The 2024 fantasy baseball season is in full swing, and if you’re clinging to preseason rankings for Rafael Devers and Trevor Story, you’re already losing ground. This week’s Fantasy Baseball Rankings Movers are dominated by underperforming stars who need immediate adjustments in your lineup — and these two Red Sox sluggers top the list of players to adjust down.
Why Rafael Devers Is Sliding Down Rankings
2024 Performance Red Flags
Devers entered 2024 as a consensus top-5 third baseman, but his early-season production tells a different story. Through the first 6 weeks of play, he’s slashing .245/.312/.410 with just 6 home runs and 22 RBIs — a massive step back from his 2023 All-Star campaign where he hit .295 with 33 HRs and 100 RBIs.
Key underlying metrics confirm the struggles aren’t a small sample size fluke: his strikeout rate is up 4% from last year, and his hard-hit rate has dropped 7 percentage points. He’s also pulling 62% of his batted balls, making him easy to shift against for opposing defenses.
Injury Concerns Linger
Devers has dealt with recurring left shoulder soreness in 2024, leading to 3 missed games already and reduced power output on inside fastballs. Fantasy managers are already fading him in trade talks, and his average draft position (ADP) has dropped 12 spots in the last 14 days across major fantasy platforms.
If you roster Devers, adjust your expectations: he’s no longer a top-5 3B. Treat him as a top-12 option at the position, and consider selling high if you can get a reliable outfielder or starting pitcher in return.
Trevor Story’s Ranking Freefall
Offensive and Defensive Struggles
Story was drafted as a top-10 shortstop in most 2024 leagues, but his production has cratered. He’s slashing .218/.275/.360 with 4 HRs and 15 RBIs through 42 games, with a career-low BABIP of .235. Unlike many slow starters, his expected BABIP is only .248, meaning his struggles are rooted in poor contact, not bad luck.
The Red Sox have also moved Story to the 7th spot in the batting order, slashing his RBI opportunities by 30% compared to his 2023 spot in the top 5. He’s grounded into 8 double plays already, the 3rd most in the American League.
Speed and Contact Woes
Story’s stolen base attempts are down 50% from 2023, and his contact rate on pitches in the zone has dropped to 78%, well below the league average of 85%. These trends show no sign of reversing, making him a prime drop candidate in shallower 10-team leagues.
Top Replacements Rising in Fantasy Baseball Rankings Movers
Don’t panic if you need to move off Devers or Story — these three players are climbing rankings fast and offer more reliable production:
- Alex Bregman (3B, Astros): Slashing .285/.375/.520 with 9 HRs, 28 RBIs and a 12% walk rate. He’s locked into the heart of Houston’s lineup and faces weak divisional pitching in the AL West.
- Bo Bichette (SS, Blue Jays): Hitting .278/.330/.470 with 7 HRs and 24 RBIs, Bichette has cut his strikeout rate by 3% from 2023 and is seeing more fastballs in the zone with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting behind him.
- Gunnar Henderson (SS/3B, Orioles): The 2023 Rookie of the Year candidate is slashing .265/.340/.510 with 10 HRs and 26 RBIs, and his 15% barrel rate ranks in the 90th percentile of all MLB hitters.
When to Hold vs. Cut Ties
Not every manager needs to drop these players immediately. Use this framework to decide:
- Rafael Devers: Hold in 12+ team leagues and keeper formats, but adjust his ranking to top-15 3B instead of top-5. Sell in 10-team redraft leagues if you get a top-20 outfielder in return.
- Trevor Story: Cut in 10-team redraft leagues immediately. Hold only in 14+ team leagues or if you have no other viable SS options on your bench or the waiver wire.
Sticking to preseason rankings is one of the biggest mistakes fantasy managers make. This week’s Fantasy Baseball Rankings Movers make it clear: Rafael Devers and Trevor Story are no longer the elite options you drafted. Adjust your lineups now to avoid falling behind in your league standings.
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