Texas Rangers Ian Desmond: Time to Sell High?
Ian Desmond has been on a tear in 2016. Can he keep it up or should you sell him while you can?
If you’re a current owner of Texas Rangers shortstop/outfielder, Ian Desmond, I would sell him while he is still on a hot streak. He has been lighting up the stat sheet early on here in the 2016 season. Based on his past few seasons, I do not foresee him being able to maintain his current pace. It has been remarkable what he has been able to do for fantasy teams so far this season.
Everyone knows Desmond possesses exceptional talent on the baseball field and can certainly help any MLB team succeed, but can he help your fantasy team in the long run?
Baseball and Fantasy Baseball are two completely separate entities. A player who can flourish on the baseball field may not in the fantasy realm. It is important to not get these confused. For hitters, the main aspect that can bring down their game in terms of fantasy are strikeouts; something Desmond does a great deal.
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Over the course of the past two seasons, Desmond struck out nearly 400 times. His K-rate during this span is approximately 32 percent. To further emphasize this point, an average strikeout rate for an MLB player is roughly 20 percent. During this time as well, Desmond has scored less than 1.5 fantasy points per game on average, which is not an appeasing stat for fantasy owners.
Ian Desmond has the power to drive in many home runs and RBI wherever he plays, but the amount of strikeouts brings his fantasy value down substantially. His K-rate thus far this season is down to around 23 percent; striking out 50 times in 220 at bats. He too has a .305 batting average with seven home runs and 34 RBI.
Another stat he has assisting him in his successful 2016 campaign so far are his steals. His speed has truly been an asset as he has stolen 11 bags this season.
One cannot knock Ian Desmond for what he has done so far this season. He currently ranks fifth in fantasy points for shortstops and is in the top 20 for outfielders. He has been a great fantasy player thus far in 2016, but has ranked towards the bottom in previous seasons.
Fantasy owners should see the 30-year-old’s fantasy production begin to slow in the upcoming weeks. He has only batted for .244 the past two seasons and as previously stated, he is a strikeout machine.
Ian Desmond will begin to even out as the season progresses. Fantasy owners should look to trade the utility man for someone of greater value and who can maintain quality numbers. There a better options out there at shortstop and numerous outfielders out there that can help your team more than Desmond will.
Sell him while you can.