Sorare Ranks Update #7 - May 11th, 2023
Seven updates and 35+ games into the season - But the values persist!
Hard to believe we are already 1/5th of the way through the season.
For those of you following along, that means we are 7 editions in, with 70 values and 70 overvalues highlighted.
There have even been a fair number of players that flipped between the two lists, making for a marketplace that is never the slightest bit dull.
Let’s dive into the good stuff.
Rankings
Hop into spreadsheet land for the full top 300 using the button below ↓
If you just want the high points, then keep on reading!
10 Value Candidates
Five of the ten upcoming players are within my top 100 for the season and beyond. The market continues to prove that there is always value, provided you know where to look.
Aaron Nola - PHI - SP
SoRank: 31 | Implied Rank: 98 | -67 slot differential
Rapidly turning into the cheapest “ace” in the land, Nola got off to a slow start that is being held against him. His ERA sits at 4.44, compared to xERA (expected ERA) at 3.67, which indicates better times are ahead. His strikeout rate is also lower than past seasons - another big part of the early season kinks. He’s a guy that feels like he’s 1 adjustment away.
Teoscar Hernandez - SEA - OF
SoRank: 47 | Implied Rank: 134 | -87 slot differential
Striking out more, walking less, and hitting for less power is not a recipe for success. But Hernandez deserves a vote of confidence to get in a groove here in his first season as a Mariner - better times are definitely ahead.
Tommy Edman - STL - 2B/SS
SoRank: 77 | Implied Rank: 192 | -115 slot differential
Returning value alert. Edman holds a ton of long-term potential, and can start at MI for you for a steep discount. Plus, the Cardinals are unlikely to stay this bad.
Tyler O’Neill - STL - OF
SoRank: 95 | Implied Rank: 251 | -156 slot differential
He was a value before, then he got hurt. Now he’s really a value. And STL is playing like poo. Nothing lasts forever, bet on the talent.
Seiya Suzuki - CHC - OF
SoRank: 100 | Implied Rank: 178 | -78 slot differential
The poor guy just got back from injury, and the power isn’t quite there yet. But this is a 120 wRC+ player at a steep discount.
Jose Abreu - HOU - 1B/DH
SoRank: 103 | Implied Rank: 203 | -100 slot differential
This one stuck with me. So much so that I am writing a whole article one “What is wrong with Jose Abreu.” Nothing is going right in his new home of Houston - but he could be one mechanical tweak away from great production once more.
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 3B
SoRank: 113 | Implied Rank: 176 | -63 slot differential
The poster-boy of the value section, Hayes remains a heck of a long-term stash on a surprisingly competitive Pirates team.
Spencer Tokelson - DET - 1B
SoRank: 161 | Implied Rank: 253 | -92 slot differential
I wrote about his fellow top prospect teammate Riley Greene last week, so it was only fitting for Torky to show up now. The 2020 draft 1.01 (seriously) Torkelson deserves some patience. He’s only 23, and still adjusting to big league stuff. Things have even begun to click more in the last couple weeks.
Mitch Haniger - SF - OF/DH
SoRank: 175 | Implied Rank: 247 | -72 slot differential
My man. When healthy, Haniger presents a real impact bat in a lineup that needs one. He started the season hurt, so cards are just now starting to hit the market, right as managers lost patience.
Jesse Winker - MIL - OF/DH
SoRank: 218 | Implied Rank: 340 | -122 slot differential
Speaking of favorites of mine that started the season injured, Winker is a former top prospect who is hopefully healthy for the first time in a long time. He possesses 20+ homer power while walking more (and striking out less) than league average.
10 Overvalued Candidates
So many hot starts, where should we go first?
Josh Jung - TEX - 3B
SoRank: 118 | Implied Rank: 61 | 57 slot differential
I like Jung. He’s making a strong case for Rookie of the Year, but as usual a hot start has his price assuming he’s already won the award.
Clayton Kershaw - LAD - SP
SoRank: 131 | Implied Rank: 69 | 62 slot differential
Kershaw looks great. He always looks great when healthy. He’s maybe one of the best pitchers to ever pick up a ball. It is just hard to bank on a full season of production anymore, so if you want to sell and re-invest elsewhere, now seems like a strong opportunity.
Alex Verdugo - BOS - OF
SoRank: 172 | Implied Rank: 82 | 90 slot differential
My, what a hot start can do for perceived value. Verdugo is awesome and was once a screamin’ buy. Now, the market absolutely loves him. I’d fully understand holding, but would hesitate to buy in right now.
Hunter Renfroe - LAA - OF
SoRank: 203 | Implied Rank: 114 | 89 slot differential
A returning member of the hot start, high valuation club. He’s actually performing roughly as expected, just don’t overpay here.
Harrison Bader - NYY - OF
SoRank: 242 | Implied Rank: 80 | 162 slot differential
Darth Bader is one of the biggest rank differential guys on the list. He’s got an extremely small game sample so far (7), and a bonkers 259 wRC+. Expect that to regress. This is your window.
Sonny Gray - MIN - SP
SoRank: 252 | Implied Rank: 117 | 135 slot differential
Another return customer. The regression monster takes no prisoners.
Christopher Morel - CHC - 2B/3B/SS/OF
SoRank: 254 | Implied Rank: 177 | 77 slot differential
This might just be a supply thing. The guy has just a couple games under his belt, homered in the first one, and has very few cards on the market. Expect his value to even out soon.
Joey Meneses - WSH - 1B/OF
SoRank: 264 | Implied Rank: 145 | 119 slot differential
Another return customer here. I still don’t understand the appeal with Meneses. He’s not even playing particularly well. I’m at a loss.
Justin Steele - CHC - SP
SoRank: 293 | Implied Rank: 158 | 135 slot differential
Steele and Gray make up a returning duo of “due for major regression” alerts. They’ve been great to start the season. Too great.
Francisco Alvarez - NYM - C
SoRank: 300 | Implied Rank: 75 | 225 slot differential
I still like him as a prospect, but this is getting out of hand.
That’s a wrap on the rankings, 10 Values, and 10 Overvalues for the week!
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