Lineup Takeaways - Week 10 Lineup Trends

Mike Kurland takes a deep look at Week 10's fantasy baseball risers and fallers based on recent lineup trends, highlighting strong and weak platoons, and players who may benefit from lineup slot.

Week 10 of the MLB season is in the books. There are new injuries, players landing on the COVID injured list, and many more developments that are causing lineups to alter. Let’s try to figure out what is noise and what really matters.

Just a reminder, I have added a 'Fantasy Fallout' section to the team breakdowns. This is meant to highlight lesser-rostered players who may have fantasy relevance. As we get more tangible info and stats, the notes will evolve with it.

All roster percentages are based on Yahoo! formats.

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National League

NL East

Atlanta Braves

• With Marcell Ozuna the latest to hit the IL, among other personal issues, he will be out indefinitely. This has led to Abraham Almonte and Ehire Adrianza splitting time in left field.
• Ozzie Albies slotted into the three-spot and Austin Riley into the cleanup spot.
• This also vaults Dansby Swanson back into the five-spot.
• Guillermo Heredia continues to man centerfield regularly.

Fantasy Fallout

• Abraham Almonte and Ehire Adrianza should not be considered outside the deepest of NL-Only formats.

• Guillermo Heredia has been quietly decent and worthy of 15 team mixed leagues if you need the help in the outfield. He has hit .261/.340/.446 with two home runs this season. He is sporting a 111 wRC+.

Miami Marlins

• Jazz Chisholm recently dropped to sixth in the order against an RHP and Jose Devers led off. Not sure if this will continue but worth monitoring. If you are in a league where Chisholm hasn’t earned shortstop eligibility, he might be en route to gaining said eligibility as he has started four straight there.
• Jose Devers has been starting at shortstop and second base regularly with Miguel Rojas out of the lineup. A move up the order is possible as he has led off two straight games.
• Garrett Cooper continues to get his playing time bouncing around the outfield and first base.
• Since returning from the IL, Starling Marte has hit second every game.

Fantasy Fallout

• Jose Devers has led off two straight games and has been a speed-first prospect in the past with a decent hit tool. He won't bring much (if any) power but some batting average and stolen bases are possible. Even though he has yet to steal a base since his call-up this season.
• Garrett Cooper continues to hit well and is deserving of a roster spot even in 12-team mixed leagues with corner infield spots or five outfielders.

New York Mets

• Jonathan Villar is dealing with a hamstring issue but has led off 13 straight games before missing time with this injury.
• Kevin Pillar has slotted into the leadoff spot with Villar out.
• Other than Francisco Lindor batting second and a combination of Pete Alonso and James McCann batting third and fourth every day, this lineup is littered with waiver wire options.

Fantasy Fallout

• If you need speed, Jonathan Villar is an option. Not exactly sure when he will stop leading off but he has two stolen bases over the last two weeks (three caught stealing though) and could continue to get the green light given the current lineup. He is hitting .297 over that span so at least he is helping elsewhere for now too.
• James McCann is mixed league relevant and should be looked at in 12-teamers or shallower if you need a catcher. But as always, stream catchers in shallower leagues if you don't have an elite one. McCann is running hot so he is a good catcher to roll with until he cools off.

Fun Fact:

Philadelphia Phillies

• Odubel Herrera has led off the last four games with Andrew McCutchen falling to the six-spot in the order.
• Brad Miller starts regularly in right field of late while batting fifth.
• Alec Bohm has slipped to seventh in the order over the last three games.
• Ronald Torreyes has started five-straight at shortstop and may have taken over the job for now. He hits at the bottom of the lineup.

Fantasy Fallout

• Odubel Herrera has entered 12-team mixed league relevance. But only if you have five outfield spots. Otherwise, he is tough to fit into your lineup.
• Given the recent production, we could see McCutchen move back up the lineup if anyone struggles but McCutchen are also relevant in the same formats that Herrera is.

• Ronald Torreyes should only be rostered in NL-Only formats.

Washington Nationals

• Josh Harrison has hit second in each of the last four games.
• This has pushed Juan Soto into the three-hole.
• Victor Robles returned to the lineup and slotted back into the bottom of the order.

Fantasy Fallout

• Josh Harrison is getting the opportunity but lately, he has not been doing well and it could lead to a drop in the order. Hitting just .167 with an OPS of .501 over the last two weeks. He does have a home run and a stolen base but that is about it and tough to start given the poor performance.
• Before going on the IL, Victor Robles appeared to be coming back around but since his return from the IL, he has yet to record a hit. I would still be holding onto him to see if you can recapture was he was starting before the IL stint.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs

• Joc Pederson continues to lead off against RHP and Wilson Contreras bats leadoff against LHP.
• With Anthony Rizzo returning to the lineup, Ian Happ drops from cleanup to sixth in the first start all starters were back in the lineup.
• Javier Baez has continued to hit third regularly. He has hit there in nine of his last ten starts.
• Patrick Wisdom has been starting at third base and bouncing around the bottom half of the order.

Fantasy Fallout

•  Kris Bryant has 8 starts and 10 games played overall at 1B. If he does not already have 1B eligibility, he will shortly and that is a big boost to what has already been one of the bigger return on investments so far this season.
• Since coming up, Patrick Wisdom has four home runs and is hitting .407/.448/.926 but with a .500 BABIP and a 31% strikeout rate. Buyer beware.
• Since returning from the IL, Joc Pederson has been solid. The batting average has taken a hit over the last couple of weeks, hitting just .167 over the last two weeks, but it is on the back of a .129 BABIP. It has also come with four home runs. There is give and take with this profile but in a 12-team mixed league with five outfielders (or any deeper format), Pederson is worth starting.

Cincinnati Reds

• Eugenio Suarez has led off eight of the last nine games.
• Tyler Stephenson has been playing first base (and some catcher) while batting in the middle of the order over the last couple of weeks now.
• Johnathan India and Kyle Farmer sit at the bottom of the order while playing second base and shortstop just about every day.

Fantasy Fallout

• Eugenio Suarez has led off over his last 8 starts. He’s posted: .206/.270/.471, a wOBA of .318 and a wRC+ of 98. This comes with a K% of 27% and a BB% of 8.1% Not great but an improvement compared to his overall 2021 production. It is a step in the right direction but still meh.
• Tyler Stephenson is relevant as a catcher given the landscape in just about any format. He has three home runs on the season while hitting .263/.351/.390. As long as the playing time is there and he hits in the middle of the order, there is no reason not to give him a look if you need some help at the catcher position.

Milwaukee Brewers

• Willy Adames bats second against LHP and drops to seventh against RHP.
• Dan Vogelbach starts against RHP and bats second (recently) when in. He does hit in the top half, in general, most of the time against RHP.
• Keston Hiura is in a platoon right now with Dan Vogelbach and not on the good side of said platoon.
• Lorenzo Cain hits the IL with a hamstring injury.
• Luis Urias leads off two straight games after the injury to Kolten Wong

Fantasy Fallout

• Luis Urias has a path to regular playing time given the injury to Wong and he has seven home runs and two stolen bases on the year so he brings a power and speed element to fantasy rosters. If he holds onto the leadoff spot, he becomes intriguing.

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Ke’Bryan Hayes returned to the order and slotted right back into the two-spot.
• This cements Kevin Newman at the bottom of the order. He was already down there over the previous five games anyway.
• Adam Frazier and Bryan Reynolds remain firmly at the top of the order.
• Gregory Polanco has been batting in the middle of the order (fourth and fifth) for a while now. However, he has hit fourth more regularly as he’s hit there in seven of the last nine games.
• With Hayes back, Erik Gonzalez has played first base and Will Craig has not started in four straight in the process.

Fantasy Fallout

• Erik Gonzales continues to find his way into the lineup regardless of production, or lack thereof. He is someone strictly relevant in only the deepest of formats where every at-bat counts.
• With eight home runs, while hitting .291 with an OPS of .890, Bryan Reynolds has not been appreciated enough this season. He hits third every game to boot. He offers one of the highest floors in fantasy even in a bad lineup.
• Adam Frazier is in this same conversation hitting .333 with two home runs and three stolen bases. Such a solid fantasy commodity.

St. Louis Cardinals

• A healthy Cardinals team is pretty consistent in their lineups. The only change is the consistent right field rotation we’re seeing between Lane Thomas, Justin Williams, and Jose Rodon. All of this will end when Harrison Bader returns.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks

• Josh Rojas has begun leading off again and has led off eight of the last nine games and two have been against.
• Since returning to the lineup, Carson Kelly has hit inside the top five in the order.
• Christian Walker has been hitting fourth or fifth since his return. Health has been an ongoing issue for Walker this year.
• Josh Reddick has been starting in right field while batting around sixth most of the time.
• Pavin Smith has been moved down the order. He was leading off for a while and now bats around the five spot. With Walker and Marte back, his playing time could be in jeopardy.

Fantasy Fallout

• Since he began to lead off, Josh Rojas has hit just .186 but with a .300 OBP so the OBP skills could give him some leash to turn things around. He does have two home runs over this span as well.
• Josh Reddick has been serviceable for deeper leagues as he is hitting .333/.356/.474 but no home runs or stolen bases caps his usefulness. He is fringe 15-team mixed league relevant.
• Christian Walker has yet to get it going this season and between poor performance and poor production, you are better off letting him sit on the waiver wire.

Colorado Rockies

• Ryan McMahon has moved up to the three-spot and has hit there in five of his last six starts.
• Josh Fuentes has crept up the order batting fourth or fifth in two of his last four starts. He appears locked in somewhere in the four through six spots for now.
• Yonathan Daza has started six straight in centerfield and has been batting second over the said stretch of starts.
• This means Garrett Hampson has been pushed out of centerfield. Could this just be a short-term move as he helps cover the middle infield with Trevor Story out?

Fantasy Fallout

• Yonathan Daza sure is making it interesting as he is hitting well since starting and hitting from the two-spot. Is there a chance he holds onto his spot over Garrett Hampson when Trevor Story is back?

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Max Muncy has shifted over to first base and Albert Pujols has gone back into a bench role.
• Chris Taylor has moved back to second base with Cody Bellinger back in the lineup.
• Zach McKinstry has started in five of the last seven games while playing four different positions. This role will continue to provide paths to at-bats.

Fantasy Fallout

• Since returning from the IL, Zach McKinstry has hit .063/.167/.063. This needs to turn around quickly or he could fall out of favor of the playing time he currently has.

San Diego Padres

• Tommy Pham has bumped up into the leadoff spot. He has led off in 11 of the last 13 games for the Padres.
• Jake Cronenworth has settled into the three-spot
• Fernando Tatis Jr. has been batting cleanup over the last couple of weeks.
• Jurickson Profar continues to start regularly in centerfield with Trent Grisham out.
• Ha-Seong Kim has lost out on playing time as the team returns to a healthier version of itself. He’s only started two of the last four games.

Fantasy Fallout

• Tommy Pham has turned it on and if he is available in your league, change that.

• Jurickson Profar has not helped in terms of batting average or power really, but there is consistent playing time and stolen bases to be had here. He is someone to target if you need stolen bases and can absorb the bad batting average.

San Francisco Giants

• LaMonte Wade has been leading off against RHP over the last five games against them. He sits against LHP. He is in a platoon with Wilmer Flores.
• Donovan Solano has crept back into the starting lineup having started the last eight of nine games batting fifth through seventh in the process.
• Steven Duggar has started five of six in centerfield while batting in the bottom half of the order.

Fantasy Fallout

• Steven Duggar has been solid and could be worth looking at in deeper leagues. But be mindful although he has been solid over the last week, he has done so with a .556 BABIP and a 47.8% strikeout rate.

American League

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

• Freddy Galvis has moved into the top of the order since Austin Hays has hit the IL. Typically batting second or fourth.
• The Austin Hays injury opened up a spot for DJ Stewart to jump into regular playing time in left field.
• Ryan Mountcastle has hit fifth or sixth over his last five starts.
• Stevie Wilkerson has started nine of the last ten games and is playing at second base while batting at the bottom of the order.

Fantasy Fallout

• If you held onto Ryan Mountcastle, you have been rewarded. Well, at least over the last week. Mountcastle and DJ Stewart have been great over the last seven days and let's hope this is a sign of things to come as temperatures start to warm up.

• I would only roster Stevie Wilkerson in AL-Only formats or any league you need someone getting at-bats.

Boston Red Sox

• Since entering the mix for playing time, Danny Santana has only started against RHP. He has led off against the last three RHP.
• Bobby Dalbec’s playing time has taken a hit since falling out of favor against RHP. He has started against two of the last three, however, so maybe he will get it going again.

Fantasy Fallout

• Danny Santana appears to only play against RHP so he should play more than not play but it is still a platoon situation. If he leads off though, the appeal for deeper leagues is there. However, hitting .135 will be a big hit to your batting average so he is better off on your bench until he shows signs of life. He belongs on the waiver wire in shallower formats.
• As of now, a platoon for Bobby Dalbec makes some sense. He is young and there will be growing pains but he has crushed LHP compared to RHP this year so far.

New York Yankees

• With the team getting Giancarlo Stanton back there is now a playing time issue and Miguel Andujar could get squeezed out. It will be on Clint Frazier to hold him off with Aaron Judge in right field and Brett Gardner likely playing most of the time in centerfield.

Fantasy Fallout

• It could come down to production between Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar as to who will play more. Whichever gets the playing time you should give them a look.

Tampa Bay Rays

• Randy Arozarena continues to hit at the top of the order.
• Brandon Lowe sits against most LHP. But has hit leadoff or second in his last six starts.
• With Ji-Man Choi landing on the IL, Yandy Diaz slots back into the top of the order in his place while also playing first base.
• Taylor Walls has moved down to the bottom of the order but does play shortstop just about every day.
• Manuel Margot has been losing playing time against RHP. He has only started three of the last eight games against RHP.

Fantasy Fallout

• With Manuel Margot falling into a weak side of a platoon, he is droppable in 12-team leagues and would be a fringe hold in 15-teamers.
• Taylor Walls has hit .216/.356/.270. He does hold more value in OBP leagues but otherwise, he should sit on your waiver wire. Except in AL-Only. There he is deserving of a roster spot.

Toronto Blue Jays

• A lot of the same is going on here. Joe Panik has been starting at third base more often and Rowdy Tellez has dropped to the bottom of the order but these two remain in the lineup often.

AL Central

Chicago White Sox

• Nick Madrigal has been hitting at the top of the order with more frequency lately. However, the two-spot has been a bit of a revolving door in general.
• Jake Lamb has started the last five games in left field typically hitting in the bottom third of the order. With Andrew Vaughn back from the COVID-IL, this playing time could be hindered.
• Adam Eaton continues to sit against LHP. He has only started against three LHP all season.
• Billy Hamilton has started six of eight in centerfield. However, he left with an injury in the last game and there is a chance he misses time.

Fantasy Fallout

• Nick Madrigal is a high-floor type of producer. He won't be flashy but has his uses. Without stealing bases, he is becoming empty batting average but given the landscape of batting average as a whole, that can be useful.
• Billy Hamilton is hitting .250 over the last week. He also has a stolen base. He is someone to target if you desperately need stolen bases but don't expect much of anything else from him. But also keep in mind he did just leave a game with an injury so he could miss some time.

Cleveland Indians

• Amed Rosario has hit second in 10 of the last 12 games.
• Harold Ramirez continues to slot into the middle of the order and play every day.
• Josh Naylor has now had 10 appearances at first base and eight starts. IF he does not have eligibility there, he should sooner than later.
• Bradley Zimmer has started the last four games in centerfield. Hitting at the bottom of the order in the process.

Fantasy Fallout

• Speaking of needing stolen bases, Bradley Zimmer has three since being called up. The strikeouts are an issue and will lend itself to the batting average issues but if you need speed and can deal with what will likely remain a sub .250 batting average (for now), then this is your guy.
• Harold Ramirez continues to be underappreciated. He deserves your attention and a roster spot.

• Speaking of players showing life and deserving of a roster spot, insert Amed Rosario into the discussion. He has been playing like his old self of late.

Detroit Tigers

• Eric Haase has become the regular catcher for the Tigers. Still keeps him in the lineup more times than not. He hits fifth or sixth in the process.
• The Tigers change their lineup around often. Same names but fluctuate in placement.

Fantasy Fallout

• In just 18 games, Eric Haase has seven home runs. He is striking out 31.4% and the batting average could fall out from under him but regardless, just ride the hot streak and see where it goes. Catcher is a wasteland of a position (as always) so anyone playing well is deserving of playing time.

Kansas City Royals

• Adalberto Mondesi has been out with a hamstring injury but before the injury, he was batting fifth regularly.
• Jorge Soler dropped to seventh in the order in the last game and Hunter Dozier was bumped up to fifth. This is something to keep an eye on.

Fantasy Fallout

• With Just four home runs and hitting .174/.261/.303, Jorge Soler is hard to start in a 15-team mixed league so anything shallower he is droppable for the right player off the waiver wire.
• Since returning to the lineup, Hunter Dozier has two home runs in just over a week but it comes with a terrible .172 batting average and just a .273 OBP. At least he is hitting for power but he is tough to stomach in shallower leagues as well and is also droppable there if you cannot afford to wait on him to come around. Which is not a guarantee in itself to happen.

Minnesota Twins

• Jorge Polanco leads off against RHP and Kyle Garlick leads off against LHP.
• Alex Kirilloff shifted into the three-spot and has hit there in five of the last seven games.
• Trevor Larnach has only started against one LHP. However, he has been hitting fifth over the last three games so although he is in a platoon, he is at least moving up the order.
• With Mitch Garver out for a while, Ryan Jeffers should pick up the majority of the playing time at catcher.
• Miguel Sano has started slipping down the order again. Batting sixth or seventh in his latest starts.
• Nick Gordon has been starting at second base and has started in three of the last four games.

Fantasy Fallout

• Given the injuries, Ryan Jeffers has relevance in two-catcher formats. He has not performed well as he has a 40.8% strikeout rate and hitting just .217 with a .678 OPS and just two home runs. But, again, there is playing time here and some prospect pedigree to be dream on.
• Speaking of prospect pedigree, a former first-round pick in Nick Gordon is hitting .375/.412/.563 on the year with a home run and two stolen bases. We are talking about a 17 plate appearance sample though. At the very least, add him to a watch list in deeper formats.

AL West

Houston Astros

• Yordan Alvarez wants to play more outfield and got his first appearance there. Maybe there is a chance for the eligibility to come sooner than later but we shall see. Could still be a little while.
• With Michael Brantley out, Chas McCormick has picked up the playing time and has started nine of the eleven games in left field since Brantley has been out.
• Aledmys Diaz has been bouncing around and playing pretty often. He has started seven of the last nine while playing four different positions and even being utilized as the DH.
• Carlos Correa has hit second in his last three starts.

Fantasy Fallout

• Chas McCormick should only be looked at in AL-Only formats. He has yet to take advantage of his playing time.

Los Angeles Angels

• Justin Upton has been leading off. He has led off in nine of the last eleven games.
• Phil Gosselin has been hitting at the top of the order when he is in but he only starts against LHP of late.
• This lineup is a bit of a mess right now.

Fantasy Fallout

• This sums up Justin Upton pretty well. You should add him while he is running hot.

Oakland Athletics

• A lot of moving parts lately here.
• Matt Chapman has slid down to around the seven-spot.
• The two-spot has been a revolving door.
• Jed Lowrie has hit second or third in four of his last five starts.
• Seth Brown has been hitting fourth lately but not starting against any LHP right now.
• Tony Kemp has entered the mix and has been starting in left field and playing every day with Ramon Laureano out.

Fantasy Fallout

• Jed Lowrie will continue to do just enough to stay relevant. He is hitting .307 over the last week but it has been empty batting average. He is someone to use as an injury fill-in in your deeper mixed leagues.
• Matt Chapman had issues with strikeouts in 2020 and the strikeouts have followed him into 2021 with a 31.6% strikeout rate so far. He is not a drop but someone you should bench until he gets going.
• Tony Kemp can help in the batting average department. He is hitting well and can bring some speed but I wouldn't expect a lot outside of the batting average help.

Seattle Mariners

• Jarred Kelenic has been dropped to the bottom half of the order.
• J.P. Crawford has shifted into the leadoff spot. He has led off the last four games.
• Taylor Trammell has been recalled from the minors and has started the last four games while hitting in the bottom third of the order.
• Ty France has been hitting cleanup over the last five games.

Fantasy Fallout

• I would not drop Jarred Kelenic if possible. He is a bench though and a trip back to the MiLB might be in his future. He has a 28.3% strikeout rate while hitting just .096. He does have two home runs and three stolen bases but he is overmatched right now.
• Since being recalled from the minors, Taylor Trammell has hit .294/.333/.588 and striking out just 22.2% with a home run. He is worth a speculative add again to see where this goes.
• J.P. Crawford has led off in the past and even been talked up as the leadoff man in the past. He can hold onto the spot if he can continue to hit as he has been.

Texas Rangers

• Willie Calhoun and Isiah Kiner-Falefa continue to split leadoff duties.
• Nick Solak shifts up and down the order again depending on LHP or RHP matchup.
• Nate Lowe has also started making similar moves in the lineup as he slips towards the bottom half against LHP.

Fantasy Fallout

• All three of these guys have been struggling of late. None are drops in my opinion but you should consider benching them if possible. Shallow leagues are a different story.

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