Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2019 Fantasy Baseball Rest of Season Notes
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1.
Cody Bellinger
LAD
Although he has cooled off, Bellinger is clearly one of the top three fantasy assets in baseball this season. He may end the season with 120 runs, 120 RBIs, 50 homers and 15 stolen bases. And don't forget that he is still batting over .340.
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2.
Freddie Freeman
ATL
Freeman is as steady as ever this season, batting a crisp .313 through the first half with 20+ homers and nearly 70 RBIs and runs each. He may not have the upside of Pete Alonso, but there is something to be said about Freeman's reliability month by month.
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3.
Anthony Rizzo
CHC
Rizzo is your typical player who is much better in real life than in fantasy baseball. With that said, he is still on track to hit 35 homers with a quality batting average, but that doesn't mean he is as useful as even Max Muncy in fantasy.
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4.
Paul Goldschmidt
STL
Fantasy owners have been disappointed with Goldschmidt and wondering if he has hit the inevitable brick wall that comes with age. It is possible but more likely that he is just in an extended slump as we've seen from him before. Expect fireworks after the break.
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5.
Whit Merrifield
KC
Whit has done exactly what fantasy owners have hoped for up until the break. He is on pace for both 20 homers and 30 steals to go with a batting average north of .300. While he doesn't possess top-tier upside, fantasy owners can continue to rely on him as a 3rd or even 2nd round value.
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6.
Josh Bell
PIT
Bell's breakout has been legitimate with the underlying stats confirming that he is, in fact, one of the best hitters in baseball. Neither his .300 batting average nor his 45 homer pace are expected to slow down so don't get the idea to sell-high via trade.
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7.
Rhys Hoskins
PHI
You can say what you want about Hoskins' potential, and while it may be true, the fact of the matter is that he has never contributed in the batting average department and has actually been propped up quite a bit by batted ball luck to even keep him above .260. He will provide RBIs, runs and homers, of course, but is more of a sell candidate than a buy-low.
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8.
Jose Abreu
CWS
Abreu just keeps getting it done for fantasy owners year after year and this time around is no different. He has a .280 batting average with 21 homers going into the break and that's the type of reliable production we should expect in the second half too.
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9.
Pete Alonso
NYM
Alonso hasn't been in the bigs long enough for pitchers to pinpoint his struggles and get a blueprint so a slump may come, but even if it did, we'd be looking at a top-ten fantasy first basemen at seasons end and with likely 45+ homers.
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10.
Carlos Santana
CLE
Most were shocked to see Santana compete in the home run derby, but he has been a beast for Cleveland and fantasy owners with 19 homers and a 90/90 RBI/run pace to go with a .295 batting average. He seems to only improve with age.
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11.
Max Muncy
LAD
Muncy has now been one of the best hitters in baseball over the last calendar year. He has shown no signs of slowing down so don't be shocked when you look up at the end of the season and see 40 homers and 100 RBIs with a solid batting average.
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12.
Matt Olson
OAK
If Olson hadn't been injured to start the year, he likely would have been a top 100 pick. Since returning from the IL, he has done nothing to change the narrative so he should continue to be treated as though he is that top 100 player.
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13.
Daniel Murphy
COL
Unfortunately, Murphy is playing like a shell of his former self. There is even less power than before and his batting average has dropped south of .290. While that is still helpful and possible to increase, fantasy owners are right to be disappointed.
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14.
Joey Votto
CIN
We can't rely on Votto for power any more, of course, but the batting average should return back closer to the .290 mark in the second half to go with plenty of runs thanks to his bonkers BB-rate. Don't drop Votto quite yet.
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15.
Eric Hosmer
SD
Don't look now, but Hosmer is back to playing quite well again, hitting nearly .300 with some power for once. If you grabbed this bargain on draft day, you would do best to hang onto him rather than try to sell high on the trade market.
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16.
Trey Mancini
BAL
There is nothing sexy about owning Trey Mancini, but he has rebounded quite nicely from his disappointing 2018 campaign. The underlying metrics suggest what we have seen in 2019 is the real Mancini so it wouldn't be wise to attempt selling high on him.
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17.
Luke Voit
NYY
Voit finished 2018 on a complete terror and started off the 2019 season the same way. In fact, the underlying statcast metrics all suggest he might actually hit better once he returns from the IL but that timeline is still up in the air and it may be awhile.
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18.
Edwin Encarnacion
FA
There is no doubt that Encarnacion's 25 homers are a welcome site to fantasy owners, but his .215 batting average is dreadful and may cost him at-bats once both Luke Voit and Giancarlo Stanton are back for the Yankees off the IL.
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19.
J.T. Realmuto
PHI
Realmuto may be struggling so far compared to expectations, but he certainly hasn't hurt you with a BA over .270 to go with double-digit homers and a handful of steals. He may not be the top overall fantasy catcher but he could be in the secound half.
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20.
Yuli Gurriel
HOU
Gurriel isn't a big source of power, but playing in this Astros offense guarantees him plenty of runs and RBI opportunities. Add in a worthwhile batting average and you've got a solid starter for your fantasy squad.
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21.
Matt Carpenter
STL
Don't drop Carpenter quite yet. Remember, after all, that Carp was every bit as bad heading into July last year before he went scorched earth in the second half. You don't have to play him, but keep him on your bench and wait out the slump.
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22.
Hunter Dozier
KC
Dozier entered the all-star break om pace for 20 homers, 80 RBIs and carries a .283 batting average. Regardless of whether those numbers are a fluke or not, you can bet he won't regress enough to become waiver wire fodder in the second half.
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23.
Ryan Braun
MIL
As usual, Braun is dealing with injuries off and on, but getting the job done for fantasy owners while he is on the field. Going into the break, he carries a .271 average with a dozen homers and a handful of steals which is what we should expect in the second half too.
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24.
Justin Smoak
FA
According to Baseball Savant's Statcast metrics, no one in baseball has been more unlucky than Justin Smoak. He is actually hitting the ball harder and at a better angle than he did in his 2017 breakout season so it is time to buy the second-half bounceback.
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25.
C.J. Cron
FA
Cron is dealing with a thumb injury heading into the break, but when he returns, fantasy owners are getting an excellent asset with 30+ homer power and a quality batting average to go with loads of RBIs in a top-notch Twins lineup.
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26.
Miguel Sano
MIN
Sano is back off the IL and doing Sano things with a .230 batting average but with loads of power. He could hit 25 bombs in the second-half with the RBIs and runs to go with it so don't give up on him quite yet.
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27.
Ian Desmond
COL
Although he isn't starting every game for the Rockeis, Desmond does play enough in Coors to warrant a roster spot on fantasy teams. Gone are the days where he will steal 20 bags, but he should be solid at worst in the other four standard categories.
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28.
Jesus Aguilar
MIA
This time last year we were talking about Aguilar in the same light as we are with Ketel Marte today. It now appears clear, however, that he isn't worth owning in fantasy leagues.
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29.
Ryan McMahon
COL
McMahon has loads of upside seeing that he plays in Coors, has power and some speed. Now, it hasn't shown yet, and the playing time hasn't been consistent, but he is a classic post-hype sleeper to have a huge second half for fantasy owners.
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30.
Miguel Cabrera
DET
Cabrera has been healthy and is batting .304 as a result, but his power is completely zapped and there is, of course, no hope for speed. You can roll him out in your fantasy lineup, however, and expect similar results to Votto at this point.
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31.
Daniel Vogelbach
SEA
While the batting average won't be ideal, you can avoid that penalty by just sitting him when the Mariners take on a lefty. Outside of that, Vogelbach has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball and that isn't any kind of fluke considering the dominant underlying metrics.
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32.
Jose Martinez
STL
Martinez hasn't provided fantasy owners much with a .282 batting average and just 6 homers, but all Statcast metrics suggest those numbers will come roaring up in the second half. It might be time to add him before it costs you a pretty penny.
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33.
Christian Walker
ARI
Walker has been streaky and volatile, but even so, he still managed to put together an impressive first half stat line with both power and a little speed. The batting average may drop south of .250 at some point, but he is still well worth starting even if that is the case.
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34.
Jay Bruce
PHI
Most gave up on Bruce before the season because he was so awful in 2018, but he was struggling through plantar fasciitis. Now that he is healthy, Bruce just keeps mashing with 24 homers headed into the break. He is good bet to keep hitting if he can stay on the field.
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35.
Jurickson Profar
SD
Profar has been downright awful this season for fantasy owners, batting just .212. With that said, he is still on track for 18 homers and double-digit steals so if he can turn the batting average around, we may have a fantasy impact player again.
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36.
Brandon Belt
SF
Belt has given fantasy owners reason to be disappointed for years now. Although he is never awful, it may finally be time to give up and cut him loose. There are plenty of other projects on the waivers with more fantasy upside like Bobby Bradley.
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37.
Nate Lowe
TB
Lowe didn't do much in his brief MLB debut and was thus sent back down to the minors. Since then, he has been batting .340 with bonkers power. He should be a hot pickup the moment Tampa calls him back up and may actually be worthy of a stash now.
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38.
Marwin Gonzalez
MIN
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39.
Kike Hernandez
LAD
The batting average has devestated fantasy owners thus far in the first half and while it may come up, it won't be enough to warrant rostering Kike in a standard-sized league.
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40.
Jake Bauers
CLE
Bauers hasn't turned it on yet, and although there is still promise that he will, it isn't worth banking on this year. Rather, target him as a post-hype buy next season.
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41.
Buster Posey
SF
Feel free to drop Buster at this point. He isn't likely to finish the season with double-digit homers and doesn't play in a good enough offense to tally up runs and RBIs like the top 15 fantasy catchers in baseball.
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42.
Eric Thames
FA
Thames has shown flashes of all that pop we got in 2017 during his breakout campaign but the Brewers just aren't playing him enough to make much of a fantasy impact. He belongs on your waiver wire speed dial, however.
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43.
Travis Shaw
FA
Shaw could potentially be a worthwhile addition at some point later in the year, but for now, he has lost his job to Hiura and should be released in every format.
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44.
Ryan Zimmerman
FA
Zimmerman had his run as a useful fantasy baseball player but it seems to be over at this point so go ahead and cut him loose for one of the better options on waivers.
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45.
J.D. Davis
NYM
Davis is raking for the Mets, but it hasn't quite shown up on paper. His underlying metrics are exceptional so don't be surprised if his batting average and power numbers follow in the second half.
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46.
Mark Canha
OAK
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47.
Mitch Moreland
FA
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48.
Derek Dietrich
CIN
The batting average has come crashing down and his power has completely halted to go along with the playing time. With that said, he was so exceptional for a stretch that you can make a case for stashing him until he comes out of it and mashes again.
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49.
Albert Pujols
LAA
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50.
Yonder Alonso
FA
Alonso wasn't especially impressive last year with a .250 batting average and just 23 homers, but he is just one year removed from posting an .866 OPS with Oakland and Seattle so don't discount a big bounce-back campaign.
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51.
Wilmer Flores
FA
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52.
Colin Moran
PIT
Moran is still batting near .300 heading into the all-star break and although he doesn't offer a ton in the power department, finishing with 18 homers and 80 RBIs would be a welcome line to any fantasy owner.
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53.
Ryan O'Hearn
KC
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54.
Rowdy Tellez
TOR
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55.
Dominic Smith
NYM
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56.
Ronald Guzman
TEX
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57.
Kendrys Morales
FA
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58.
Matt Adams
FA
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59.
Justin Bour
LAA
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60.
Matt Beaty
LAD
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61.
Brandon Dixon
DET
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62.
Josh Naylor
SD
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63.
Chris Davis
BAL
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64.
Adam Duvall
ATL
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65.
Stephen Vogt
ARI
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66.
Kevin Cron
ARI
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67.
Jose Osuna
PIT
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68.
Bobby Bradley
CLE
Just because Bradley hasn't started out all that hot for Cleveland doesn't mean you should give up on him. Rather, keep a close eye on this potential 40-homer threat, as he could explode onto the fantasy scene any day now.
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69.
David Freese
FA
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70.
John Hicks
FA
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71.
Neil Walker
FA
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72.
Victor Caratini
CHC
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73.
Peter O'Brien
FA
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74.
Matt Davidson
TEX
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75.
Miguel Rojas
MIA
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76.
Tyler Austin
FA
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77.
Daniel Descalso
CHC
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78.
Matt Thaiss
LAA
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79.
Lucas Duda
FA
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80.
Hanley Ramirez
CLE
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