The MLB Weekly Market preview is here to analyze and predict the performance of your favorite players. See an undervalued player that is poised to make a surge? Or an overvalued one that is destined to fall back to Earth? Check in each Tuesday to see which players you should buy or short in your weekly portfolio!
DISCLAIMER: IPO AND RANKS RECORDED AS OF 12:30 PM (ET), JULY 18TH
BUY:
The Boston Red Sox are the hottest team in the MLB this month and Masataka Yoshida is no exception. The Japanese star is playing his best baseball right now, flexing his power in every ballpark while staying disciplined at the plate (July: .409 AVG, .636 SLG, 5 SO). Yoshida should continue to rake as he faces two mediocre (and fading) pitching staffs in the Athletics and Mets. At only $3.22 per share, expect Yoshida’s stock to surge this week.
Josh Naylor is doing everything he can this season to keep the Guardians in the playoff race. Leading the team in batting average (.310) and RBIs (69), the first baseman has been a notable bright spot during an up-and-down year in Cleveland. Naylor will be blessed to face two pitching staffs this week with combined ERAs over 4.00. At only $2.05 per share, buying shares of the 26-year-old is a low-risk investment that could lead to a significant payout.
SHORT:
The high-flying rookie caught fire in June but is simmering in the second half of the season. De La Cruz’s power has dwindled these past seven games, with only 4 hits in his last 27 ABs. Feeling confident that this is just a normal “rookie slump” for Elly, there is no better time to take advantage of his struggles. At $7.01 per share, shorting Elly to finish worse than 4th seems like the best play.
Halfway through a summer full of comedic errors and failing expectations, it’s fitting that Pete Alonso is having the worst season of his career. Since coming back from injury in June, the New York Mets’ first baseman is a meager 12-for-86 at the plate, including a 1-18 stretch. While this slump won’t last forever, Alonso looks lost right now (July: .132 AVG). Predicting him to finish in the top 20 this week would be unwise.
