This is the first installment of dynasty buys and sells for the 2024 fantasy baseball season. This week I am going to explain why I think two top fantasy talents are players you should consider selling in your dynasty. My two dynasty buys still have a pretty low asking price, but I think that window may be closing soon.
Dynasty Buys
Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels
Schanuel had many fantasy owners running for the hills after he only hit one homer in 132 plate appearances. It’s not exactly the kind of power you want to see from a first baseman. However, dynasty owners shouldn’t be hitting the panic button on him.
In college, Schanuel had some of the most eye-popping stats that are almost too good to believe. In his senior season at Florida Atlantic University, he slashed .447/.615/.868. He also struck out only 14 times in 289 plate appearances. On top of that, he drew 71 walks in only 59 games. In his collegiate career, he had a BB/K of 138/57 and a .515 on-base percentage.
He only played in 22 games in the minors, but still impressed in the short stint. He hit for a .365 average and had a .505 on-base percentage and over twice as many walks as strikeouts.
Schanuel was called up to the majors on August 18th and while it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, there were still some bright spots for the Angels first basemen. He had over a .400 on-base percentage, walked more times than he struck out, and got on base in every single game he played.
Many fantasy managers look at the one homer hit by Schanuel and are immediately turned off by that statistic. The 29-game sample from his first go-around in the majors is not a fair assessment of his power potential. He knocked out 19 homers in 197 at-bats in his senior season at Florida Atlantic University, so there is some power in his bat, but you will just need to be patient. I recommend him as a dynasty buy while his value is still extremely low.
Luis Campusano, C, San Diego Padres
Campusano is not widely considered one of the top catchers in fantasy, but I think that narrative could change very soon. I’d recommend him as a dynasty buy right now before his price tag goes up.
Last season, William Contreras finished as the number one ranked catcher, putting up a .289 average, 17 homers, 78 RBI, 86 runs, 6 stolen bases, and an .824 OPS. I am a firm believer that Campusano can put up very similar numbers this year. In 2023, he was on a 450 at-bat pace of a .319 average, 19 homers, 83 RBI, 75 runs, and an .847 OPS.
Campusano has always been a terrific hitter. He’s a career .300 hitter in the minors across 1,636 plate appearances. He has taken over the reins as the starting catcher this season and is poised to finally break out. Get him now while his value is still moderately cheap.
Dynasty Sells
Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Gallen has been a certifiable ace in fantasy leagues for several years. However, I think there could be trouble on the horizon for the Diamondbacks pitcher this season.
In 2022, Gallen reeled off one of the most dominant fantasy performances of any pitcher. He compiled a 2.54 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP with 192 strikeouts in 184 innings.
Last year, he put together a 3.47 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, which was a noticeable spike from the previous season. After the All-Star break, Gallen started to fade a bit, he had a 4.03 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. And then things even got worse in the postseason, where he had a 4.54 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 33.2 innings.
Gallen seemed to wear down as the season progressed. He threw a whopping 260 innings last year from spring training through the postseason. So it seems like he was battling some serious arm fatigue or dead arm.
Since the start of spring training in 2022 to spring training now, Gallen has thrown 463.1 innings. That’s an absurd amount of innings put on his arm in a span of two years. Even in spring training this year, he got knocked around to the tune of a 5.54 ERA and 1.77 WHIP. I’m very concerned with all the innings being put on his arm over the last couple of years. I think we could see a regression from him this season or even worse, a serious injury from all the stress put on his arm.
Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
Bichette is considered one of the top fantasy shortstops in the game. In 2021, he hit a .298 average, with 29 homers, 102 RBI, 121 runs, and 25 stolen bases. After that season, he wasn’t just one of the top shortstops in the game, he was one of the top players in the game. I think many of his fantasy owners are still hoping he can return to that kind of production.
In 2022, he put up very respectable numbers, hitting a .290 average, 24 homers, 93 RBI, 91 runs and 13 stolen bases. However, it was a drop-off in every category from the previous season.
Last season Bichette put up only 20 homers, 73 RBI, 69 runs, and 5 stolen bases. His numbers have continued to drop across the board for two seasons. With the noticeable drop off in power and not stealing bases like he used to, his fantasy value takes a massive hit. I think it would be wise to sell him while people still consider him a top shortstop. If he has another season like last year or even worse, his value will take a serious nosedive.
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