RADIO
We're onto Week 11 in the fantasy baseball world. Wild things continue to happen in baseball while some things continue to normalize. This is the part where I tell you that my Colorado Rockies are back...to their normal ways, anyways. They ran into the buzzsaw that is the Cincinnati Reds, who many have feared dearly, and lost in dramatic fashion on Wednesday afternoon. Anything is possible when the Rockies go to their bullpen. That's how the saying goes, right? But I digress.
In this article, as usual, we'll go over some of the trends we're seeing with platoon hitters, notable playing time changes, and batting order notes. We'll focus on a couple of players for each section and provide some added depth and insight to help you build your lineup.
If there are players that you'd like to see covered or discussed that fit any of the criteria below, feel free to hit me up! Now, let's get to it.
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Platoon Player Updates for Fantasy Baseball
Luke Raley - OF, Seattle Mariners
Lefties that face righties always hold more value when we're looking at platoon matchups. Raley generally starts against righties and hits them for a .748 OPS, good enough for a 118 wRC+. With 20 runs scored and 14 RBI in a Mariners lineup that's been below average in 2024, he's a solid piece of their offense.
Luke Raley just continues to show why he’s a tough one to keep out of the lineup pic.twitter.com/VNB9phzIkp
— Trident True (@TridentTruee) June 2, 2024
Now, Raley is due for a bit of negative regression with a .334 wOBA and a .290 xwOBA, so fantasy managers may be weary adding him. But if you look on the schedule, you'll see a nice four-game home series against the Chicago White Sox coming up, so that bat should stay solid for a little longer. Add him for some short-term help and keep an eye on him afterward.
Joc Pederson - DH, Arizona Diamondbacks
You already know about Joc Pederson and he's not a new name by any means, but he's not rostered in many leagues currently. He only faces righties and is hitting them for a 149 wRC+. Plain and simple, he's hitting them well and needs to be rostered.
JOC PEDERSON REVENGE TOUCH EM ALL 3 RUN DINGER MAKES IT 7-3 pic.twitter.com/0rgZrbWe41
— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) May 22, 2024
Now, by the expected stats, he has negative regression coming, but that's a .391 wOBA vs. a .371 xwOBA (90th percentile), so Pederson should still be extremely solid. If he's on your league's waiver wire, then snatch him up as soon as you can.
Other platoon names to keep an eye on:
Richie Palacios - OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Kerry Carpenter - OF, Detroit Tigers
Playing Time Updates for Fantasy Baseball
Rob Refsnyder - OF, Boston Red Sox
You're surprised to see yet another member of the Boston Red Sox listed in this section, I know. Another one got injured as Wilyer Abreu sprained his ankle walking in the dugout on Sunday. Walking is literally all it takes to get you injured in Boston these days. Refsnyder is benefiting from extra playing time with Abreu's absence and is doing pretty well, hitting for a 158 wRC+ this season.
THAT’S MY DAMN DH RIGHT THERE TWO RUN DING DONG FOR ROB REFSNYDER TO OPEN IT UP pic.twitter.com/f7qLbLsvLi
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) May 29, 2024
Refsnyder's expected stats read similarly to Pederson's in that he's due for negative regression, but a .364 xwOBA is still really, really solid. If you need help with an OF spot, consider snagging him up and capitalizing on his hot streak. If you're a DFS player, target him on the road where he's hitting for a 243 wRC+ in 52 plate appearances. Small sample size but enough to target in the right matchup.
Danny Jansen - C, Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have two catchers they generally turn to. Alejandro Kirk, who's hitting for a 68 OPS+, and Danny Jansen, who's hitting for a 142 OPS+. Who would you start? The decision is pretty easy and the Blue Jays have recognized this. Since May 17, Jansen has been Toronto's main catcher. He's on the downswing right now, but the season-long stats suggest he'll get back to his hot streak soon.
Danny Jansen extends the Jays’ lead with a two-run blast! pic.twitter.com/1pOXD7wdqF
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 20, 2024
A .368 wOBA and a .348 xwOBA gives us the same feeling we had with Pederson and Refsnyder. He may continue to see some negative regression but a .348 xwOBA still is a solid number. If you need some catcher help, then be on the lookout for Jansen on your waiver wire.
Other names to keep an eye on who are now receiving more playing time:
Jake Bauers - 1B, Milwaukee Brewers
Edmundo Sosa - SS, Philadelphia Phillies
Batting Order Changes for Fantasy Baseball
Masyn Winn - SS, St. Louis Cardinals
The first Cardinal to be featured in this section, Winn has been getting placed into the leadoff spot fairly often since May 27. The Cardinals have put him atop the lineup a couple other times this season, but with Winn's recent hot streak aligning with the Cards' win streak, it makes too much sense to get him as many ABs as possible.
Masyn Winn homers in his hometown! pic.twitter.com/82SjxZjrXa
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 5, 2024
Though we're showing you Winn hitting a homer, he's going to be more of a contact type hitter. And if he's on base for guys like Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Gorman, and Nolan Arenado more often, that's just more fantasy value for you when he scores. If he's on your waiver wire, grab him. If he's on your bench, get him in your starting lineup and ride his hot streak.
Nolan Gorman - 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
On the other side of the Cardinals' middle infield, Gorman was recently on a hot streak of homers, hitting six in seven games. That made the Cards move him from the bottom third of the order into the cleanup spot.
Nolan Gorman is...
THE. HOTTEST. HITTER. ON. THE. PLANET
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/GRS9e3bJ7C
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 5, 2024
With an xBA in the 32nd percentile and an xwOBA in the 79th percentile, it's pretty easy to see that Gorman is the opposite of Winn. You're getting power and only power out of him. Snag him if he's available on your waiver wire and get him in your lineup if he's on your bench.
Other players to keep an eye on for batting order changes:
Josh Rojas - 3B, Seattle Mariners
Brenton Doyle - OF, Colorado Rockies
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