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August is here, which means the fantasy baseball playoffs are right around the corner! Most H2H league matchups should have another month in the regular season. Knowing who is on the up or down is crucial right now because nothing is worse than dead weight or missed opportunity.
Throughout the first half, plenty of recently unknown players have thrived in fantasy baseball while many perennial All-Stars have disappointed. Below, I discuss which risers are worth snagging and which fallers are not worth your time anymore.
For all complaints, contact Kev Mahserejian on X (@RotoSurgeon). Without further ado, here are your risers and fallers for Week 19 of the fantasy baseball season!
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Fantasy Baseball Risers
Xavier Edwards, Miami Marlins
59% Rostered on Yahoo!
While the Marlins may have sold half of their roster, they did so with some semblance of talent behind their veterans! Xavier Edwards is a former top 100 prospect who debuted last year but was blocked by Tim Anderson to start this season. He hit .295 with five SBs in 30 games last year and has built on that with nine steals and a .380 average through 26 games in 2024.
Xavier Edwards' July was 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/eyiYpWLtS3
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) August 1, 2024
Despite his elite speed and hit tool, batting average regression is inevitable for Edwards. His .380 will likely crash closer to .300 given his .459 BABIP. While his .359 BABIP in 2023 is quite high, his speed gives him an advantage over the league, whose average BABIP is much lower. Edwards also boasts a sturdy 13.2% walk rate, which makes him viable for all fantasy formats.
Verdict: Pick up in all 12+ team leagues along with 10-team leagues where MI is needed.
Ryne Nelson, Arizona Diamondbacks
18% Rostered on Yahoo!
Ryne Nelson is a changed man. After a tumultuous 2023 season, hope was dwindling for the young Diamondbacks starting pitcher, but the past two months displayed a real turnaround.
Ryne Nelson from April 1 - June 8:
5.96 ERA, 4.70 FIP, 4.91 xFIP
1.69 WHIP, 6.8% K-BB
Ryne Nelson from June 14 - July 30:
3.17 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 3.70 xFIP
1.04 WHIP, 17.2% K-BB
Ryne Nelson, 97mph Paint. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/KpFcA90c2w
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 13, 2024
While Nelson may not be elite, an above-average SP on a potential playoff team is valuable in fantasy. His next start comes in Pittsburgh this coming Sunday where he should be streamed.
Verdict: Stream in all leagues this weekend and then decide whether to hold.
Nolan Schanuel, Los Angeles Angels
11% Rostered on Yahoo!
Nolan Schanuel was on FIRE in July! He slashed .320/.464/.507 with three HRs, 13 runs, 12 RBI, and two SBs. The Angels first baseman may be playing in a terrible offense with no Mike Trout comeback this season, but that is not affecting him. He has walked more (18.6%) than struck out (14.4%) this month and looks to keep this hot streak going throughout the rest of the season as his rolling xwOBA has climbed to an elite .425 over the past 100 plate appearances.
Nolan Schanuel has been making really good decisions at the plate lately and is hitting .307/.458/.480 over the past month (and .389/.522/.667 over the past two weeks).
He's over 80% available in both Yahoo and ESPN leagues. You should pick him up pic.twitter.com/NbiYmUv2DR
— Ben Palmer (@benjpalmer) August 1, 2024
Verdict: Pick up in all 12+ team formats and even 10-team where CI is needed.
Fantasy Baseball Fallers
Chris Bassitt, Toronto Blue Jays
82% Rostered on Yahoo!
Fun Fact: Chris Bassitt has not posted an ERA above 3.81 since 2016 when he started just five games.
Thus far, Bassitt's ERA sits at 4.02 and steadily rises weekly. Bassitt has allowed at least three earned runs in his past five starts. His 7.01 ERA in July is backed by a poor 4.97 xFIP and 10.7% K-BB. There is some bad luck via a .375 BABIP, but he is not pitching well.
His 3.24 ERA before this stretch in July looked much more like the Bassitt we know and trust. Unfortunately, his next start is against the revamped Baltimore Orioles; however, things clear up soon after. Bassitt is lined up to start against the Oakland A's and Chicago Cubs following the upcoming Orioles start. He can be streamed for those two starts if a glimmer of hope arises versus Baltimore.
Verdict: Drop in 12-team and shallower leagues or if you need a streaming spot this week.
Max Scherzer, Texas Rangers
83% Rostered on Yahoo!
The now 40-year-old Scherzer began this season on IL after back surgery and is pitching well, but he now has to deal with "arm fatigue" after his most recent start. Scherzer's 3.89 ERA and 19% K-BB are commendable at his age, but Father Time comes for all. There is no clarity on whether his arm issue is elbow or shoulder-related but both could be precursors to much worse issues.
Max Scherzer on arm fatigue hitting him in the fourth tonight ... pic.twitter.com/Q0WDmMKOEX
— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) July 31, 2024
Scherzer is a bulldog on the mound and will do everything to push through injuries. If he is pitching hurt, that could harm him and his fantasy managers. His two worst starts of the season have come within his past three starts. Ironically, his best start of the season is sandwiched between them, albeit, against the White Sox.
Verdict: Hold until more information becomes available on his "arm fatigue." Bench in tougher matchups.
Willi Castro, Minnesota Twins
68% Rostered on Yahoo!
Castro has zero HRs and zero SBs over the past month and is hitting just .200 in this span. He is a semi-toolsy player but far too streaky to consider a must-hold option in fantasy. His rolling xwOBA is crashing across his past 100 PA while he is unlikely to repeat the monster SB season (33) he posted in 2023.
Also, while he hits from both sides of the plate, he is hitting .304 vs. LHP and just .242 vs. RHP. Castro is best left as waiver-wire fodder picked up to stream in weeks where a steal or two could flip the matchup or if the Twins face a stretch of lefties.
Verdict: Drop in all formats.
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