RADIO
At the All-Star break, Dave Funnell takes a look at players that are worth adding in AL/NL only fantasy baseball leagues for the rest of the season.
Well, we did it. We have made it to the All-Star break, which marks the unofficial halfway point of the season. It's hard to believe how fast things have gone, but as they say, time flies when you're having fun.
Anyhow, looking ahead to this week, there are only three games, all of which begin at the end of the week. Normally, this segment would be for players to be added for the upcoming week, but with so few on the calendar, things are going to change here. Instead, here are some players that I recommend with some long-term appeal that may be able to contribute for the rest of the season.
While next week things will get back to the way they were, sit back and relax as this week we examine which players have long-term appeal going forward. Here's the All-Star team of the under-owned players to add.
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Catcher - Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds (20% owned)
Tyler Stephenson has been quietly productive this season. He has shown power at the plate all season, already hitting double-digit home runs, and is just a few away from surpassing his career-high of thirteen. He's been effective by lowering his strikeout rate to an all-time best and has chased fewer pitches outside of the strike zone. Entering the second half of the season, he is entrenched as the team's best catcher and play-caller, giving him the playing-time edge going forward. With the warmer weather likely helping offenses explode, he has a chance to finish the season with close to 20 home runs.
Tyler Stephenson is the first Reds catcher with six extra-base hits in a three-game span since Johnny Bench in 1976. @Tyler_Step22 | @JohnnyBench_5 | @johnsadak pic.twitter.com/cTSdtx0bkx
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 11, 2024
First Base - Michael Toglia, Colorado Rockies (1% owned)
Michael Toglia's overall numbers don't look enticing, as he is hitting under .200 for the season with a strikeout rate above 30%. That said, he's had himself a good month, as since June 6 he has hit eight home runs and stolen three bases. Additionally, the difference between his batting average and expected average, which is around a 60-point difference, shows that there has been some bad luck involved with what he's done thus far.
He does need to keep his strikeouts in check, but with some playing time and growth, he has a chance to produce. The Rockies play fifteen games at home in August, giving their hitters a favorable opportunity.
In half as many at bats as #Rockies home run leaders Brenton Doyle and Ryan McMahon, Michael Toglia has one less homer.
Toglia with a 403 ft shot for his 13th dinger in 165 ABs. pic.twitter.com/qcqqsPymOH
— The Rockies Insider (@Rockies_Insider) July 13, 2024
Second Base - Xavier Edwards, Miami Marlins (1% owned)
Xavier Edwards is a good hitter. Through six minor league seasons, only once did he finish below .300 in any season, as he accumulated 557 hits over 461 games played. Not only that, he struck out just 237 times over his minor league career. He seems like a rendition of Luis Arraez, who has such a good eye at the plate and can put the bat to the ball.
The difference between the two is that Edwards has speed in his profile, as he stole 119 bases in that minor league timeframe. Since being called back up to the Marlins, the second baseman has at least one hit in all but two games. Batting average is one of the hardest stats to plan for and someone like Edwards can help in that category. He should play every day while healthy.
Third Base - Matt Vierling, Detroit Tigers (20% owned)
Vierling was someone who was recommended here earlier in the season, and the same suggestions appear here now. Vierling has already eclipsed his career high in home runs (12) despite playing in 50 fewer games this season. Here's the most bizarre statistic regarding this breakout: he is a better hitter at home than on the road.
At Comerica Park, a traditional pitcher's ballpark, he's hit ten home runs and kept his batting at .270 this season, while on the road he's only hit two home runs while batting .232. Amazingly, he's been able to adjust to the home dimensions in Detroit. If he can ever figure out how to hit on the road, watch out.
Shortstop - Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays (2% owned)
While the Blue Jays have struggled all season to get things going offensively, there's one player who has been a suitable fill-in at multiple positions: Ernie Clement. Slotted in as a backup, the team Jays saw enough in him to warrant the trading away of Cavan Biggio and give him additional time to play.
Since June 12, Clement has batted over .300 with five home runs and one steal in 21 games played. He's been handed the starting job at third base since the injury to Isiah Kiner-Falefa and could take over at shortstop if and when Bo Bichette is traded. He's a low strikeout, high-contact hitter, and if the Blue Jays do undergo a rebuild, he could play every day.
Outfield - Jake Fraley, Cincinnati Reds (16% owned)
There were many great options here, but for this position, the only option goes to Jake Fraley who recently returned from a calf injury and a family emergency. He's had his fair share of injuries over the years, but a lot of them have been impact-based, with fractures and bruises causing time missed. When healthy, he's been outstanding, providing four-category production at a fraction of the cost.
This season he already has twelve steals and a career-high batting average to boot. His track record suggests he will produce some power numbers too, as his one home run hit is likely an anomaly. He's under-owned and every good player when healthy.
Starting Pitcher - Luis L. Ortiz, Pittsburgh Pirates (20% owned)
Arguably the deepest position here with options, Ortiz gets the nod because it feels like he is on the verge of something special. He was a once-lauded pitcher with immense potential, but just couldn't put it all together. In his brief run as a starter last season, he gave up 1.4 HR/9 while also accumulating 5.0 BB/9, making both numbers a very combustible combination. It was his fastball that couldn't do the job, adding up to a .383 BAA, which made him unplayable. He was immediately sent down to work on things, and his resurgence this season shows a completely different repertoire.
What a difference a year makes. He has introduced a cutter into the mix, now throwing it 20.1% of the time. While it hasn't been his most effective pitch, it's something different that has a Whiff Rate of just under 20%. He's also eliminated his changeup while balancing his remaining three pitches at a more even rate. Before yesterday's game, his 106 Stuff+ ranked second on the team behind Paul Skenes' 110, making him a very intriguing player going forward. The prospect pedigree was always there, and now it would seem that he's putting the pieces together.
Relief Pitcher - Kevin Ginkel, Arizona Diamondbacks (21% owned)
The final pick is a speculative add for saves. Free-agent-to-be and closer Paul Sewald has had a July to forget. Over a three-game stretch to begin the month, he blew three consecutive save opportunities, giving up seven earned runs over 1 2/3 innings pitched. Yikes. What's worse is that the team has struggled this season and may decide to sell come to the trade deadline.
With so much uncertainty, it's been nice to see Kevin Ginkel display some stability. Over the past two seasons, he has a 2.48 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over 105.1 innings pitched and 110 strikeouts. While he has blown five out of his fourteen save attempts in that time, he feels like a more stable version of himself, especially of late. Add him everywhere now and hope that the Diamondbacks make him the new closer. If they don't trade away Sewald, he's at worst a luxury stash with good numbers.
Kevin Ginkel's last 18 appearances:
18.2 IP, 11 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 20 K, 0.48 ERA, 0.70 WHIP.
THE GINK IS BACK. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/F5ifSNgS2N
— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) July 11, 2024
