It looks like we are back in the swing of things!
It’s been an exciting stretch of games following the All-Star break. Many players have shown signs of true breakouts, and others have come out hot looking to get out of the funks they have been in. The trade deadline is also coming up in only a couple of days now, and many players’ roles for their teams could change drastically. This leads to many guys potentially seeing a rise in their value, something you should make sure to capitalize on as you will need their services down the stretch.
Also, I want to make note of the fact that I am filling in this week for the legendary Brett Ford! He will be back next week and lead the way for the rest of the season. Many thanks to him for allowing me the opportunity to do this and a thank you to everyone reading for bearing with me!
As a reminder, we’re focusing on players who are between 20-25% rostered in most 12-team leagues and/or 25-50% rostered in 15-teamers. Every league is different, so we won’t be labeling player bids with any sort of recommended dollar amount but instead will use a four-tier investment rating system, ranging from a minimal spend to a potential difference-maker (or LEAGUE-WINNER, if you will).
Investment Rating System
Schedule notes
SEVEN GAMES: ATL, CWS, CLE, DET, NYM, TEX, WSN
EIGHT GAMES: BAL, TOR
Batters
Outfielders
Lawrence Butler ($$$$): We’ve said this many times, but Butler has continued to tear it up ever since he made some mechanical changes at the end of June. He looks legit and the underlying numbers back it up. Now’s the time to buy.
Jhonkensy Noel ($$): There is a lot of risk with this pick, especially pertaining to his approach. That said, he has some of the best power of any player in baseball period. His exit velocities are nuts and he is hitting home runs at a torrid pace for a guy who was just called up recently.
Harrison Bader ($$): He maybe isn’t quite the elite player that some thought he would become during his Cardinals days, but he’s a decent hitter with pretty solid speed who should get plenty of playing time. A really solid streaming option for teams without outfield depth.
Infielders
Xavier Edwards ($$$): Edwards has been one of the most exciting yet overlooked revelations this year. He has nabbed the full-time shortstop spot in Miami, and he really looks to be running with it, as his numbers have been excellent in the past few weeks. His excellent plate discipline and contact ability will allow him to be consistent, even if the long ball doesn’t come often.
Junior Caminero ($$$): With the trade of Randy Arozarena, it isn’t far-fetched that Caminero could get the call-up rather soon. He has some of the most ridiculous exit velocities in the Minor Leagues right now and it seems like the Rays are willing to try him at second base and maybe a corner outfield position.
Colt Keith ($$): Keith has gone from being one of the worst fantasy players you can roster to being a potentially great pickup for a team needing infield depth. His season turnaround has allowed the Tigers to slide him up the lineup, showcasing their trust in his ability to continue to perform at a decent clip.
José Caballero ($$): Caballero isn’t the best hitter, as he would be considered slightly below average. However, there are certainly worse options. The main draw with Caballero? Stolen bases. Caballero has been one of the most aggressive runners in the game this year, ranking near the top of the American League leaderboard in the stolen base category for most of the season.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($$): He’s not always been the most popular player among fans of the teams he has played for, but IKF is a solid option for fantasy managers looking for help in a year where many top infielders are underperforming.
Justin Turner ($): He’s been a bit up and down this season, with July being his worst stretch in years. He has become one of the most extreme buy-low candidates out there, but he has shown the ability at points this year to be a productive bat. Maybe a deadline change of scenery would help?
Catchers/UT
Heston Kjerstad ($$$): Kjerstad hasn’t gotten much of a chance this year due to initial struggles, injuries and being in a great Orioles lineup. It really feels like he will be traded for a big piece on deadline day, where he could go to a team that needs him to contribute right away.
Jacob Stallings ($$): He’s been solid since coming to Coors after a rough go at it in Miami. This could be a huge move to make if Elias Díaz is traded.
Pitchers
Starting Pitchers
Robbie Ray ($$$$): He definitely has been picked up in most leagues now, but if you’re in a league where he is still somehow available, throw him the bag as he might have a finish to the season similar to guys like Tarik Skubal and Tyler Glasnow last year.
Jeffrey Springs ($$$): We’ve talked about him in several of these columns, and those points remain relevant. He will be returning this week and all signs point to him returning as the great arm he was to start 2023. The short leash in terms of innings keeps him out of the highest bidding tier, but it still feels like his floor is high enough that he won’t at any point be an unreliable option for you.
River Ryan ($$): The seemingly yearly tradition of the Dodgers calling up another star-caliber pitching prospect lives on with River Ryan. His stuff is really good and he has torn it up in the minor leagues. He looked decently sharp in his debut and knowing the Dodgers, they will be able to get the best out of him.
Hayden Birdsong ($$): Another Giants starter with a volatile nature, Birdsong turned heads last week with his excellent performance at Coors that saw him striking out 12. He’s far from perfect and it’s hard to expect that kind of success moving forward, but he’s a really nice piece.
Chayce McDermott ($): McDermott is a bit of a chaotic type, which makes him a risky pickup. If he stays up with the Orioles, expect a decent arm that has a fairly high ceiling all things considered.
Relief Pitchers
Drew Rasmussen ($$): Rasmussen became a household name due to his great performance as a converted starter for the Rays from 2021-2023. Unfortunately for him, we don’t know if he will ever get to become a full-time starting pitcher again. The Rays have him rehabbing down in Durham, where he is hitting 99 on his fastball, a welcome sight for sure. Expect him to be a reliable bulk arm capable of being put in high-leverage spots from time to time.
Andrew Nardi ($): With the trade of A.J. Puk and the likely trade of Tanner Scott, look for Nardi to get more save/hold opportunities in Miami.
Josh Sborz ($): There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Rangers bullpen, as they have potential rental pieces like David Robertson and Kirby Yates ahead of Sborz in the bullpen hierarchy. If they do get shipped out, Sborz suddenly could be primed for more hold/save opportunities.