2019 Fantasy Baseball ROS Rankings

Two months into 2019, Trout is "only" hitting .283/.457/.572 with 12 homers and six steals in 52 games. That led some midseason drafters to take Christian Yelich or Cody Bellinger with the first pick. Because of his lofty floor, the honor should still go to the Angels superstar, who has the highest walk (22.0) and lowest strikeout (15.9%) of his career. His career-high contact rate will eventually lead to a .300+ average once the .294 BABIP returns closer to his .351 career norm. That will come with 35-40 HRs and around 20 steals. Don't overthink this.

So much for Yelich not sustaining his power tear. After wrapping up the NL MVP with 21 homers in August and September, the outfielder already gone deep 22 times through June's opening week. Heavy ground-ball hitters aren't supposed to produce such prolific power, but Yelich is looking more like the exception. Expected to regress, he instead is poised to exceed last year's 36 dingers and 22 steals. Treat him as a top-five stud, and only sell high if presented an astronomical Godfather offer befitting an MVP.

Following a down 2017, Betts became the first player since 2012 (Mike Trout and Ryan Braun) to hit .300 with 30 home runs and steals apiece. The career .303/.370/.518 hitter is averaging 29 homers, 27 steals, 117 runs, and 98 RBIs over the past three years, upping his walk and hard-hit rates each step of the way. Last season's .346/.438/.640 slash line will be borderline impossible to fully sustain, so his .295/.403/.483 line on May 21 feels boring by comparison. Even if currently not performing like an MVP and first-round cornerstone, Betts is still a five-category phenom who should catch fire son.

Drafters know what they're getting in Arenado, who has batted no lower than .287 with at least 37 homers and 110 RBIs in the last four years. He has played all but 16 games in those four seasons, making him a durable beacon of consistency worthy of a first-round selection. He signed an extension during the offseason, so investors no longer need to worry about a midseason trade removing him from Coors Field. A lack of steals is an unfortunate, but acceptable tradeoff for locking in bankable production at every other category. This steadiness earned him the benefit of the doubt despite still not hitting a home run until April 14. He made up for lost time once the Rockies hosted more at Coors Field and now has 18 taters while hitting .327/.385/.594 as of June 19. He's still a stud.

Bellinger has emerged as a league-winning talent, batting .355/.451/.699 with 23 homers. Everything in his portfolio supports this early surge. The 23-year-old has slashed his strikeout rate while exchanging ground balls and pop-ups for line drives. An all-or-nothing slugger as a rookie suddenly touts an above-average contact rate (78.7% as of June 19) and has also stolen eight bases. If drafting now, he'd probably go in the first round, and it wouldn't be an overreaction.

Acuna met the seismic hype, and then some, by hitting .293/.366/.552 with 26 homers and 16 steals in 111 sizzling rookie games. He flaunted his MVP ceiling by posting a .429 wOBA and 19 of those long balls after the All-Star break. He hasn't missed a beat in his sophomore campaign, batting .297/.376/.512 with 17 homers and nine steals. The 21-year-old is a legitimate 35/20 candidate who'd garner top-five consideration if drafting today.

Conventional wisdom has cautioned against taking a pitcher in the opening round. Scherzer, however, earned an exception. The added risk of hurlers keeps investors away early, but Washington's ace has maintained his usual dominance by posting a 2.81 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 99.1 innings. First in FIP (2.26), he should also lower his 1.08 WHIP below 1.00 for the fifth straight season to solidify his status as fantasy's SP1. Scherzer broke his nose bunting a ball off his face in batting practice, but he's set on pitching through it.

Repeating a redemptive 2018 would cement Story as a first-round pick, and he's off to a great start with 15homers and 10 steals in 57 games. Maintaining last year's contact improvements while generating more hard hits, regression in his .293 batting average may merely mean he hits .270. He's a shortstop who calls Coors Field home and could offer another 35-25 campaign, so Story should be treated accordingly as a top-12 cornerstone.

Martinez is a rare first-round hitter who rarely runs, but he'll make up for it in every other spot. While the 31-year-old probably won't win another batting title at .330, he's a .307 hitter since 2014's breakout who has exceeded .300 in three straight years. He boasts an MLB-high .655 slugging percentage in the past two seasons with 88 long balls. Hitting in the middle of Boston's lineup also makes him a strong bet to drive in and score over 100 runs. Limited fielding reps helped him stay healthy, but he played enough OF (25 games) to maintain fantasy eligibility, making him a strong four-category star. Despite batting .294/.373/.525 through 53 games, he has actually dramatically underperformed elite Statcast numbers. He's still an easy first-round stud and a buy-low if anyone thinks otherwise.

Bregman's .395 wOBA and 155 wRC+ are right in line with marks from his breakout 2018. He may actually be on the verge of further improvements, flaunting more walks, fewer strikeouts, more hard hits, and a higher launch than last season. He's on his way to setting a new personal best in home runs, and the .270 batting average should at least climb to .280 or higher. Bregman may not steal more than 10 bases again, but he's still a top-shelf hitter with a high floor.

Originally expected to return from a calf injury in early April, Lindor suffered an ankle ailment while rehabbing. Cleveland activated him on April 20, making him once again a fantasy cornerstone. The only concern stemmed from him getting fewer base-stealing opportunities following a pair of leg injuries, but he has alleviated those fears with nine steals in 53 games. He also has 12 homers and a .362 wOBA, so he looks strong enough to again trust as a first-round superstar.

It's time to stop worrying and start loving Baez despite the poor contact numbers. Despite once again residing among baseball's laggards in swinging strikes and outside-swing rate, the jovial infielder is batting .319/.359/.595 with 11 homers. A .407 BABIP won't last in full strides, but he's perched among MLB's top-10 percent in hard hits and exit velocity. He's pummeling breaking balls, and at least a 6.1% walk rate is actually higher than past norms. While the free swinger could still be in store for a slump, this defeated analyst will no longer question his legitimacy as a top-15 fantasy option.

Pitchers aren't supposed to dominate like this in their mid-30s. In his age-36 campaign, Verlander continues to defy the aging curve by posting a 2.38 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts in 79.1 innings. An MLB-low .168 BABIP is bound to rise, and he won't keep stranding 93.8% of baserunners. Even if he pitches to his 3.22 SIERA, he's still an elite ace as most other top hurlers struggle.

Turner's season started with such promise. Manager Dave Martinez's goal for 75-80 steals wasn't looking as outlandish after the Nationals shortstop swiped three bags on Opening Day. He then ended the inaugural series with a two-homer performance. Those hopes of Turner finally realizing his fantasy MVP upside ended abruptly, however, when he broke his finger on a bunt attempt. After playing all 162 games last season, he missed enough time to stand no chance of returning first-round value. When healthy, he has amassed five homers and nine steals in just 29 games with his highest wRC+ (118) since 2016. If this power uptick is for real, Turner could make up for lost time with a 15/30 campaign. He remains a first-round talent.

The Astros unlocked Cole's ace upside by tabling a middling sinker for more sliders and curveballs. He also revamped his fastball, which yielded a .268 wOBA in 2018 after allowing a .334 wOBA in his last year with the Pirates. While this year's 4.02 ERA (as of May 29) suggests a decline, he still boasts a 2.92 FIP and 2.53 SIERA on the strength of an MLB-high 39.0% K rate. His contact and swinging-strike rates have actually improved, so he's easily still a top-shelf ace.

Fantasy managers couldn't scroll through Twitter or go grocery shopping without encountering a heated debate about Mondesi in the preseason. Infatuated by his 11 homers, 27 steals, and .353 wOBA in 54 unbelievable second-half games, some supporters were happy to jump as early as the fourth round to draft a potential first-round contributor. Yet some experts, not buying the small sample and dubious of his poor plate approach, had the 23-year-old middle infielder outside of the top 100 altogether. The optimists are winning so far, as he's once again overcoming an aggressive approach to bat .285 with six homers and 21 steals in 58 games. He's also chasing even more pitches off the plate, and a .245 xBA hints at some of the average regression skeptics feared. Warts and all, Mondesi is still a top-tier player because of his elite speed paired with plenty of pop.

Let's take a deep breath. Sale incited early panic by going 0-4 with an 8.50 ERA through five starts. While the 4.35 ERA still requires work, he has since returned to form. His fastball velocity has jumped back to normal, and the whiffs have followed. He's third in strikeout rate among all starters while wielding a 3.03 SIERA. Those who took a buy-low gamble in April look poised to receive a top-five ace as a reward for their faith. As for his 1-7 record pitching for the defending champions, that's why gamers are never encouraged to chase wins. One would have to assume the Red Sox will eventually offer him more run support.

He's back. Since shockingly surrendering seven runs to the Marlins on May 7, deGrom has posted a 2.31 ERA in six starts with 45 strikeouts and six walks. Fully healthy from an early-season elbow injury, his velocity has risen to June, resulting in a pair of 10-strikeout gems. Stay the course and expect a top-five ace going forward, even if the 4-6 deGrom is once again not receiving sufficient support from the Mets' lineup and bullpen.

Blackmon's down year (.291, 29 HR, 119 R, 12 SB) was still far better than most players' best year. Nevertheless, 2017's 37 homers now look like the clear outlier for a 32-year-old yet to reach 30 in another season. He also stole fewer bases in each of the last three seasons, and that trend looks poised to continue with just two in 2019. Yet he was batting .300 with 10 homers, 35 runs, and 31 RBIs in 46 games before going on the IL with a strained right calf. He hopes return when eligible on June 4, so investors shouldn't panic just yet. When healthy, Blackmon remains an elite stat-stuffer with little downside as a top-25 player.

Snell was always going to regress from last year's 1.89 ERA, but he has looked like a better pitcher early in the season. Through nine starts, he has sliced his walk rate from 9.1 to 6.4%. He's throwing far more first-pitch strikes (68.6%) while also generating the highest swinging-strike rate (19.2%) of any starter. With other top hurlers faltering, Snell is cementing his spot as a top-tier ace.

Replacing Joey Votto as the line-drive king, Freeman has batted above .300 with a slugging percentage over .500 in each of the last three seasons. He played all 162 games and even poached a career-high 10 bases in 2018. He's in line to extend those trends with a .305/.391/.562 slash line in 58 games. He would have entered 2019 as fantasy's top first baseman if not for a late power outage limiting him to 23 homers last year, but he already has 14. Now that he has regained his fence-clearing pop and slowly repealed the injury-prone label, Freeman is a relatively safe building block with MVP upside. He is making even harder contact early in 2019 and looks well on his way to again batting over .300 with 30 long balls.

Everyone kept waiting for Bryant to turn the corner last season. They kept waiting all the way until this May, when he has hit .313/.446/.731 with eight homers. The 2016 NL MVP finally looks healthy from his debilitating shoulder injury, so managers can stop sweating. A rise in contact and drop in strikeouts will also lead to an average far higher than his current .263, so those who rode out his rough April should at least receive a return on their third-round investment. The only red mark? He has just one steal in 44 games and three in 146 games dating back to 2018.

Rendon looked on the cusp of taking a leap to stardom, displaying MVP upside by batting .356/.442/.740 with six homers in 20 stellar games. Injuries, however, once again surfaced. He missed a series at Colorado after getting hit by a pitch on the elbow, only to return for one game before the Nationals then placed him on the IL. The third baseman has raked upon his return and ranks fourth in wOBA behind Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich, and Josh Bell. When healthy, he's a veritable top-25 stud still not receiving the love he deserves.

Goldschmidt has had somewhat of an underwhelming start to his Cardinals tenure, batting .275/.361/.455 with 12 home runs in 58 games. The first baseman, who once routinely swiped double-digit bags, got thrown out in his lone steal attempt. Little has changed in his batted-ball profile from last year, when he hit .330/.420/.602 with 26 of his 33 homers after a disastrous May, so he still has plenty of time to recover. The steals, however, are likely never coming back. That means it's time to close the book on Goldschmidt as a first-round stud.

A wide dissonance remains from what drafters want from Harper and what he typically delivers. With batting averages of .330, .243, .319, and .249 over the last four years, there's a steep range of outcomes for a perennial top pick averaging 32 homers and 11 steals in that stretch. He hit .249 with a career-low 66.9% contact rate through May, so investors should be concerned about his ability to return top-20 value. He also has just two steals, and it's not as hard to find power these days.

Two months into his 10-year, $300 million contract, the Padres have gotten slightly above-average contact from Machado. A steep dip in contact rate has led to more strikeouts and a worse batting average (.251), but the 26-year-old has the track record to bet on a rebound. The one steal in 59 games, however, is troubling for someone who didn't poach a single bag in 2016. In drafting again in early June, he'd likely be no better than a late second-round pick instead of a borderline first-round choice.

Rizzo once again struggled -- to a far lesser extent - out of the gate, batting .228 through April. Let's hope drafters remembered last year's atrocious start and stayed patient. He's hitting .274/.391/.571 with 13 home runs, as of May 23. He remains the rare slugger who curtails strikeouts, and the first baseman has raised 2018's ISO by more than 100 points. Rizzo remains an under-appreciated stud who will prove worth every penny of his preseason third-round cost.

Merrifield swiped an MLB-high 45 steals and also batted .304 with 12 homers and 43 doubles in 2018. That borderline-extinct skill set justified his spot as an upper-echelon pick, and he may be morphing into a five-category beast. The 25-year-old is batting .288/.348/.500 with seven home runs, eight steals, and 41 runs through May 29. Assuming he picks up the speed a bit, he'll finish closer to 2017's 19 homers and 34 steals, which still makes him a tremendous cornerstone if he maintains a high average while approaching 90-100 runs as Kansas City's leadoff hitter. If he combines his peak power and speed, he'd deliver borderline first-round value more in line with Trea Turner. Merrifield has thrived long enough to trust his late breakout.

Soto was hitting .248/.368/.467 through April before going on the IL with back spasms. The young phenom is now closing May with a .291/.394/.523 slash line right in line with his spectacular rookie campaign. This writer worried about home run regression entering the season, but he has slashed his ground-ball rate by over 10 points. Now that he's hitting more fly balls and barrels, the 20-year-old could approach 30 long balls and a few steals with a high average despite missing time to start May.

Hoskins is a proven 35-HR bat, but he's striking out a little more often this year, and his .271 batting average is being kept afloat by a .325 BABIP that is much higher than he's ever produced before in the Majors or high minors. If he doesn't start to make more contact, he could struggle to even match last year's .246 average going forward. Statcast data similarly indicates that we can expect a fair amount of regression to both his batting average and slugging percentage. Hoskins should remain a major plus in terms of power and run production, but he's best viewed as a three-category contributor in standard 5

Other elite shortstop peers have passed Bogaerts by, but he rebounded from a 2017 mired by a wrist injury to hit a quiet .288/.360/.522 with 23 homers and 103 RBIs. He's taken another step forward in his age-26 season with a .305/.386/.550 slash line and 12 homers in 56 games. The speed, on the other hand, has also fizzled entirely. Once a steady double-digit source of steals, he has just one as of June 4. That severely caps his five-by-ceiling ceiling and puts more emphasis on broaching a .300 batting average, but he should still post tremendous counting numbers once he and the rest of Boston's lineup heats up. We could be looking at a top-20 stud if he starts running again.

The only players to bat at least .275 with 20 homers and 30 steals last season: Mookie Betts and Starling Marte. Lower the steals query to 20, and they're joined by Mike Trout, Francisco Lindor, Christian Yelich, Trevor Story, and Javier Baez. Marte will struggle to repeat that career-high in homers given his ground-ball tendencies, but he has swiped at least 30 bags in each of his last five full seasons. (He stole 21 in 77 games in 2017.) While the poor walk rate hasn't hurt him much in five-by-leagues, he has drawn just three free passes in 37 games this season, leading to a neutered .275 OBP. And yet he still has eight steals with five homers despite serving a short IL stint with an abdominal injury in late April.

Altuve finally appears close to returning from a strained hamstring that has already sidelined him for over a month. Once he returns, he's fully capable of being a huge asset in terms of batting average and run production with decent pop. But the lack of stolen bases this season keeps him out of the elite tier of players he used to be in.

Great in every category but not spectacular in one, a player of Benintendi's ilk typically doesn't merit top-25 consideration. But 20/20 candidates are hard to come by, especially if they provide a high batting-average floor and can score 100 times atop a loaded Red Sox lineup. This upside coerced drafters to pay a steep price for the 24-year-old, who's hitting just .259/.355/.410 with six homers and seven steals. As disappointing as the early returns seem, he's really just one hot streak away from getting right back on track to a .275, 20/20 output. The rise in strikeouts is discouraging, but also fixable.

Davis extended his uncanny streak of batting .247 in four straight seasons. He even went yard at 2:47 p.m. local time in Oakland's first game away from Japan. He's also the only player to deposit at least 40 homers in each of the last three seasons. MLB's league-wide batting average dipped to .248 last season, so Oakland's slugger won't torpedo that category. Having only played 11 games in the outfield, he won't have a position in some leagues. There's no need, however, to be reticent of such players. Investors shouldn't freak out about his hot-and-cold start, as he's typically a streaky player who still ends up with stellar numbers. After trying to avoid an IL stint, the A's finally relented on May 24 and deactivated him with a hip contusion. A short stay would benefit everyone more than another week or two of sifting in and out of the lineup. If he makes an out on his first at-bat back, his average will be .247.

Kershaw began 2019 on the IL with left shoulder inflammation, snapping his streak of eight straight Opening Day appearances. It was a concerning development, as the star southpaw has not worked more than 175 frames in any of the last three seasons. He hasn't quite looked like vintage Kershaw in his return, recording a 3.33 ERA and 3.67 FIP with an 8.61 K/9 that'd be his lowest since 2008. A slightly regressed, Kershaw, remains a top-shelf starter when healthy. Even though he's back with plenty of time to recuperate value, investors must still worry about nagging back problems.

It's bad enough Strasburg, still yet to make 30 starts since 2014, threw just 130 innings in 2018. He also recorded the worst ERA (3.74) and FIP (3.62) of his career. Time is running out for the 30-year-old to reach his Cy Young ceiling, and a 3.54 ERA in 13 starts doesn't appear to put him on that path. He also, however, sports a 2.88 FIP with MLB's seventh-best K% (30.9%) and fourth-lowest contact rate (68.6%) among all starters. While he again looks like a top-flight option when healthy, he can't be trusted to avoid the IL all year.

Oddly undervalued after hitting .290 with 27 homers and nine steals in 2017, Rosario replicated his breakout by batting .288 with 24 long balls and eight steals in 138 games. Yet he didn't fly up draft boards because of a miserable second half (.240/.262/.387) unnerved by a quad injury. He's once again off to the early races, batting .282 with 17 home runs and 47 RBIs through May 28. A .259 BABIP, below his career .316 clip despite a rise in exit velocity, has shielded his improved contact and strikeout rates. While a few more steals could turn him into a superstar, he's still blossoming into a top-50 player.

Although he hasn't taken another leap to superstardom, Buehler has mostly lived up to expectations early in his second season. The righty has recorded a 3.58 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 11 walks in 55.1 innings. As a former Tommy John recipient who tossed 153.1 professional innings last year and plays for the Dodgers, he's highly unlikely to push past 175 innings this season. While that's something to keep in mind down the road, the depleted pool of aces makes him a top-15 starter for now.

One of last spring's top breakout candidates, Castillo posted an underwhelming 4.30 ERA because of an atrocious start. This time, he has dominated out of the gate, compiling a 2.38 ERA and 29.4 K% through 13 turns. The elevated 11.8% walk rate is concerning, but he's good at missing bats to worry. Only Blake Snell has a lower contact rate among all starters, and Castillo is also eighth in swinging strikes and first with an anemic .178 xBA. He's looking a lot like the stud who posted a 2.44 ERA after the All-Star break last year, so consider him a top-20 starter with legitimate top-10 upside.

Since getting obliterating by the Dodgers (3.2 IP, 7 ER, 4 HR) on Opening Day, Greinke has recorded a 2.12 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and seven walks in 10 starts. The 35-year-old entered 2019 with warning signs, particularly a fastball that dipped below 90 mph in average exit velocity. Despite early panic, the cerebral pitcher with elite control should remain a productive source of ratios and strikeouts. He's still a steady SP2 who just needs to curtail the long ball to remain a top-20 starter.

Bell, who hit just 12 home runs in 583 plate appearances last year, has emphatically turned the page this season with 18 home runs in 253 plate appearances. That includes a 474-foot homer in early April and 472-foot blast into the Allegheny River on May 8. He has slashed his ground-ball and infield-fly rates in favor of more fliers while posting a much higher exit velocity, leading to an absurd .332/.395/.681 slash line. A .614 xSLG points to this power breakout lasting to some extent, but no manager would be blamed for exchanging Bell for a top-tier stud who's had a more modest start.

Springer is close to returning from a strained hamstring that has kept him out since late May. He's unlikely to keep up the pace he set before getting hurt -- batting average regression is coming -- but he should still hit for plenty of power and drive in a lot of runs while adding the occasional stolen base.

All reasonable onlookers expected regression from Ozuna's .312, 37-homer outburst in 2017, but they still wanted better than .280 and 23 long balls. He looked far more like the 2017 model in April, when he towered 10 home runs. He has even stolen three bases. Investors should be encouraged by him cutting down ground balls and pop ups for more genuine fly balls. With his walks also up, there's no reason to worry about his .239 average that's far below his .283 xBA. Don't expect him to bat .300 with 35+ homers again, but .280 with 30 dingers now seems perfectly reasonable. That could come with 100 RBIs batting behind Paul Goldschmidt and a flourishing Paul DeJong.

Stanton has been sidelined since April 1 with biceps, shoulder, and calf ailments, but his return is finally in sight. Once he's back, Stanton is fully capable of producing at a 40-45 HR pace until the next inevitable injury strikes.

After hitting .218 in the second half last season, Ramirez has been one of 2019's most underwhelming top picks. He's batting .206 with four homers through 58 games, only salvaging any value with 14 steals. Let's not panic about a 26-year-old infielder who tallied 39 homers, 34 steals, and 26 more walks (106) than strikeouts (80) during a breakout 2018. His depreciated contact and strikeout rates remain above-average, so he could still replicate last year's .270 average going forward. There's certainly reason to doubt his viability as a first-round (or even second) cornerstone, but Ramirez (if healthy) should still bounce back with front-line power and speed.

Ryu has looked every bit as dominant as he was late last season. In a terrific start briefly interrupted by a groin injury, he has posted a 1.35 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 80 innings. That gives him a 1.66 ERA in his last 27 starts. While his 71 strikeouts aren't spectacular for someone dominating at such an amazing rate, he has issued an astonishingly low five walks. Ryu may legitimately be the best pitcher in baseball right now, but don't expect a full workload from a 32-year-old who hasn't worked 150 innings since 2014. For now, keep riding the unheralded ace unless presented with a magnificent trade offer befitting an ace.

While seemingly every other ace struggled out of the gate, Bauer dominated in April. He has since watched his ERA and FIP balloon to 3.76 and 4.09, respectively. A 10.4% walk rate and 4.24 SIERA present even more worry. The elite strikeout rate and off-the-charts upside keep him among the upper echelon of aces, and he could be one tweak away from dominating, but it's time to pump the brakes on Bauer as a Cy Young Award contender.

Judge has been slowly working his way back from a strained oblique and could return to the Yankees' lineup by the end of June. Few players possess more power potential for the second half of the season.

As nearly every other ace unravels, he one nobody wanted continues to excel. After leveraging his devastating slider to a breakout 2018, Corbin has notched a 2.85 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 28.0 K% through 11 starts with the Nationals. His slider continues to dominate with a 33 wRC+ and 23.5% swinging-strike rate, and his hard-hit rate - the main blemish from last year - has improved. With so many question marks floating around the top-tier starters, he may just be a top-10 option.

The perennially undervalued Cruz was hitting .270/.354/.508 with seven homers before going on the IL with a wrist injury. An MRI came back clean, and he has returned in early April. Before going down, those numbers actually represented a step down from his usual elite production. Then again, drafters didn't have to pay for that level of dominance because of his age (38) and DH-only status. He's still a superb slugger when healthy, so get Cruz back into all starting lineups.

Pham has carried over last season's momentum following a midseason trade to Tampa Bay. Dating back to last year, he's now hitting .318 with 15 HRs and 11 SBs in 92 games with the Rays. He has just six more strikeouts (44) than walks this season as of June 6 and has notably bolstered both his contact and hard-hit rates. Although he has slowed down on the basepaths recently, Pham is looking like a legitimate top-50 player who could fully replicate 2017's breakout.

Those who invested a premium on Sanchez despite an atrocious 2018 have to love the early returns. Having towered 16 long balls in 36 games, he has traded ground balls for fly balls hit with far more authority. An off-the-charts 25.5% barrel rate, 94.1-mph average exit velocity, and .716 xSLG suggest the party won't stop anytime soon. A calf strain paused his hot streak, but Sanchez picked up right where he left off to surpass J.T. Realmuto as the top fantasy catcher.

One of the game's most underappreciated stars, Suarez leveraged a massive hard-hit uptick into a career-high 34 homers last season. He's on pace to match it with 14 dingers in 59 games. As of June 4, his slash line (.280/.358/.540) is right in line with 2017, and his strikeout and walk rates are almost identical. He has, however, hit way more pop-ups, so beware a possible drop in batting average. The 27-year-old third baseman could still hit for a solid clip with another 30-35 homers and strong counting numbers.

Alonso forced the Mets' hand and won an Opening Day job by displaying his Herculean power throughout spring training. He has now hit his way into a permanent role with 17 homers and a .924 OPS, as of May 28. The average has fallen to .254, which makes sense considering his power swing yielding a 28.5% strikeout rate. His Statcast exploits nevertheless feel reminiscent of Aaron Judge's debut, so we may be looking at a league-altering star who could belt 40 homers.

The always reliable Abreu fell short of a .290 batting average (.265) and 100 RBIs (78) for the first time in his five-year MLB tenure. He looked back to normal in late-April, early-May, but a funk has deflated his slash line to a modest .246/.292/.504. Leading all of baseball with 32 barrels, the White Sox first baseman should only improve those numbers if he stays healthy. This recent slump may have re-opened the buy-low window. After all, some fantasy players have never even given Abreu his proper due even at his finest.

Just as everyone gave up on the oft-injured Brantley, he returned from a significant ankle injury to bat .309/.364/.468 with 17 homers and 12 steals in 631 plate appearances. No qualified hitter made more contact (90.9%) than the 31-year-old outfielder, whose 9.5% strikeout rate finished second after Andrelton Simmons. His skill set was undervalued by drafters seeking flashier power or speed, and they're missing out on a tremendous start. He's batting .328/.374/.554 with 10 homers in 211 plate appearances while mimicking last year's elite strikeout and contact rates. While Brantley is unlikely to keep up this prolific power pace, he's a force who should bat above .300 with 20-25 homers and roughly 100 RBIs batting third in Houston's loaded lineup. Health is the only concern.

If you take a glance at Guerrero's fantasy line through the first third of the season, you may think he's not quite living up to the hype. But the truth is he's deserved much better results based on the quality contact that he's making. According to Statcast, Guerrero has one of the biggest differentials between his batting average and expected batting average, and the same holds true for his slugging percentage. His strikeout rate is significantly higher than he had in the minors, but it is still better than average across MLB. Guerrero is a premier talent who should only get better with experience, but he's already displaying the ability to hit close to .300 with 30-35 home runs.

Moustakas rejoined the Brewers on his second straight one-year deal, so early drafters likely snagged a power bat at a discount. Playing mostly at second base, he has already crushed 18 homers with a 131 wRC+ through 56 games. While the ultra-high launch angle limits his batting-average upside despite a career 15.9% strikeout rate, he could tally 35-40 long runs in a full season with the Brew Crew.

Morton followed an improbable late-career renaissance with an even better 2018. In his most innings pitched (167) since 2011, he etched out a 3.13 ERA and 201 strikeouts. Yet he wore down as the season transpired, as his K rate dropped seven points to 24.2% after the All-Star break. The 35-year-old has looked refreshed to start 2019, posting a 2.54 ERA and 30.9 K% in 11 starts. He's a top-30 starter for now, but having never worked 175 or more innings in a season, investors should keep last year's late swoon in mind and consider cashing out mid-season.

Benefitting from feeble AL Central competition, Berrios opened 2019 with a 2.97 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through April. Inconsistency, however, continues to plague the Twins righty. After allowing 20 hits and nine runs against the Angels and Mariners, his ERA and WHIP have climbed to a still strong 3.39 and 1.13. Yet his strikeout (23.1%) and swinging-strike rates (10.1%) have fallen, so he might not be ready to take the next step to elite territory just yet.

Torres was a highly touted prospect now coming off a sublime rookie campaign with the Yankees. The cost blew out of hand, but drafters have not experienced any buyer's remorse. He's batting .274/.323/.513 with 14 homers and three steals. The aggressive approach and batted-ball data still don't support such a high average, and he demolished Baltimore's atrocious pitching staff for 10 of his long balls. The 22-year-old doesn't look ready to take the next step to stardom just yet.

Finally given a featured role in Tampa Bay, Meadows has promptly reminded everyone of his past elite prospect pedigree. Two months into the season, he has already popped 12 long balls with six steals -- often from the leadoff role -- despite a right thumb sprain interrupting the 24-year-old's breakout campaign. He won't vie for a batting title of 200 wRC+ for much longer, but he's a dangerous five-category threat with a real shot of pursuing a 25/15 campaign.

It's hard not to get excited about Chapman's start to 2019. A strikeout liability in the minors now has a 16.5% K rate while drawing more walks. He has paired those superb contact gains with 14 homers and a .368 wOBA, as of May 31. If these gains stick, he's a four-category fantasy stud and a borderline MVP candidate for Oakland due to his elite defense at the hot corner. He deserves to climb up the rankings as a top-75 player.

Now healthy from shoulder surgery that cost him part of2018, Conforto has returned back to top form. He has offered more walks, more fly balls, and fewer strikeouts with a .373 wOBA as of June 11. He's a strong bet to chase 30 homers with a higher batting average than his current .259 if he regains past hard-hit standards prior to injuring his shoulder.

Even after slowing down in May, there isn't a more obvious sell-high candidate than Anderson, who's batting .335 with eight homers and 13 steals through 49 games. He hit .240 last year, so that .386 BABIP is due for some massive regression closer to his career .333 clip. The aggressive shortstop has also drawn just seven walks, so he's prone to prolonged slumps. Yet he's still a 25/20 threat, so only trade Anderson if getting back a significant return.

Diaz hasn't looked like the transcendent closer who cemented 57 saves, which tied for the second-most ever in a single season, with a 1.91 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 73.1 innings. His ERA has jumped to 2.81 with as many home runs allowed (five) as last year, and his hard-hit rate has skyrocketed. Don't panic just yet. Diaz still has an elite 39.5% strikeout rate with a contact rate (65.0%) right in line with his career norm. Although still a stud, he's no longer the unquestioned top closer.

Syndergaard has had a frustrating start to 2019, posting a 4.55 ERA through 15 starts before going on the IL with a hamstring strain. He's not expecting to miss significant time, so sit tight and hope for a turnaround when he returns. Despite the subpar returns, he still wields a 3.61 FIP with 93 strikeouts and 24 walks in 95 innings. Yet even those marks aren't the dominance onlookers expect from a hard-thrower nicknamed after a god, and he's generating the fewest chases and most contact off the plate of his career while often getting burned on two-strike counts. The SP1 upside remains, but the potential buy-low candidate has yet to truly make good on his ceiling.

Cain joined Mookie Betts and Whit Merrifield as the only players to hit .300 with 10 homers and 30 steals last season. He set career highs in walk and hard-hit rates atop Milwaukee's lineup, leading to 90 runs scored in 141 games. This season, however, he hasn't met the hype with a .254 average and six steals in 62 games. He has still scored 40 runs, and there's no drop in contact rate to support the sudden average dip. There's plenty of time to turn the corner, but the 33-year-old could be slowing down a bit.

After replacing Brad Hand as San Diego's closer late last year, Yates is ascending into a top-tier fantasy reliever. He has converted his first 21 save opportunities while allowing just three runs in 25 frames with a 37.1 K-BB%. Now that the Padres have a formidable roster, he's no longer a risk to suffer Hand's fate via a midseason trade. That makes Yates a top-five stopper with strong job security.

Albies once again opened the season ablaze, but it didn't take as long for him to cool down. After batting .289 with six homers, three steals, and 24 runs through April, he's batting .236 with one homer, one steal, and eight runs in May. These troubles have pushed him to the bottom of Atlanta's batting order, which could continue to hamper his run and steal tallies. The 22-year-old still has an immense ceiling and could still replicate 2018's 24/14 campaign, but his value drops until he can move back up the lineup card.

Is Moncada finally putting it all together? A .360 wOBA through 62 games has investors hoping they hit the jackpot on an elite young talent who was available in the middle of drafts. Although his strikeout rate is slowly rising, his 28.0% is still down significantly from last year's crushing 33.4% clip. A more aggressive approach has yielded better contact and power, so don't sell the burgeoning star unless receiving a notable profit befitting his early breakout.

As a full-time closer, Hader just may be the most valuable fantasy reliever. He has already has 13 saves in 2019 and has continued to pick them up after Jeremy Jeffress returned. With an insane 52.0% K rate, he now garners elite status in all formats.

Following a down year in which he "only" hit 32 home runs with a 115 wRC+, Encarnacion has bounced back to elite form with 20 long balls and a 140 wRC+ in 63 games. He's hitting more fly balls, and last year's career-high strikeout rate has dropped back to normal. In hindsight, it's laughable that a bankable slugger was available beyond the top-100 picks. As long as he stays healthy, the 36-year-old is on his way to another 35-40 home runs. That remains the case after getting traded to the Yankees, where he could put up absurd HR and RBI tallies as the regular designated hitter.

As many observers predicted based on his underwhelming exit velocity, Robles' slash line has tumbled to .234/.303/.402 following a strong start. He still has nine homers and steals apiece, but both columns have dried down since April. Moved down to the order once Trea Turner returned, Robles hasn't swiped a bad in nearly a month. While gamers should temper expectations, he could still commence his career with a 15-25 campaign, a rare skill set at any position.

Chapman's average fastball velocity has plummeted all way down to 97.9 mph. He still has 32 strikeouts in 21.2 innings, and investors should be delighted to see his walk rate decline from 14.2 to 6.9%. Boasting a 1.66 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 15 saves keeps him in a rarified breed of star closers.

A popular candidate to win the NL batting title in Colorado, Murphy injured his hand less than a week into the season. Avoiding severe tendon damage, he returned from the IL in late April, but stumbled mightily through May. With the help of home cooking, the perennial .300 hitter is batting .377 with five doubles and two home runs in 13 June games. This is reminiscent of last year's late surge after working off the rust from an injury, so the 34-year-old should regain everyone's trust as a top-100 player.

Voit dominated (.322/.398/.671, 15 HRs) in 47 games with the Yankees. His .447 wOBA matched Mike Trout, and his .437 wxOBA topped every hitter with at least 150 plate appearances. He also, however, posted a 40.5 HR/FB% with an abysmal 68.9% contact rate, stats which respectively scream HR and AVG regression. This season has also been a mixed bag, but the arrow is pointing firmly upward. He has rebounded from a slow start to go deep 13 times in 52 games, giving him 29 homers in his first 94 games with the Bronx Bombers. Suddenly the first baseman has a 131 wRC+ (as of May 28) and .400 xwOBA that suggest last year's late arrival was no fluke. His current .254 batting average is closer in line to what everyone should expect, but the power is legit.

Although no longer the premier closer in town, Jansen is still a top-tier option. A 3.16 ERA would top last year's 3.01 as a new career high, but he has also recorded 35 strikeouts and five walks in 25.2 innings with a .188 opposing batting average. He hasn't allowed a run since ceding a grand slam on May 5. Health is his primary concern after undergoing heart surgery over the offseason.

Nola investors are undoubtedly getting antsy. After posting a pristine 2.37 ERA in 2018, he has opened 2019 with a 4.53 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through 11 troubling starts. A command artist throughout his rise to ace status, he has already issued 25 walks in 57.2 innings. His first-pitch strike rate has plummeted from 69.4 to 58.0%, and he has also lost over points in his subpar 9.0% swinging-strike rate despite a strikeout uptick. There's not much to do but hold tight and hope the cold weather and tough schedule have caused his bad beginning.

Puig became every drafter's friend after getting shipped from the Dodgers to Reds. After comfortably soaring well into the top 100, he has batted .218/.264/.394 with May nearing its end. Just about every meaningful metric has trended in the wrong direction, but don't panic. The polarizing outfielder recovered from an early power drought to notch 10 since April 14, and it's common for players to struggle early with a new club. If the price has significantly dropped, buy low in hopes of Puig catching fire in a terrific hitter's park. He's still on track to accrue at least 25 homers and 15 steals.

One of two relievers (Dellin Betances) to record triple-digit Ks in each of the last two seasons, Hand is an elite fantasy asset now that he has full control over Cleveland's save situations. Used as a traditional closer in 2019, the lefty has recorded 19 saves with a 0.98 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 27.2 innings. He's earned trust as a top-tier stopper.

Gallo was already due for some regression, particularly to his batting average, but now he's also on the shelf with an oblique strain. Expect him to revert back to the low average/huge power guy we've seen in past seasons once he returns to the Rangers in late June.

Polanco needed 77 games to post three triples, six homers, and nine barrels in 2018. Fifty-two games into 2019, he has five triples, nine homers, and 15 barrels. His launch angle and hard-hit rate are both way up, so this is no mere early blip. The 25-year-old is breaking out in a major way, and he could still steal close to 10 bases if he stops smacking extra-base hits every time. Undervalued as a solid middle infielder on draft day, he now looks like a top-15 shortstop.

He didn't quite validate last spring's sleeper appeal in 2018, but Marte looks poised to change that. The 25-year-old has already bopped 12 home runs in 55 games, bringing him two shy of last year's personal high. While three steals may not seem like much, they're a step in the right direction for a speedy player who swiped just nine combined bags in the past two seasons. He now looks capable of producing a 20/10 campaign with a solid average near the top of Arizona's lineup, making him a potent middle infielder in most leagues.

Last season's 160.1 IP comfortably set a personal high for Paxton, and he may not exceed it in 2019. After an up-and-down start that included back-to-back shutouts with 12 strikeouts apiece, the southpaw went on the injured list with knee inflammation. He returned on May 29 to toss four hitless innings with seven strikeouts, so he should be all systems go now. Brandishing a 2.81 ERA and 2.38 FIP in eight turns, he's a top-15 ace when healthy.

After serving a suspension for a domestic violence charge, Osuna got traded to the Astros and was closing within a month. His K/9 has improved from last year's middling 7.58 to 8.88, and he still misses enough bats to fan over a batter per frame. He has yielded just 14 hits, three walks, and six runs over 25.1 spectacular innings to secure Houston's closing gig over the equally excellent Ryan Pressly. Those comfortable rostering Osuna will get elite ratios and perhaps more strikeouts, which will fortify his positioning as one of the game's finest fantasy options.

Devers started the season making contact gains diminished by a power funk. He then put it together with eight home runs and a .416 wOBA in May. Now he's hitting .295 with nine homers, 47 runs, 40 RBIs, and eight steals, making him one of fantasy's five-category contributors. He's 22 years old. A rise in exit velocity and fall in strikeouts support the elevated average, and he's always had the look of someone who can swat 25-30 long balls in a season. The speed is an unexpected treat that may not last, but managers should buy this breakout from a near top-50 hitter.

Santana, who submitted 30 homers and 15 steals in 2017, once again has a regular role after getting shipped from Milwaukee to Seattle. With 13 long balls and five steals through June 9, he could be on his way to a repeat. A late pick for those who drafted before his two home runs in Tokyo, 25-30 long balls and a handful of steals with a .260-.270 average will get the job done. His rebound is precisely why some gamers prefer to draft as early as possible.

Muncy had batted .195 with five homers in 245 big league plate appearances prior to 2018, so he naturally towered 35 homers with a .407 wOBA. There are plenty of reasons not to anticipate the bottom falling out entirely. While his ISO has dropped early in 2019, he has maintained a gorgeous walk rate with a high launch angle and 13 homers. Unlike many lefty sluggers, he actually crushes same-handed opponents. He's a strong power play and tremendous OBP target.

Baseball fans could soon think of that pop singer as the other Bieber. After generating a 13.68 K/BB ratio (!) throughout his minor league career, the Cleveland righty recorded 118 strikeouts to 23 walks in 114.2 big league frames. He also, however, got pegged to a 4.55 ERA. He has succeeded early in 2019 by trading more heaters for sliders, and the results are a much improved 3.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 29.9% K rate. He has also allowed a troubling amount of hard contact, so don't anoint the rising Bieber an ace just yet. He is however, a borderline top-25 starter.

One of baseball's hardest throwers, Vazquez accrued a 2.17 ERA, 2.45 FIP, and 10.96 K/9 over the past two seasons combined. The 27-year-old is locked into Pittsburgh's closer gig after collecting 37 saves last year. He looks even better in 2019, posting a 1.57 ERA with 37 strikeouts and five walks in 23 innings. Vazquez offers the perfect blend of job stability and elite strikeout upside, making him a clear top-10 closer.

Having batting .300 or better with at least 10 homers and 20 steals in each of the last two seasons, Segura seemed like a value in 2019 drafts. Nearly three months into the season, however, he's hitting .270 with six homers and four steals. While the average should improve, it's troubling to see him barely run on a new team. At least that squad is letting him bat near the top of the lineup, giving him a chance to match or exceed last year's 91 runs. Without the speed, Segura could fall behind baseball's influx of talented shortstops.

After missing a month with a strained hamstring, Tatis still has few enough at-bats that there is quite a bit of statistical noise in his season-long numbers. It's clear that Tatis already possesses legit power and speed, but he's had some very fortunate batted ball results so far. According to Statcast, Tatis has the single-biggest differential in baseball between his batting average and expected batting average, as well as the fourth-biggest differential between his slugging percentage and expected slugging percentage. It's not surprising that Tatis is striking out a lot at age 20, but it does mean that his batting average could plummet over the rest of 2019 as his batted ball results normalize.

Although he started slow, the Statcast data suggested Reyes was in store for a massive breakout. Surely enough, he's now batting .249/.300/.547 with 20 home runs. He still hasn't caught up to his .370 xwOBA, so the Padres outfielder could very well up his average a tad while pursuing 35-40 long balls. Such production would make him a league-winning find for those who grabbed him off the waiver wire in April.

As of June 11, Treinen has already allowed one more run (13) than in all of his breakout 2018. He's just three walks shy of matching last year's 21, and his K-BB% has dropped from an elite 25.1% to a subpar 9.9%. He now has a 3.34 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, and the ERA estimators (4.13 FIP, 4.67 SIERA) aren't optimistic either. A league-winner last year is now a borderline top-10 closer at best.

While the velocity has stayed down, the whiffs and strikeouts are way up for Price, who has garnered a 2.83 ERA in 10 starts. This success carries over from last year's 2.25 ERA after the All-Star break, so the veteran appeared to have learned how to pitch with diminished stuff. His days as an ace are numbered, but the 33-year-old should hold his own as a top-25 starter in a desolated landscape.

After getting shipped out of Milwaukee to Baltimore, Villar won some leagues down the stretch. In 54 games with his new club, the middle infielder batted .258 with eight homers and 21 steals. Although highly erratic, Villar has also manifested his fantastical ceiling when batting .285 with 19 homers and 62 steals in 2016. Nobody should expect him to reach those heights again, but he's on his way to another 15-35 campaign in the heart of Baltimore's batting order. A poor contact profile presents significant batting-average downside, but the speed still makes him a tantalizing middle infielder. Although the 11 steals as of June 6 is a bit underwhelming, he's still just one of 14 players who has swiped double-digit bags.

Andrus went from 20 homers and 25 steals to six and five, respectively, last year. The speed drop-off was especially jarring, as he had reached at least 20 steals in each of his last nine MLB seasons. This year, the 30-year-old has already bounced back with six homers and 13 steals as of June 13. That's despite serving a short IL stint due to a hamstring strain. With the running back in tow, he's a strong shortstop who can go 15/25 with a batting average close to his career .276.

Through seven starts, as of May 7, Boyd boasts a 3.01 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 97 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 77.2 innings. He also resides in the top 10 of contact and swinging-strike rate by relying heavily on his wipeout slider. This may not be a fluke, as he punched out a batter per frame in 2018's second half. The Tigers lefty looks like an early favorite for the year's biggest waiver-wire addition who could finish as a top-20 starter like Patrick Corbin in 2018.

An underrated stud when healthy, Turner touted a higher wRC+ (141) than Paul Goldschmidt, Giancarlo Stanton, Nolan Arenado, and Manny Machado in the past three seasons. He recovered from an early power drought to bat .306/.392/.446 through May, and he'll compile plenty of runs and RBIs in a prolific Dodgers lineup. He has also stayed healthy, which has proven his main detriment to his fantasy value. Turner may not hit for more than 20-25 homers in a full season, but there are few safer bets to bat .300.

Buoyed by a lethal slider and a curveball that didn't yield a single extra-base hit in his rookie campaign, there's easy 200-strikeout upside if Flaherty pitches a full season. Yet a 3.52 BB/9 and 57.2% first-pitch rate made the 23-year-old riskier than the typical SP2. He has commenced 2019 with a 4.19 ERA and 4.28 FIP, and his command woes have resurfaced in May with 14 walks in 22.2 innings. A burgeoning top-15 ace may instead have to clamor for top-25 consideration.

Last year's top catcher with room to spare, Realmuto's value rose substantially after getting traded to the Phillies. Batting fifth has yielded 34 runs and 32 RBIs apiece in 52 games for someone who hasn't batted below .275 since 2015. He also went from the worst park for right-handed power to the second-best behind Coors Field, so he could potentially expand upon 2018's career-high 21 homers. Despite his average 100 wRC+, those who avoided the catcher cesspool won't regret landing Realmuto, who is at worst the position's second-best option behind a rejuvenated Gary Sanchez.

It took Giolito a few years to deliver on his prospect pedigree, but the breakout we're seeing is absolutely legit. Giolito has been a bit fortunate when it comes to avoiding home runs, but he can afford some regression there and still be a well-above average fantasy starter.

Not everyone rookie can be a superstar right away. Bestowed with immense expectations after making the White Sox's Opening Day roster, Jimenez hit just .241/.294/.380 with three homers and a 29.4% K rate in 21 games. After missing three weeks with an ankle sprain, he has begun to display his sky-high upside in June, batting .319 with five home runs through 13 games. Those who stayed patient should receive the elite contact/power prospect promised for the remaining three-plus months. He could easily offer another 15-20 long balls down the stretch and is a must-own in any league.

Once deemed a future superstar, Buxton spent most of 2018 in Triple-A after batting .156 with a -3 wRC+ in 94 dreadful big league plate appearances. It was understandable to write him off, but he remained an elite defender who posted Statcast's highest sprint speed. Now he's once again showing signs of a legitimate breakout by batting .266/.324/.527 with nine homers and 10 steals in 65 games. The strikeout rate is down to a tenable 22.5%, and he has substantially elevated both his launch angle and exit velocity. We've seen the bottom fall out before, but the 25-year-old is at least showing the ability to reach 2017 (.253, 16 HR, 29 SB) form with potential for more. Minnesota placed him on the IL on June 18, retroactive to June 15, with a wrist contusion. While it's not expected to cost him significant time, the bigger fear is it the ailment saps his burgeoning power.

Dahl could easily offer 25 homers and 15 steals with a Coors-inflated batting average if he ever stayed healthy. Following a fast start, however, a lower abdomen injury forced him to the IL. He returned after missing minimal time, but investors still must be willing to absorb some additional matchup homework. He recorded a .378 wOBA against righties and a .296 wOBA versus lefties in 2018, and even those steep splits are nothing compared to his .435 wOBA at home compared to a .254 wOBA on the road. This could make him trickier to own in leagues with weekly lineups. A ghastly 34.0% K rate, which hasn't impacted him because of a bloated .443 BABIP, also interferes with his general breakout promise.

Following a down 2018, the second straight season derailed by injuries, Correa is making a bid to reclaim his star billing. After mustering just 15 homers and a 101 wRC+ last season, his power returned with 11 long balls and a 143 wRC+ in 50 games. The steals, however have not; he has just one. He's also chasing more pitches off the plate and whiffing more, but a rise in exit velocity and .392 xwOBA vouch for the hot start. Correa was validating the lofty draft cost before fracturing his ribs while getting a massage at home. (Seriously.) He's expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

Soroka is due for a healthy amount of regression, but he's been so good that he can afford to regress and still be a well-above average fantasy starter.

Haniger is currently on the injured list with a ruptured testicle that required surgery and should cost him at least a few weeks. When healthy, Haniger has displayed an excellent power stroke but has also struck out at an alarming rate.

Escobar keeps producing to little fanfare, batting .290/.353/.561 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs as May comes to a close. The elevated average comes with a .241 xBA, so treat this as a hot streak from a solid corner or middle infielder rather than a breakout.

Wheeler was nearly as good as Jacob deGrom after last year's All-Star break, boasting a 1.68 ERA and 20.4 K-BB% in 11 starts. All that promise made his grueling start all the more disappointing. Investors might have panicked after he issued a 6.35 ERA in four starts, but he has since lowered that mark to 4.61 while notching 93 strikeouts in 84 innings. Although continually did in by home runs and one bad inning, he has emerged into a rare workhorse who has worked at least seven frames in eight of his last 10 turns He still looks like the breakout candidate many drafted as a top-25 starter. Time is running out to acquire him below face value.

Coors Field has claimed another victim. A source of heated debate before and during the season, Marquez overcome his surroundings with help from a favorable early schedule featuring trips to Miami and San Francisco. More exposure to his home park has deflated the breakout potential; he has a 5.70 ERA and .314 opposing average at Coors Field compared to a 3.33 ERA and .187 opposing average on the road. He may be a Cy Young candidate if pitching for another team, but the high altitude won't allow him to contain his ERA enough to flourish as a top fantasy option.

Peralta batted .293 with a .352 OBP and 14 homers in 2017, but drafters snoozed at his bounce-back campaign. Last year, he batted .293 with a .352 OBP … and 30 homers. And yet he's still fighting for a top-100 spot. Having previously never gone deep more than 17 times in a season, it was safe to project regression given his 29.2% fly-ball rate. The power has predictably faded with six homers in 40 games, but he's still batting .323/.368/.547. Beware some regression, however, as a .304 xwOBA buried below his .386 wOBA makes him one of 2019's most fortunate early performers. Arizona placed him on the IL May 24 with inflammation in his right AC joint.

DeJong looks poised to turn a profit on his diminished draft stock by substantially improving his strikeout and walk rates. He's also generating more hard hits while setting a career high with four steals. The most important April development: He's routinely batting third behind Paul Goldschmidt for the Cardinals. If he keeps that job description, the shortstop could drive in 90-100 runs with around 25 long balls. Expect his average to fall back to earth below .300, but potentially stay higher than his career .271 clip.

A dirt-bike accident in 2017 and broken hand suffered last spring limited Bumgarner to 240.2 combined innings in the past two seasons. He had previously exceeded 200 in each of the last six seasons. While he could regain his workhorse label in 2019, the 29-year-old's 4.10 ERA is far above his current season high of 3.37. He has, however, reversed last year's declines in velocity, swinging strikes, strikeouts, and walks. His FIP (3.60) and SIERA (3.66) have also improved from 2018, so this is actually an encouraging start for investors hoping for a high-floor SP3.

Doolittle has had some uncharacteristically sloppy outings, already allowing a many home runs (three) and one more walk (seven) than last year. At least he has stayed healthy while compiling 35 strikeouts in 27.2 innings. He also hasn't issued a free pass since May 21, and he no longer needs to worry about the Nationals signing Craig Kimbrel. The lefty is still a borderline top-15 closer.

Smith is currently on the injured list with hip inflammation. There is no firm timeline for his return, but he's optimistic the injury won't sideline him for too long. Smith was having a breakout season prior to the injury, and could be a top-25 fantasy starter in the second half as long as his health cooperates.

Kimbrel ended the long wait by signing a three-year contract with the Cubs on June 5. He is expected to join the team by June 20, at which point he should be immediately inserted into the ninth inning. When that time comes, he's a borderline top-10 closer who will need to brush off concerns of rust to rise higher up the rankings. He struggled his walks (12.6%) last year, but Kimbrel is a strikeout artist with a career 1.91 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.

Looking for the next hot-shot minor leaguer to join the prospect promotion party? Alvarez was hitting .343/.443/.742 with 23 home runs in 56 Triple-A games prior to his call-up. He went yard in his MLB debut on June 9. The title contender can especially use his sizzling bat in the major league lineup with all of their stars injured, so he should stay for the long haul. The 21-year-old brings massive power upside to the table and should immediately be added in the shallowest of mixed leagues.

Although Mancini hit 24 homers in each of the last two seasons, his wRC+ fell from 118 to 93 in 2018. He has rebounded in 2018, slapping 10 homers with a 131 wRC+ through 52 games. Even though he's cooled off in May, he's assured playing time and a prominent batting-order placement as one of few competent hitters in Baltimore's lineup. He should at least split the difference between 2017 and 2018, which would make him a .260+ hitter with steady counting numbers. A .300 batting average may still make him a sell-high candidate, but he's a solid corner infield/fourth outfielder in meatier formats.

In what should have surprised nobody, Hill needed to miss time due to an MCL injury. Since returning in late April, he has recorded a 2.73 ERA, 37 strikeouts, and six walks in six starts. The veteran is a strong SP2 or 3 in the starts he makes, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the 39-year-old miss more time or run out of steam.

Gordon already stole a dozen bags in 45 games, and three home runs represents a seismic power tear for the slap-hitting second baseman. Initially tucked down the bottom half of Seattle's lineup, Mallex Smith's troubles presented a path back to the leadoff role. That was before getting sidelined with a right wrist contusion. When healthy, he's a one-category star who could potentially regain some value in the runs and average columns.

A strong start to 2019, in which he has hit a dozen home runs and shockingly matched a career high with three steals through May, has fortified Grandal's status as a top-five catcher. Even if he falls back to earth, the 30-year-old catcher will hit around the .240-.250 range with a high walk rate (13.9% in 2018) and around 25-30 homers. That will look a lot better after looking at waiver-wire options, and he's especially valuable in two-catcher and OBP leagues.

Myers followed 28/28 and 30/20 campaigns with 11 homers and 13 steals an injury-shortened 2018, so it's easy to envision a 25/20 rebound if he stays healthy. He also added third-base eligibility to his portfolio, making him an intriguing bounce-back option. However, a bloated 36.4% strikeout rate, as of June 6, will make it difficult for him to even hit around his usual .250 range.

Clevinger looked on the cusp of joining his Cleveland teammate as an elite ace. He opened 2019 with 22 strikeouts over two scoreless starts before suffering a back injury. Initially given a six-to-eight week timetable in early April before he could resume throwing, the righty is scheduled to return on June 17. He could quickly vault his way back into a top-20 option.

Upton, who opened the season on the IL with what sounded like a minor toe injury, instead missed more than two months. There's goes his streak of three straight 30-homer seasons and eight seasons with at least 145 games played. He homered in his return on June 17 so check to make sure he wasn't dropped in shallow mixed league. Although durability was a major selling point, he can still offer plenty of power down the stretch.

The plan all along was to limit Paddack's innings total in 2019, and the Padres' decision to send him to the minors is evidence that we are now seeing that plan in action. Expect should be back in San Diego in a matter of weeks, and will be a high-end starter whenever he takes the mound.

Despite entering 2018 with health woes and batting .155 in April, Carpenter went scorched earth to hit .257/.374/.523 with a career-high 36 homers. Those who bet on a repeat can only hope his 2019 plays out the same way. The third baseman is batting .221/.331/.392 with nine homers in 60 games. MLB's leader in hard-hit rate last year is now in the bottom-30 percentile, and his xSLG has dropped from .546 to .422. We saw his ability to adjust and heat up in a seismic way last year, so don't give up just yet.

Investors have already received the full Tanaka experience. Elite at his best, he yielded just one earned run in each of his first three starts. He since allowed zero or one run in four turns and four or five runs in another four. Anyone who has rostered the Yankees righty is used to this volatility, but they have stomached it in exchange for elite strikeout rates. This season, however, his K rate has dipped to a career-low 21.4% with a drop in swinging-strike rate (11.1%). Opponents have obliterated his splitter to a .385 wOBA, and he has already served up 11 homers. Tanaka is still a strong starter sporting a 3.42 ERA, but consider shopping him once he strings together a hot streak.

Before the season began, Reds manager David Bell said he wanted to use Iglesias when a high-leverage situation arises rather than limiting his best reliever to the ninth. While the closer has expressed some frustration about occasionally appearing in non-save scenarios, he has still compiled 13 saves. He also already has 40 strikeouts and 17.4% swinging-strike rate in 29.1 innings, so this usage has yet to hurt his fantasy viability as a top-15 closer.

Armed with what pitching coach Mike Maddux called "the best fastball I've ever seen," Hicks brandishes elite upside despite posting a middling 3.59 ERA and 7.4 K-BB% in his rookie season. Remember, the Cardinals bumped him up straight from Single-A, so the 22-year-old is still developing. Now that he has a relatively firm grip on the closer's role, he just may ascend into a top-shelf reliever as soon as this season. Following a stellar start, he has hit some rough patches and watched his ERA balloon to 4.00. He has, however, improved his strikeout rate (29.2%) with a 57.1% ground-ball rate, so he should right the ship before St. Louis needs to think about ninth-inning alternatives. He's a top-15 closer on the cusp of top-10 status.

After showing solid contact in 2016 and power in 2017, Castellanos put it all together to hit .298/.354/.500 with 23 homers last season. Even playing every day in a desolate Detroit lineup led him to 88 runs and 89 RBIs, so he's a high-floor option in his age-27 season. That's despite waiting until April 25 to hit his first home run of 2019. His .269/.316/.457 will keep trending upward, and he'll crawl his way to another boring 20-25 long balls. He's an interesting buy-low candidate.

Before most of the majors even started the season, Olson got hit on his right hand by a pitch in Tokyo. He underwent hamate surgery, which kept him out of action for all of April. Although tricky injury from which to recover, he has quickly rediscovered his power with seven homers and a .286 ISO in 23 games. There's ample power upside from someone who slugged .651 as a rookie and clubbed 29 home runs in an underwhelming 2018.

Hamels carried over 2018's late turnaround with the Cubs into this season with a 3.19 ERA in April. That mark jumped a full two runs in May. He now holds a 4.02 ERA and FIP with the highest walk rate (9.5%) of his 14-year career. A drop in fastball velocity has helped opponents ransack the pitch to a .407 wOBA. Having made at least 30 starts with 188 or more strikeouts in eight of the last nine seasons, Hamels is still appealing rotation workhorse. Yet his days as a top-50 fantasy starter may be numbered.

A rising star came crashing down when Contreras cratered to .249/.339/.390 with 10 homers in 544 plate appearances. He again hit grounders on over half of his batted balls, but this time it came with fewer hard hits (28.9%) and more pop-ups (10.3%). A terrible second half (.264 wOBA) derailed this season, so it wasn't even a full year of regression. He has pressed reset to start 2019, batting .320/.422/.633 with 11 homers and far more fly balls through 39 games. Without too much competition, Contreras has re-earned his spot as a top-five catcher.

Pederson has already smashed 17 home runs through May, and he's leading off against righties for one of baseball's best lineups. We've seen plenty of false-alarm hot streaks from the outfielder before, but this torrid start has come with higher contact and hard-hit rates. Although the 27-year-old once pegged with 20/20 upside has yet to even attempt a steal, this looks like the year he finally hits 30-plus homers. He's a commendable fantasy asset if it simply comes with a .250-.260 average.

One of few uncertain closer situations to quickly gain clarity, Smith has snared full control of San Francisco's ninth-inning duties. After recording a 2.55 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 53 innings last year, the lefty has converted his first 12 chances with a 2.61 ERA and 40% K rate. Although a likely midseason trade candidate, he's a strong top-20 closer for now.

One of last year's best sources of cheap speed, Smith was among one of four players with at least 30 steals (Merrifield, Mookie Betts, and Lorenzo Cain) to also bat above .290 (.296). This season, however, he was batting below .200 with an elevated strikeout before the Mariners demoted him to Triple-A. Since getting recalled in mid-May, his eight steals rank second in the majors behind Adalberto Mondesi (nine). He's still among MLB's steal leaders with 16 in 48 games, and he has the skills to hit for a better average down the road.

His success defies common convention, so it was hard not to freak out over Hendricks surrendering a 5.33 ERA through five starts. Could the bottom finally be falling out for a finesse pitcher who operates in the mid-80s? Nope. A .405 BABIP and 58.8% strand rate fueled that rough beginning, and The Professor has quickly corrected course. His ERA recovered to 3.36 before landing on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. There's no timetable for his return, so sit tight for now, as he's a dependable SP3 to use with full confidence when healthy.

This looks like a different Minor than the man who posted a 4.18 ERA and 20.6 K% last season. He now sports a 2.55 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 81.1 innings. He has blanked the opposition four times in 13 starts, and that doesn't include a one-run, 13-strikeout gem against Seattle. Bolstered velocity and an elite spin rate has led to better success with his four-seam fastball, and all three of his other offerings (slider, changeup, and curveball) have a double-digit swinging-strike rate. Even if a 3.97 SIERA suggests regression is coming once he has to pitch in Arlington all summer, the southpaw has shown more than enough to confidently deploy in all leagues.

A calf injury limited Donaldson to just 52 games last season. He also wasn't his dominant self when healthy, batting .245/.352/.449 with his lowest wOBA (.345) since 2012. Still yet to rediscover his MVP gear, he's on that same trajectory with a .237/.357/.419 slash line and .338 wOBA. At least he's hitting at a higher exit velocity than last year. If he can stay healthy, managers are probably looking at more of a .250-.260, 25-30-HR hitter who still offers a stout OBP and plenty of counting numbers in Atlanta's strong lineup.

Woodruff has emerged from the pack as the young Brewers pitcher to own in fantasy leagues. He generates a lot of strikeouts and his peripherals fully back up his mid-3.00s ERA.

The prototypical "saves are saves" closer entering 2019, Greene has improbably picked up 18 saves through May with a 1.13 ERA. Those with other closers should try to sell high. This is still a reliever with a career 4.65 ERA pitching for a subpar team. He has made improvements in the strikeout (28.4%) and contact (73.6%) department, but he still holds a 3.52 FIP and .175 BABIP bound to drop. And if he keeps this up, Greene will earn himself a one-way ticket out of Detroit before the trade deadline. The fast start has at least afforded him full job security while with the Tigers, and that's enough to make him a top-20 option.

We can't ignore Odorizzi's success forever. A pitcher who posted an ERA of 4.14 and 4.49 in the last two years, respectively, now boasts a 1.92 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 70.1 innings. Everyone in the majors is hitting home runs this season, but not against Minnesota's 29-year-old rookie. He has permitted four long balls despite a 50.3% fly-ball rate. The bottom is bound to fall out eventually, but he now gone seven of his last nine starts without allowing a run. Enjoy the ride unless you're able to sell high.

Glasnow was in the midst of a massive breakout season before he hit the injured list with a forearm strain. He is aiming for a return in mid-July and could be a true difference-maker for fantasy owners in the second half of the season.

For a guy who just tallied 27 homers and 11 steals in 137 games, Hicks wasn't getting much love before a back injury gave drafters a reason to back away. The 29-year-old started 2019 on the IL and rejoined the Yankees on May 15. Since his cost always baked in some injury risk, he could still lead investors to profit by coming back to a featured role in a prominent lineup spot. He's hitting just .224 with two home runs through 15 games, but Hicks has maintained his strong batting eye with a 13.3% walk rate.

This is why managers need to maintain the long view. Braun ended April batting .196, but six hits in an 18-inning marathon on May 4 raised his average to .263. Just like that, his early returns look just fine. He has stayed healthy, played regularly, and belted nine homers with 30 RBIs, 25 runs, and four steals for the Brew Crew. He may never return to All-Star form, but the 35-year-old still looks like a solid contributor who can pair 20-25 homers with 10 steals and a decent batting average.

Kepler's incremental raises in home runs (17, 19, 20) and wOBA (.313, .315, .316) suggested he's still a boring player not progressing nearly rapidly enough to target in most mixed leagues. Yet he made some gains in 2018 that point to more significant development. The outfielder improved his walk (11.6%) and strikeout (15.7%) rates to personal bests while also making notable leaps in fly balls (46.2%) and hard hits (37.1%). Sure enough, he appears to have expedited his growth after hitting .280/.349/.545 with 12 home runs. He's also batting leadoff against righties for one of baseball's hottest lineups. Perhaps on the verge of a full-fledged breakout, he should be rostered in all leagues.

Regardless of how the league's host site manages the Ohtani dilemma, he'll only contribute as a hitter after undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. He wasn't ready for April in that capacity either. The Japanese phenom exceeded expectations inside the batter's box, batting .285/.361/.564 with 22 homers and 10 steals (13 HRs and eight SBs over the final two months) in just 357 plate appearances. There's still 25/10 potential, but those stashing him should temper speed expectations since the Angels won't want to risk another injury. He has yet to steal a base in 24 games, but Ohtani has bashed three homers in the last five games (as of June 6). Make sure he's rostered in all leagues in case he rediscovers last year's late game-changing ceiling.

Votto, now 35 years old, hit 12 homers last year after clubbing 36 in 2017. He has just four late into May alongside a .215 batting average and eyebrow-raising uptick in strikeouts. After lacing MLB's second-highest line-drive rate (31.4%) behind Freddie Freeman last year, the mark has dropped over 10% with more fly balls, but fewer hard hits. With no end to this slump in sight, it's fair to wonder if the bottom have fallen out on the former MVP. While it's still too early to cut bait, it's not worth making any buy-low trade offers.

Having hit 20 homers in each of his first three MLB seasons, Mazara has yet to validate his high prospect pedigree as an above-average hitter. Drafters who paid for upside have instead received nearly identical numbers from 2018. Despite some positive early signs, his ground-ball rate has risen back to 50% while his .177 ISO has fell right in line with a middling career norm. The 24-year-old still has breakout potential, but investors may have to settle for another .260, 20-homer campaign.

Early in the season, it appeared Gabe Kapler was going to play the ninth inning by ear. While Neris has recorded just seven saves as of May 19, that's only because the Phillies have either won big or lost. This is no longer a committee, and Neris has notched a 1.86 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. It's time to treat like him a top-20 fantasy closer.

Everything went right for Ray in 2017, when he registered a 2.89 ERA despite a 3.94 BB/9 and 3.72 FIP. An oblique strain limited him to just 123.2 innings in 24 starts last season, and 70 walks led to a 3.93 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He has so far resembled the better model, posting a 3.62 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 69.1 innings. He remains just as tough to hit with a .232 batting average, and a 3.24 FIP even offers some room for growth. Yet a 4.65 BB/9 has bloated his WHIP to 1.39, which is what investors should expect rather than 2017's 1.15 mark aided by a .267 BABIP.

If he stays healthy, Eaton could go down as a 2019 steal. Although hitting a pedestrian .274/.357/.397, the strong OBP has kept him in Washington's second slot behind Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon. Having already scored 38 runs, he could reach 90 with double-digit home runs and steals if his body cooperates. He's a boring, but steady contributor.

Cron has crushed eight of his 13 home runs in May while slugging .534. He has slashed his strikeout rate by chasing fewer pitches off the plate, and he gets to bat in a red-hot Twins lineup. He's on his way to another sneaky 30-HR season, perhaps with a batting average higher than last year's .253. That's a solid CI who has proved 2018 wasn't a fluke.

Four starts into the season, Mikolas had yet to record more strikeouts than runs allowed. While he has looked better on occasion, some rough starts have kept his ERA at an inflated 4.83 - two full runs higher than 2018 with the same middling 6.55 K/9 at last season. Managers should worry and lower expectations, but the precise pitcher could split the different with a high-threes ERA and solid WHIP if healthy. He's more valuable in deeper leagues right now.

Signed without a clear opening, LeMahieu was practically the Yankees' only healthy player early in the season. He came through in a big way, batting .309/.355/.449 with seven home runs through 63 games. Those playing-time woes could resurface with Didi Gregorius healthy and Gio Urshela flourishing at third base, but the Bronx Bombers have continued to play LeMahieu as their leadoff hitter across the diamond. If that role sticks, he could match last year's 15 homers and 90 runs with a handful of steals and high batting average.

After undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery, Seager also had arthroscopic surgery on his hip in August. He got off to a slow start, batting .230/.333/.364 with two home runs (one on Opening Day) through April. He then notched a 123 wRC+ in May with 17 hits (seven doubles and a HR) in 10 games to start June. Unfortunately, a Grade 2 hamstring strain will halt his momentum and threaten to sideline the 24-year-old shortstop for at least four-to-six weeks. With the career .298/.370/.490 hitter heating up right before the latest health setback, Seager should be stashed in leagues with open IL or bench spots.

A smooth selection (sorry) for OBP managers, Santana is a durable compiler who could again broach 80 runs and RBIs apiece with around 25 home runs. He batted .229 in 2018 after back-to-back .259 campaigns, but he's risen that mark to .286 (as of June 13) with help from a .303 BABIP above his career .266 norm. He has more walks (43) than strikeouts (42) and has regained his lost power with 14 long balls. His contract rate has gone down, so look for him to return to a .250 average with 30-HR power and an elite batting eye. He could especially pile up the RBIs if Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez heat up. That all adds up to an underrated corner infielder.

Shortly after the Braves starting giving Riley outfield reps, an injury to Ender Inciarte opened the door to a big league promotion. The third baseman had clobbered 15 homers in 37 Triple-A games before touching them all 10 times with 29 RBIs in 26 games. He's hitting a staggering .292/.336/.623, but four strikeouts and 36 walks don't forebode sustained dominance. The power is legit, but consider selling high if someone views Riley as a superstar.

Smoak went ice cold after a strong April, but rises in exit velocities in walks pointed to better days ahead. He accordingly caught fire with six home runs from May 22 to June 1. Although his .237 average remains uninspiring, an 18.4% K rate and .287 xBA are far more encouraging. Hitting .250 with 30 homers looks like a strong possibility, in which case he'll make a great corner-infield bargain.

Piscotty has taken a step down from his bounce-back 2018, hitting an average .258/.320/.413 with eight homers in 63 games. Maybe he's just a boring contributor who will grind his way to a .260, 20-HR season in a regular role, which is decent in five-outfielder leagues given his RBI upside as Oakland's No. 5 hitter. Let's also remember that he offered just seven long balls through last June before mashing 20 over the final two months.

The every-other-year curse once again struck Hosmer, who batted .253/.322/.398 with a 95 wRC+ and -0.1 fWAR to start an eight-year, $144 million contract with the Padres. He was the only qualified position player to post a negative launch angle (-1.2°), and only Ian Desmond hit more ground balls than his 60.4%. Not only did he make weaker contact, he made less of it with career lows in contact (74.7%) and strikeout (21.0%) rate. Before writing Hosmer off entirely, he has bounced back from terrible years before. He's doing so once more, batting .297/.345/.467 with nine home runs on the heels of a hot May. Managers in deeper leagues will especially derive value from a locked-in starter who has recorded at least 667 plate appearances in each of the last four seasons. He is a solid corner-infield compiler piling up runs and RBIs alongside Franmil Reyes and Manny Machado.

Despite posting a 4.66 ERA last season and struggling to reach 90 mph in spring, Holland opened 2019 as Arizona's closer. Keeping the job and recording 30 saves with an ugly ERA like Brad Boxberger last season seemed like the best-case scenario. That was, however, until he opened 2019 by allowing two hits and no runs over 11 spectacular innings with 15 strikeouts and six saves. A full spring might have made all the difference for Holland, who has slashed his hard-hit rate and allowed just two barrels. For now, he has re-earned trust as a top-20 closer. His one save since May 3 is merely an absence of opportunities rather than Arizona implementing a committee.

 

As of June 11, La Stella has more home runs (15) than Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Ramirez, Nicholas Castellanos, and Miguel Cabrera combined. Isn't baseball fun? A light-hitting utility man throughout his career, La Stella previously had 10 home runs in 947 big league plate appearances. He has done this all with 20 strikeouts in 218 plate appearances. There comes a point where managers should just should just accept the bizarre breakout and ask questions later. It's looking more and like he's going to stick around as a worthwhile contributor.

Maeda started the season with a middling 4.41 ERA despite residing among MLB's leaders in soft contact and exit velocity against. He unsurprisingly rebounded with a pair of scoreless starts -- repairing his lacking strikeout rate with a 12-K performance -- against the Padres before the Dodgers placed him on the IL with a thigh injury. Although a recent five-run dud bumped up his ERA to 3.89, he boasts a 1.09 WHIP with 73 strikeouts in 71.2 innings. There could another IL stint (whether injured or not) or bullpen reassignment down the road, but he's a top-50 starter when given the chance.

Montas has harvested a 2.85 ERA with 88 strikeouts and 21 walks in 82 superb innings this season. He has introduced a splitter that has ate up opponents with a 65.8% ground-ball rate and 21.1% swinging-strike rate. While the 26-year-old has dominated with help from an easy May schedule, he fared well in two April outings against the Astros. He looks like the real deal, maybe even a borderline top-25 starter.

Kluber has averaged 218 innings and 245 strikeouts with a 2.85 ERA in the last five seasons. His streak of stability will end this year due to a line-drive comebacker fracturing his forearm. There's no set timetable, but the fact that he has talked about it not being season-ending seems to suggest it could be months rather than weeks. Although it's awfully tough to drop an ace, managers shouldn't expect him back anytime soon.

Carrasco recently landed on the injured list due to a blood condition that has made him feel lethargic. His current timetable is unknown but the Indians have said that they expect him to return at some point this season. Carrasco had been pitching much better than his ERA would suggest, and he is still fully capable of being a high-end fantasy starter once he returns. He is worth holding onto in most leagues while we await more information about his health.

The routinely ignored Choo keeps hitting at age 36. He has seven homers with the same wRC+ (141) as Ronald Acuna Jr. as of May 21. It's not necessarily a fluke, and he has benefited from a rise in exit velocity and hard-hit rates. He especially remains an unheralded OBP and runs asset in five-outfielder formats.

A popular preseason breakout pick, Laureano stumbled with a 76 wRC+ through April. He has batted .281/.320/.475 since the start of May and already had nine home runs and eight steals. Only a dozen other players have at least eight homers and steals apiece. Although still a free-swinger that will leave him vulnerable to more slumps, the 24-year-old looks like the 20/20 threat drafters anticipated who has secure playing time because of this tremendous defense and arm from center field.

Lost in the shuffle of Atlanta's plethora of young pitcher, injuries opened a door for Fried to join the rotation. He has answered the call to action with a 3.68 ERA in 66 innings. While the WHIP (1.30) is high and the ERA estimators (3.90 FIP, 4.04 SIERA), he is starting to miss more bats with three secondary pitches each netting swinging-strike rates above 13.5%. Fried has nevertheless regressed with a 4.93 ERA since the start of May, but he should settle down into an effective fourth or fifth fantasy starter.

German is currently sidelined with a hip flexor strain, and while his timetable is unclear, it shouldn't be a long-term injury. German had been scuffling a bit after a strong start to the season, but perhaps the chance to heal up will help him get back on track for the second half.

While providing plenty of power (.616 slugging as of June 9) when given the chance, Renfroe hasn't always receiving consistent playing time in San Diego's outfield. Dating back to last year, he has 44 home runs in 633 plate appearances. He forced his way into the lineup with nine home runs in May, so there's too much power upside to leave Renfroe on the waiver wire in any league.

Let's hope furious drafters looked at Chicago's schedule before dropping Quintana when the Brewers burned him for eight runs on April 5. He has since tossed seven scoreless innings against both the Pirates and Marlins, accumulating 18 combined strikeouts and one walk. After posting an ERA above 4.00 in consecutive years, it's nice to see the 30-year-old southpaw dominate anyone. He may at least return to top-50 SP form as someone to use confidently in the right matchups.

Recovering from Tommy John surgery, Gregorius has made tremendous strides and returned in early June. The shortstop collected 27 homers, 10 steals, and a .350 wOBA in 134 games last season, so grab him now if still available.

Perhaps a better DFS than season-long player, Winker is limited to a platoon due to his inefficiency against lefties. Yet he has still already smacked 10 home runs, exceeding his big league tallies from each of the last two seasons. A .238 BABIP -- substantially down from his career .302 clip -- has compromised his .232 batting average, so Cincinnati's corner outfielder should at least start making a bigger impact in his starts versus righties. He's more useful in leagues with daily lineup changes.

Semien had never reached a 100 wRC+ prior to 2019, and there's limited upside now that 2016's 27 homers stand out as a career outlier. Yet he boasts a 110 wRC+ with seven home runs and five steals through May. Despite early concerns of moving down in Oakland's order, he has scored 36 runs while routinely batted first for a strong lineup. As a result, he's in line to match (or exceed) last year's 89 runs and 70 RBIs. Semien, who has also trimmed his strikeout rate and drew more walks, could maintain his .261 batting average in a 20/15-type campaign.

After another down year, Giles has reminded everyone of his elite upside by opening 2019 with a 1.25 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 21.2 innings. His contact rate has dropped 10%, and Josh Hader is the only active qualified reliever with a higher swinging-strike rate. Giles has secured his spot as a top-15 closer with a secure role, but it'd only take one bad week for his resurgence to come crashing down. He landed on the IL June 12 with elbow discomfort but hopes to only miss the minimum 10 days.

Colome has opened the season as Chicago's closer, sealing all nine save opportunities with a 1.83 ERA. While he's pitching above his 3.34 FIP and 3.60 SIERA, there's no job controversy. He's a useful option for now, but consider moving him later in the season before the White Sox can do so at the trade deadline.

Odor has once again started a season in brutal fashion. He had a 45 wRC+ and 31.7% K rate through June 11 and missed time with a right knee strain. His production continues to trend south, but it's tough to quit on a 25-year-old second baseman with two 30-homer seasons under his belt. He has seven homers and six steals despite the massive struggles, so there's still immense fantasy potential despite his flaws.

Maybe Gray just needed to get away from the Yankees. The righty has rebounded from a lost 2018 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 10 starts. That doesn't even begin to properly display his dominance, as the 28-year-old has recorded 57 strikeouts in 50 innings with a 56.7% ground-ball rate and 3.11 FIP. Gray, who owns of a career 3.66 ERA, should be rostered in all leagues.

Vogelbach had come crashing down from a sensational start with four hits in 10 May games. Then he went yard five times in six contests. He's slugging .558 with 17 home runs and a 157 wRC+ this season. While another prolonged slump could be around the corner, the Beefy Baseball Boy is currently batting in the heart of Seattle's lineup. He has also bolstered his walk and strikeout rates, so he's not an average liability either. It looks like there's still some juice to squeeze out of him.

Dozier's .285 expected batting average is nearly 30 points lower than the .314 average he's produced to date, and Statcast data also indicates that his slugging percentage is quite inflated. His .346 BABIP is among the 25-highest in baseball and unlikely to stay that way. Dozier doesn't steal many bases and his run and RBI opportunities should be limited in Kansas City, so we may not be left with a whole lot once his average and HR pace tail off. His strong plate discipline should prevent him from completely falling apart, but he's likely at his high water mark right now.

Rosario was only 22 years old when everyone started losing faith. After failing to immediately become the next Francisco Lindor, he came to life by batting .284 with five homers and 15 steals over the final two months of 2018. He has made some strides at the plate this season, but fantasy investors have not reaped the rewards with just four steals batting in the bottom half of a bolstered Mets lineup. He has also curiously unraveled defensively, which has not yet cost him playing time. The former top prospect could still deliver 10 homers and 25 steals, especially if a swarm of injuries leads to more time at the top of the Mets' order. A .298 xBA, as of May 18, is also an encouraging sign.

Polanco has returned from an offseason shoulder injury to tally six homers and two steals in 35 games. His strikeouts and pop-ups have both increased, so have some patience with a 27-year-old who recorded 23 homers and 12 steals with a career-high .353 wOBA in 130 games last season. He should eventually work off the rust and prove a worthy OF3 in mixed leagues.

Despite looking like his dominant self for much of 2019, Davis has also issued an alarming 10 walks in 14.2 innings. That has led to a putrid 1.50 WHIP despite a sublime 2.45 ERA. Despite his faults, job security makes Davis one of few remaining "saves are saves" options. Health, however, is never a certainty. The Rockies placed him on the IL on May 22 with an oblique strain. Back on June 7, he would immediately reclaim his save opportunities from Scott Oberg.

Since allowing seven runs to the forceful Twins on May 2, Peacock has posted a 2.01 ERA in seven starts. He has a 3.43 ERA and 1.08 WHIP on the season with 71 strikeouts in as many innings. That gives him the look of an unheralded ace, but there are also some warning signs. His swinging-strike rate has plummeted to 8.6% in the rotation, so expect the strikeouts to sag. He's also ceding too much contact (80.5%) to dominate in such fashion. While he's a useful piece to roster in all leagues, some regression is likely.

A clear regression candidate, Lester once again got off to a tremendous start. Since posting a 1.16 ERA through seven starts, he has recorded a 7.00 ERA in five turns. His overall 3.56 is still solid, and it's accompanies by rises in walks and strikeouts. Yet his contact and swinging-strike rates have gone backward, and a .343 xwOBA is right in line with last year's .340. There's still a chance he turns the corner. After falling off the map last year, he rebounded with a stellar September. Lester is a decent depth piece for those who temper expectations.

Rodriguez is an intriguing option when healthy, but good luck getting a full season out of the lefty. Knee and ankle injuries contained him to 129.2 frames in 2018, so he has yet to make 25 starts for more than 137.1 innings in a single season. Drafters must prepare to make up the lost innings elsewhere, but he's nevertheless the type of high-strikeout hurler worth rostering alongside sturdier rotation anchors. After a brutal start to open 2019, he improved despite continuing to display maddening inconsistency. Rodriguez has allowed two or fewer runs in six starts, but he erased most of his progress by surrendering 11 combined runs in consecutive turns against the Rockies (at Boston) and Blue Jays in May. He nevertheless has a 3.57 FIP underneath his 4.88 and has generated plenty of soft contact despite a 3.46 FIP. The Red Sox southpaw could still showcase his ceiling if he stays healthy and axes the blow-up outings.

Lowe continues to defy cries of regression, batting .288/.340/.553 with 14 home runs despite a 34% strikeout rate and 64.2% contact rate. The batting average should eventually drop precipitously once a .392 BABIP, and there's still a chance to turn his hot start into a profit. There's still value, however, in a 2B/OF-eligible player who could hit .250 with 15 HRs going forward.

Cano should return shortly from a nagging quad injury, but the bigger problem is that he simply hasn't been any good this year when he has been on the field.

Steven Souza's season-ending knee surgery cleared up a starting spot for Jones, who has responded with nine home runs and a 110 wRC+ in 47 games. The durable veteran has averaged 151 games played over the past nine seasons, and he had gone seven straight seasons with at least 25 long balls before last year's 15-homer decline. He's a boring depth piece who can compile solid numbers in deeper leagues.

Strahm suffered a rib strain in early June but it looks like he will only miss the minimum 10-days. Strahm pitches in a favorable environment and helps himself out by limiting walks, but he may need to start missing more bats if he wants to push his ERA much under 4.00.

Following a down 2018, Schoop looks to have righted the ship by batting .280 with eight homers in 41 games. Don't celebrate too hard just yet. He remains allergic to walks, and his contact rate has slipped even lower below 70%. Rather than expecting a return near 2017's peak form (.293, 32 HRs, 105 RBIs), investors should simply hope for something close to .267, 25-HR, 82-RBI bottom line.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well, look at all those strikeouts. Fool me three times … but what about his FIP? Archer looked poised to finally reverse his fortune before ceding six runs to the Dodgers, ballooning his ERA back to familiar heights at 4.33. He then went on the IL with right thumb inflammation. Since returning, he has gotten shelled for 11 runs in two starts. He now has a 5.55 ERA, and the FIP (5.16) won't bail him out this time. While Archer continues to strike out over a batter per frame (934 K/9), his command has waned (4.54 BB/9) while trading ground balls for fly balls. The 30-year-old's mixed-league viability is officially in the danger zone.

Heading into 2019, Happ owned a 3.49 ERA and 8.45 K/9 over the past four seasons. Many drafters nevertheless scoffed at him going around the pick-150 range, which seemed like a reasonable price for someone who accompanied his career-high 193 strikeouts with a career-high 10.3% swinging-strike rate and career-low 78.3% contact rate in 2018. Yet it appears the skeptics were right. The 36-year-old has coughed up a 5.16 ERA and 5.71 FIP, which is especially concerning since he has faced the Orioles in four of 10 starts. A velocity decline has led to a markedly depreciated strikeout rate (18.3%) and more hard hits. Happ could still turn the corner to post a low-fours ERA and stockpile wins for the Yankees, but he's droppable in shallow mixed leagues.

Dietrich has needed just 140 plate appearances to clobber 17 home runs, putting him on a far greater pace of HRs/PAs than Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger. He's slugging over .750 against RHPs, so managers should happily grab him and play the matchups for the platoon specialist. The way he's hitting, the Reds can't possibly sit him (vs. RHPs) when Scooter Gennett returns from the IL.

Arthroscopic elbow surgery limited Darvish to eight starts in 2018. Adding insult to injury, he wasn't even good (4.95 ERA) in his brief time on the mound. He looks even worse in 2019. The righty has relinquished an appalling 44 walks in 66.1 innings, giving him a destructive 4.88 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. Darvish has also served up 11 home runs in 13 starts and has just three quality starts. Maybe he rights the ship, but it's getting hard to trust him in any starting lineups. He's the ultimate boom-or-bust starter whose value keeps dipping. It's not crazy to drop him in 10- or 12-team mixed leagues with limited bench spots.

Despite repairing his strikeout rate to 12.3%, Hernandez is still hitting a subpar .264. His contact rate is up, but his walk rate has also plummeted from 12.3 to 7.4%. He has also stolen just four bases, jeopardizing his four-year streak of amassing at least 15 steals. It would be time to shove him down the rankings if not for Andrew McCutchen's ACL tear vaulting Hernandez into a leadoff role. He's going to score a ton of runs atop Philadelphia's lineup, but he'll need to heat up before Gabe Kapler tabs someone else to hit first.

Since undergoing Lasik surgery before the 2016 season, Ramos had registered a .298/.343/.483 slash line with 20 homers per 500 plate appearances prior to 2019. Yet 2016 ended with a torn ACL, and a hamstring injury interrupted last year's All-Star campaign. After moving to the Mets, the 31-year-old can no longer DH, and a 62.3% ground-ball rate tempers his power upside. He's a top-five catcher despite these warts who rebounded from a perilous start to bat .303 with six homers in 31 games since the start of May.

While Lucchesi hasn't taken the leap yet, he once again brandishes promising numbers behind a 4.11 ERA. The 26-year-old lefty has tallied 72 strikeouts, 20 walks, and a 49.5% ground-ball rate in 72.1 innings. His changeup/curveball hybrid remains a terrific putaway pitch, but his cutter has only led to trouble. Given the strikeouts, simply pitching to his 3.75 FIP would make him a worthy fantasy option. Although he might remain a bit of an enigma, there's still upside.

Musgrove initially pleased drafters who felt they snagged the perfect late-round flier with sneaky upside. They have since (this writer included) learned a valuable lesson about taking early victory laps. He exited April with a pristine 1.54 ERA, but it has jumped to 4.44 following a disastrous May. He still possesses a 3.79 FIP and 10.8% swinging-strike rate, so dropping him may still be too severe. Yet the walks are up, the strikeouts are down and he has benefited from a 9.0% HR/FB rate. The strong beginning may have set expectations too high, but Musgrove could still return to top-50 territory.

With Arodys Vizcaino out for the season and A.J. Minter optioned to Triple-A, Jackson became the clear closer in Atlanta. He has handled the role well so far, notching six saves with a 3.18 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 34 innings. The 27-year-old no longer needs to worry about the Braves bringing back Craig Kimbrel, so Jackson needs to be owned everywhere. He could become a top-15 option by tempering the long balls. Just keep an eye on the recently recalled Minter, who could at least work his way into a committee.

A sneaky breakout candidate for years, Gibson has procured 63 strikeouts and 15 walks in 62.1 innings. He is missing more bats while tossing over 10% more first pitch, both of which create a blueprint to sustained success. His 3.75 ERA and 1.22 WHIP are both playable during this season of enhanced player, especially since the Twins hurler can constantly feast on feeble AL Central offenses. The righty should at least be rostered in all leagues.

Chavis raked ever after his promotion, producing eight home runs and a .404 wOBA in his first 25 games. A month later, his wOBA has dropped to .337 while striking out in one-third of his plate appearances. The swoon wasn't a surprise for anyone who noticed his poor contact rates early in his debut, but don't abandon the newcomer after one prolong slump. He can still offer power in a strong Red Sox lineup and is eligible for three positions (1B, 2B, and 3B) in Yahoo leagues.

It's been another lost year for Dozier, who is batting .209/.299/.362 with seven homers and one steal in 54 games. Those struggles have banished him to the bottom of Washington's batting order, and he could be benched altogether for Carter Kieboom at some point this season. The second baseman looked like a promising bounce-back candidate after playing through a knee injury last season, but it's getting tougher to hang on in smaller mixed leagues.

Shortly after getting optioned to Triple-A, Senzel suffered a sprained ankle that sidelined him for a few weeks to start the season. This seemed like a convenient excuse to park him in the minors for longer, so it was a pleasant surprise to see the Reds call him up at the start of May. Finally making his long-awaited debut, the 23-year-old made an immediate mark across the board with four home runs and five steals in his first month. A regular leadoff role has led to 20 runs scored in just 26 games. He may quickly be working his way into a top-100 overall player.

Kiermaier has quietly compiled eight home runs and 11 steals through 60 games. What's changed? He's stayed healthy. That's about it. The power and speed combo has always been there, but the Gold Glove outfielder played just 291 games from 2016-2018 combined. While he's a legitimate 20/20 option if he can avoid an IL stint, investors shouldn't assume that will happen. Go ahead and enjoy him in five-outfielder leagues for now.

Those who looked at pictures of Diaz's pecs instead of his launch angle hoped the Rays could unlock his power potential. They haven't been disappointed, as the 27-year-old has slugged .502 and pelted 12 home runs in 248 plate appearances after mustering nine in 1,099 plate appearances for Cleveland and its Triple-A affiliate over the last two years. While he continues to hit too many ground balls, his 21 barrels shows the ability to simultaneously hit hard contact and elevate. Returning strong from a hand injury with a .935 OPS in 15 games, he has proven worthy of rostering in all formats.

Gennett, who has missed all of 2019 after spraining his groin at the end of spring training, will begin his rehab assignment June 18. Grab him now if available, as he was one of eight players to bat at least .300 with 50 homers through the past two seasons. Yet the Statcast data remains skeptical. No hitter with a least 350 plate appearances had a wider gap between wOBA (.362) and xwOBA (.311) in 2018.

 

Given how quickly the Brewers moved on from Eric Thames last year following a breakout 2017, it's not surprising to see them do the inverse and abandoning Aguilar, who is batting .189 with three home runs. He went the entire week before Memorial Day without making a start, so shallow-league investors have no choice but to cut their losses on a slugger who pounded 35 homers last season.

Leclerc, who went all of August and September without yielding a run last year, already allowed as many in April (10) as all of 2018. Saddled with a 1.50 WHIP, barely lower than last year's 1.56 ERA, the Rangers removed him from the ninth-inning role. That demotion may not last long. Shawn Kelley and Chris Martin have faltered as closers, and Leclerc has rediscovered his past dominance with 15 strikeouts and one run allowed in May. Add him now if dropped during his downfall.

Expected to serve the short side of a platoon, Walker has instead served a regular role due to Jake Lamb's quad injury. The rookie first baseman demolished righties during a scorching start, but he has regressed with one home run and 27 strikeouts in 19 May contests. Still among MLB's leaders in hard hits, he could remain a decent power source in deeper formats.

Robles appears to be the Angels' closer …. for now. While gamers can't ignore someone compiling saves with a 3.24 ERA and 24.2% K rate, his fly-ball woes could eventually lead to catastrophe. His 7.1% HR/FB rate is well below his 11.5% career norm, so don't be shocked if a couple of blow-up outings cost him the job, or at least damage his ERA.

Initially stuck behind Paul Goldschmidt at first base, injuries to Harrison Bader and Tyler O'Neill gave Martinez a chance to play. After offering instant production, he has slipped to league-average offense (99 wRC+) due to a .100 ISO. The career .305/.368/.463 hitter is a strong source of batting average for fantasy managers, but the Cardinals can't justify playing the defensive liability unless he starts hitting for more power.

The Cardinals placed Molina on the injured list with a strained tendon in his right thumb. He'll likely miss more than the minimum 10 days, but there's no timetable yet. While the 36-year-old was hitting a tame .265/.294/.397, he still delivered plenty of fantasy value with four homers, four steals, and 33 RBIs. Stash him wherever possible.

 

 

Early elbow discomfort pushed back Heaney's 2019 debut. While he has a 5.40 ERA and 5.19 FIP through three starts, he has also registered 28 strikeouts and three walks in 16.2 innings. His curveball is on point, posting a superb 36.1% swinging-strike rate. Following consecutive 10-strikeout outings against Seattle, the 28-year-old southpaw has shown the upside that made him popular after notching a 4.15 ERA with a strikeout per frame last season. Grab him in any league if still available.

The fantasy community largely gave up on Swanson after hitting .235 with 20 combined home runs in 2017 and 2018. Perhaps the former No. 1 pick isn't a finished product at age 25. He has 13 long balls and four steals early in the season with noticeable rises in exit velocity, and hard hits. Batting second in the Braves' lineup is also a major boon to his value, as he has 43 runs and RBIs apiece through 70 games. Compared to Derek Jeter when entering the big leagues, he could provide double-digit homers and steals with a solid batting average as the ultimate post-hype lottery ticket. He's a solid middle infielder who could jump another step into a top performer by reaching his .285 xBA.

Kingery has started six of seven games since returning from an untimely hamstring injury and is now batting .357/.400/.589 through 60 plate appearances. Those numbers won't last over a larger sample size, especially since he has also drawn two walks and home runs apiece. Yet the 25-year-old has also grown exponentially from 2018's disappointing debut. He's worth rostering, mostly for some power and speed, as long as the Phillies play him.

A relative afterthought in many 2018 drafts, Foltynewicz fastened a 2.85 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 183 frames. Deploying fewer sinkers and more sliders helped unlock his upside, but he hardly looks poised for an encore. The 27-year-old has a 5.89 ERA and 7.51 K/9 in eight starts, which has seen his fastball velocity drop. Although he should at least return to a useful option when fully healthy, managers can barely trust him in their starting lineups at the moment. He has at least shown some signs of life with 23 strikeouts to one walk in his last four starts.

Signed by Seattle this winter, Kikuchi hasn't shown much upside to start his MLB career. A 4.78 ERA, 16.7 K%, and 5.30 FIP portray the 27-year-old southpaw as no more than a matchup play rather than a solid mid-rotation piece, but the book isn't closed just yet.

The breakout appeared to be arriving a year later than anticipated for McMahon, who made the Rockies' Opening Day lineup after hitting .424 with nine doubles and three homers in spring. An elbow injury, however, sent him to the IL in early April. He homered in his return, but then tumbled into the Rockies promoted uber prospect Brendan Rodgers. While McMahon is still only hitting .241/.326/.392, he's in line for more playing time after the Rockies sent Rodgers back to Triple-A.

The latest byproduct of Cardinal Devil Magic, Bader broke out with 12 homers, 15 steals, and a 3.5 fWAR in 138 games. He was in the midst of a sophomore slump (.179/.347/.359, 2 HR, 0 SB in 13 games) before landing on the IL with a hamstring strain. Because of his elite defense in center field, the 24-year-old has maintained a starting role despite St. Louis' dearth of options. Yet an exit velocity (84.4 mph) in the bottom-five percentile makes him an average risk, and he has stolen just one base in four chances. He's no longer worth rostering in 12-team mixed leagues.

It's time to accept that the old Cabrera is never coming back. While hitting .294 with a .366 OBP, he has two home runs - as many as Zack Greinke and Noah Syndergaard - and a .075 ISO. He now has five home runs in his last 90 games dating back to the start of 2018. The former Triple Crown winner is now more of an empty-average depth piece.

Most metrics painted Pivetta as the perfect breakout pick. On the strength of a stellar 19.7 K-BB%, he posted a 3.80 FIP and 3.51 SIERA despite a bloated 4.77 ERA in 2018. That makes his abhorrent start to 2019 all the more frustrating. The polarizing pitcher had acquiesced 31 hits and 18 runs in 18.1 nightmarish innings prior to his demotion. Because of his weak fastball, the erratic righty may never be trustworthy on a game-by-game basis. Feel free to grab him off waivers now that he's back on the Phillies, but he needs to earn a spot in starting lineups.

Anyone would be forgiven for giving up on Gray, who no longer has a low FIP (4.29) to offer encouragement in spite of a bloated ERA (4.38). Coors can't take the full blame; he has posted a 3.47 ERA at home and a 5.06 ERA on the road this season. His Jekyll and Hyde profile has persisted into 2019, as he has yielded one or zero runs four times but five runs each in four other starts. Despite continuing to strike out over a batter per frame, the maddening righty no longer feels worth the hassle as a top-50 starter.

There might be something to Garcia's fast start. His .300 average comes with a higher exit velocity, and an elevated launch angle has helped him crush 11 home runs. His six steals are one shy of matching a personal best. Even if he slows down a bit, he could pair a steady average with 25+ HRs and double-digit steals in a solid Rays lineup.

After surrendering 19 runs (14 earned) through three dreadful starts, Porcello found himself on the wavier in shallower leagues. He has settled down to carve out a 2.94 ERA in his last eight starts. The durable righty has endured such dreadful outings over the years, but he'll at least take the ball every turn and compile 180-190 strikeouts. He could be a valuable buy-low addition in deeper leagues and viable matchup play in standard mixed leagues.

Alvarado initially appeared on the verge of becoming this year's Blake Treinen, dominating out of the gate with 16 strikeouts and four saves in 10 scoreless outings. The early monopoly on Tampa Bay's closing gig has proven a mirage, as he has recorded two saves since April 7. The lefty is still bringing a 3.09 ERA and 31.4% K rate to the table, but the walks and uncertain role block him from blossoming into an essential reliever. Out on personal leave since June 1, there's no date set for his return. It's especially hard to keep him without the option to stash him on the IL.

Barnes is being deployed in a flexible role by Red Sox manager Alex Cora, but he is pitching so well that he can have quite a bit of fantasy value even if he never becomes Boston's exclusive closer.

Just as he began to turn a corner, posting a 2.27 ERA in six starts after getting ransacked for 10 runs by the Mets, Lopez landed on the IL with a shoulder injury. He's awaiting results of tests to reveal its severity. A 3.52 FIP, 17.5 K-BB% rate and 48.8% ground-ball rate all pointed to him morphing into a mixed-league mainstay, so try to make room for Lopez on the IL or bench. It's reasonable to drop him in smaller leagues if in a roster bind.

Matz had allowed five runs through three combined starts before ceding eight runs (without recording a single out) at Philadelphia on April 16. His ERA jumped from 1.65 to 4.96. That catastrophic risk comes with the territory for the Mets southpaw, who allowed seven runs in a similarly disastrous turn at Washington last year. An 8.5% swinging-strike rate doesn't support a high strikeout rate, so he's a fringe option better saved for streaming in the typical 10- or 12-team mixed league. Such an opportunity arises when he returns from a forearm injury to face the Marlins of May 18.

It took a bit longer than expected, but Profar finally emerged as a strong major leaguer by batting .254/.335/.458 with 20 homers and 10 steals in 2018. Perhaps the Rangers knew what they were doing when moving him to the A's. He's batting .209/.272/.372 through 64 games. He has at least maintained some power and speed with nine homers and four steals. Slowly turning a corner in June, his multi-position eligibility could help investors if already abandoned in standard mixed leagues.

At this point, it almost feels like a running gag to say Franco could one day take a leap akin to Edwin Encarnacion. It seemed like this could be the year, as the 26-year-old third baseman hit .252 with seven homers through April. He got us again. Hitting .190 with no long balls in 17 May games, his OBP is back below .300. That damages any hope of the third baseman moving his way up a loaded Phillies lineup. There's breakout potential, as he's a rare power threat who seldom strikes out, but don't bank on anything more than roughly 25 homers with a passable batting average.

Sano, who has never recorded 500 plate appearances in a big league season, is unlikely to reach that mark in 2019. After injuring his heel during the offseason, he didn't make his season debut until May 16. There's still the matter of him hitting .199/.281/.398 with a 38.5% strikeout rate last season. While he makes too much hard contact to again bat below the Mendoza line, all the punchouts make him unlikely to climb much higher than his career .244 clip.True to form, but has belted five home runs in 10 games while batting .237 with 16 strikeouts. Add him if needing power and/or playing in an OBP league.

Already sidelined through April with a shoulder injury, Severino also suffered a Grade 2 lat strain. He won't be back before the All-Star break, making this Exhibit A for those who don't touch injured players in late drafts. Scheduled to throw off the mound soon, the ace could still make an impact during the final two months.

Smith has done what drafters hoped Cedric Mullins could accomplish. Given playing time for the rebuilding Orioles, he has tallied 11 homers and four steals in 58 games. Yet his average has fallen to .249 with a .296 OBP, and he has yet to steal a base since May 1. The 26-year-old went on the seven-day IL after crashing into the outfield wall. When healthy, he'll offer some power, speed, and counting numbers as an everyday starter, but he's not a must-own in three-outfielder mixed leagues.

Last seen in the majors on September 8, 2017, Nelson returned from a partially torn labrum and a strained rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder June 5. Before the injury cut his 2017 short, he had posted a 3.49 ERA and 199 strikeouts in 175.1 innings. Returning to ace territory, of course, isn't easy after so much time away. He has allowed nine runs in two starts spanning seven innings with eight strikeouts and six walks. It's especially disappointing given the opponents (Marlins and Giants), but those who stashed Nelson need to exude more patience.

Although everyone wanted Trevor May to close for Minnesota, the honor has instead gone to Parker. He has recorded eight chances with a 1.96 ERA, but his numbers aren't as pretty under a hood. With just 15 strikeouts and seven walks in 18.1 innings, he's bound to experience some regression once his BABIP and strand rate return to the mean. He's the closer for now, but it might not last for the entire season.

Soler won't hit for a high average or steal any bases, but he has already swatted 16 home runs in 62 games. Now that he's healthy with no competition for playing time in Kansas City, the 27-year-old can finally realize his potential for 30-plus home runs in a full season. Grab him if searching for a power boost.

Most managers expected regression from McNeil's .329 batting average as a rookie. He's instead batting .327 through 58 games. While it's all gap power -- he has just three home runs -- the versatile late-bloomer continues to make elite contact. Because of this strong start, he should maintain his new role as the Mets' leadoff hitter. Yet the 27-year-old has joined fellow second baseman Jed Lowrie and Robinson Cano on the IL with a hamstring injury. There's little power and speed upside, but he did swipe seven bases in a brief big league stint last year. He's a nice complementary piece for squads loaded with low-contact boppers.

One of 2019's best starters behind the plate, Narvaez has nurtured a .274/.352/.446 slash line through June 13. A .236 xBA and .318 xwOBA hint at regression, but he's a career .276 hitter who has routinely recorded a double-digit walk rate. He has also matched last season's career-high nine home runs with way more fly balls to support the power surge. He's still worth riding as a top-12 catcher despite slowing down in recent weeks.

An annual 20/20 candidate, Desmond has stolen just one base in 59 games. He has at least bounced back from a terrible start to bat .295/.391/.558 in 32 games from May 1 to June 10. Before getting too excited, he's still striking out too much (27.9%) without taking full advantage of Coors Field. He's also in danger of getting trapped into the light side of a platoon with Charlie Blackmon back on the IL. Desmond will need to start running again to regain mixed-league value.

 

Yet to reach 20 homers in a season beyond 2015's 26, Calhoun has 14 through 62 games. His .496 slugging percentage and 11.2% walk rate represent career highs, and he's batting .288 since the start of May. He should fully be on the radar in all mixed leagues with five starting outfielders.

While Bruce didn't hit for any contact (.214) in Seattle, he scorched 14 long balls and slugged .530 before getting shipped to Philadelphia. This is a slugger who belted at least 25 homers in seven of the last nine seasons and 36 in 2017 before a down 2018, so it'd hardly be a surprise to see him tally 30 more with a regular gig. Although initially perceived as a platoon bat or contingency plan for Odubel Herrera, the 32-year-old could receive regular playing time with Andrew McCutchen out for the season. Bruce is worth a look in five-outfielder formats, but the average will likely hurt managers too much to trust in shallower leagues.

After a strong 2018, Markakis batted .330 through April but has since gone .232 in 37 games. While he offers no speed and hasn't tallied 15 or more home runs in a season since 2009, he's still a steady contributor who could replicate last year's 93 RBIs batting fifth in a stacked Atlanta lineup. He has also tallied more walks than strikeouts, but the hot-and-cold start demonstrates the danger of trusting an average-reliant fantasy player.

 

After batting .163/.266/.281 through 40 games, Shaw went on the IL with a hand injury. The Brewers promoted top prospect Keston Hiura, who seemed poised to run away with the starting job at second base. When Shaw returned, however, Milwaukee demoted the raking rookie. He hasn't gone deep since April 23, but this is a slugger who has topped 30 homers in consecutive years. While there's a chance he heats up in the starting role, a prolonged slump would force the Brewers to turn back to Hiura.

Kendrick had registered single-digit home runs in each of the last five seasons before belting 12 in 193 plate appearances this year. While scouts often said he'd one day win a batting title, they likely didn't think he'd wait until age 36 to hit .333 with a .602 slugging percentage that's .175 points above his career norm. Don't be so quick to dismiss this unpredictable outburst; he has a .629 xSLG and .437 xwOBA (as of June 18) with a hard-hit rate in MLB's 97th percentile. The Nationals will find room for him in their everyday lineup, and he should soon be eligible for first, second, and third base in all leagues. He at least needs to be rostered everywhere.

If you play in a deeper league, Castillo can be a ratio master that racks up plenty of saves, or better yet, if you employ the Marmol Strategy, Castillo qualifies as a starting pitcher so you can plug him on days where you don't have enough starters going.

The Pirates placed Taillon on the IL with a right elbow flexor strain on May 4 and later transferred him to the 60-day IL. A month later, they delayed his return to baseball activities, lessening the odds of him returning before the All-Star break. He didn't meet lofty expectations before going down, registering a 4.10 ERA and 19.0% K rate in seven starts. Those who have the room should stash him, but don't count on a swift return.

 

On the bright side, Bauers has created some distance from the Mendoza line after batting .201 in his MLB debut season. He has bolstered his contact rate by over seven percent, but he's also generating fewer hard hits. Without much of a power bump, the hope is that he chips his way to a stealthily productive 20/10 campaign with a passable batting average. That will play in five-outfielder formats, though he hasn't shown much to buy into anything more. He may be heating up, however, after hitting for the cycle on June 14.

Chirinos has quietly finished as a top-12 fantasy catcher in 5x5 roto leagues for two years running, and looks well on his way to making it three straight. He appears to be starting about 2/3 of the games behind the plate in Houston, which is more than enough to get the job done.

 

May and Parker are seemingly in a batter at the top of Minnesota's depth chart, but Rogers is the type of guy who could find himself in the role at some point, and if it were to happen, he would dominate.

Not only is Tapia playing regularly, but he's also leading off for the Rockies. You may remember them as the team that plays at Coors Field. Already brandishing 21 extra-base hits (12 doubles, four triples, five home runs) through 52 games, the 25-year-old outfielder is finally getting an opportunity to shine. He should be rostered in just about every mixed league.

After a frustratingly long delay, Keuchel signed with the Braves on June 6. He'll work up his arm strength in Triple-A before joining the parent club later this month. Even though he has a team, don't get too excited. Remember how a prolonged free agency worked out for Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, and Greg Holland last year? After posting a 3.74 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with an underwhelming 153 strikeouts in 204.2 innings, the 31-year-old lefty isn't particularly alluring in shallow mixed leagues anyway. It might take a while to work off the rust, and even then Keuchel might resemble more of a matchup play.

 

After moving into Minnesota's rotation in mid-April, Perez posted a 2.01 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in seven starts. He has since fallen hard, surrendering 15 runs in his last four turns with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks. Since the reclamation project still sports a 3.97 ERA and 3.81 FIP, it might be too early to abandon the southpaw beyond the shallowest of mixed leagues. He at least will get to consistency pitch against the feeble AL Central, which could help sustain his resurgence as a usable starter.

 

Boring but effective, Cabrera is once again on track to exceed 20 home runs as a cheap middle infielder. He no longer runs and provides little upside in any category, but he's a steady hand who could especially sizzle in the Texas heat this summer.

Peraza has a 55 wRC+ through May, so it's no wonder he's lost some playing time to the far more productive Derek Dietrich and Jose Iglesias. Cincinnati's infield will get even more crowded when Scooter Gennett returns from the IL. Batting down in the order, one of last year's finest speedsters went all of May without stealing a base. It's beyond time to cut him in 12-team mixed leagues.

 

Given a clear path to saves with Brandon Morrow on the shelf, Strop went on the IL with a hamstring injury. Bothered by the issue, he had posted a 5.06 ERA following a three-run flare-up against the Marlins. He immediately recorded a save upon returning on June 4, but the Cubs signed Craig Kimbrel the next day. Strop could see some save chances in the next week or two before the free-agent signing is ready.

Inciarte continues to fall off the map. After his average fell to .265 in 2018, he's batting a pathetic .218/.295/.323. Those weak returns sent him to the bottom of Atlanta's order, where he stole just three bases before landing on the IL. Even when he returns from a back injury, Inciarte is unlikely to reclaim his starting job from Austin Riley. Despite getting cleared for baseball activities, his return is still not imminent.

A broken thumb marked the third different injury to besiege Pollock in as many years. An elbow infection suffered in late April makes it a fourth. The Dodgers placed him on the IL after he batted .223/.287/.330 with two homers and no steals in 28 games. The situation escalated quickly when he underwent surgery on May 3. He could start a rehab assignment around the All-Star break, but that's a long time to stash Pollock in shallow mixed leagues.

Pressly may not be Houston's closer, but he's still an elite middle reliever worth rostering for strikeouts and ratios. He has allowed one run and two walks all season while stockpiling 29 strikeouts with just 13 hits. The 30-year-old wields three superb pitches (fastball, slider, and curveball) that generate helpings of whiffs and ground balls. He could be this year's version of Adam Ottavino, only better.

The only first basemen to bat at least .290 in each of the last two years? Freddie Freeman, Paul Goldschmidt, and Yuli Gurriel. Houston's career .288 hitter is an underrated stabilizer in batting average who can also drive in 75-85 runs in a stacked lineup. He even popped five homers in September after a long power drought, so the veteran should at least offer double-digit long balls. Having turned the corner from a gloomy April with a sunny May, he's a boring, but productive depth piece for a team with average liabilities.

Even Nimmo may not maintain his smile if his brutal season continues. On the heels of a breakout campaign, he was batting .200 with 48 strikeouts through 43 games before going on the IL with neck inflammation. After suffering a setback in his rehab, the Mets are shutting him down for an additional month. Despite his sensational 2018, managers without an available IL spot have little choice but to cut their losses.

The Pirates placed Dickerson on the IL with a right posterior shoulder strain on April 4. They moved him to the 60-day IL on May 27 to make room on their 40-man roster, but that's no indication of a setback. He's rehabbing in Triple-A and could return when eligible in early June. Deeper competitors should stash the underrated outfielder on the heels of a .300 campaign.

It may be time to embrace Alfaro as a top-12 fantasy catcher. Despite maintaining his abhorrent contact rates, the 25-year-old continues to maintain a steady average (.273) with plenty of pop (8 HRs) through May. The alternatives are bad enough to hope he keeps overcoming a grotesque strikeout rate by pummeling the balls he hits.

Hernandez's production has risen (67, 92, and 118 wRC+) along with playing time (244, 342, 462 PAs) over the past three seasons. The latter trend could at least continue, as he opened 2019 as the Dodgers' starting second baseman. Yet he has cooled down considerably from a hot start, currently batting .226/.308/.431 as of May 14. Rises in exit velocity and launch angle have led to a .331 xwOBA right in line with last year's .334, so he's still a useful contributor who should up his average with solid power and significant positional flexibility. The latest swoon, however, appears to have put him back into the weak end of a platoon. He's only rosterable in deeper leagues until he regains more reps against righties.

Canning has notched a 3.42 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in five starts with the Angels. He has compiled 29 strikeouts in 26.1 frames and ranks second among AL starters behind Blake Snell in both swinging-strike (16.4%) and opposing contact (63.9%) rate. As of May 28, his .254 wxOBA ranks 15th among all pitchers with at least 100 batters faced. That all adds up to a hurler who should be accounted for in even the shallowest of mixed leagues.

Hamilton seemed to find the perfect place to salvage his torpedoing fantasy stock, but Hamilton has stolen 12 bases while regularly batting ninth. That's not enough to tolerate a .230 hitter with no home runs and six RBIs. His hard-hit rate is the worst of any regular starter. Even more concerning in his 27.0% pop-up rate, an outcome that should never occur for a speedster who just need to slap the ball in play and try to beat out weak hits. No team is running more than the Royals, but he has played regularly and stole nine bases into mid-May. He's a one-category contributor no longer justifying the gambit with elite stolen base tallies. That's a tough sell in mixed leagues.

Seemingly on the verge of a legitimate breakout, Wong batted .170 in May. Perhaps it was foolish of us to believe one great month over years of unsensational production. Or maybe it was just one bad month. He's turned the corner with 16 hits in as many June games and now has seven homers with 13 steals this season. With a secure starting role for the first time in years, the 28-year-old at least still looks like a decent middle infielder capable of going 15/20.

 

 

Posey's power is going the path of Joe Mauer. His home runs over the past five seasons: 22, 19, 14, 12, 5. A hip injury limited him to his fewest games (105) since 2011, and he set a personal worst in slugging (.382) while matching a career-low .284 batting average. He tallied just three long balls in 46 games to start 2019 before going on the IL with a right hamstring strain. The 32-year-old also missed time earlier in the season with the second concussion of his career. This could again be a quick absence, and the former MVP's plate approach hasn't decayed enough for his .257 average to stay so low. Even if by default, an ageing Posey is still a starting option when healthy.

Pence simply surprised many by making the Rangers out of spring training. Hitting .294 with 15 home runs was downright shocking after his career looked finished in 2018. He couldn't outrun Father Time forever, as a groin injury will interrupt this storybook comeback tale. The Rangers hope he won't miss much more than the minimum 10 days, so don't drop the rejuvenated slugger.

Mahle has one of the better strikeout-to-walk ratios in the game, and even though he is a little homer-prone, his peripherals fully back up his mid-3.00s ERA. The breakout is real.

Few batters make contact more consistently than Fletcher, a career .294 hitter in the minors who is currently batting .308 with a 6.3% strikeout rate for the Angels. He has flaunted more power than usual with four homers and occasionally gets to lead off ahead of Mike Trout, so the 5'9" infielder is an intriguing deep-league average booster.

After getting shelled by the Cubs, Skaggs went on the IL with a sprained ankle. Following a shaky return, he has recorded 22 strikeouts to five walks in his last three starts. Some terrible showing right before and after getting sidelined also hurt his bottom line in 2018, and he still wields a 4.15 FIP with 55 strikeouts in 54 innings. He could be on the verge of heating up in a big way.

Most expected Matt Barnes to serve as Boston's closer, but Brasier has picked up a team-leading six saves. One of last year's most improbable comeback stories has now allowed 12 runs over 50.2 total outings since joining the Red Sox. While Barnes is still the superior pitcher with a much higher strikeout ceiling, opportunity will likely make Brasier a usable if he keeps getting the chances. Just beware a 4.26 FIP and some recent rough outings that could lead to a role demotion.

Given a regular role in Arizona's lineup, the 34-year-old Dyson is among MLB's leaders with 11 steals. The three homers and .419 slugging percentage, however, are far more surprising. A lowered contact rate and substantial portion of ground balls doesn't support his .290 average or power spike, but he's an rare source of steady speed worth rostering in any five-outfielder league.

Garver showed some promise last year by batting .293/.340/.474 after the All-Star break. He's scorching-hot early this season, hitting .317 with 10 homers and a .451 wOBA. Although also one of the luckiest hitters according to Statcast's batted-ball data, the surge has earned him more playing time. Now that he's back from an untimely IL trip caused by an ankle strain, there's enough power potential to ride the hot hand while healthy.

The Blue Jays sent Pillar to the Giants, who opened 2019 with Steven Duggar as their starting center fielder. After producing 31 homers and 29 steals over the past two seasons, Pillar could pair another sneaky 15/15 campaign with a higher runs tally atop San Francisco's lineup. He's an underrated depth option in larger leagues who's playing better in June following a dreadful start.

Diagnosed with a Grade 3 ankle sprain, Simmons seemed likely to miss at least two months. A more encouraging development, however, gives him a chance to return in June. The Angels are losing a Gold Glove defender at shortstop, and fantasy investors are missing an unheralded contact hitter who was batting .298 with just 15 strikeouts in 195 plate appearances. While there's not enough upside to stash in shallow re-draft leagues, deep gamers may want to look into stashing him before he returns.

Lynn has a 3.02 FIP and 93 strikeouts in 86 innings, tossing five straight quality starts with 44 punchouts. Perhaps this is for real. Let's not forget about his 3.43 ERA in 2017 before signing late in 2018 and never finding the strike zone. He also only has a 4.40 ERA and is set to pitch in the Arlington heat this summer, but the 32-year-old has firmly pitched his way onto the mixed-league radar.

 

In mid-April the Blue Jays demoted Gurriel, who was hitting .175 with no homers and 12 strikeouts in 44 plate appearances. It's was still a surprising development for a talented youngster who hit .281/.309/.446 as a rookie last season. The wake-up call was apparently heard loud and clear. Upon returning, he homered in three consecutive games. Just like that, he's now batting .263/.323/.544 for Toronto. Give him a second chance as a power-laden MI in deeper leagues.

 

Seager, who started 2019 on the 60-day IL following offseason hand surgery, returned on May 25. Barring a red-hot start, there won't be a long line or FAAB bidding war for someone who batted .221/.273/.400 in 2018. Don't forget about him entirely. Prior to last year's downfall, Corey's Brother had offered 25-30 homers in four consecutive seasons. There could still be some power to squeeze out of his bat, particularly in deeper leagues.

 

The Brewers promoted Hiura, a bat-first prospect who torched Triple-A pitching with a .333/408/.698 slash line and 11 home runs in 37 games, to replace the injured Travis Shaw. Despite striking out in one-third of his plate appearances, he crushed five home runs in 17 games. Milwaukee nevertheless sent him back down when activating Shaw. Hiura can be dropped in the shallowest of mixed leagues, but Shaw will need to play much better to maintain his starting job. It's worth stashing the rookie for those who have a bench spot at their disposal.

 

Belt still hasn't surpassed 20 homers in any season and over the last two seasons, his batting average has dropped down below .255. If he can stay healthy for once, however, Belt may reach 25 homers if he keeps up his HR-rate.

Gausman, who began 2019 on the IL with a minor shoulder injury, boasted a 2.87 ERA in 10 starts with the Braves last season. He initially brought those gains into 2019 with the help of an increased splitter usage, but two blow-up outings - he has relinquished 20 hits and 15 runs in two starts spanning six innings have torpedoed his ERA to 6.15. He still wields a 4.02 FIP with 60 strikeouts in as many innings, so he could bounce back. He might not have a rotation spot for much longer, however, after the Braves signed Dallas Keuchel.

 

Jeffress, who started the season sidelined with a shoulder injury, was expected to see some save chances so Josh Hader could slide him back into a more flexible high-leverage role. He has none in 16 outings. His velocity and swinging-strike rate have also dropped, so he's not worth rostering in shallow mixed leagues that don't reward holds.

Longoria had a rough season for fantasy owners in 2018, but the batting average was held back by an abnormally low BABIP and his power was right on track for another 20 to 25 homers had he been healthy for the full season. In deeper leagues, his reliability is exactly what you should be targeting.

Having recorded just four saves through two months, Givens was never technically fully in as Baltimore's closer. Either way, he's now out of save situations after getting gashed to a 5.56 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 22.2 innings. Those truly desperate for saves no longer need to hold onto him, or any Orioles reliever for that matter.

Initially a candidate for an early-season promotion, Luzardo was shut down in late March because of a strained rotator cuff in his left shoulder. The 21-year-old southpaw still has a bright future, and he could conceivably headline Oakland's weak rotation by the summer. Looking sharp in minor league outings, the premier prospect could make his major league debut in July. There's enough upside to consider stashing him now.

 

Nunez has gone from hot to cold back to scorching hot. He has homered six times over an eight-game window, giving Baltimore's cleanup hitter 13 with 31 RBIs and a .479 slugging this season. He may not get his OBP over .300 or hit higher than .240, but playing time may lead him to 30 homers and 75 RBIs. He's a nice power source to grab in deeper leagues.

Herrera was placed on administrative leave after getting arrested in a domestic violence incident. This led to lengthy absences for Roberto Osuna and Addison Russell so it's not worth holding onto the 27-year-old outfielder, who has also been pathetic on the field. Once a future star who mounted 15 homers and 25 steals in 2016, he was batting .222/.288/.341 with one homer and two steals.

 

DeShields had stolen eight bases with a .321 OBP before getting demoted on May 8, but he was also batting .182. That rare blend of front-line plate discipline and speed makes him a perennial breakout candidate, and he actually built upon last year's contact gains despite the anemic results. He has returned to record 11 hits in six games, so add him back in deeper mixed leagues.

Adames broke onto the scene last year as a 22-year-old posting a 19-homer, 11 stolen base pace with a .278 batting average. It was a limited sample size, however, and there are still some holes in his swing. Think of him on the same terms as Dansby Swanson who also had a nice rookie campaign before everyone realized he had quite a bit to go offensively.

The Angels have removed Allen from the closer's role after relinquishing seven walks and five runs in 8.1 innings. His gopheritis has carried over from 2018, allowing three homers in 10 outings. There's no reason to roster him unless the save opportunities return.

Castro went from one of the best ballparks to the worst possible offensive ballpark last season and it showed in his stats as he dropped from a .300 batting average and 20 homer pace to 12 homers and just a .278 average. More than likely, that is the mediocre type of production fantasy owners will get this year.

 

 

Ignore Lyles at your own risk. After spending the last few years as a subpar reliever, the unlikely breakout star has posted a 3.64 ERA and 24.9% K rate in 12 starts. A 4.15 xFIP and 4.30 SIERA suggest this won't last, but he could still regress into a capable mixed-league option. Placed on the IL with a hamstring injury, he's expected to rejoin Pittsburgh's rotation this week. Add him if hastily dropped or simply never picked up in the first place.

 

 

Ottavino might be stuck behind Chapman, Betances, Britton and Chad Green for the closer job, but he is a force of nature who could strike out 100 batters this season to go with sparkling ratios and a handful of wins. Don't hesitate to add him late in drafts to boost you in three categories.

 

Well, that didn't last long. Moved back into the rotation, McHugh mustered a 1.96 ERA through four superb starts. Four starts, later, his ERA has inflated to 6.37. He has relinquished eight home runs among his 24 hits allowed in those 18 frames. Those who rode his fast start must either move on or bench him until he turns the corner. It might not be long until the Astros slide him back into the bullpen.

Valdez will join Houston's rotation to replace the struggling Corbin Martin after posting a 3.12 ERA in 26 innings from the bullpen. While he has posted middling (21) and walk (13) numbers so far, his curveball could at least lead to streamer-worthy results in all mixed leagues. Keep an eye on the 25-year-old lefty.

Kelly has posted a 0.81 ERA in three starts, going at least seven innings each time. He doesn't have any standout pitches, and it shows in his 4.31 FIP and 6.91 K/9. He's at least shown enough to roll with during a hot streak and when the right matchup strikes.

After tossing a gem against the Red Sox on May 24, Miley boasts a 2.90 ERA in 27 starts dating back to last year. The limited strikeout numbers limit his fantasy worth, but it's getting tougher to ignore his success, especially when buoyed by Houston's lineup. The 32-year-old should remain a solid source of wins and ERA. Just don't be shocked if regression eventually strikes.

Robertson landed on the IL with a sore elbow on April 15. Before getting sidelined, he ceded four runs in 6.1 innings with six walks and strikeouts apiece. It's still an atypical development for the veteran righty, who has logged at least 60 innings and 75 strikeouts in each of the last seven seasons. This may be burying the lede, but the 34-year-old also did not record a single save in the opening two weeks. With the Phillies declaring no closer, there's no need to stash an injured reliever in standard mixed leagues.

The Royals have even more speed on their roster after calling up Lopez, who stole nine bases in 31 games prior to his promotion. Perhaps even more interesting is his 20 walks to five strikeouts in 138 Triple-A plate appearances. The 24-year-old shortstop is in the perfect spot to play and get a green light, so grab him in deeper formats and monitor his status closely for standard mixed leagues.

 

Buttrey looked like the top candidate for saves when the Angels officially stripped Cody Allen of his closing duties, but Hansel Robles has assumed the closer's role. While Buttrey is still worth rostering in some leagues for his 2.08 ERA and 27.2%, investors should expect more than a save here and there unless Robles implodes.

The Royals as a team collected six saves through May, so most fantasy managers wrote off the situation entirely. Kennedy, however, has emerged as the undisputed closer by racking up five saves in their last 10 games. He also wields 38 strikeouts and five walks in 29 innings, leading to a 2.07 FIP underneath his 3.72 ERA. Grab him off the waiver wire.

Despite posting a 3.07 ERA in five starts, Stripling moved to the bullpen with Rich Hill rejoining the Dodgers' rotation. This known risk deflated the cost of a potential top-25 starter, and he never stood much of a chance at working more than 160 frames. Don't cut bait just yet; it's highly unlikely Hill, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Kenta Maeda will all stay healthy.

Wood, who was initially expected to return from a back injury in April, continues to suffer setbacks that push back his timetable. Although he initially looked like an intriguing piece to round out the rotation, most of that appeal came from the potential of logging more innings for the Reds. There's not enough upside to exert a spot on him in shallower leagues with limited or no IL spots.

 

Nine games into his promotion, Lowe surprisingly got shipped back to Triple-A. Many fantasy managers had already rushed to the waiver wire or spent a sizable portion of their FAAB budget on the rookie, who brandishes a strong batting eye and plenty of power potential. With little left to prove in the minors, the 23-year-old first baseman should eventually work his way back to Triple-A. Those who added him in deep leagues may want to hold on for a couple of weeks.

The Blue Jays brought up Biggio, who is now the second son of a Hall of Famer in their infield. Although his arrival was nowhere near as ballyhooed as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., there should be some excitement around a prospect who batted .307/.445/.504 with six home runs, five steals, and more walks than strikeouts in Triple-A. His immediate ceiling isn't as high, but the second baseman could help in every category if given regular opportunities. He's worth a speculative add in all mixed leagues.

 

Initially an intriguing post-hype flier, Calhoun lost a roster spot to Hunter Pence following a dreadful spring. After getting held in the minors because of his glove, his bat (.602 OPS) didn't keep him in the majors last season. The 24-year-old still carries considerable contact and power upside, and he worked his way back to the majors by batting .304/.416/.557 with more walks (22) than strikeouts (19) in 32 Triple-A games. A week into his call-up, Calhoun landed on the IL with a quad strain. Now active and starting in place of the injured Pence, he has homered three times in nine games with the Rangers. Add him now if still available.

Weaver was in the midst of a big breakout, but his season was derailed when he suffered a strained flexor pronator and UCL in his throwing arm. A timetable for his return is unclear, but he should be out for at least 6-8 weeks if not the rest of the season.

A Triple-A star for the Brewers in 2017, Cooper has grabbed hold of a starting job for the Marlins. He possesses a 123 wRC+ and five home runs through 26 games with an ideal mix of steady contact and hard hits. His .390 xwOBA offers room for further growth, so the 28-year-old has firmly worked his way to deep-league recognition. If he keeps this up, he'll need to be rostered everywhere.

Richards carried a 4.42 ERA with 4 wins last year and formerly played independent baseball after going undrafted. It helps, however, that he has the best changeup in baseball. Richards' changeup is Trevor Hoffman-esque. It carried a 41.2% whiff rate with a .214 xWOBA. It certainly helped his performance when he adjusted by throwing it 38% of the time instead of 23% of the time at the start of the season. In those closing months, hitters were so focused on his filthy change-up that his slider suddenly became even more deadly than the changeup. With two of the most useful pitches in baseball, Richards could breakout this year in Miami much like Jake Peavy did in in 2004 after a rough start to his career.

 

Tucker had a slow start to the season further exasperated by teammate Yordan Alvarez tearing up Triple-A. The premier prospect, however, now wields a .392 wOBA, 16 homers, and nine steals in 47 games. While the Astros held him down in favor of Derek Fisher to replace George Springer (hamstring), they can save a year of service time if promoting the 22-year-old after June 2. Don't be surprised if Tucker gets the call shortly after, which makes him a worthy stash who can contribute in all five categories when given the chance.

An avalanche of injuries led to Castillo posting a middling .308 wOBA in 49 games, but he clobbered 53 homers over the previous three seasons. The career .259/.318/.427 hitter could combine a solid average with 15 long balls. He should eventually wake up from a treacherous start to 2019, but the early returns have already cost him some playing time to the red-hot James McCann. That could make him a top-20 catcher rather than a top-10 choice going forward.

 

 

McCann has forced his way into more playing time by batting .329/.373/.484 with four home runs (and a career-high three steals) in 43 games. The career .248/.295/.377 hitter won't keep this up -- he hasn't homered since May 6 -- but managers can't be too picky about a hot catcher still manufacturing hits. It could soon be time to move once a .405 BABIP falls back to earth.

 

 

 

 

Miller has looked dreadful in the early stages of 2019. The once untouchable southpaw has surrendered five walks, four walks, and six runs (three homers) in 3.2 frames. His opposing contact rate has skyrocketed, allowing Jordan Hicks to take command of the Cardinals' ninth-inning role. He's droppable in shallow mixed leagues with standard scoring categories.

Arodys Vizcaino will likely miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his pitching elbow. That gave Minter an opportunity to run away with the ninth-inning role. He didn't embrace that chance, yielding 26 baserunners and 12 runs in 11 innings before getting option to Triple-A. He's back up, and Luke Jackson hasn't quite run away with Atlanta's closer, so keep an eye on Minter's performance and role.

Desperate for outfield help, Cleveland finally promoted its best in-house option. Mercado hit .294/.396/.496 with four homers and 14 steals prior to his call-up, so he offers plenty of fantasy appeal across the board. He has exceeded somewhat modest expectations by batting .308 with four homers and six steals in 28 big league games. Now batting second behind Francisco Lindor, he has gone from a deep-league add to a rookie worth rostering in leagues of all sizes.

 

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.

Reyes didn't end up in the rotation but that doesn't mean he will be in the bullpen all season. Keep a close eye on your league's waiver wire in case the owner grows impatient and cuts him. There is a chance Reyes in the Walker Buehler of 2019's second half.

Astudillo missed two weeks with a hamstring strain, but when healthy he has continued to look like a legitimate threat to hit .300 thanks to his prodigious contact rate. He's unlikely to provide much in way the of power, but he doesn't really need to in order to be a helpful fantasy player at a weak position.

 

Right after returning from a hamstring injury, Wendle fractured his wrist. He missed another seven weeks before returning to the Rays, who have inserted him back into the starting lineup despite collecting four hits in 39 plate appearances. A healthy Wendle could still help in deeper leagues if given an opportunity, as he broke out to bat .300 with seven homers and 16 steals last season.

Thames isn't playing enough to be too exciting, but like Ryan Braun, Wil Myers and Michael Brantley in years prior, when Thames plays, he is a lock for your lineup. Even with last year's injury-riddled disaster 2018 left in the equation, we are talking about a guy who carries an .848 OPS with 52 homers, 116 RBIs and 137 runs in just 779 at-bats since returning to America. That is #good, folks. He might not reach 30 homers as a result of sharing playing time, but per game, he can be expected to mash balls at a 35-homer per 550 at-bats clip.

 

 

Eickhoff looked like a tremendous find after allowing five runs five starts into the season. He has since surrendered 32 runs and 18 homers in seven turns, bumping up his ERA to 5.71. Those who stuck with him through that entire calamity now especially need to move on after the Phillies placed him on the IL with right biceps tendinitis.

 

 

 

Eovaldi is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. He posted a 6.00 ERA before landing on the IL, so the hard-throwing, but erratic righty is not an essential stash in standard mixed leagues. Following an encouraging bullpen session on May 22, he might not be far away from returning.

 

The Red Sox saw enough in Vazquez to jettison Blake Swihart, and the 28-year-old has rewarded their trust by batting .311/.362/.519 with five homers through 34 games. Rises in walks and hard hits give this the look of a legitimate breakthrough; he certainly wouldn't be the first catcher to need a few years before figuring things out at the plate. Consider him a borderline top-15 option worth grabbing for those mix and matching at the position.

Bundy has teased us many times before, but the former top prospect has reminded everyone of his sky-high upside by cementing a 3.05 ERA in his last seven starts. Of course, that came after getting harpooned to a 6.67 ERA through April. The 26-year-old is throwing far more changeups, but his four-seam fastball is still getting staked to a .417 wOBA. Ride the hot hand at your own risk; the floor is just as notable as the ceiling.

Although a defensive specialist, Jones has teased power and speed upside during his career. It hadn't come with a passable average until recently. Since the start of May, he's hitting .305 with seven homers and five steals. His exit velocity and launch angle are up significantly, so he could work his way to a 20/15 campaign while hitting around .250. If that's the case, he's valuable in any five-outfielder leagues.

 

Opening 2019 in Triple-A after the Padres surprisingly gave his spot to uber-prospect Fernando Tatis Jr, Urias quickly made his way back to the majors, only to get demoted after collecting two hits and 11 strikeouts in 29 plate appearances. He has since gone on a tear back in the minors, belting a career-high 14 home runs with a 475 wOBA. The 22-year-old should be back in San Diego by the end of June, if not sooner, so stash him now in deeper leagues.

Following a tremendous conclusion to 2018, Zimmerman started 2019 with a whimper. The 34-year-old batted .212/.302/.373 before landing on the injured list plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He'll miss at least a couple of weeks and is a hard player to stash in most mixed leagues. Unlike last year, the Statcast data (.212 xBA, .290 xwOBA) doesn't suggest he'll find a higher gear when healthy.

Zunino is one of the better sources of power at the catcher position, but with a .207 lifetime average and enormous 34.2 percent career strikeout rate, he is a major liability in the batting average department. As a result, he's finished as a top-14 fantasy catcher just once -- in 2017, when he rode a completely unsustainable .355 BABIP to a .251 batting average. He's simply too big of a batting average drain to be an appealing starting option in 12-team leagues.

Boston placed Moreland on the IL on May 29 with a lower back strain. He was leading the Red Sox with 13 home runs, putting him two shy of 2018's tally in 78 more games, but was also batting just .228. Not expected to miss much time, he can be stashed in deeper leagues. In shallow mixed leagues, however, it's not imperative to keep a career .250 hitter who has never tallied more than 23 homers in a season.

 

After dealing with a foot injury and depression during a down 2018, Fowler is looking like his old self again. The outfielder touts a .399 OBP through 45 games with four homers, three steals, and 20 runs scored. His keen batting eye has prompted the Cardinals to not only play him in a crowded outfield, but give him more time in the leadoff role. He's a boring, but viable asset in deep mixed and NL-only leagues.

Even if he continues to split time with Russell Martin all year, Barnes is one of the few catchers out there who is capable of delivering double digit HRs, a decent batting average, and handful of stolen bases.

Barnhart doesn't have the best bat, but his elite defense will keep him on the field for nearly 500 at-bats again. In a killer Red's lineup, that should be plenty to get him the counting stats he needs to be draftable.

 

 

 

Wild in his brief big league audition last year, Alcantara has shown flashes of brilliance since opening 2019 with no walks in eight scoreless frames against the Rockies. A 5.8 K-BB% certainly doesn't support a 3.72 ERA, but an 11.6% swinging-strike rate also opens the door for way more punchouts. Wielding a mid-90s heater, a wipeout slider, and a sinker that induces plenty of ground balls, the 23-year-old righty could be on the cusp of mixed-league viability if he can improve his control.

Hampson had his chance to earn a full-time role following injuries to Daniel Murphy and Ryan McMahon, but he has batted just .186/.231/.258 through 33 games. With both Murphy and McMahon back from the IL, the Rockies demoted the speedy middle infielder for the second time this season in early April. One of spring's brightest breakout candidates now belongs on the waiver wire in all mixed leagues. Keep the door open for a second chance if Colorado extends him another look later in 2019.

 

Sukuzi is a 35-year old journeyman backstop who's never hit 20 home runs, but thanks to a bit of pop and very good contact skills for a catcher, he's quietly finished as a top-11 fantasy catcher in fewer than 400 plate appearances in each of the last two seasons. The problem is that even 300 plate appearances could be a stretch now that Suzuki is in Washington -- he's been serving as the clear backup to Yan Gomes so far.

Kelly has hit .299/.405/.627 with seven home runs, 12 walks, and 11 strikeouts from May 1 to June 10. A well-regarded prospect is no longer blocked for playing time in Arizona, so he's worth a flier in two-catcher leagues even if he never displayed such good power in the minors. The 24-year-old could even work his way into a top-15 catcher.