Welcome back to Week 20 of our Patience or Panic series, where we take a look at three struggling players and provide recommendations on how you should react to their middling seasons and subpar performance. This week, I’ll be breaking down three players with high roster rates (85% or above) that have seen their fantasy production slip up.
As always, feel free to let us know in the comments or by tagging us on social media what players you would like to see us focus on in the future! Let’s dive right in.
Jacob deGrom, RHP, Texas Rangers
deGrom, 37, has enjoyed a healthy season, posting a 2.86 ERA, sub-1 WHIP, sub-0.2 BAA, and 22% K-BB ratio in 135.1 innings (which is greater than his IP total from 2022-24). That being said, his production has significantly regressed since the start of July.
Verdict: patience. Despite his current struggles, deGrom has managed to post a a better SIERA (3.08) and K rate (30%) compared to when he was producing well pre-July. Not to mention, the underlying stuff favors him as well — a 3.15 xFIP, 5.14 PLV, 2.72 PLV, 49% QP — while the launch angle (~20 degrees, +5 since the end of June) is what needs work. I’m sticking with deGOAT for the rest of the year barring a major regression in the K% and underlying stuff.
Seth Lugo, RHP, Kansas City Royals
Verdict: panic. I just don’t see him being a solid option moving forward. The arsenal has regressed, he doesn’t rack up strikeouts, his WHIP isn’t in check, and the FIP is (and was) significantly higher than his ERA even when he was doing fine with the basic numbers. Since last year, his aEV (92), barrel%, 45% HH, and xERA/FIPs (5.05/4.3) have noticeably declined. I think it’s time to let it go with Lugo.
CJ Abrams, SS, Washington Nationals
Verdict: patience. This just seems like an ordinary slump for Abrams. His aEV, HH%, and BIP distribution remain in tact, plus his barrel% has actually doubled over this slow offensive streak. He also was on a mad streak, going 31-for-97 (.320) with 12 XBH and five SB from 6/19-7/19. I think he’s capable of righting the ship soon.
Photo courtesy of Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@abeardoesart on Bluesky and X)
