Top Five Injured Players To Stash In Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

Joshua highlights the top five hitters and pitchers that can be stashed in your IL spots in fantasy baseball redraft leagues as of June 23, 2023 (Week 13).

Welcome back to our top fantasy baseball injury stashes for Week 13, looking at IL players as of June 23rd. Today's list of injured MLB players to consider stashing off the fantasy baseball waiver wire includes Michael Brantley, Tarik Skubal, Alejandro Kirk, Kyle Wright, and Oneil Cruz.

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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Michael Brantley - OF, Houston Astros

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley has been a great hitter for a long time, hitting around .300 every full season since 2014. The beloved former Guardian made a name for himself as a dependable contact hitter in Cleveland before etching his name in the record books as a vital member of the Houston Astros World Series teams. Brantley has only played more than 100 games in a season once in the last three years, and he was already hurt to begin this season, so health has been an issue.

Brantley appeared on track to return earlier but suffered a setback in his recovery. The latest updates state the veteran hitter has been taking batting practice on the field at Minute Maid Park. The 35-year-old outfielder will likely need numerous rehab games to get back up to game speed, but once he returns, he should be a valuable member of the Astros lineup.

The Astros' outfielder appears ready to begin his rehab assignment sometime soon. Brantley could be a sneaky add due to his ability to get on base and score runs. This Astros lineup has not been the dominating force they've been in the past, but that could change. Brantley is 6% rostered in Yahoo and 6.9% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's likely available in your league. He could be activated within the coming weeks, so pick him up if you need outfield help.

Tarik Skubal - SP, Detroit Tigers

This is Tarik Skubal's second appearance on this list, and his return from the injured list could come very soon. Skubal was amid a solid season when he went down to injury. The young left-hander posted a 3.52 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings. Skubal possesses elite tools, such as a fastball that can reach 98 mph and a filthy slider. Anyone can see the potential for Skubal; it is just a matter of whether he can put it all together.

Skubal had a rehab start on Wednesday night, throwing 52 pitches through 2 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old also gave up two runs and a walk in those 2 2/3 innings. Skubal will likely need another rehab start or two to build up the confidence and pitch count, but he should be back sooner than later. Skubal is 27% rostered in Yahoo and 6.8% rostered in ESPN, so he's likely available and worth a speculative add due to the stuff he possesses.

Alejandro Kirk - C/DH, Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk had a fantastic season in 2022. Hitting came so quickly to the young hitter, and the future seemed bright for him. However, that success has not continued into the 2023 season.

In 2022, Kirk slashed .285/.372/.415 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI. This season, the 24-year-old catcher slashes .253/.337/.331 with three home runs and 21 RBI through 59 games. His walk rate is down, and his strikeout rate is up from last season, but the numbers are not dramatically different. The most significant difference in Kirk's profile is his drop in HardHit%. 2022 Kirk had a HardHit% of 45.4%; this season, his HardHit% sits at 33.3%. The catcher is also chasing 5% more than last season.

Kirk was placed on the injured list on Monday with a lacerated hand, but the good news is that the injury does not appear very severe. The young catcher is 46% rostered in Yahoo and 56% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's available in roughly half of all fantasy leagues.

He has struggled to begin the year, but his Contact% and Zone-Contact% align with his breakout 2022 season, so his bat-to-ball skills have remained strong. Fantasy managers should stash Kirk because legitimate contact hitters are sometimes easy to find at the catcher position.

Kyle Wright - SP, Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright had a legitimate breakout season in 2022, posting a 3.19 ERA in 180 1/3 innings. In 2023, Wright has only pitched in five games due to injury.

Through 18 2/3 innings this season, the 27-year-old pitched and demonstrated some skills contributing to his successful 2022 campaign. Wright induced a 60% ground ball rate and earned a 9.64 K/9 in his limited playing time, which would be improvements upon his previous season if those numbers stuck.

Wright was placed on the injured list due to a shoulder strain at the beginning of May. Wright began his throwing program a little over a week ago, and he has a long way to go. Before the Braves starter can return to the rotation, several rehab starts should be on the agenda.

Wright is 62% rostered in Yahoo and 43.5% rostered in ESPN and remains a long way away, but few injured players possess the upside that Wright does at the pitcher position. Fantasy managers needing pitching should consider stashing Wright while they still can.

Oneil Cruz - SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz is one of the most exciting players in baseball when healthy. He possesses tools that many players could only imagine having. His potent bat, fast feet, and cannon of an arm are assets that make Cruz's upside so high.

In his first season with the Pirates, Cruz struck out nearly 35% of the time, but he also put up some of the best Statcast numbers in baseball. The young phenom was 91st percentile in Average Exit Velocity, 97th percentile in Arm Strength, and 98th percentile in sprint speed. He also hit a ball over 122 mph, making him 100th percentile in Max Exit Velocity. The numbers pop off the page when it comes to the youngster.

Through the tiny sample size of nine games, Cruz displayed dramatically improved plate discipline with a 17% walk and 20% strikeout rates. Those numbers are closer to his Triple-A averages, so it's possible he could have been showing improvement, but nine games is far too small of a sample to say for sure.

The young shortstop landed on the injured list earlier this season due to a freak ankle injury on a controversial play at home plate. He was recently spotted without his walking boot and returned to baseball activities. That being said, the shortstop is still weeks away from returning. Cruz is 70% rostered in Yahoo and 51.7% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he is available in some places. Fantasy managers should stash Cruz despite his lengthy recovery time. Cruz could be a difference-maker down the line.

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