Five Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to this week's edition of the Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball series! With the All-Star break coming to a close, it's officially the second half of the 2024 MLB season. For those whose fantasy teams had a rough start, there's still plenty of time to turn things around.

Looking ahead to Week 18 and the rest of the season, we'll highlight five injured players worth stashing in your redraft leagues. New to the series? Check out previous articles for even more options!

Plenty of productive players are nearing a return. Stashing them on your IL could pay off, in the long run. Whether it's pitching, offense, or both, these guys can help. Only those rostered in less than 60% of Yahoo leagues are eligible. The goal is to spotlight overlooked players. Now, let's get into it.

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Jeffrey Springs, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Rostered: 33% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Late July

In her latest single, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter begs the fantasy baseball community to do one thing. "Please Please Please add Jeffrey Springs." As someone who's released back-to-back number-one hits, her advice is worth following.

Seriously, I cannot fathom how someone this good is still so available. Once he returns to the Rays' rotation, Springs (elbow) could legitimately be a top-five left-handed pitcher. Since the start of the 2021 season, he's 16-6 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 231:49 K/BB in 196 innings. Perhaps the most exciting thing about his return is the fact that, in 2023, he started throwing a sweeper. Before that, he only threw a four-seam fastball, changeup (one the best in baseball), and a slider. And while we only got a glimpse of the sweeper, it's worth getting excited about. He threw it 26 times, posting a .116 xBA, .124 xSLG, two strikeouts, and a 55.6% whiff rate.

For someone who's already been phenomenal, Springs' new sweeper could propel him to an even higher level. Of all the pitchers returning from the IL in the second half, none are more promising. If you add him to your team, the people in your league will have trouble sleeping. And when they tell you about it, you can say, "Baby, I know. That's that Springs espresso."

Jeffrey Springs Nearing Return To MLB Mound https://t.co/GttNB4dsFq

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) July 17, 2024

Heston Kjerstad, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Rostered: 35% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Post All-Star Break

UPDATE: Kjerstand was activated from the IL on Saturday July 20th.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad (concussion) is a promising young hitter. In 93 career plate appearances, he's slashing .284/.370/.529 with three doubles, five home runs, 15 RBI, and an 8:27 BB/SO. Despite solid production, he isn't getting consistent playing time. That could change soon.

The Orioles' organization is in a great spot. Not only are they one of the best teams in baseball; but they've also got a plethora of elite prospects. Many of them are big-league ready, but they're either still in the minors or splitting time in the majors. However, the Orioles are expected to be aggressive buyers at the Trade Deadline, which requires a willingness to sell. With that in mind, there are two ways Kjerstad could get more playing time: the O's trade another outfielder (i.e., Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins, Austin Hays), or they trade him. In either event, he'll likely see more playing time.

Heston Kjerstad’s power is insane.

107.4 mph exit velo, 406 feet to left-center field.

Orioles lead 4-0 pic.twitter.com/LJEcfqSGBS

— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) July 7, 2024

Before you add Kjerstad, there are two somewhat red flags. First, post-concussion symptoms are known to affect a hitter long after the pain has subsided (prime example: Anthony Rizzo). Fortunately, it seems the O's are being careful with him, and he's had the All-Star break to recover. Second, he only has six career at-bats versus left-handed pitching. That's partially due to the O's platooning him, but he still has to prove he can handle lefties. For what it's worth, he's 3-for-6 with a double and 2 RBI against them so far. As the Trade Deadline nears, keep track of what the Orioles do, and consider adding Kjerstad if things go his way.

Tyler Soderstrom, C/1B, Oakland Athletics

Rostered: 9% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Uncertain

From one 2020 first-round pick to another, Soderstrom (wrist) has been a bright spot in what's otherwise been dreadful times for A's fans. For a young slugger, his numbers are pretty good. Through 166 plate appearances, he's slashing .219/.307/.404 with six doubles, seven home runs, 20 RBI, and a 16:45 BB/SO.

Soderstrom's underlying metrics point to increased production ahead. Almost all of his expected numbers are noticeably better than his actual ones. For example, his .356 xwOBA is way above his .311 wOBA, and his .504 xSLG is exactly 100 points higher than his actual slugging percentage. Also, if he qualified, he'd rank in the 90th percentile for average exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate. Additionally, he has the same average bat speed as superstars Bryce Harper and Matt Olson.

Overall, adding Soderstrom is more risky than most of the players on this list, but there's clearly tons of upside. If he comes back healthy, he could be as productive as Tristan Casas. Their profiles are strikingly similar: large, powerful lefties with a bit too much swing-and-miss. And while Casas is rostered in 71% of Yahoo leagues, Soderstrom is almost certainly available in yours.

Tyler Soderstrom's blast ties it back up 💥 pic.twitter.com/2PvmVWjrs8

— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) June 29, 2024

Matt McLain, 2B/SS, Cincinnati Reds

Rostered: 46% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Late August

Heading into the season, many were excited to see how Cincinnati Reds middle infielder Matt McLain would perform in his sophomore campaign. However, a shoulder surgery in late March put him on the 60-day IL, and he hasn't played at all in 2024. At first, the Reds weren't sure if he'd have to miss the entire year, but manager David Bell recently stated that they're hoping McLain will start a rehab assignment on August 12.

Some updates from David Bell

Matt McLain has started swinging and is on track to start a rehab assignment on August 12

Nick Martini had thumb surgery and has a chance to return this season

Jake Fraley is back in the clubhouse

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 10, 2024

Last season, McLain played 89 games with the Reds. In 403 plate appearances, 23 doubles, 16 homers, 50 RBI, 14 steals, and a 31:115 BB/SO. Even though he only played half of the 2024 season in MLB, he placed fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Overall, he's an awesome power-speed combo and one of the best at his position.

Assuming he'll need a lengthy rehab before rejoining the Reds' roster, the earliest McLain will make his season debut is likely the end of August. As a result, he'll be most valuable in playoff leagues. If your team is making a postseason push, and you're lacking in the middle infield, this is the perfect move to bolster your squad in pursuit of a championship.

Robbie Ray, SP, San Francisco Giants

Rostered: 37% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Post All-Star Break

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher and 2021 American League Cy Young winner Robbie Ray (elbow) is yet again on this list. While I think he's slightly less valuable than Jeffrey Springs, Ray has a ton of upside. In 2021 and 2022, he was elite. Through 382 1/3 innings, he had a 3.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 460:114 K/BB. His stuff had always been there -- he'd just struggled with command. He's been dominant over the last few years.

In his most recent rehab outing with Single-A San Jose, Ray struck out nine batters in five innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. Through 24 rehab innings, he's got a 38:4 K/BB. If he carries this pinpoint control with him back to the Giants, he could be one of the best lefties in the second half. Regardless, it's hard to believe someone only three years removed from a Cy Young Award is so widely available.

T5: Giants 4 | Visalia 0

Robbie Ray was DIALED IN for his 3rd start with San Jose 🎯

5 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 9 Ks 🔥@MiLB | @SFGiants pic.twitter.com/mxzgEfwuXZ

— San Jose Giants (@SJGiants) July 15, 2024

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