It’s hardly realistic to appraise a player’s fantasy value after just one week and six games, but it’s enough for at least a small sample size.
Here’s a look at how the New York Yankees are doing fantasy-wise early on. Rankings are from Yahoo and based on six offensive categories (runs, home runs, RBI, steals, batting average, OPS) and five pitching categories (wins, strikeouts, saves, ERA, WHIP).
Without further ado…
Gary Sanchez (C): Preseason Rank: 65….. Current Rank: 646….. Among Catchers: 54th
While some assumed Sanchez would have a regression in year two, no one pegged him for being the 54th rank catcher after one week. Sanchez went just 3-for-20 with a HR and 2 RBI through 5 games before injuring his right bicep and going on the DL. There’s no timetable for his return yet either, not a good sign for fantasy owners who probably drafted him within the first 4-5 rounds.
Greg Bird: (1B): Preseason Rank: 235….. Current Rank: 741….. Among First Basemen: 69th
1-for-16 start at the plate before revealing he’s been playing on a sore ankle and also suffered from an illness over the weekend. He could be back in the lineup early this week. When he returns he better start doing something at the plate—he was awful through his first four ames, which hopefully involves the ankle as a reason.
Starlin Castro (2B): Preseason Rank: 248….. Current Rank: 503….. Among 2B: 42nd
Another Yankee bat off to a slow start fantasy-wise, Castro is hitting .320 but has managed just 2 runs and 2 RBI with a weak .640 OPS. Castro needs to start filling up the stat sheet, something he’s very capable of.
Chase Headley (3B): Preseason Rank: 411….. Current Rank: 86….. Among 3B: 13th
It’s only one week but Headley is off to a promising start, hitting .333 with 1 home run, 2 RBI, 5 runs, 1 steal and a solid .964 OPS. He’s been better out of the gate than bigger names like Manny Machado Evan Longoria and Justin Turner.
Ronald Torreyes (2B/3B/SS): Preseason Rank: 1194….. Current Rank: 232….. Among 2B: 14th , 3B: 22nd, SS: 14th
Getting the chance to play because Didi Gregorious is injured, Torreyes is making the most of the opportunity. He’s hitting .300 with 1 homer and team-high 7 RBI. He’d rank higher if he can score more runs (he only had one in the first week), but his three-position eligibility makes him an early valuable add for any fantasy roster.
Aaron Judge (OF): Preseason Rank: 1257….. Current Rank: 390…… Among OF: 70th
Was having a lousy opening week before going 2-for-4 with his first home run and 2 RBI (and 2 runs scored) yesterday. He’s batting near the bottom of the order so his fantasy value may not rise much, but it’s realistic to expect better than a .211 batting average and .707 OPS.
Brett Gardner (OF): Preseason Rank: 216….. Current Rank: 248….. Among OF: 46th
Brett Gardner spent opening week doing Brett Gardner things— hitting a respectable .280 (7-for-25) with 3 steals and 4 runs scored, but has yet to drive in a run and sports just a .739 OPS. That’s what you get with Gardner; a solid source of runs and steals but little else. That’s highly unlikely to change.
Jacoby Ellsbury (OF): Preseason Rank: 199…. Current Rank: 130….. Among OF: 32nd
A strong start for a guy seemingly every Yankee fan wishes the team could trade. Ellsbury is off to a .368 start (7-for-19) with 4 runs scored and a one spot across the rest of the board (HR, RBI, SB). I currently regret on passing him over several times during the late rounds of my draft.
Masahiro Tanaka (SP): Preseason Rank: 71….. Current Rank: 753…. Among SP: 148th
Except for Sanchez’s injury nothing on this team is more concerning than Tanaka’s dreadful first two outings. Tanaka was lit up in both Tampa and Baltimore, and failed to get past the fifth inning in either start. Assuming he’s healthy there’s no excuse to pitch this poorly— not when you’re supposed to be an ace.
Michael Pineda (SP): Preseason Rank: 197….. Current Rank: 580…. Among SP: 114th
2017 Pineda looked far too much like 2016 Pineda in his debut at Tampa. Six strikeouts aside he lasted just 3.2 innings and got rocked to the tune of 4 runs on 8 hits. He gets the ball this afternoon in the home opener and if the results aren’t different it may already time to panic.
C.C. Sabathia (SP): Preseason Rank: 486….. Current Rank: 243…. Among SP: 66th
Through two starts Sabathia has been far and away the Yanks best starter—-more an indictment against the rest of the staff. Both Yankee wins came with CC on the mound. While his 1-0 record and 1.64 ERA are excellent, a 1.36 WHIP and just 5 strikeouts over 11 innings lowers his ranking.
Luis Severino (SP): Preseason Rank: 968….. Current Rank: 477…. Among SP: 96th
Severino had a respectable debut at Baltimore—pitching solid for 4.2 innings before Manny Machado tagged him a costly three-run homer. The resulting 7.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP is ugly but six strikeouts over five are promising going forward.
Aroldis Chapman (RP): Preseason Rank: 68….. Current Rank: 154…. Among RP: 40th
Chapman has been perfect in two appearances; not allowing a baserunner while striking out four over two innings. The only thing keeping his ranking down, literally is not yet having a save opportunities. Those will come—- hopefully.