Incredibly, the MLB All-Star game is already upon us. It’s a bitter-sweet time of the year as the excitement of the MLB Draft and All-Star festivities are juxtaposed with the fact that we’re nearing the end of the season. The fantasy baseball season is a grind – especially for those of us in daily lineup leagues. However, the unpredictability and love for the game make everything worth it, especially when the season’s end concludes with a fantasy championship.
As far as injuries go over the past few days – there were a few significant ones. Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger exited Wednesday’s game against the Orioles after being hit by a pitch. Bellinger was promptly placed on the 10-Day IL Thursday with a left middle finger fracture. This is a tough blow for both Bellinger and his fans, and everyone is hoping for a speedy recovery. Up north, Blue Jays IF Bo Bichette (who hasn’t been himself all season) picked up an injury on Wednesday. He experienced calf soreness and was later diagnosed with a fascia strain. The Jays have yet to place him on the IL.
In unfortunate pitching news, two injuries occurred due to lower back tightness. Los Angeles Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow was placed on the 15-day IL on Tuesday, retroactive to last Saturday. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler also experienced the same issue, but was not placed on the IL. Philadelphia remains hopeful that Wheeler will make his scheduled start on Sunday, though this is still uncertain.
As always, we aim to address your fantasy concerns by presenting some intriguing options while they're performing well. To qualify for this list, a hitter must be owned in less than or around 50% of Yahoo! Leagues. Additionally, a player will only reappear on this list if they continue to perform exceptionally from previous weeks. Let's dive in.
Michael Busch, 1B/3B - Chicago Cubs (50% Owned)
Cubs 1B/3B Michael Busch has been on fire recently and currently rides an eight-game hitting streak. Busch has eight hits in his last three contests is batting in the two-hole more often than not. On the year, he’s striking out at a dreadful 30.9% clip, but has been better over the last two weeks (6:7 BB:K). If his plate discipline has improved, he’s a smash add.
While Busch has been electric over the last week, everything isn't all roses. First, he’s now batting .278 on the year after his recent surge, but Statcast has him at a .229 xBA. Second, his current .386 BABIP is easily the highest of his career across any level – so buyer beware. However, he’s worth an add while he’s hot, as Busch has been known to hit HRs in bunches.
Rece Hinds, OF - Cincinnati Reds (38% Owned)
Since his call-up, Cincinnati OF Rece Hinds has been nothing short of spectacular. The 23-year-old has a hit in all four of his first major league games, batting an insane 8-for-16 (.500) with three doubles, a triple, two HRs, four RBI, and two steals. Wow! Hinds has seen a meteoric rise in his ownership over the last few days (40%), and if he continues like this won’t be available for long.
The former second-round pick is striking out a lot (31.3%) and hasn’t drawn a walk, but has posted an impressive 1.688 OPS over his first 16 plate appearances. While this pace is clearly unsustainable, Hinds has shown his speed by stealing 20 bases last year in Double-A and already swiping 14 this season across two levels. Although he isn’t known for his hitting, he has the potential to be a strong contributor in four categories over the season's final months.
Keibert Ruiz, C - Washington Nationals (28% Owned)
Nationals backstop Keibert Ruiz’s bat might finally be waking up. It’s been a disappointing season thus far for the Nats’ catcher, as he sports a paltry .224 average with a .597 OPS. However, Ruiz has a hit in five straight appearances – a stretch in which he’s gone 8-for-21 (.381) with two doubles, a HR, six RBI, and five runs scored.
I’ve always liked Ruiz for his plate discipline (he’s striking out just 11.3% of the time), and with a xBA of .272 has clearly underperformed this season. Further, his .230 BABIP (a career low) hints that positive regression could be coming in the season's final months.
Brandon Marsh, OF - Philadelphia Phillies (24% Owned)
Philadelphia OF Brandon Marsh has been uber-hot over the last few days. In the Phillies' most recent series sweep against the Dodgers, Marsh went 5-for-10 with a double, triple, two homers, and six runs scored. On a less than positive note, the former top prospect has been horrid against southpaws, batting just .149 across 47 at-bats against them. However, when it comes to facing righties, he’s torn the cover off the ball to the tune of a .304/.386/.911 triple-slash.
Marsh’s average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage have increased this year, proving his success is no fluke. His Statcast projections show a .350 WOBA, closely aligning with his .353 xWOBA. Although he’s striking out 31.4% of the time, his 11.5% walk rate helps balance that out. Additionally, he has already stolen a career-high 11 bases and is just three home runs away from tying his career best.
Eugenio Saurez, 3B - Arizona Diamondbacks (23% Owned)
Arizona 3B Eugenio Suarez has been on fire this month. Since July began, Suarez is batting .333 (11-for-33) with three of his nine home runs, 12 of his 44 RBIs, and an impressive 1.163 OPS. For comparison, his previous high was a .607 OPS in April. It looks like Suarez's power is returning, which should make him a significant asset for the D-Backs for the rest of the year.
Saurez’s 28.5% K% is his lowest since 2019, and he’s even been a bit better than that over the last week. Sporting just five strikeouts over his previous 24 at-bats, his improvement in that arena could lead to even better stats.
Deep League Options
Rowdy Tellez, 1B - Pittsburgh Pirates (16% Owned)
After batting .333 in June, Pirates 1B Rowdy Tellez has continued his torrid stretch. He’s up to a .387 average in July, pushing his season average to .251. He’s not hitting any cheapies, either. After belting just two homers over his first 186 at-bats, Tellez is up to six long balls over his last 41 – a significant increase. For the moment, It appears he has turned a corner and figured something out, so strike while the iron is hot.
Max Schuemann, 2B/SS/OF - Oakland Athletics (10% Owned)
After a tough June where he hit just .203, A;s utility player Max Schuemann is now on a nine-game on-base streak. During this stretch, Schuemann is 10-for-26 (.385) with a .500 OBP and an impressive 1.115 OPS. The rookie shortstop has also swiped four of his nine steals in July, pushing his average up to a season-high .244. His steals and OBP are the main attractions here, as his counting stats might not increase significantly if he continues to hit at the bottom of the A's lineup.
Pitching/Streaming Options
Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies (6% Owned)
Rockies starter Kyle Freeland has quietly put together a strong run of starts since returning from a left elbow strain that sidelined him for over two months. He's recorded four consecutive quality starts and struck out a season-high nine batters while picking up his first win last time out against the Reds.
While his 6.00 ERA and 1.62 WHIP don't inspire much confidence, these numbers are inflated due to a poor start on the year. It seems like he's gaining momentum heading into the All-Star break and could provide valuable contributions over the final months. Though he's still a risky play at Coors Field, Freeland is someone to keep an eye on.
As we dive deeper into the second half of the fantasy baseball season, staying proactive and making strategic moves is essential. Injuries can be a significant setback, as seen with Cody Bellinger's finger fracture and Tyler Glasnow's lower back tightness. However, opportunities arise from these challenges. Players like Michael Busch and Rece Hinds are stepping up and proving their worth, providing valuable additions to fantasy rosters. Busch's recent hot streak and improved plate discipline make him a must-add, while Hinds' explosive start in the majors suggests he could be a game-changer for those in need of offensive firepower.
Moreover, identifying players with strong potential and favorable matchups can give you an edge. Keibert Ruiz's recent resurgence and Brandon Marsh's consistent performance against right-handed pitchers make them intriguing options. Similarly, Eugenio Suarez's power surge and Rowdy Tellez's continued hot streak present excellent opportunities for fantasy managers looking to boost their offensive categories. On the pitching side, Kyle Freeland's steady improvement since returning from injury makes him a worthy streaming option. By carefully analyzing player performances and staying vigilant on the waiver wire, you can position yourself for a successful run in the second half of the season. Best of luck!
