at using the whole field, pulling balls 37% of the time and hitting 41% to the opposite field. He will likely start the 2019 season at Triple-A, but there is absolutely nothing standing in his way at the majors. The proximity to the majors makes him an increasingly valuable asset, especially so close to likely reuniting with fellow stud prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Reasons to buy: Power/speed combo. Potential to be a better fantasy asset than Vlad Jr.
Reasons to sell: You don’t have a need at any middle infield or utility positions. You can market his top-five prospect status into a top-50 player that helps your roster elsewhere.

 

Andres Gimenez, New York Mets

Andres Gimenez, measuring in at 5’11”/161lbs, has been gaining a lot of steam this offseason. Gimenez started the 2018 season at High-A as a 19-year-old. He performed well with a .282 batting average, 28 stolen bases, and six homers. His strikeout rate (19.9%) was the highest of his short three-year professional career, but even then, it isn’t a concern. The Mets got more ambitious with Gimenez and promoted him to Double-A. His approach at the plate is so advanced that his strikeout rate dropped back down to his normal level (14.4%) against older competition. While he didn’t hit any homers, he did steal 10 bases and hit for a .277 batting average.

Thus far, Gimenez’ swing is built for contact, and his contact skills take advantage of the entire field. Also, his decent bat speed will generate success through line-drives. Across two levels, he hit 29 doubles and five triples. However, his bat speed and better-than-average speed won’t always save him when he averages a 56% ground-ball rate, as he did in 2018. As he grows, Gimenez will fill out and hopefully develop a little more loft in his swing. Then he should surprise with more power than expected.

Reasons to buy: You enjoy players with elite contact skills and have the patience to see if power develops and speed sustains.
Reasons to sell: You are risk averse and will sell now while the gossip is hot instead of speculating on a player who might hit 10 homers and steals 20 bags with a .280 batting average.

 

Stock Falling

Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies

Since drafted as the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, Brendan Rodgers has been considered one of the top three prospects at the position. His performance over the four-year minor league journey has done nothing to assuage these opinions. At Double-A to start 2018, he hit 17 homers, stole 12 bases, and had a .275 batting average. So, why is he on ’Stock Falling’ side of the list? There is no denying that Rodgers’ bat is explosive, but the venues have to be considered in his statistics. The Rockies’ entire minor league system is situated at various hitter-friendly locations, Triple-A Albuquerque is no exception. After stomping his way across four levels, the Rockies promoted Rodgers to Albuquerque in late July where he received a cold shower. In 72 plate appearances, he had a .232 average with a 1.4% walk rate and a 22% strikeout rate.

Currently, he is no longer on the podium of shortstop prospects, but he still has a ton of value, especially with Coors Field as his ultimate destination. However, the pedestal that many fantasy owners put him on is a bit more tarnished.

Reasons to buy: He is still an explosive bat that will call Coors home soon. His slight scuffle in performance at Triple-A might give even the slightest of discount.
Reasons to sell: He is still very valuable and could be combined with a top-100 player to fetch a top-50 player from a rebuilding team.

 

Nick Gordon, Minnesota Twins

Many people had lofty expectations of former first-round pick Nick Gordon, especially when considering the successes his brother, Dee, has had in major league baseball. Hopefully, those same individuals have realized that they are two distinct baseball players. Nick Gordon does not have the speed that his brother possesses. He doesn’t possess much power and his primary skill, hit-tool, isn’t elite, but Gordon is a solid baseball player.

In 2018, Gordon spent time across two levels, Double- and Triple-A. He started the year hitting .333 and five homers in 42 games in his second appearance at Double-A. In May, Gordon was promoted to Triple-A and found many challenges. In 410 plate appearances, he hit two homers and four triples with a .212 batting average. He did have 13 steals though. Gordon racked up 20 steals combined in 2018, but that isn’t guaranteed to translate at the majors. Gordon will start 2019 at Triple-A. There isn’t a dominant force to block him at either shortstop or second base on the major league roster. However, Gordon hasn’t proven to be better than what is currently available.

Reasons to buy: Uhhh, don’t look at me.
Reasons to sell: While he’s a solid player, Gordon doesn’t have much upside. He should be in the 10-15 range for both homers and steals. If someone in your league still values his name, take advantage.

 

Jorge Mateo, Oakland Athletics

Jorge Mateo was once the next big thing, like boysenberry bread. Well, like boysenberry, some fans love it and those that have tried it and moved on; there are even fans that didn’t know it was a thing. Mateo was hot stuff when he was a young prospect coming up in the Yankees organization. Many salivated in 2015 when he stole 82 bases and still had a .278 batting average. But, there were still questions of hit-tool and power. In 2017, he hit 12 homers to go with his 52 SB, and he maintained a .267 AVG. In 2018, now with Oakland, Mateo was assigned to Triple-A and declined in all facets of his game. His main attraction, speed, dropped to 25, the power (three homers) became nonexistent, and any amount of a respectable batting average became foreign to him (.230), even with a .316 BABIP. Mateo will start the 2019 season at Triple-A in hopes of figuring out things at the plate. If Mateo is unable to improve his hit tool, he runs the risk of becoming a one-dimensional speed savant.

Reasons to buy: Your dynasty team needs speed in any way it can get; you’re confident you can buy low and somehow a solid 2019 at Triple-A will increase his value. Mateo is a high-upside/high-risk player.
Reasons to sell: Someone in your league still has traces of drool over the speed potential; you don’t want to wait to see if he can hit enough. Too much risk for you.

More Fantasy Baseball Prospects & Dynasty




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Macklin Celebrini19 mins ago

Tallies Two Assists In Thursday's Loss
Nikita Kucherov28 mins ago

Comes Up With Three Assists Versus Blue Jackets
Sean Monahan39 mins ago

Finishes Thursday's Win With Four Points
Zach Werenski43 mins ago

Enjoys Career Night With Five Points Against Lightning
Jack Hughes50 mins ago

Posts Three Assists Versus Hurricanes
Joonas Korpisalo57 mins ago

Records 21-Save Shutout Versus Utah
Jerry Jeudy3 hours ago

Leads Browns In Receiving In Week 12 Win
Nick Chubb4 hours ago

Scores Two TDs In TNF Win Over Pittsburgh
NFL8 hours ago

Kevin Stefanski, Andrew Berry Likely Returning To Browns In 2025
Deshaun Watson8 hours ago

Likely To Remain With Browns, Could Face Competition
Cedric Tillman8 hours ago

Enters Concussion Protocol
Cedric Tillman10 hours ago

Suffers Head Injury On Thursday Night
Wendell Carter Jr.11 hours ago

Out Against Lakers
Anthony Davis12 hours ago

Available Versus Magic On Thursday
Rui Hachimura12 hours ago

Unavailable Thursday
Carlos Ulberg12 hours ago

Looking To Cement Himself As A Title Contender At UFC Macau
Volkan Oezdemir12 hours ago

Eyes Another Knockout At UFC Macau
Gabriella Fernandes12 hours ago

A Big Underdog At UFC Macau
MMA12 hours ago

Cong Wang Puts Undefeated Record On The Line At UFC Macau
Deiveson Figueiredo12 hours ago

Looks To Extend Win Streak At UFC Macau
Petr Yan12 hours ago

A Favorite At UFC Macau
Yves Missi13 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Friday
CJ McCollum13 hours ago

Not Likely To Play Friday
Alexander Mattison13 hours ago

Zamir White Miss Practice Again
Brandon Ingram13 hours ago

Questionable For Friday
Shohei Ohtani14 hours ago

Named National League MVP In 2024
Aaron Judge14 hours ago

Wins American League MVP Award
Ja'Kobe Walter14 hours ago

Ready To Go Thursday
Donte DiVincenzo14 hours ago

Available Thursday
Mike Conley14 hours ago

Will Not Play Thursday
Jordan Clarkson14 hours ago

Sits Out Thursday's Game
Ausar Thompson14 hours ago

Won't Play On Thursday
Zach Collins14 hours ago

Cleared To Play Thursday
Domantas Sabonis14 hours ago

Gets Through Full Practice
Chris Paul14 hours ago

Good To Go Thursday
Brock Purdy14 hours ago

Limited Again On Thursday
Malik Monk14 hours ago

Making Progress
George Kittle14 hours ago

Limited Again On Thursday
Tre Mann15 hours ago

Good To Go On Thursday
Miles Bridges15 hours ago

Won't Play On Thursday
Vince Williams Jr.15 hours ago

Out At Least A Month
Scottie Barnes15 hours ago

Returning On Thursday
Alex Ovechkin15 hours ago

To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Fractured Fibula
Paul George15 hours ago

Out At Least Two Games
Aaron Gordon15 hours ago

Availability In Question For Friday
Zach Hyman15 hours ago

Expected To Miss 4-7 Days
Kent Johnson15 hours ago

Back For Blue Jackets Thursday
Yaroslav Askarov15 hours ago

Makes Sharks Debut Thursday
Jalen Hurts15 hours ago

Practices In Full On Thursday
Mikael Granlund16 hours ago

Good To Go Thursday
Alexandar Georgiev16 hours ago

Returns To Action Versus Capitals
TB16 hours ago

Nicholas Paul Will Miss Thursday's Game
Frederik Andersen16 hours ago

To Miss 8-12 Weeks
Jake Ferguson16 hours ago

Still Not Practicing
Sam LaPorta16 hours ago

Looking Good For A Week 12 Return
Sam Darnold16 hours ago

Upgrades To Full Participation, On Track To Play
Isiah Pacheco16 hours ago

Remains Limited On Thursday
D'Andre Swift17 hours ago

Upgrades To Limited Participant On Thursday
CeeDee Lamb17 hours ago

Sidelined During Thursday's Practice
Ladd McConkey17 hours ago

Does Not Practice On Thursday
Mike Evans17 hours ago

Logs Full Practice On Thursday
DeVonta Smith18 hours ago

Misses Another Practice
Cody Bellinger19 hours ago

Cubs Looking To Trade Cody Bellinger?
Brandin Cooks19 hours ago

Preparing To Play In Week 12
CeeDee Lamb19 hours ago

Not Seen At Thursday's Practice
19 hours ago

Blake Snell Has Met With Red Sox, Dodgers
Chandler Stephenson22 hours ago

Registers Three Assists Versus Predators
Jason Robertson22 hours ago

Totals Three Points In Wednesday's Win
Nils Lundkvist22 hours ago

Exits Early With A Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Knies23 hours ago

Sustains An Upper-Body Injury
Mikael Granlund23 hours ago

Exits Late With Injury Wednesday
Patrik Laine23 hours ago

Returns To Practice
Chris Sale1 day ago

Wins National League Cy Young Award
Tarik Skubal1 day ago

Wins 2024 American League Cy Young Award
Austin Eckroat1 day ago

Heads To The RSM Classic After Win
Harris English1 day ago

Finding Form Heading To The RSM Classic
Ben Griffin1 day ago

Continues Playing Well Heading To The RSM Classic
Denny McCarthy1 day ago

Returns to The RSM Classic
Seth Jones2 days ago

Expected To Miss Four Weeks
Ludvig Aberg2 days ago

Looks To Defend RSM Classic Title
Si Woo Kim2 days ago

An Intriguing Option At RSM Classic
Maverick McNealy2 days ago

In Solid Form Ahead Of RSM Classic
Eric Cole2 days ago

Chasing First Tour Victory At RSM Classic
2 days ago

Guardians' Stephen Vogt Named AL Manager Of The Year
Milwaukee Brewers2 days ago

Pat Murphy Named NL Manager Of The Year
3 days ago

Nick Pivetta Declines Boston's Qualifying Offer
Jose Siri3 days ago

Mets Acquire Jose Siri From The Rays
3 days ago

Phillies To Meet With Juan Soto
3 days ago

Luis Severino Rejects Qualifying Offer From Mets
3 days ago

Willy Adames Declines Brewers Qualifying Offer
3 days ago

Teoscar Hernandez Declines Qualifying Offer From Dodgers
3 days ago

Juan Soto Declines Yankees' Qualifying Offer
Luis Gil3 days ago

Wins AL Rookie Of The Year Award
Paul Skenes3 days ago

Named 2024 NL Rookie Of The Year
Brady Singer4 days ago

Reds, Royals Discussing Jonathan India, Brady Singer
4 days ago

Sean Manaea To Reject Mets' Qualifying Offer
4 days ago

Braves Have Interest In Walker Buehler
4 days ago

Astros Interested In Willy Adames
Charles Oliveira4 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Michael Chandler4 days ago

Gets Dominated At UFC 309
Karine Silva4 days ago

Suffers Her First UFC Loss
Viviane Araujo4 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Mauricio Ruffy4 days ago

Extends His Win Streak To Six
James Llontop5 days ago

Loses Clear-Cut Decision In Thrilling Fight At UFC 309
Paul Craig5 days ago

Loses Decision At UFC 309
Bo Nickal5 days ago

Remains Undefeated With Lackluster Performance At UFC 309
Stipe Miocic5 days ago

Retires After UFC 309 Loss
Jon Jones5 days ago

Gets TKO Win At UFC 309 To Defend Heavyweight Title

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Josh Downs - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

WR/CB Matchups to Upgrade and Downgrade - Fantasy Football Week 12 (2024)

Welcome back to our WR/CB Matchups for Week 12 of the 2024 fantasy football season. For those unfamiliar, this weekly series looks at fantasy football matchups for wide receivers versus the cornerbacks who are projected to cover them. The data we access for offensive and defensive players continues to skyrocket. Though we mainly focus on offensive […]


Houston Texans Defense D/ST Streamers, Rankings, Waiver Wire - Derek Stingley Fantasy Football IDP

D/ST Strength of Schedule: Best Fantasy Football Defense Streamers and Matchups (Weeks 12-17)

Ahh, the good old Defense/Special Teams (DST) position in fantasy football. It is a controversial inclusion in fantasy lineups for some fantasy players, but strategizing around DSTs is one of my favorite aspects of the in-season fantasy football experience. In the article below, I will present the strength of schedule (SOS) for the fantasy Defense/Special […]


NFL DFS: FanDuel Daily Fantasy Football Picks for Week 12 - Top Lineup Plays Include Jayden Daniels, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jared Goff, Puka Nacua

It’s already Week 12, although the end of the 2024-25 campaign can’t come soon enough for teams like the Jaguars, Raiders, Giants, and Panthers, to name a few. On the other hand, clubs like the Bills, Chiefs, and Lions are only a few weeks away from officially punching their tickets to the postseason.   In […]


Bo Nix - Fantasy Football Rankings, QB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

The King's Week 12 Lineup Rankings and Analysis (Premium Content)

RotoBaller senior writer Scott "The King" Engel shares his Week 12 fantasy football lineup rankings for PPR, half PPR, and standard scoring league participants. He also provides an analysis of the rankings at every skill position. Regular starting options are included to highlight that some of your must-start players have a good chance of supplying […]


Courtland Sutton - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Week 12 DraftKings NFL DFS Picks - Main Slate (2024): Anthony Richardson, Brian Robinson Jr., Courtland Sutton, and more

How's it going, RotoBallers? Welcome back to our DraftKings Main Slate article. Known around the fantasy football world as "Bye-Mageddon," Week 12 certainly offers up some unique challenges from a DFS perspective. Don't worry, we'll work through those difficulties to find the best plays we can on this slate. These DraftKings lineup recommendations are based […]


Brian Robinson Jr. - Fantasy Football Rankings Running Backs, Waiver Wire Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks

Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football Week 12: Tua Tagovailoa, Rhamondre Stevenson, Brian Robinson Jr., Ladd McConkey, Will Dissly

Week 12 is here, and I’m back with another edition of fantasy football bold predictions. This week’s list of bold predictions will include Tua Tagovailoa, Rhamondre Stevenson, Brian Robinson Jr., Ladd McConkey, and Will Dissly. Every week, I will provide some fun and bold fantasy football predictions. While these bold predictions aren’t the most likely […]


Ladd McConkey - Fantasy Football Rankings, Rookies, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Booms and Busts - Fantasy Football Starts and Sits for Week 12 Lineups Include Tua Tagovailoa, J.K. Dobbins, Ladd McConkey

Week 11 was pretty kind to us in this space. We correctly labeled Justin Herbert as a boom pick. He threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 65 yards on the ground. It culminated with a QB8 finish. We also nailed Kirk Cousins and Tony Pollard as busts. Cousins and the Falcons […]


Chuba Hubbard - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Week 12 Fantasy Football Busts? Players Who May Disappoint Include Jayden Daniels, D'Andre Swift, Chuba Hubbard, Mark Andrews

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 12 fantasy football busts, or players who may disappoint for fantasy lineups this week. It's a strange week in the NFL with six teams taking their bye week. That could mean lineups are gridlocked and fantasy managers don't have the luxury of analyzing matchups to decide their starters. Potential […]


Josh Downs - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

PrizePicks NFL DFS Prop Picks - Over/Under Props for Week 12 (Sunday Main Slate)

Hello everybody, and welcome to our PrizePicks NFL DFS prop picks for Week 12 - Sunday Main Slate! The 2024 NFL season is now past the midpoint, and our friends over at PrizePicks have a TON of great DFS plays we can look to take advantage of. Our partners at PrizePicks offer some of the […]


DeVon Achane - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL DFS Picks, Injury News

Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Week 12 Matchups Analysis

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another start'em and sit'em piece as we look ahead to Week 12! There will be a whopping six teams on bye this week (Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Jets), so that means fantasy managers might need to look deeper on their benches. This Week 12 matchups […]


Bo Nix - Fantasy Football Rankings, QB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 12 Include Bo Nix, De'Von Achane, Quentin Johnston, Calvin Ridley, more

It seems as though fantasy managers were either incredibly disappointed or incredibly excited in Week 11. The output was modest for most players. However, if you had a monopoly on a select few players such as Cooper Kupp, Taysom Hill, or the Detroit Lions, you likely won your week. With the fantasy playoffs roughly three weeks […]


Najee Harris - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Week 12 Predictions: Picks and Analysis for Every Game Including Thursday Night Football

After some high-octane matchups over the last couple of Thursday nights, Week 12 kicks off in a more old-school fashion with a classic rivalry game between the Steelers and Browns. There are some fun matchups on this Week 12 slate, however, "Bye-Mageddon" certainly does take a little of the sizzle away, as six teams will […]


TJ Watt - IDP, Pittsburgh Steelers, DST, Defense, Fantasy Football Def

Week 12 Fantasy Football Team Defense Rankings: Steelers D/ST, Chiefs D/ST, Vikings D/ST, Eagles D/ST, Commanders D/ST, Texans D/ST, Broncos D/ST

Fantasy football defenses are largely matchup-dependent, so many fantasy managers opt to stream a different defense each week. If you're in that boat, use our Week 12 fantasy football defense (D/ST) rankings for 2024 to find the top available option. There are just three weeks of the fantasy football regular season left, so it's never […]