Top Five Injured Players To Stash In Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15

July 9, 2023

Joshua highlights the top five hitters and pitchers that can be stashed in your IL spots in fantasy baseball redraft leagues as of July 7, 2023 (Week 15).

Welcome back to our top fantasy baseball injury stashes for Week 15, looking at IL players as of July 7. Today's list of injured MLB players to consider stashing off the fantasy baseball waiver wire includes Ryan Mountcastle, Jorge Polanco, Michael Kopech, Anthony DeSclafani, and Edward Cabrera.

In case you're not yet familiar, this list is a weekly article series that will highlight the top five hitters and pitchers to hold in your IL spots in re-draft fantasy baseball leagues. As players injured early in the season begin to make their way back to their respective teams, it's time to check who is coming back sooner than later.

These five players are rostered in less than 60% of leagues and have the opportunity to make an impact in fantasy the rest of the way. Make sure to check if these players are available to be picked up in your leagues!

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Ryan Mountcastle - 1B, Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was in the midst of another solid season when he was placed on the injured list. The 26-year-old is already up to 11 home runs, 34 runs, 39 RBI, and two stolen bases. Those numbers put him on pace to put up career highs in nearly all those categories while also slashing .227/.264/.421. With an xBA of .264 and a very low BABIP of .256, Mountcastle has also been one of the most unlucky players in baseball this season.

The veteran first baseman was placed on the injured list in the middle of June as he was dealing with vertigo. Mountcastle began his rehab assignment in Triple-A about a week after being placed on the injured list and has been playing there for over two weeks. It is taking some time for Mountcastle to get back up to game speed, but he has shown to be a strong source of power when healthy.

Mountcastle has struggled in his rehab assignment, slashing .222/.286/.311 with one home run and 13 strikeouts in 10 games. Ryan O'Hearn has played remarkably well in his absence, which could worry some about Mountcastle's outlook. I wouldn't read too much into the emergence of O'Hearn because Mountcastle is still a big part of the Orioles' plans, and his power is missed in their lineup. Mountcastle has also underperformed his expected stats, while O'Hearn has overperformed.

Mountcastle is 74% rostered in Yahoo and 56.9% rostered in ESPN, so he could be available on waiver wires, depending on your platform. Fantasy managers should look to stash Mountcastle wherever he is available because he will likely return shortly after the All-Star break and could be a major asset in the second half of the season.

Jorge Polanco - 2B, Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco has only played in 30 games this year, but I wouldn't have been surprised if I heard he had missed more time. Polanco has not gotten his season off the ground because he has been dealing with nagging hamstring strains and a knee injury.

Polanco is worth watching because he hit 33 home runs in 2021 while slashing .269/.323/.503. That season, the veteran second baseman scored 97 runs and collected 98 RBI. That level of production is challenging to find at second base. He took a step back in 2022, only hitting 16 home runs in 104 games, but the potential to return to 2021 form remains.

Polanco was last placed on the injured list on June 10 and has yet to begin a rehab assignment, but the good news is that he has been ramping up his baseball activities. The 29-year-old was reportedly running sprints, so a rehab assignment could be soon. If Polanco begins his rehab assignment next week and needs a week's worth of games to get up to speed, a return in two weeks seems reasonable.

Polanco is 37% rostered in Yahoo and 44.8% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's available in over half of leagues. The veteran hitter could be a solid add in deeper leagues and for fantasy managers looking for help at second base or middle infield.

Michael Kopech - SP, Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech was one of the biggest prospect names before making his way to the majors. Kopech was heralded as the potential next great starting pitcher in the league until he got injured. In late 2018, the White Sox organization announced he would need Tommy John surgery. Before his procedure, Kopech was throwing over 100 mph easily, but he has had to become a different pitcher as time went on.

Instead of throwing 100 mph gas every time out, Kopech is averaging 95.9 mph on his four-seam fastball, which is still pretty fast. While he has yet to be the amazing standout pitcher he was expected to be, Kopech has still been a serviceable pitcher over the past two seasons. In 69 games in 2021 and 2022, the starting pitcher averaged a 3.52 ERA and over 10 K/9. This season, Kopech has a 4.08 ERA and a 10.15 K/9. The overall numbers could look better, but Kopech has had stretches of dominance this year.

The 27-year-old was placed on the injured list on July 2 with shoulder inflammation. In his last three starts before hitting the injured list, Kopech completed 12 1/3 innings giving up six earned runs and 16 walks. Before those three disastrous starts, Kopech had a five-game stretch during which he struck out nine or more four times and pitched seven or more innings three times. When the young pitcher is on his game, he can look like one of the most dominant pitchers in the league.

Kopech is 39% rostered in Yahoo and 26.3% in ESPN leagues, so now would be the time to acquire him. Reports state that he will likely return to the White Sox rotation after the All-Star break. Few injured players possess the upside that Kopech does at the pitcher position. Fantasy managers needing starting pitching should consider stashing Kopech while they can.

Anthony DeSclafani - SP, San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani is an undervalued player in fantasy baseball. His numbers are not flashy, but he has typically been a decent asset. DeSclafani owns an ERA well over 4.00, but he is among the best pitchers in the league at limiting walks and eating innings. The veteran pitcher owns a 4.7% walk rate, which ranks in the 95th percentile. The 33-year-old has pitched at least five innings in 12 of his 15 starts this season.

The veteran pitcher landed on the injured list on July 3 with shoulder fatigue. Being placed on the 15-day IL makes July 18 the earliest possible return date for DeSclafani. Assuming he takes a break from baseball activities for at least a week and pitches in two rehab starts to build back up, DeSclafani could reasonably return in the last week of July. Shoulder fatigue is a vague diagnosis, but hopefully, the injury is not too serious.

DeSclafani is 23% rostered in Yahoo and 20.1% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he is available in most places. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues needing quality starts and innings should stash if they don't mind the occasional blow-up start.

Edward Cabrera - SP, Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera is one of the most interesting young pitchers to follow. The 25-year-old is a three-pitch pitcher with electric stuff, including a 92.7 mph changeup and a 96.1 mph four-seam fastball. One of the main issues plaguing Cabrera is his control. Stuff can only do so much if you can't locate your pitches, and Cabrera misses a lot. His BB/9 sits at 5.51, and it's difficult for any pitcher to be effective when walking that many batters, but his upside is apparent.

Cabrera was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 17 with a shoulder impingement. The young pitcher was first eligible to return on July 2 but has needed more time to recover. Cabrera threw a 22-pitch bullpen session on Friday, June 30, then threw a 25-pitch session on Monday, July 3. If the 25-year-old progresses to a rehab assignment within the next week, returning to the Marlins rotation could come during the week after the All-Star break.

The Marlins keep producing great young pitchers, and Cabrera is no exception. The electric right-hander is 45% rostered in Yahoo and 12.3% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's available in more than half of leagues. The young pitcher possesses elite strikeout stuff and could be one of the best options at starting pitcher if he can reign in the walks.

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