Don't Drop Them - Players to Hold for Fantasy Baseball Week 2

April 4, 2025

Frank discusses five players to hold for fantasy baseball despite poor starts to the 2025 MLB season. Don't drop these players yet as we head into Week 2.

The start of a new MLB season brings a lot of excitement. We've been itching for baseball for months, and now it's finally here. With excitement comes emotional decisions, when fantasy baseball managers often make rash choices by cutting a struggling player too early.

There's no doubt that when a player struggles in the first couple of weeks, it brings more scrutiny because everyone is locked in on their teams. It can be easy to fall into the trap where you feel pressured to drop an underperforming player.

On this page, I'll ease your concerns by explaining why you should hold this group of players off to poor starts. This will include five players in total, with a focus on fringe players who you're legitimately considering dropping. This means that hitters like Rafael Devers won't be on this list. So, without further ado, let's dive into why you should not drop these struggling players.

Tanner Houck, SP, Boston Red Sox

72% Rostered

Tanner Houck continues to be criminally underrated. He turned in a career 2024.

30 starts: 3.12 ERA, 178.2 IP, 154 K, 55.5 GB%, splitter turned in a .195 BAA, 1st All-Star nod.

AND casually threw 1,131 sweepers…pic.twitter.com/QyhBJ7IWNE

— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) January 9, 2025

Tanner Houck started his season with a poor outing: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. This included only eight whiffs, five of which came on the sweeper. But this was a tough spot on the road against a stacked Rangers lineup.

The issue with Houck is the low strikeout rate, as highlighted by the below-average 20.7 K% last season. This can cause fantasy managers to feel inclined to drop Houck for a player coming off a strong start, such as Kris Bubic or Max Meyer.

While I like each of those starters, that doesn't mean you should drop Houck for them. Remember that this is a 28-year-old righty who put up a 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP last season. The peripherals weren't bad either, including a 3.73 SIERA.

What's appealing about Houck is that he's an innings-eater (178.2 IP) pitching for a playoff contender. There should be plenty of opportunities for wins this season. This is the type of profile that helps round out your rotation with a high floor.

Houck has a tough matchup against the Orioles up next, but that's followed by the White Sox and Mariners, two smash spots. Better days are ahead.

Masyn Winn, SS, St. Louis Cardinals

70% Rostered

Masyn Winn has gotten off to an abysmal 0-for-18 start to the season. The second-year shortstop is firmly entrenched in the nine-spot for the Cardinals, so the heat is on to drop him.

But there are a couple of positives to consider with Winn. This is a player who grades well defensively, ranking in the 84th percentile in outs above average, per Baseball Savant.

Why does defense matter? The answer is simple: a strong glove keeps the bat in the lineup, even in down times. That's precisely what we've seen so far this season, as Winn has suited up for each game despite poor play at the plate.

It's only a matter of time before Winn gets back on track. Let's remember that he dealt with a wrist issue during the spring, so perhaps he's adjusting right now.

The 23-year-old shortstop hit .267 with 15 homers and 11 steals as a rookie. We've seen him publicly state that he wants to run more this year, aiming for 30+ steals. Hold Winn for the speed upside and volume in plate appearances.

Michael Toglia, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies

68% Rostered

TOGS!

Michael Toglia with his first hit of the 2025 season.

A double off the wall for the #Rockies. pic.twitter.com/DqnaWjE7PI

— Good Vibes Baseball - Josh (@GdVibesBaseball) March 30, 2025

Michael Toglia had some buzz coming into the season after he put up 25 home runs and 10 stolen bases in only 458 plate appearances last season. But it's been a slow start so far, with a .067 BA and 0 HR.

There have been a few first basemen who have exceeded expectations in the early going, including Tyler Soderstrom, Kyle Manzardo, and Spencer Torkelson. Perhaps you've felt an itch to drop Toglia for one of these hitters.

I see the appeal with each of those corner infielders, but that doesn't mean you should drop Toglia. Not only does he have 30 HR upside, but the double-digit steals are rare for a CI, making him more valuable.

The other point to consider: the Rockies haven't played a home game yet. We all know how hitter-friendly Coors Field is, so let's take an updated look at Toglia's numbers after he gets to play there.

I know Toglia has a severely limited track record, but hold the fort because it's too early to drop him. If you want one of the hot-hitting corner infielders mentioned above, I'd cut someone else instead.

Jorge Soler, OF, Los Angeles Angels

50% Rostered

Jorge Soler has yet to hit a home run, which may cause concern for a 33-year-old playing for a non-playoff team. Perhaps you were thinking of cutting Soler loose for an outfielder who is doing better, like Lars Nootbaar.

But it's too early in the year to drop a power hitter with such a track record. Don't forget that Soler is only one year removed from a 36-homer season with the Marlins.

We've seen the former Royal get as high as 48 homers in a season. While he only hit 21 home runs last year, that was partly due to playing at Oracle Park with the Giants. This is one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in MLB.

Hitting behind Mike Trout should give Soler plenty of opportunities to rack up RBI. It's only a matter of time before we get one of those power binges.

With a veteran like Soler, you don't even need to look at the numbers yet. There's enough of a track record here to trust in the veteran to get on track.

Victor Robles, OF, Seattle Mariners

45% Rostered

Victor Robles burst into the fantasy baseball circle of trust after a dominant second half with the Mariners last season, where he put up four homers and 30 steals in only 262 plate appearances.

However, the former Nationals outfielder has had several seasons with poor production, so his current poor start (0 HR, 0 SB) gives him less leeway on your fantasy roster.

At the same time, we have to consider that the Mariners have played each game at home so far. T-Mobile is the most pitcher-friendly park in baseball, so it makes sense to see some offensive struggles.

The positive here is that Robles has been hitting leadoff, right in front of Julio Rodriguez. That should give him chances to rack up runs while providing elite speed upside.

We need to give more time to Robles, especially after he had such a crazy finish to the 2024 season. There's a legitimate 40+ stolen base ceiling here.

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