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8 hours ago
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Top 250 Rest-of-Season Fantasy Baseball Rankings
Below you'll find our consensus rest-of-season rankings. The Yahoo Fantasy analysts will be updating their top 250 players weekly to help you understand the latest values as the season progresses. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] We've also included our consensus positional rest-of-season rankings at the bottom of this story (click here to jump down to them). Rest-of-season top 250 rankings Consensus Rank Player Position Team 1 Aaron Judge OF NYY 2 Shohei Ohtani (Batter) Util LAD 3 Bobby Witt Jr. SS KC 4 Kyle Tucker OF CHC 5 Elly De La Cruz SS CIN 6 Tarik Skubal SP DET 7 Jose Ramirez 3B CLE 8 Francisco Lindor SS NYM 9 Corbin Carroll OF ARI 10 Fernando Tatis Jr. OF SD 11 Ronald Acuna Jr. OF ATL 12 Juan Soto OF NYM 13 Mookie Betts 2B,SS,OF LAD 14 Jackson Chourio OF MIL 15 Paul Skenes SP PIT 16 Oneil Cruz SS,OF PIT 17 Pete Crow-Armstrong OF CHC 18 Trea Turner SS PHI 19 Zack Wheeler SP PHI 20 Garrett Crochet SP BOS 21 Kyle Schwarber OF PHI 22 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B,3B TOR 23 Rafael Devers 3B SF 24 Pete Alonso 1B NYM 25 Manny Machado 3B SD 26 Gunnar Henderson SS BAL 27 Freddie Freeman 1B LAD 28 Julio Rodriguez OF SEA 29 James Wood OF WSH 30 Chris Sale SP ATL 31 Matt Olson 1B ATL 32 Hunter Brown SP HOU 33 Logan Webb SP SF 34 Teoscar Hernandez OF LAD 35 Jarren Duran OF BOS 36 Jackson Merrill OF SD 37 Yoshinobu Yamamoto SP LAD 38 Jacob deGrom SP TEX 39 Austin Riley 3B ATL 40 Framber Valdez SP HOU 41 Emmanuel Clase RP CLE 42 Mason Miller RP ATH 43 Wyatt Langford OF TEX 44 Corey Seager SS TEX 45 Cal Raleigh C SEA 46 Josh Hader RP HOU 47 Jazz Chisholm Jr. OF NYY 48 Ketel Marte 2B ARI 49 Marcell Ozuna OF ATL 50 Joe Ryan SP MIN 51 Logan Gilbert SP SEA 52 Max Fried SP NYY 53 Dylan Cease SP SD 54 Bryce Harper 1B PHI 55 Seiya Suzuki OF CHC 56 Spencer Schwellenbach SP ATL 57 Brent Rooker OF ATH 58 George Kirby SP SEA 59 Andres Munoz RP SEA 60 Robert Suarez RP SD 61 Josh Naylor 1B ARI 62 MacKenzie Gore SP WSH 63 Byron Buxton OF MIN 64 Freddy Peralta SP MIL 65 Edwin Diaz RP NYM 66 Zach Neto SS LAA 67 Bryan Woo SP SEA 68 CJ Abrams SS WSH 69 Lawrence Butler OF ATH 70 Junior Caminero 3B TB 71 William Contreras C MIL 72 Michael Harris II OF ATL 73 Jhoan Duran RP MIN 74 Tanner Bibee SP CLE 75 Riley Greene OF DET 76 Carlos Rodon SP NYY 77 Robbie Ray SP SF 78 Ryan Helsley RP STL 79 Christian Yelich OF MIL 80 Tyler Soderstrom 1B,OF ATH 81 Luis Castillo SP SEA 82 Cody Bellinger 1B,OF NYY 83 Sonny Gray SP STL 84 Jose Altuve 2B,OF HOU 85 Ozzie Albies 2B ATL 86 Cristopher Sanchez SP PHI 87 Felix Bautista RP BAL 88 Spencer Torkelson 1B DET 89 Will Smith C LAD 90 Steven Kwan OF CLE 91 Bryan Reynolds OF PIT 92 Brice Turang 2B MIL 93 Spencer Strider SP ATL 94 Kris Bubic SP,RP KC 95 Shota Imanaga SP CHC 96 Dansby Swanson SS CHC 97 Jack Flaherty SP DET 98 Bailey Ober SP MIN 99 Bo Bichette SS TOR 100 Kerry Carpenter OF DET 101 Isaac Paredes 1B,3B HOU 102 Paul Goldschmidt 1B NYY 103 Hunter Greene SP CIN 104 Kevin Gausman SP TOR 105 Yordan Alvarez OF HOU 106 Vinnie Pasquantino 1B KC 107 Hunter Goodman C,OF COL 108 Ian Happ OF CHC 109 Eugenio Suarez 3B ARI 110 Mike Trout OF LAA 111 Zac Gallen SP ARI 112 Jeff Hoffman RP TOR 113 Nick Pivetta SP SD 114 Salvador Perez C,1B KC 115 Heliot Ramos OF SF 116 Nathan Eovaldi SP TEX 117 Anthony Volpe SS NYY 118 Randy Arozarena OF SEA 119 Brendan Donovan 2B,3B,SS,OF STL 120 Willson Contreras C,1B STL 121 Jacob Wilson SS ATH 122 Seth Lugo SP KC 123 Jesus Luzardo SP PHI 124 Max Muncy 3B LAD 125 Jeremy Pena SS HOU 126 Andrew Abbott SP CIN 127 Tanner Scott RP LAD 128 Jordan Westburg 2B,3B BAL 129 Trevor Megill RP MIL 130 Geraldo Perdomo SS ARI 131 Nico Hoerner 2B,SS CHC 132 Xander Bogaerts 2B,SS SD 133 Brenton Doyle OF COL 134 Carlos Estevez RP KC 135 Wilyer Abreu OF BOS 136 Nick Castellanos OF PHI 137 Ryan Pepiot SP TB 138 Kodai Senga SP NYM 139 Jackson Holliday 2B,SS BAL 140 Alex Bregman 3B BOS 141 Michael King SP SD 142 Drew Rasmussen SP,RP TB 143 Masyn Winn SS STL 144 Yainer Diaz C,1B HOU 145 Pete Fairbanks RP TB 146 Brandon Nimmo OF NYM 147 Anthony Santander OF TOR 148 Shea Langeliers C ATH 149 Maikel Garcia 2B,3B,SS,OF KC 150 Willy Adames SS SF 151 Camilo Doval RP SF 152 Andy Pages OF LAD 153 Michael Busch 1B CHC 154 Clay Holmes SP,RP NYM 155 Will Vest RP DET 156 Zach Eflin SP BAL 157 Jorge Polanco 2B,3B SEA 158 Jasson Dominguez OF NYY 159 Josh Jung 3B TEX 160 Kyle Finnegan RP WSH 161 Jung Hoo Lee OF SF 162 Alec Bohm 1B,3B PHI 163 Luis Arraez 1B,2B SD 164 Devin Williams RP NYY 165 Xavier Edwards 2B,SS MIA 166 Chase Meidroth 2B,3B,SS CWS 167 Brandon Lowe 1B,2B TB 168 Taylor Ward OF LAA 169 George Springer OF TOR 170 Matthew Liberatore SP,RP STL 171 Jose Berrios SP TOR 172 Logan O'Hoppe C LAA 173 Matt McLain 2B,SS CIN 174 Nick Lodolo SP CIN 175 Trevor Story SS BOS 176 Josh Lowe OF TB 177 Taj Bradley SP TB 178 Gleyber Torres 2B DET 179 Matt Chapman 3B SF 180 Tommy Edman 2B,SS,OF LAD 181 Merrill Kelly SP ARI 182 Blake Snell SP LAD 183 Ivan Herrera C STL 184 Yandy Diaz 1B TB 185 Nathaniel Lowe 1B WSH 186 Hayden Birdsong SP,RP SF 187 Roman Anthony OF BOS 188 Ben Rice C,1B NYY 189 TJ Friedl OF CIN 190 Cedric Mullins II OF BAL 191 Luis Robert Jr. OF CWS 192 Michael Wacha SP KC 193 Jake Burger 1B,3B TEX 194 Brandon Pfaadt SP ARI 195 Luis Garcia 2B WSH 196 Kenley Jansen RP LAA 197 Christian Walker 1B HOU 198 Emilio Pagan RP CIN 199 Chris Bassitt SP TOR 200 Adley Rutschman C BAL 201 Josh Smith 1B,3B,SS,OF TEX 202 Alejandro Kirk C TOR 203 Logan Henderson SP MIL 204 Clarke Schmidt SP NYY 205 Kyle Stowers OF MIA 206 Trent Grisham OF NYY 207 Marcus Semien 2B TEX 208 Raisel Iglesias RP ATL 209 Victor Scott OF STL 210 Jac Caglianone 1B,OF KC 211 Jordan Beck OF COL 212 Jonathan Aranda 1B,2B TB 213 Dylan Crews OF WSH 214 Bryson Stott 2B,SS PHI 215 Adolis Garcia OF TEX 216 Lourdes Gurriel Jr. OF ARI 217 Tyler Glasnow SP LAD 218 Carlos Correa SS MIN 219 Ezequiel Tovar SS COL 220 Ryan Pressly RP CHC 221 Austin Wells C NYY 222 Kyle Manzardo 1B CLE 223 Casey Mize SP DET 224 Shane Baz SP TB 225 Tyler Stephenson C CIN 226 Spencer Steer 1B,OF CIN 227 David Bednar RP PIT 228 Jorge Soler OF LAA 229 Lars Nootbaar OF STL 230 Chandler Simpson OF TB 231 Yusei Kikuchi SP LAA 232 Eury Perez SP MIA 233 Shohei Ohtani (Pitcher) SP LAD 234 Jordan Romano RP PHI 235 Jameson Taillon SP CHC 236 Colton Cowser OF BAL 237 Nolan Arenado 3B STL 238 Jonathan India 2B,3B,OF KC 239 Aroldis Chapman RP BOS 240 Cole Ragans SP KC 241 Parker Meadows OF DET 242 Jurickson Profar OF ATL 243 Willi Castro 2B,3B,SS,OF MIN 244 Andrew Heaney SP PIT 245 Daniel Palencia RP CHC 246 Ryan Weathers SP MIA 247 Shelby Miller RP ARI 248 Tyler O'Neill OF BAL 249 Sal Frelick OF MIL 250 Landen Roupp SP,RP SF Rest-of-season positional rankings 2025 Fantasy Baseball Rankings powered by FantasyProsECR ™ - Expert Consensus Rankings
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10 hours ago
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: This Blue Jays' youngster is making noise in a prominent lineup spot
This week's Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire column is a mixture of players who could provide long-term contributions and those who may be helpful for next week only. Managers who are looking for a short-term boost this weekend can check out this article. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups Addison Barger, Blue Jays, 41% Barger is the most under-rostered player in this article. The youngster checks all the boxes to get onto the roster in every 12-team league and most 10-team formats. He is playing great, having posted a .928 OPS in June that follows up an .887 OPS in May. The left-handed hitter is also playing well enough against same-sided hurlers (.723 OPS) to get into the lineup for virtually every game. Barger has also recently found a prominent new home in the batting order, hitting second, in between Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The icing on top is multi-position eligibility (3B/OF), which makes Barger easy to fit into a lineup. Evan Carter, Rangers, 34% There is one number that makes me a big proponent of adding Carter right now – 15.0%. That's the strikeout rate for the outfielder this year, which is a vastly superior mark to his strikeout rate in 2024 (26.5%) and 2023 (32.0%). Sure, this year's rate was achieved across a small sample of 80 plate appearances, but fantasy managers need to take calculated risks when adding young players; otherwise, they will always be a day late and a dollar short. Still just 22 years old, Carter has the power-speed blend that fantasy managers covet, and he should be a big part of a Rangers lineup that has been looking for a spark all season. Pavin Smith, Diamondbacks, 7% Smith has some of the largest splits in baseball, thriving against right-handers (.881 OPS) and having virtually no success vs. southpaws (.511 OPS). The Diamondbacks, who sit 4th in baseball in runs scored, are in great position for a high-scoring run. Over the next nine games, the D-backs face three teams who rank among the bottom-10 in ERA. The final seven games are scheduled to take place against right-handed starters, which makes Smith and left-swinging outfielder Alek Thomas (1%) great short-term additions in deeper formats. Mike Yastrzemski, Giants, 7% Yastrzemski has maintained massive platoon splits throughout his career. True to form this year, the lefty slugger with a lifetime .811 OPS against right-handers has posted an .828 OPS in those matchups this season. The Giants will face a pair of bottom-10 pitching staffs next week, and all six games are scheduled to be started by a righty. Danny Palencia, Cubs, 43% I'm perplexed by the lack of interest in Palencia, who is clearly the Cubs closer. The right-hander has earned seven of the team's past eight saves, with the lone exception being a June 12 game in which he worked the eighth inning against the heart of the Pirates lineup. The Cubs rank 2nd in baseball in winning percentage, and Palencia has pitched well this year (1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP). He's easily a top-15 saves option. Chad Patrick, Brewers, 28% Patrick is the best streamer in baseball by a country mile next week. Not only has he pitched well this year (3.50 ERA, 76:26 K:BB ratio), but he is scheduled to make home starts next week against the Pirates (29th in runs scored on the road) and Rockies (27th in runs scored on the road). He will be a one-week asset in the shallowest leagues, and then he can return to waivers in 10-team formats. Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, 36% This is the time to stash Scherzer in deeper formats, as he should return from the injured list next week. The 41-year-old fared well in nine starts last year (3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) and in 27 starts the previous year (3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP). Toronto is sitting in a AL wild-card spot and has a solid relief corps, which means that Scherzer should have the support he needs to pick up some wins this summer. Lucas Giolito, Red Sox, 21% I'm not sure if Giolito is all the way back, but this may be the last window to add him in many leagues. The 30-year-old has had a pair of clunkers in nine starts since returning from the IL, but he has also allowed one run or fewer in four of his past five outings. And his last start was his best one, as he struck out 10 Mariners across six shutout innings. His next start is lined up to take place at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park on Sunday. Advertisement Hunter Dobbins, Red Sox, 8% Two Boston pitchers in this article? Maybe this team can continue to win without Rafael Devers! Dobbins has the potential to be a big part of the club's success, as he has logged solid ratios (3.74 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) while working primarily as a starter. The righty has made two starts since rejoining the rotation, allowing three runs across 11 innings despite having both outings against the high-scoring Yankees. He could succeed at Oracle Park on Friday before racking up plenty of whiffs when he faces the AL leaders in team strikeouts (Angels) next Wednesday.
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2 days ago
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Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer: These big-name hitters may be worth moving this summer
Having been actively involved in the trade market for more than two decades, I can confidently say that the hardest thing for a fantasy baseball manager is to sell high on a player who is having a tremendous season. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] After all, the manager either drafted this player or added him via the waiver wire because they believed that the player could be successful. When they see their predictions coming to fruition, they feel validated and want to see the season through to the end. However, there are times when a player is outperforming even the optimistic predictions the manager had for him, and the right move is to trade the player away before he experiences regression. Advertisement This week's article is solely comprised of hitters who are off to terrific starts in 2025 but are likely to take a step back this summer. I'm not saying they are 'must trade' players, but I believe their managers would be wise to see what they could fetch on the trade market. There could be league mates who are watching their season slip away and will be happy to swap slumping superstars such as Gunnar Henderson or Mookie Betts for packages that include a player who has been excellent thus far. Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins Buxton has been undeniably excellent this year. Despite missing two weeks due to a concussion, the five-tool outfielder has been the 10th most productive fantasy outfielder by hitting .273 with 12 homers, 12 steals and 42 RBI in 55 games. Still, there are reasons to be concerned that Buxton will leave fantasy managers high and dry at some point in the season, as his 102 games last season were his highest total since he played 140 games in 2017. Managers may be wise to trade the career .247 hitter for someone who is more likely to remain healthy all summer. Jeremy Pena, SS, Houston Astros Many managers would be surprised to know that Pena has been the third-most valuable player to this point in the season at a loaded shortstop position. The 27-year-old deserves plenty of credit for utilizing his 97th percentile sprint speed, and he could post his first 30-steal season. But the rest of his production has been impacted by a .356 BABIP and 12.5% HR/FB rate that doesn't line up with his 88.1 mph average exit velocity. There are plenty of shortstops who have thus far been less productive than Pena but should be better the rest of the way. Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics This one is tough for me, because I love Wilson. In fact, in our preseason Bold Predictions article, I predicted that Wilson would lead the AL in batting average. But the rookie is playing over his head right now, and could fetch a sizable trade return in some leagues. The youngster is not going to sustain his lofty .360 average, as his .364 BABIP doesn't line up with his mediocre marks in average exit velocity (86.2 mph) and line drive rate (21.3%). His eight homers are also a fortunate total for someone who doesn't hit the ball especially hard and has a lowly 25.3% fly ball rate. Wilson is similar to Pena, in that, he has been a top-6 shortstop so far but will likely be outside the top-12 from this point forward. Hunter Goodman, C/OF, Colorado Rockies Goodman continues to stay ahead of the pack at his premium position; his .285 average and 14 homers made him the second-most valuable catcher thus far. And this may be the perfect time to sell high on the 25-year-old who is playing his best (1.211 OPS) in June. Goodman is a regression candidate because he has outperformed his expected stats in most key areas, but that isn't the main reason I chose him for this article. The catcher position is unusually deep this year due to the emergence of several players, such as Goodman, pushing some of the usual stalwarts further down the list. I would be happy to trade Goodman for a good player at a different position and buy low on players who are outside the top-15 such as Adley Rutschman, Salvador Perez or Agustin Ramirez. Jose Altuve, 2B/OF, Houston Astros Altuve is a sell-high player in two ways. Not only is he having another productive season that includes a .270 average, 11 homers and six steals in 70 games, but he has been more effective in June than he was in April or May. The diminutive sparkplug often outperforms his expected stats, but it's worth noting that his 85.0 mph average exit velocity is a career-worst mark, and his .388 xSLG and .299 xwOBA are his lowest marks outside of the shortened 2020 season. I wouldn't force an Altuve trade, but I also wouldn't walk away from a reasonable offer.
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4 days ago
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Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: Former top pitching prospects lead list this week
This is a good week to find a two-start pitcher for fantasy baseball, as there are three especially appealing options and several other hurlers who can make the cut in points leagues or deeper Roto formats. The hitting options are even more plentiful, with most of the worst pitching staffs playing four games over the next four days. Finding hitters who oppose those teams should provide a path to victory. Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference) Jack Leiter, Rangers, 39% (vs. KC, @ PIT) Leiter has not pitched as well as is indicated by his 3.88 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. His 45:28 K:BB ratio is below average, and he has greatly benefited from a .232 BABIP. So, why is Leiter atop this list? Well, despite being due for regression at some point this season, the 25-year-old should continue to excel for one more week, as he is scheduled to face the Royals (29th in runs) and Pirates (30th). Mick Abel, Phillies, 37% (@ MIA, vs. NYM) Although Abel has excelled overall (2.35 ERA, 1.11 WHIP in three starts), he stumbled for the first time when he allowed three runs over four innings against the Cubs on June 10. The disappointing start could have been even worse, as Abel allowed nine baserunners and three homers — all solo shots. Still, the Cubs have tormented plenty of pitchers this year, and Abel still has a 14:3 K:BB ratio, which makes him a desirable two-start pitcher for a week with one tough matchup (the Mets are 9th in runs) and one favorable matchup (Marlins, 23rd). Lance McCullers, Astros, 44% (@ ATH, @ LAA) McCullers faltered with his control skills last time out when he allowed four walks and four runs across five innings against the Astros. Still, the right-hander has been successful during his past five starts (3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) while showing outstanding swing-and-miss skills (12.4 K/9 rate). He will face an Athletics offense that has been above average against righties and an Angels lineup that has been below average in those same matchups. Chad Patrick, Brewers, 30% (@ CHC, @ MIN) Patrick endured his worst start of a solid rookie season when he allowed five runs over five innings against the Braves last time out. The fly-ball heavy hurler surrendered two homers for the first time in that start, but he also deserves credit for striking out eight batters. In fact, Patrick has really boosted his strikeout numbers of late, punching out 33 batters in 26.1 innings during his past five starts. He can be started in many leagues, but his difficult matchups in Chicago will keep Patrick on the waiver wire in shallow formats. Advertisement [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Jake Irvin, Nationals, 20% (vs. COL, @ LAD) We know the book on Irvin at this point – he's a below-average starter who gives up too many homers, but he can be serviceable when he has a favorable matchup. Such is the case at the start of the week, when the Nationals host a Rockies team that ranks last in runs scored on the road and first in total strikeouts. That matchup is offset by a dangerous Dodgers offense, which makes Irvin a boom-or-bust option this week. Zack Littell, Rays, 45% (vs. BAL, vs. DET) The good news is that Littell has regularly flashed his trademark control skills this season, which has helped him to post a 1.11 WHIP. The bad news is that living in the strike zone has made him more homer-prone than ever, evidenced by his 2.2 HR/9 rate. Both of Littell's upcoming opponents are slightly above average in home run rate, which makes him a fringe option in 12-team leagues. Jose Soriano, Angels, 20% (@ NYY, vs. HOU) Soriano is coming off the best start of his career, when he struck out 12 batters over seven innings of one-run ball against the Athletics. The lofty strikeout total came out of nowhere, as he still has a modest 7.3 K/9 rate this season. His matchups this week are challenging. Soriano faces two division leaders, but at least his groundball lean is well-equipped to handle homer-happy Yankee Stadium. Slade Cecconi, Guardians, 4% (@ SF, @ ATH) Cecconi enjoyed arguably his best of five starts with the Guardians when he struck out eight batters while allowing one walk and zero homers across five innings of one-run ball in his previous start. The 25-year-old is still a work in progress with a 2.1 HR/9 rate, but his swing-and-miss rate gives him plenty of potential. Cecconi is a fringe option in 12-team leagues this week because the Athletics and Giants have middle-of-the pack offenses. He is more appealing in points leagues thanks to his reliever eligibility. Bailey Falter, Pirates, 19% (@ DET, vs. TEX) Falter continues to outperform his ERA estimators, having posted helpful ratios (3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) despite a poor 46:25 K:BB ratio. The southpaw with a lifetime 4.40 ERA will almost certainly experience regression at some point, and he is a risky option for a two-start week that includes one favorable matchup (Rangers) and a challenging start in Detroit. Overall, Falter is best left for leagues with more than 12 teams. JP Sears, Athletics, 15% (vs. HOU, vs. CLE) Sears took advantage of a strikeout-prone Angels team last time out, when he racked up a season-high nine punchouts. But overall, the southpaw has struggled of late, and carries a bloated 5.08 ERA. Sears is one of many Athletics pitchers who have struggled at home this season (6.00 ERA), which is where both of this week's starts will occur. He can remain on waivers in all mixed leagues. Advertisement One-Start Streamers In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets. Michael Wacha @TEX (Thursday, 49%) Clayton Kershaw vs. WSH (Friday, 46%) Hunter Dobbins @SF (Friday, 5%) Keider Montero vs. PIT (Thursday, 1%) Gavin Williams @SF (Thursday, 50%) Cade Horton vs. MIL (Thursday, 28%) Nick Martinez vs. MIN (Thursday, 32%) Brandon Walter @LAA (Saturday, 22%) Erick Fedde @CWS (Thursday, 18%) Andrew Heaney @DET (Wednesday, 22%) Luis Severino vs. HOU (Thursday, 24%) Jeffrey Springs vs. CLE (Friday, 35%) Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups Astros @ Athletics: Houston should score plenty of runs at a hitter-friendly road venue against an Athletics pitching staff that ranks 29th in home ERA (5.85). Most of the Astros hitters are widely rostered, but Jake Meyers (8%) and Cam Smith (10%) are viable options who are easy to add in all formats. Phillies @ Marlins: Members of the Phillies productive offense are easy to stream when they face four right-handed starters from a Marlins staff with a 5.03 ERA. Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Nick Castellanos are widely rostered and should be in the active lineup in shallow leagues where they are sometimes benched. Because all four Miami starters throw from the right side, Max Kepler (3%) and Brandon Marsh (3%) are good players to add from waivers. Nationals vs. Rockies: Players on both sides of this series are great options, as both pitching staffs rank among the bottom four teams in ERA. From the Nationals, Nathaniel Lowe (45%) and Keibert Ruiz (21%) could have a productive series. And although Rockies hitters are rarely recommended on the road, Ryan McMahon (26%), Thairo Estrada (6%) and Jordan Beck (16%) are worth consideration.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: These former top pitching prospects lead list this week
This is a good week to find a two-start pitcher for fantasy baseball, as there are three especially appealing options and several other hurlers who can make the cut in points leagues or deeper Roto formats. The hitting options are even more plentiful, with most of the worst pitching staffs playing four games over the next four days. Finding hitters who oppose those teams should provide a path to victory. Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference) Jack Leiter, Rangers, 39% (vs. KC, @ PIT) Leiter has not pitched as well as is indicated by his 3.88 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. His 45:28 K:BB ratio is below average, and he has greatly benefited from a .232 BABIP. So, why is Leiter atop this list? Well, despite being due for regression at some point this season, the 25-year-old should continue to excel for one more week, as he is scheduled to face the Royals (29th in runs) and Pirates (30th). Mick Abel, Phillies, 37% (@ MIA, vs. NYM) Although Abel has excelled overall (2.35 ERA, 1.11 WHIP in three starts), he stumbled for the first time when he allowed three runs over four innings against the Cubs on June 10. The disappointing start could have been even worse, as Abel allowed nine baserunners and three homers — all solo shots. Still, the Cubs have tormented plenty of pitchers this year, and Abel still has a 14:3 K:BB ratio, which makes him a desirable two-start pitcher for a week with one tough matchup (the Mets are 9th in runs) and one favorable matchup (Marlins, 23rd). Lance McCullers, Astros, 44% (@ ATH, @ LAA) McCullers faltered with his control skills last time out when he allowed four walks and four runs across five innings against the Astros. Still, the right-hander has been successful during his past five starts (3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) while showing outstanding swing-and-miss skills (12.4 K/9 rate). He will face an Athletics offense that has been above average against righties and an Angels lineup that has been below average in those same matchups. Chad Patrick, Brewers, 30% (@ CHC, @ MIN) Patrick endured his worst start of a solid rookie season when he allowed five runs over five innings against the Braves last time out. The fly-ball heavy hurler surrendered two homers for the first time in that start, but he also deserves credit for striking out eight batters. In fact, Patrick has really boosted his strikeout numbers of late, punching out 33 batters in 26.1 innings during his past five starts. He can be started in many leagues, but his difficult matchups in Chicago will keep Patrick on the waiver wire in shallow formats. Advertisement [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Jake Irvin, Nationals, 20% (vs. COL, @ LAD) We know the book on Irvin at this point – he's a below-average starter who gives up too many homers, but he can be serviceable when he has a favorable matchup. Such is the case at the start of the week, when the Nationals host a Rockies team that ranks last in runs scored on the road and first in total strikeouts. That matchup is offset by a dangerous Dodgers offense, which makes Irvin a boom-or-bust option this week. Zack Littell, Rays, 45% (vs. BAL, vs. DET) The good news is that Littell has regularly flashed his trademark control skills this season, which has helped him to post a 1.11 WHIP. The bad news is that living in the strike zone has made him more homer-prone than ever, evidenced by his 2.2 HR/9 rate. Both of Littell's upcoming opponents are slightly above average in home run rate, which makes him a fringe option in 12-team leagues. Jose Soriano, Angels, 20% (@ NYY, vs. HOU) Soriano is coming off the best start of his career, when he struck out 12 batters over seven innings of one-run ball against the Athletics. The lofty strikeout total came out of nowhere, as he still has a modest 7.3 K/9 rate this season. His matchups this week are challenging. Soriano faces two division leaders, but at least his groundball lean is well-equipped to handle homer-happy Yankee Stadium. Slade Cecconi, Guardians, 4% (@ SF, @ ATH) Cecconi enjoyed arguably his best of five starts with the Guardians when he struck out eight batters while allowing one walk and zero homers across five innings of one-run ball in his previous start. The 25-year-old is still a work in progress with a 2.1 HR/9 rate, but his swing-and-miss rate gives him plenty of potential. Cecconi is a fringe option in 12-team leagues this week because the Athletics and Giants have middle-of-the pack offenses. He is more appealing in points leagues thanks to his reliever eligibility. Bailey Falter, Pirates, 19% (@ DET, vs. TEX) Falter continues to outperform his ERA estimators, having posted helpful ratios (3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) despite a poor 46:25 K:BB ratio. The southpaw with a lifetime 4.40 ERA will almost certainly experience regression at some point, and he is a risky option for a two-start week that includes one favorable matchup (Rangers) and a challenging start in Detroit. Overall, Falter is best left for leagues with more than 12 teams. JP Sears, Athletics, 15% (vs. HOU, vs. CLE) Sears took advantage of a strikeout-prone Angels team last time out, when he racked up a season-high nine punchouts. But overall, the southpaw has struggled of late, and carries a bloated 5.08 ERA. Sears is one of many Athletics pitchers who have struggled at home this season (6.00 ERA), which is where both of this week's starts will occur. He can remain on waivers in all mixed leagues. Advertisement One-Start Streamers In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets. Michael Wacha @TEX (Thursday, 49%) Clayton Kershaw vs. WSH (Friday, 46%) Hunter Dobbins @SF (Friday, 5%) Keider Montero vs. PIT (Thursday, 1%) Gavin Williams @SF (Thursday, 50%) Cade Horton vs. MIL (Thursday, 28%) Nick Martinez vs. MIN (Thursday, 32%) Brandon Walter @LAA (Saturday, 22%) Erick Fedde @CWS (Thursday, 18%) Andrew Heaney @DET (Wednesday, 22%) Luis Severino vs. HOU (Thursday, 24%) Jeffrey Springs vs. CLE (Friday, 35%) Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups Astros @ Athletics: Houston should score plenty of runs at a hitter-friendly road venue against an Athletics pitching staff that ranks 29th in home ERA (5.85). Most of the Astros hitters are widely rostered, but Jake Meyers (8%) and Cam Smith (10%) are viable options who are easy to add in all formats. Phillies @ Marlins: Members of the Phillies productive offense are easy to stream when they face four right-handed starters from a Marlins staff with a 5.03 ERA. Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Nick Castellanos are widely rostered and should be in the active lineup in shallow leagues where they are sometimes benched. Because all four Miami starters throw from the right side, Max Kepler (3%) and Brandon Marsh (3%) are good players to add from waivers. Nationals vs. Rockies: Players on both sides of this series are great options, as both pitching staffs rank among the bottom four teams in ERA. From the Nationals, Nathaniel Lowe (45%) and Keibert Ruiz (21%) could have a productive series. And although Rockies hitters are rarely recommended on the road, Ryan McMahon (26%), Thairo Estrada (6%) and Jordan Beck (16%) are worth consideration.
