Injuries always pop up at the wrong time. There is never a time where you’re happy to have a player hurt or you don’t mind that someone won’t play. I am a proponent of unlimited IL slots on our fantasy teams. I’ll never understand why we want to punish an owner by forcing them to possibly release someone because a better player was injured, and they don’t have any room left on IL. This problem will become more intense in September during our fantasy playoffs or championship push. When Major League teams can expand their rosters to 40 players if they so desire, they tend not to place injured players on the IL. The reason they don’t is because they no longer need the roster space. This is just food for thought down the stretch. Players will once again be sent to the waiver wire that shouldn’t be and you may want to pay attention to who becomes available, even if you aren’t in playoff contention, but do play in a keeper or dynasty league.
Risers
Matt Olson, Oakland Athletics: Olson wasn’t a sexy name at draft time. He’s not Rhys Hoskins or Joey Votto and plays in a ballpark that might be the worst in the American League for HRs and also suffered a hand injury that cost him about a month of the season. Despite this, he’s likely to hit 30+ HRs with an AVG that won’t hurt you much. Olson is a better player than given credit for and is more valuable than just a corner infielder in fantasy leagues.
Sonny Gray, Cincinnati Reds: Perhaps Gray was right after all in blaming the Yankees for his struggles in the Bronx. I still don’t buy that the Yankee pitching coaches were to blame for his struggles as his numbers on the road were solid, it was just Yankee Stadium in which he had issues. Gray has taken advantage of no longer pitching in Yankee Stadium and the AL. Gray faces weaker lineups as a whole in the National League and once again looks like the pitcher he used to be with the Athletics.
Jonathan Villar, Baltimore Orioles: Yes, this season has been a disaster for the Orioles. They don’t have any pitching whether it would be a starter or in the bullpen and their defense seems to be a daily comedy reel. The offense, however, has produced. Villar has been a big part of that offense. You likely drafted him for the stolen bases but you’re getting much more than that as Villar is on pace to hit the most HRs and drive in the most runs in a season for his career.
Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners: The season-long numbers for Seager may not look all that impressive but there is little denying that he has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball of late. Seager is currently riding a 13-game hit streak which has seen him hit seven HRs and drive in 14 runs. During this streak, he is 14-49, which is a .286 clip. Seager may have been forgotten about as he missed the first couple of months this season due to injury and then got off to a slow start, but he certainly looks back to normal now.
Aristides Aquino, Cincinnati Reds: Unless you live under a rock, you know that Aquino has set multiple records for HRs by a rookie when first called up. As it stands now, he has hit 11 bombs in just 60 at-bats. While it’s true that he plays in what might be the best overall ballpark in the majors for HRs, it also helps to realize that he was not considered a top prospect coming into the season. Sure, you want to ride him while he’s hot, but this should come crashing down as soon as opposing teams find the holes in his swing and exploit them.
Fallers
Nomar Mazara, Texas Rangers: It’s not that the numbers for Mazara are poor. He has 17 HRs, 62 RBIs, and is batting .268. It’s more that much more is expected of him, especially this season where everyone and their mother is going to hit 20+ HRs. The Rangers seem like they are about to give up on him also as they let his name be bandied about at the trade deadline. Mazara was placed on the IL with an oblique injury Tuesday which means fantasy owners should certainly move on from him if they haven’t already.
Brandon McKay, Tampa Bay Rays: There was quite a bit of hoopla when McKay was called up by Tampa. He was going to be a top-flight pitcher and might hit on days he wasn’t starting as he was going to be the next two-way player. McKay might end up being a good to very good pitcher, but it’s not happening yet. McKay has a 5.55 ERA and has given up more hits than innings pitched. Maybe next season for McKay.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays: Remember in March where everyone was talking up Vlad? His ADP before his oblique injury was in the third-round. That was just crazy for a rookie. Vlad will be fine and for the most part, he has been okay this season, but not someone who is going to come anywhere near close to leading you to a championship. I wouldn’t worry too much though, even Mike Trout struggled when he was first called up.
Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics: Davis has hit 133 over the last three seasons coming into this season. Well, he’d be lucky to hit half that amount this year as he only has 17 bombs. It seems likely that injury has hurt him this year even though he has played in 103 games. I believe he has an injury that allows him to play, but not drive the ball like he is used to. Sort of like what is going on with Aaron Judge.
Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies: You’re not taking Hoskins out of your lineup, but he isn’t having the best of seasons. Sure, he will hit 30+ HRs, but it’s coming with a .237 AVG and it’s not like you’re driving in a ton of runs with those bombs. Now maybe that’s not his fault, maybe nobody is ever on base, but fantasy owners expected more. Hoskins also only has hit one HR in August and only has two hits in his last 11 games, ouch.
