Welcome again, RotoBallers, to this week’s version of the Injured Gamers to Stash in Fantasy Baseball collection! With the All-Star break coming to an in depth, it is formally the second half of the 2024 MLB season. For these whose fantasy groups had a tough begin, there’s nonetheless loads of time to show issues round.
Waiting for Week 18 and the remainder of the season, we’ll spotlight 5 injured gamers price stashing in your redraft leagues. New to the collection? Take a look at earlier articles for much more choices!
Loads of productive gamers are nearing a return. Stashing them in your IL might repay, in the long term. Whether or not it is pitching, offense, or each, these guys might help. Solely these rostered in lower than 60% of Yahoo leagues are eligible. The objective is to highlight ignored gamers. Now, let’s get into it.
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Rostered: 33% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Late July
In her newest single, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter begs the fantasy baseball neighborhood to do one factor. “Please Please Please add Jeffrey Springs.” As somebody who’s launched back-to-back number-one hits, her recommendation is price following.
Severely, I can not fathom how somebody this good remains to be so obtainable. As soon as he returns to the Rays’ rotation, Springs (elbow) might legitimately be a top-five left-handed pitcher. For the reason that begin of the 2021 season, he is 16-6 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 231:49 Okay/BB in 196 innings. Maybe essentially the most thrilling factor about his return is the truth that, in 2023, he began throwing a sweeper. Earlier than that, he solely threw a four-seam fastball, changeup (one the most effective in baseball), and a slider. And whereas we solely received a glimpse of the sweeper, it is price getting enthusiastic about. He threw it 26 instances, posting a .116 xBA, .124 xSLG, two strikeouts, and a 55.6% whiff price.
For somebody who’s already been phenomenal, Springs’ new sweeper might propel him to an excellent greater stage. Of all of the pitchers getting back from the IL within the second half, none are extra promising. If you happen to add him to your crew, the folks in your league may have bother sleeping. And after they let you know about it, you possibly can say, “Child, I do know. That is that Springs espresso.”
Jeffrey Springs Nearing Return To MLB Mound https://t.co/GttNB4dsFq
— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) July 17, 2024
Rostered: 35% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Submit All-Star Break
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad (concussion) is a promising younger hitter. In 93 profession plate appearances, he is slashing .284/.370/.529 with three doubles, 5 house runs, 15 RBI, and an 8:27 BB/SO. Regardless of stable manufacturing, he is not getting constant taking part in time. That might change quickly.
The Orioles’ group is in a fantastic spot. Not solely are they top-of-the-line groups in baseball; however they’ve additionally received a plethora of elite prospects. A lot of them are big-league prepared, however they’re both nonetheless within the minors or splitting time within the majors. Nevertheless, the Orioles are anticipated to be aggressive consumers on the Commerce Deadline, which requires a willingness to promote. With that in thoughts, there are two methods Kjerstad might get extra taking part in time: the O’s commerce one other outfielder (i.e., Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins, Austin Hays), or they commerce him. In both occasion, he’ll probably see extra taking part in time.
Heston Kjerstad’s energy is insane.
107.4 mph exit velo, 406 toes to left-center subject.
Orioles lead 4-0 pic.twitter.com/LJEcfqSGBS
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) July 7, 2024
Earlier than you add Kjerstad, there are two considerably pink flags. First, post-concussion signs are recognized to have an effect on a hitter lengthy after the ache has subsided (prime instance: Anthony Rizzo). Thankfully, it appears the O’s are being cautious with him, and he is had the All-Star break to get well. Second, he solely has six profession at-bats versus left-handed pitching. That is partially as a result of O’s platooning him, however he nonetheless has to show he can deal with lefties. For what it is price, he is 3-for-6 with a double and a couple of RBI in opposition to them up to now. Because the Commerce Deadline nears, preserve monitor of what the Orioles do, and think about including Kjerstad if issues go his approach.
Rostered: 9% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Unsure
From one 2020 first-round decide to a different, Soderstrom (wrist) has been a shiny spot in what’s in any other case been dreadful instances for A’s followers. For a younger slugger, his numbers are fairly good. Via 166 plate appearances, he is slashing .219/.307/.404 with six doubles, seven house runs, 20 RBI, and a 16:45 BB/SO.
Soderstrom’s underlying metrics level to elevated manufacturing forward. Virtually all of his anticipated numbers are noticeably higher than his precise ones. For instance, his .356 xwOBA is approach above his .311 wOBA, and his .504 xSLG is precisely 100 factors greater than his precise slugging share. Additionally, if he certified, he’d rank within the ninetieth percentile for common exit velocity, barrel price, and hard-hit price. Moreover, he has the identical common bat velocity as superstars Bryce Harper and Matt Olson.
Total, including Soderstrom is extra dangerous than many of the gamers on this checklist. There’s clearly tons of upside. If he comes again wholesome, he could possibly be as productive as Tristan Casas. Their profiles are strikingly comparable: massive, highly effective lefties with a bit an excessive amount of swing-and-miss. And whereas Casas is rostered in 71% of Yahoo leagues, Soderstrom is nearly definitely obtainable in yours.
Tyler Soderstrom’s blast ties it again 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 had been excited to see how Cincinnati Reds center infielder Matt McLain would carry out in his sophomore marketing campaign. Nevertheless, a shoulder surgical procedure in late March put him on the 60-day IL, and he hasn’t performed in any respect in 2024. At first, the Reds weren’t certain if he’d need to miss the whole yr, however supervisor David Bell lately acknowledged that they are hoping McLain will begin a rehab project on August 12.
Some updates from David Bell
Matt McLain has began swinging and is on monitor to begin a rehab project on August 12
Nick Martini had thumb surgical procedure and has an opportunity to return this season
Jake Fraley is again within the clubhouse
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 10, 2024
Final season, McLain performed 89 video games with the Reds. In 403 plate appearances, 23 doubles, 16 homers, 50 RBI, 14 steals, and a 31:115 BB/SO. Although he solely performed half of the 2024 season in MLB, he positioned fifth in NL Rookie of the 12 months voting. Total, he is an superior power-speed combo and top-of-the-line at his place.
Assuming he’ll want a prolonged rehab earlier than rejoining the Reds’ roster, the earliest McLain will make his season debut is probably going the tip of August. Because of this, he’ll be most useful in playoff leagues. In case your crew is making a postseason push, and also you’re missing within the center infield, that is the proper transfer to bolster your squad in pursuit of a championship.
Robbie Ray, SP, San Francisco Giants
Rostered: 37% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Submit All-Star Break
San Francisco Giants beginning pitcher and 2021 American League Cy Younger winner Robbie Ray (elbow) is but once more on this checklist. Whereas I feel he is barely much less worthwhile than Jeffrey Springs, Ray has a ton of upside. In 2021 and 2022, he was elite. Via 382 1/3 innings, he had a 3.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 460:114 Okay/BB. His stuff had at all times been there — he’d simply struggled with command. He is been dominant over the previous few years.
In his most up-to-date rehab outing with Single-A San Jose, Ray struck out 9 batters in 5 innings, permitting only one hit and one stroll. Via 24 rehab innings, he is received a 38:4 Okay/BB. If he carries this pinpoint management with him again to the Giants, he could possibly be top-of-the-line lefties within the second half. Regardless, it is laborious to consider somebody solely three years faraway from a Cy Younger Award is so broadly obtainable.
T5: Giants 4 | Visalia 0
Robbie Ray was DIALED IN for his third begin 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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