The 2024 MLB season is in the middle of its run. Fantasy Baseball The manager takes action.
The top half of the league standings should be doing whatever they can to strengthen their squads heading into the endgame, while the bottom half are either mentally retreating in redraft leagues or trying to acquire a goalie for next season.
If you are one of the championship contenders, it is imperative that you start trading with people who are willing to part with players that can help you, and if you are at the bottom of a keeper or dynasty league, it is time to trade away aging assets and add top-tier young talent.
The list of goalie/dynasty league players you are looking to trade for is pretty clear.
Notable additions include top young talent such as Ellie de la Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson, along with Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Kyle Tucker.
I want top class players between 24 and 27 years old.
If they play this season in these formats, they may have to let one of these players go, but only if their trade partner fills all the right holes on their roster and sends back a player with great potential.
One of the key players to acquire this year, whether as a keeper or to help boost the second half of the season, is Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill.
As of now, he still qualifies as a shortstop, which will help with your roster flexibility.
More importantly, he’s a budding superstar on the rise.
Coming into the weekend, the 21-year-old was batting .284/.320/.433 with 10 home runs, 37 RBI and nine stolen bases.
These numbers may not look spectacular, but a closer look will tell you all the information you need.
First and foremost, Merrill’s discipline at the plate is outstanding.
Sure, he could learn how to earn another walk or two, but a 16.4 percent strikeout rate is impressive for a young player who wasn’t even expected to start a major league season.
And the best part is that his surroundings show it’s all talent and no luck.
But what we like most about Merrill is the steady growth in his powers.
He hit about .275 through the first two months of the season, showed good speed and flashed some power.
But in June, he hit seven home runs, giving him a .292 ISO and still a .294 batting average.
Typically, when a rookie develops power, it comes at the expense of discipline and batting average at the plate.
Not the case here, his future looks incredibly promising.
Finding gems like Meryl is important not just for this season, but for seasons to come.
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He and players like Anthony Volpe, Joey Ortiz and Riley Green should be the highlights of your wish list.
Do we gear up for the second half and make that run or do we gear up for next year?
Either way, with a player like this you will be a winner.
Howard Bender is Fantasy AlarmFollow him From @rotobuzzguy He is featured on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show,” which can be heard weekdays from 6-8pm on the SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Channel. Fantasy Alarm We bring you all the fantasy baseball news and advice.
