Early season slumps can test even the most patient fantasy baseball managers.
When high draft picks underperform, the temptation to cut bait grows, but some struggling hitters deserve a longer leash. Remember, it’s only April. and we still have five months of performance to watch. Dropping hitters who come out of the gate ice-cold is a dangerous game, and not one you want to play.
White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. was drafted for his five-category upside, but his 2025 season has been a mixed bag. His .138 batting average is atrocious, and the 31.3 percent strikeout rate is telling us last season’s struggles might not have been a fluke.
Robert’s swing-and-miss issues, particularly on breaking pitches, have sapped his power output, with just two home runs through the first month. Nevertheless, his elite speed remains a saving grace, and the seven steals are obviously helpful.
But Robert’s struggles may be more mental than physical. He has been stuck in a losing organization, and it is definitely affecting his approach and his attitude. We know the White Sox are shopping him, and our only hope is that a trade happens sooner than later. The skill set is too good not to believe that a change of scenery is what’s needed most. Bench for now, but do not drop.
Christian Walker is another frustrating veteran. Known for his consistent power, Walker is batting .202 with close to a 30 percent strikeout rate. He is chasing pitches outside the zone, particularly low-and-away sliders, which has led to weak contact and pop-ups.
The transition to a new league and ballpark likely explains much of this. Different pitching styles and unfamiliar environments can disrupt even veteran hitters, and Walker’s early numbers reflect that adjustment period.
But Walker’s batted-ball profile remains solid. His barrel rate and launch angle indicate a return of power once he settles in. The new ballpark may not be as hitter-friendly as Arizona’s, but Walker’s track record proves he can adapt. Patience is key here — expect him to heat up as he gets more comfortable, and stash him on your bench until the turnaround.
Those who invested in Willson Contreras for his catcher eligibility might be wishing he was behind the dish again just to limit some of these horrendous at-bats. The strikeouts are murderous, and with a walk-rate cut in half from his career numbers, it means he is chasing way too many pitches. But there is still plenty left for the veteran backstop.
Contreras’s underlying metrics are still strong. His exit velocity and bat speed rank in the top 15 percent, and his hard-hit rate is elite. Once he settles down and is more selective at the plate, we can expect his average and OBP to climb, with power and run production following. Keep him in your lineup or bench him in shallow leagues, but like the others, he is a hold.
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Though Robert, Walker, and Contreras are struggling, their track records and metrics scream patience. Bench them if you must, but dropping them would be shortsighted. Each has the tools to turn things around — whether through a trade, adjustment or improved selectivity. Stay the course. Your patience likely will be rewarded.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball news and advice.
