3 Up, 3 Down: MLB Reactions

Happy Opening Week! With not much happening on the minor league side since our most recent rankings update, the focus shifts to MLB players whose value has moved early in the season. I’ve looked at some players here who have seen their perceived value change recently due to improved health, performance, or velocity gains. I’ll be back in the minors later this month with some notes on my current movers.

⬆️3 Up

Chase DeLauter, OF CLE

Photo Credit: Mankato Free Press

For all those who have DeLauter on their team, I can see you floating above me on Cloud Nine. For all those who traded for DeLauter last year, as former owners got tired of all the IL stints, you are a genius. I don’t think anyone ever questioned DeLauter’s talents. We knew he could crush the ball and had a hit tool to consistently put the ball in play. It’s just been his ability to stay on the field. So, what do we do with DeLauter now? I mean, what he’s doing is real. His opposite field shot against Andres Munoz is something you don’t see many players being able to do. You know who it reminds me of…Nick Kurtz. He barrels the ball consistently, has really good angles, and the power to hit it the opposite way. I think a Nick Kurtz 2025 season outcome is in the range of possibilities. The strikeout rate most likely won’t be 30% like it was for Kurtz last year, and I don’t think Kurtz will be a high strikeout guy going forward either. But back to DeLauter. He’s not doing it in Colorado against their pitching staff either. He was in Seattle, one of the most pitcher-friendly parks, and he did it against Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Andres Munoz. People tend to overreact based on small samples. Is this hot streak actionable? You could probably find someone in your league that you can sell DeLauter to, and it’d be an overpay. While I think a Rookie of the Year, Nick Kurtz-type of season is within the realm of possibility, I also think DeLauter could be Royce Lewis: amazing when on the field, but rarely on the field. I’m not a DeLauter owner, so it’s tough to say what I would do currently other than enjoying the show.

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