Happy Jackie Robinson Day!! Let's get down to some fantasy advice on this memorable occasion.
Buy Buy Buy - Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox
The Red Sock with the most difficult name to correctly spell since Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Bogaerts was a longtime top prospect before making his debut shortly before Boston won their most recent World Series in 2013 (UGH). His emergence made the Red Sox feel comfortable letting Stephen Drew walk before last season, although Xander's 2014 was a dismal campaign. His torrid start to 2015 (.433/.500/.533 through 7 games) likely isn't indicative of what his final numbers will look like, but if he can keep hitting at an acceptable clip, he could potentially give you 15 homers, which is like getting 35 out of a first baseman. Keep in mind that Bogaerts is still 22, an age at which many professional ballplayers are still toiling in the minors. With his knee issue (which looked fine in the MRI taken today), you could snag him for a song if he's owned. If he isn't already owned, why are you still reading this?? Go pick him up!!
Sell Em If You Got Em - Jose Iglesias, SS, Detroit Tigers
You could probably slot a few Tigers in here and have it make perfect sense. Of all the Motown boys that are due for regression, though, no candidate stands out more than the 25 year old middle infielder. Iglesias missed the entire 2014 season with a stress fracture in both shins, but in 109 games with both Boston and Detroit in 2013, he hit .303 (likely fueled by a .356 BABIP). He got on base at a rate of .349, but a slugging percentage of .386 is worrisome, even from a shortstop. Iglesias draws very few walks, although to his credit, his strikeout rate is relatively low. While he probably won't hurt you in any way, it's doubtful that he'll help significantly. If he's on your roster, you'll want to get anything you can for him.
Hurlers In The Stream - Wily Peralta, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
This one might not be such an easy pickup, as Peralta is owned by 63 percent of Yahoo teams, but considering some of the other names going today, he's still the best streaming option whether or not he's a streaming option. Peralta threw 7 strong innings against the red-hot Rockies in his last start, although he recorded only two outs via strikes. He'll be facing another tough lineup today in the Cardinals, but there's plenty of reason to believe he can work effectively against the division rival. The 25 year old typically induces more grounders than fly balls, something that'll definitely help him out against the slap-hitting Cards, and he's using his changeup more frequently to twist batters up. Only make this move if you're feeling brave, but remember that your other streaming options today include Edinson Volquez and Tim Lincecum, so you can do a lot worse than Peralta.
This Hurts Me More Than It Hurts You - Jose Fernandez, SP, Miami Marlins
If you're a clever fantasy player (and I like to think I am), you know how to properly utilize the DL slots you're allotted. No, you don't use them to give injured players a rest. What are you, nuts?? You have DL slots so you can roster an impact player with a long-term injury, obviously! Enter Fernandez. I don't need to tell you how good this kid is, but I will remind everybody that before the 2013 season (wherein he won Rookie of the Year in a landslide and finished in third for Cy Young voting), the 22 year old had never pitched above Single-A. Jose's fastball is disgusting, his curve should be illegal, and his slider glides like a stitched-up bird. Once he comes back from Tommy John surgery in late June or so, would you bet against him returning to that insanely strong form? I know I wouldn't.
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