Finding Gold Among The Trash
Through the first 2918 games this season, the combined batting average for all major leaguers is .247. Which means for every Mookie Betts (.354) there is a corresponding Chris Davis (.158). But that doesn’t mean that those with a low batting average should be forgotten. If you do a little bit more research, you will find that below average hitters can still be useful daily fantasy options.
In the first box, you will find the splits for eight hitters with a subpar batting average. As you can see, each one has shown the ability to hit at least some pitchers. They have posted at least a .350 wOBA against pitchers from one side of the mound, at least 50 points higher than the other side. They are predictable, therefore viable, fantasy options.
Many of these can be had for a bargain. They will also be lightly owned, separating you from the crowd.
I’ve used Ketel Marte many times this season. With almost a .400 wOBA against lefties, he’s usually less than $3000 on FanDuel. Travis Shaw and Ian Desmond are extreme examples, posting 100+ points higher against one side of the mound.
It can work the other way too (see below). A hitter with a high batting average, .300 or better, can be vulnerable to one side or the other.
Certainly no one will ever complain about Jose Altuve, but he dominates right-handers and is much less productive against LHP. I put Nolan Arenado in there because the splits are so large, but obviously you can always use the Rockies third baseman, particular in Coors Field where the splits are .604 wOBA vs. LHP and .409 vs. RHP.
J.T. Realmuto should only be used against RHP, based on these numbers and Michael Brantley too, as he’s proven vulnerable to southpaws.
Home cookin’ can be an important factor too. No wonder Boston has a 34-13 home record. Look at how much better hitters Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and Andrew Benintendi are in Fenway Park.
Finally, we again look at those with subpar batting averages to see if we can find viable options based on home and road production.
I’m guessing Michael Conforto would like to play a lot less than 82 games in Citi Field. We can also see why Cleveland is 31-19 at home, given how well Brantley
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- Author: Steve Schwarz
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