In this article, we discuss the Week 7 Fantasy Baseball Surprise Players whose performances many fantasy owners may be missing if they are only reading the headlines from week to week. These are players that may be overachieving and may deserve more attention, or they could be players that are surprisingly underachieving. Fantasy owners are making moves every week and are always on the lookout for the free agent pickup that will carry them to the title. Additionally, fantasy owners may be overlooking players that are currently in their lineups, yet they are not producing.
Sizzling
Jimmy Paredes, 3B/OF, Baltimore Orioles
This season Paredes has been a solid offensive asset for the Orioles. Paredes has managed to hit for a .346 AVG with 22 RBI, and scored 18 runs on the season. His power has been particularly impressive with a .279 ISO, and 1.001 OPS. If fantasy owners combine his year to date stats with the fact that Paredes is only 26 years old and plays in a very hitter friendly ballpark, there are reasons to be excited about the young third baseman. Unfortunately, owners may want to prepare for a serious regression in his performance as his .395 BABIP is not likely sustainable, and he continues to not demonstrate discipline at the plate with a poor 20.2% K rate, and a very low 4.6% BB rate. Additionally over the past 4 seasons with multiple teams, Paredes has only compiled 5 HR, 39 RBI, and scored 43 runs while managing a .241 AVG over 430 AB. Although this could be the breakout campaign for Paredes, fantasy owners may temper their expectations based on the underlying indicators, and his history to date.
Arctic
Robinson Cano, 2B, Seattle Mariners
Cano has been a perennial elite 2B in major league baseball, and prior to last season he has produced consistent elite fantasy results. Many fantasy owners were concerned with Cano’s move to Seattle entering the 2014 season and taking half of his at bats at the enormous Safeco Field. Those concerns seem to have been well founded at least form a power stand point as Cano recorded only 14 HR in 2014 after averaging 28 HR each of his previous 5 seasons. And yet, he still was very productive for the Mariners batting .314 while scoring 77 R, and driving in 82 runs. This season however has been a struggle for Cano. This season Cano is batting .260 while scoring 19 R, only producing 11 RBI, and he has managed just 1 HR. The concerns of fantasy owners may be warranted with Cano as his BABIP (.312) has been average this season, while his K rate is at a career high 17.1%. His ISO is at .097 this season compared to his .190 average over the past 3 seasons. Experienced fantasy owners will likely have faith that Cano will turn it around, however he has yet to give owners many signs of hope this season.
Anibal Sanchez, SP, Detroit Tigers
Sanchez entered the 2015 season after a strong albeit injury shortened 2014 season. Over 126 IP in 2014, Sanchez had a 7.29 K/9 ratio along with a 3.49 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Many fantasy owners were looking for a big season in 2015 for Sanchez as he was often being drafted as a #2 or #3 starter for many fantasy owners. Over 54 2/3 IP this season Sanchez has a swollen 5.60 ERA, and 1.28 WHIP with only 3 W in 9 starts. He has an average .302 BABIP and a terrible 4.46 FIP on the season. And yet for fantasy owners who have been exercising patience with Sanchez this season there are signs of improvement as he has a strong 7.90 K/9 rate, and a remarkably low 59% strand rate (averaged 73.3% over the past 3 seasons).
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