Top 300 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - Updated Rest-Of-Season Ranks (April 2024)

Hello, RotoBallers, and welcome to the first rankings check-in of the season. Specifically, this column will be focused on finding the biggest risers and fallers in Nick Mariano’s updated fantasy baseball rankings and tiers for roto (5x5 mixed) leagues. With all of the action from the last three weeks, it’s time to see where players stack up against their preseason valuations.

Nick Mariano and Kev Mahserejian's rest-of-season fantasy baseball rankings and tiers were last updated on April 21 and are available for your perusal below. You may notice some big names missing and that is because injuries have taken a substantial bite out of the fantasy baseball talent pool already. In addition to finding the biggest risers and fallers in the top 300, this column will also take a special look at some notable injured players.

RotoBaller regularly publishes fantasy baseball rankings articles for a variety of formats to help you navigate your season. When you are done reading, check out our rankings article hub to find more information that suits your needs.

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Rest-Of-Season Fantasy Baseball Rankings (April Update)

RotoBaller's ranks are as of April 21, 2024. They are for 5x5 category mixed roto leagues and will be updated regularly on our main fantasy baseball rankings dashboard all season long. Be sure to read our daily fantasy baseball analysis articles as well.

Tier	Ranking	Player	Position
1	1	Mookie Betts	2B/SS/OF
1	2	Bobby Witt Jr.	SS
1	3	Ronald Acuna Jr.	OF
1	4	Kyle Tucker	OF
1	5	Fernando Tatis Jr.	OF
1	6	Juan Soto	OF
1	7	Freddie Freeman	1B
2	8	Yordan Alvarez	OF
2	9	Trea Turner	SS
2	10	Aaron Judge	OF
2	11	Shohei Ohtani	DH
2	12	Jose Ramirez	3B
2	13	Bryce Harper	1B
2	14	Matt Olson	1B
2	15	Julio Rodriguez	OF
2	16	Corbin Burnes	SP
2	17	Gunnar Henderson	3B/SS
2	18	CJ Abrams	SS
2	19	Elly De La Cruz	3B/SS
2	20	Austin Riley	3B
2	21	Mike Trout	OF
2	22	Zack Wheeler	SP
3	23	Marcus Semien	2B
3	24	Michael Harris II	OF
3	25	Jose Altuve	2B
3	26	Corey Seager	SS
3	27	Pete Alonso	1B
3	28	Tyler Glasnow	SP
3	29	Francisco Lindor	SS
3	30	Tarik Skubal	SP
3	31	Adolis Garcia	OF
3	32	Pablo Lopez	SP
3	33	Cole Ragans	SP/RP
3	34	Corbin Carroll	OF
3	35	Freddy Peralta	SP
3	36	Logan Webb	SP
3	37	Edwin Diaz	RP
3	38	Bo Bichette	SS
3	39	George Kirby	SP
3	40	Emmanuel Clase	RP
3	41	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	1B
3	42	Zach Eflin	SP
3	43	Grayson Rodriguez	SP
3	44	Yoshinobu Yamamoto	SP
3	45	Rafael Devers	3B
3	46	Zac Gallen	SP
3	47	Logan Gilbert	SP
4	48	Anthony Volpe	SS
4	49	Cody Bellinger	1B/OF
4	50	Randy Arozarena	OF
4	51	Adley Rutschman	C
4	52	Aaron Nola	SP
4	53	Camilo Doval	RP
4	54	Luis Castillo	SP
4	55	Dylan Cease	SP
4	56	Joe Ryan	SP
4	57	Manny Machado	3B
4	58	Kevin Gausman	SP
4	59	Raisel Iglesias	RP
4	60	Ketel Marte	2B
4	61	Will Smith	C
4	62	Josh Hader	RP
4	63	Jazz Chisholm Jr.	OF
4	64	J.T. Realmuto	C
4	65	Oneil Cruz	SS
4	66	Ha-Seong Kim	2B/3B/SS
4	67	Spencer Steer	1B/2B/3B/OF
4	68	Chris Sale	SP
5	69	Kyle Schwarber	OF
5	70	Christian Walker	1B
5	71	Jackson Chourio	OF
5	72	Marcell Ozuna	DH
5	73	Ryan Helsley	RP
5	74	William Contreras	C
5	75	Teoscar Hernandez	OF
5	76	Shota Imanaga	SP
5	77	Bryan Reynolds	OF
5	78	Josh Naylor	1B
5	79	Alex Bregman	3B
5	80	Evan Phillips	RP
5	81	Lane Thomas	OF
5	82	Nolan Jones	1B/OF
5	83	Andres Munoz	RP
5	84	Wyatt Langford	OF
5	85	Tyler O'Neill	OF
5	86	Christian Yelich	OF
5	87	George Springer	OF
6	88	Craig Kimbrel	RP
6	89	Yainer Diaz	C/1B
6	90	Bryce Miller	SP
6	91	Bobby Miller	SP
6	92	Paul Goldschmidt	1B
6	93	Jarren Duran	OF
6	94	Dansby Swanson	SS
6	95	Blake Snell	SP
6	96	Alexis Diaz	RP
6	97	Clay Holmes	RP
6	98	Evan Carter	OF
6	99	Pete Fairbanks	RP
6	100	Riley Greene	OF
6	101	Gleyber Torres	2B
6	102	Sonny Gray	SP
6	103	Xander Bogaerts	2B/SS
6	104	Michael King	SP/RP
6	105	Nolan Arenado	3B
6	106	Merrill Kelly	SP
6	107	Cedric Mullins II	OF
6	108	Jesus Luzardo	SP
6	109	Jordan Romano	RP
6	110	Bailey Ober	SP
6	111	Robert Suarez	RP
6	112	Taylor Ward	OF
6	113	David Bednar	RP
6	114	Nico Hoerner	2B/SS
6	115	Jhoan Duran	RP
7	116	Jorge Soler	OF
7	117	Andres Gimenez	2B
7	118	Jared Jones	SP
7	119	Alec Bohm	1B/3B
7	120	Ozzie Albies	2B
7	121	Bryan De La Cruz	OF
7	122	Willson Contreras	C
7	123	Aaron Civale	SP
7	124	Vinnie Pasquantino	1B
7	125	Nick Lodolo	SP
7	126	Chris Bassitt	SP
7	127	Colton Cowser	OF
7	128	Walker Buehler	SP
8	129	Anthony Santander	1B/OF
8	130	Max Muncy	3B
8	131	Jordan Montgomery	SP
8	132	Steven Kwan	OF
8	133	Hunter Greene	SP
8	134	Zack Gelof	2B
8	135	Lourdes Gurriel Jr.	OF
8	136	Max Fried	SP
8	137	Nick Castellanos	OF
8	138	Ian Happ	OF
8	139	Willy Adames	SS
8	140	Yandy Diaz	1B
8	141	Cristopher Sanchez	SP
8	142	Starling Marte	OF
8	143	Justin Verlander	SP
8	144	Jose Berrios	SP
8	145	Kenley Jansen	RP
8	146	Brayan Bello	SP
8	147	Jung Hoo Lee	OF
8	148	Seiya Suzuki	OF
8	149	Brandon Nimmo	OF
8	150	Esteury Ruiz	OF
8	151	Chas McCormick	OF
8	152	Ezequiel Tovar	SS
8	153	Christian Encarnacion-Strand	1B
8	154	Bryson Stott	2B
9	155	Kutter Crawford	SP/RP
9	156	Mason Miller	SP
9	157	Maikel Garcia	3B/SS
9	158	Mitch Keller	SP
9	159	Reid Detmers	SP
9	160	Garrett Crochet	RP
9	161	Logan O'Hoppe	C
9	162	Triston Casas	1B
9	163	Christopher Morel	2B/OF
9	164	Ryan Pepiot	SP/RP
9	165	Isaac Paredes	1B/2B/3B
9	166	Jason Foley	RP
9	167	Luis Rengifo	2B/3B/SS/OF
9	168	Yu Darvish	SP
9	169	Edward Cabrera	SP
9	170	Spencer Torkelson	1B
9	171	Rhys Hoskins	1B
9	172	Justin Turner	1B/2B/3B
9	173	Carlos Estevez	RP
9	174	Tanner Bibee	SP
9	175	Salvador Perez	C/1B
10	176	MJ Melendez	C/OF
10	177	Ryan McMahon	2B/3B
10	178	Nathan Eovaldi	SP
10	179	Josh Lowe	OF
10	180	Amed Rosario	2B/SS
10	181	Luis Robert Jr.	OF
10	182	Ke'Bryan Hayes	3B
10	183	Tanner Scott	RP
10	184	Jackson Merrill	SS/OF
10	185	MacKenzie Gore	SP
10	186	Jackson Holliday	SS
10	187	Jose Alvarado	RP
10	188	Justin Steele	SP
10	189	Joe Musgrove	SP
10	190	Jack Flaherty	SP
10	191	Nolan Gorman	2B/3B
11	192	Michael Kopech	SP
11	193	Ryan Mountcastle	1B
11	194	Lars Nootbaar	OF
11	195	Luis Severino	SP
11	196	Thairo Estrada	2B/SS
11	197	Byron Buxton	DH
11	198	Luis Gil	SP
11	199	Ryan O'Hearn	1B/OF
11	200	Cal Raleigh	C
11	201	Brandon Pfaadt	SP
11	202	Jonah Heim	C
11	203	Jonathan India	2B
11	204	James Outman	OF
11	205	Jesse Winker	OF
11	206	Gabriel Moreno	C
11	207	Sal Frelick	OF
11	208	Nelson Velazquez	OF
11	209	Edouard Julien	2B
11	210	Brendan Donovan	1B/2B/OF
11	211	Reynaldo Lopez	RP
11	212	Masataka Yoshida	OF
11	213	Luis Arraez	1B/2B
11	214	Garrett Whitlock	SP/RP
11	215	Tyler Stephenson	C
11	216	Kerry Carpenter	OF
11	217	Jeremy Pena	SS
11	218	Charlie Morton	SP
11	219	Luis Campusano	C
11	220	Kyle Finnegan	RP
11	221	Jordan Hicks	RP
12	222	Michael Busch	1B/3B
12	223	Hunter Brown	SP
12	224	Giancarlo Stanton	OF
12	225	Brandon Marsh	OF
12	226	Matt Chapman	3B
12	227	Yusei Kikuchi	SP
12	228	Jose Caballero	2B/SS
12	229	Jorge Polanco	2B/3B
12	230	Michael Conforto	OF
12	231	Nick Pivetta	SP/RP
12	232	Elias Diaz	C
12	233	Cristian Javier	SP
12	234	Carlos Rodon	SP
12	235	Jeimer Candelario	1B/3B
12	236	Daulton Varsho	OF
12	237	Nathaniel Lowe	1B
12	238	Paul Sewald	RP
12	239	Mitch Garver	C
12	240	Marcus Stroman	SP
12	241	Jordan Walker	OF
12	242	TJ Friedl	OF
12	243	Will Benson	OF
12	244	Anthony Rizzo	1B
12	245	Blaze Alexander	2B/SS
12	246	Eugenio Suarez	3B
12	247	Royce Lewis	3B
12	248	Triston McKenzie	SP
12	249	Jake Cronenworth	1B/2B
13	250	Kyle Harrison	SP
13	251	Gerrit Cole	SP
13	252	Casey Mize	SP
13	253	Framber Valdez	SP
13	254	Nestor Cortes Jr.	SP
13	255	Tanner Houck	SP
13	256	Ronel Blanco	SP, RP
13	257	Ryan Jeffers	C
13	258	Sean Murphy	C
13	259	Carlos Correa	SS
13	260	Gavin Williams	SP
13	261	Jarred Kelenic	OF
13	262	Seth Lugo	SP
13	263	Zack Littell	SP/RP
13	264	James McArthur	RP
13	265	Mitch Haniger	OF
13	266	Eloy Jimenez	OF
13	267	Brandon Drury	1B/2B
13	268	Josh Jung	3B
13	269	Brice Turang	2B/SS
13	270	Kirby Yates	RP
13	271	Reese Olson	SP
13	272	Lance Lynn	SP
13	273	J.D. Martinez	DH
13	274	Trevor Rogers	SP
13	275	Gavin Stone	SP
13	276	Jake Burger	3B
13	277	Sean Manaea	SP/RP
13	278	Griffin Canning	SP
13	279	Junior Caminero	3B
13	280	Zach Neto	SS
13	281	James Paxton	SP
13	282	Michael Wacha	SP
13	283	Parker Meadows	OF
13	284	Tommy Edman	2B/SS/OF
13	285	Kevin Ginkel	RP
14	286	Josh Bell	1B
14	287	Bo Naylor	C
14	288	Erick Fedde	SP
14	289	Louie Varland	SP/RP
14	290	Max Kepler	OF
14	291	Ceddanne Rafaela	SS/OF
14	292	J.P. Crawford	SS
14	293	Nolan Schanuel	1B
14	294	Brenton Doyle	OF
14	295	Colt Keith	2B/3B
14	296	Jeff Hoffman	RP
14	297	Jose Siri	OF
14	298	Keibert Ruiz	C
14	299	Bryan Woo	SP
14	300	Brent Rooker	OF
15	301	Alex Kirilloff	1B/OF
15	302	Joel Payamps	RP
15	303	Andrew Vaughn	1B
15	304	Griffin Jax	RP
15	305	Jake Fraley	OF
15	306	Hector Neris	RP
15	307	Edward Olivares	OF
15	308	Charlie Blackmon	OF
15	309	Taj Bradley	SP
15	310	Jack Suwinski	OF
15	311	Hunter Harvey	RP
15	312	Alex Verdugo	OF
15	313	Brady Singer	SP
15	314	Orlando Arcia	SS
15	315	Aroldis Chapman	RP
15	316	Dean Kremer	SP
15	317	Ranger Suarez	SP
15	318	Shea Langeliers	C
15	319	Max Meyer	SP
15	320	Brett Baty	3B
15	321	Trevor Megill	RP
15	322	Frankie Montas	SP
15	323	Ryan Pressly	RP
15	324	Shelby Miller	RP
15	325	Clarke Schmidt	SP
16	326	Jordan Wicks	SP
16	327	Vaughn Grissom	SS
16	328	David Robertson	RP
16	329	Adbert Alzolay	RP

Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Biggest Risers

Plenty of players initially left out of the top 300 have made a splash early in the season. Among the newcomers are Jared Jones, Garrett Crochet, Michael Kopech, Abner Uribe, and Reynaldo Lopez. The biggest risers on the list compared to their preseason ranks are MJ Melendez, Brendan Donovan, and Kutter Crawford. Let’s take a closer look at the hot starts that propelled them up the charts.

MJ Melendez, C/OF, Kansas City Royals
Preseason rank: 293 Updated rank: 171

In 2023, MJ Melendez's 96th percentile average exit velocity (93.2 mph) and 49.6% hard-hit rate had me convinced he was on the verge of a power breakout. Unfortunately, those came with one of the worst whiff rates in the league (34.4%) and the lowest zone contact rate among qualified batters. Melendez is off to a much better start in 2024. As of this writing, he is batting .255 (with a .286 xBA) and has three home runs and eight RBI. Melendez is hitting in the middle of the Kansas City Royals’ surprisingly potent lineup.

Brendan Donovan, 1B/2B/OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Preseason Rank: 297 Updated rank: 201

Through 16 games, Brendan Donovan owns a .254 batting average and is getting on base at a .375 clip. So far, he has scored 10 runs, driven in nine, and has swatted two home runs. Stuck in a utility role last year before an elbow injury ended his season, Donovan is now the Cardinals’ everyday left fielder thanks to injuries that decimated the team’s outfield depth. Donovan has been at the top of the batting order in every game he has played thus far.

Kutter Crawford, SP, Boston Red Sox
Preseason rank: 251 Updated rank: 156

Kutter Crawford came into spring training without a guaranteed spot in the Red Sox rotation. After four starts, he is pitching like a staff ace, having racked up 24 strikeouts, a 0.42 ERA, and a 0.80 WHIP. The 28-year-old right-hander is relying on his sweeper significantly more compared to last season. In 2023, he used it just 6.7% of the time, but so far it makes up 28.4% of his mix and is generating a 28.3% whiff rate. According to RotoBaller’s Pitcher Schedule Projections Tool, Crawford’s upcoming matchups should provide continued success.

Kutter Crawford, Dirty 83mph Splitter. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/b4UDjTm4Ui

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 10, 2024

Other Big Risers
Robert Suarez, RP, San Diego Padres (Preseason rank: 244; Updated rank: 153)
Justin Turner, 1B/2B/3B, Toronto Blue Jays (Preseason rank: 261; Updated rank: 172)
Jackson Holliday, SS, Baltimore Orioles (Preseason rank: 203; Updated rank: 116)
Yu Darvish, SP, San Diego Padres (Preseason rank: 184; Updated rank: 108)
Isaac Paredes, 1B/2B/3B, Tampa Bay Rays (Preseason rank: 200; Updated rank: 127)

 

Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Biggest Fallers

Esteury Ruiz, Jordan Walker, and Henry Davis were the biggest fallers compared to their preseason ranks. There were actually several players who fell or were dropped from the list entirely but met this fate thanks to injury concerns. We will get to those players in a special section below. For now, let’s take a look at what sent those healthy players down the board.

Esteury Ruiz, OF, Oakland Athletics
Preseason rank: 147 Updated rank: NA

The funny thing about Esteury Ruiz leading off this list is that he didn’t do anything wrong. In the first three games of the season, Ruiz stole one base and had three hits and a sacrifice fly in his eight plate appearances. For reasons that remain a mystery, the A’s saw fit to option him to Triple-A Las Vegas on April 1.

Once in the minors, Ruiz went on a tear, underscoring the quixotic decision-making of Oakland’s front office. In 11 games with the Aviators, the 25-year-old outfielder went 14-for-43, crushed three home runs, and swiped seven bags. Ruiz could play his way back into the top 300. He has since been recalled and hit a pinch-hit home run in his first game back.

Esteury Ruiz getting unjustly sent to the minors then proceeding to do nothing but hit BOMBS is the ultimate ball don’t lie energy.

This one was 412 feet, 109.8 mph. Just crushed.

🗣️🗣️🗣️pic.twitter.com/6x6Mm0T8N8

— Karl Buscheck (@KarlBuscheck) April 17, 2024

Jordan Walker, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Preseason rank: 104 Updated rank: 214

Jordan Walker is starting 2024 in a slump. He has played in all but two of the Cardinals’ 18 games and has just nine hits in 49 at-bats. His triple slash is a lowly .184/.250/.306 and he has produced only seven runs plus RBI. Walker started slow enough in 2023 to be optioned before the end of April and then provided modest production after being recalled in June. His turnaround last year combined with his skill set justified ranking him just outside the top 100 in the preseason, but the abysmal production pushed him well off that starting point.

Henry Davis, C/OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Preseason rank: 191 Updated rank: NA

Henry Davis was a spring training standout, garnering lots of buzz for consistently hitting the ball hard and finishing with a .310 batting average and 1.067 OPS. His production in the regular season has not lived up to the hype, though. Davis is hitting .180 with a single barrel so far and a 29.5% K%. The former first-round pick was slated for a clean shot at an everyday role but that’s been complicated with the recent addition of Joey Bart to the Pirates roster.

Other Big Fallers
Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Chicago White Sox (Preseason rank: 204; Updated rank: NA)
A.J. Puk, SP/RP, Miami Marlins (Preseason rank: 207; Updated rank: NA)
Thairo Estrada, 2B/SS, San Francisco Giants (Preseason rank: 124; Updated rank: 204)
Alex Lange, RP, Detroit Tigers (Preseason rank: 224; Updated rank: NA)
Jack Suwinski, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Preseason rank: 214; Updated rank: 290)

 

Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Notable Injuries

Unfortunately, injuries have hit hard early on in 2024. Many prominent players got hurt early and are expected to spend significant amounts of time on the injured list, affecting their placement in the rankings. Spencer Strider (elbow), Shane Bieber (elbow), Eury Perez (elbow), Trevor Story (shoulder), and other players whose seasons ended prematurely due to injury have been dropped from the updated rankings entirely.

Others who have not been lost for the season but with indefinite timelines for recovery such as Framber Valdez (elbow), Justin Steele (hamstring), Ozzie Albies (toe), Seiya Suzuki (oblique) and Nick Pivetta (elbow) have been pushed out of the top 300 as well. Luis Robert (hip), Royce Lewis (hamstring), and Josh Jung (wrist) still remain in the top 300 but each fell more than 100 slots in the rankings. Justin Verlander (shoulder), Walker Buehler (elbow), and Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) slid in the rankings after starting the season on the IL but are expected to debut in the near future and could rebound by the next update.

Justin Verlander will make his season debut on Friday pic.twitter.com/v9Lykv2mYA

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 17, 2024

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