Fantasy Baseball Lineup Notes: Batting Order, Platoons, and Playing Time Changes - Week 17

July 19, 2024

Analyzing MLB starting lineup trends and emerging fantasy baseball sleepers for Week 17 (2024). Kevin reviews batting order changes, playing time, and platoons.

We're into the shortened Week 17 of the fantasy baseball season. I'm delighted to bring to you my weekly Rockies update, which is that they have not lost a game in almost a week. Shocking! All the while the pride and joy of the Rocky Mountain region, Ryan McMahon, appeared in the All-Star game. We're not going to talk about what he did at the plate, but he's the best the Rockies have and more than deserved the honors. Not quite the MVP performance of Elias Diaz in 2023, but we'll take it! Now onto the rest of the league.

In this article, we'll go over some of the trends we're seeing with platoon hitters, notable playing time changes, and batting order notes. We'll focus on a couple of players for each section and provide some added depth and insight to help you build your lineup.

If there are players who you'd like to see covered or discussed that fit any of the criteria below, feel free to hit me up! Now, let's get to it.

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Platoon Player Updates for Fantasy Baseball

Mike Yastrzemski - OF, San Francisco Giants

Though a slow start for Yastrzemski in 2024, the 33-year-old is turning it on in June and July. Specifically in July, he's hitting for a .375 batting average and a 193 wRC+. The All-Star break may cool him down, but the July heat wave sweeping the nation may have started with his bat.

Mike Yastrzemski takes matters into his own hands 😤

The @SFGiants #walkoff as winners. pic.twitter.com/b8fNqiusjW

— MLB (@MLB) July 14, 2024

Yastrzemski has a .326 wOBA with a .293 xwOBA so negative regression is likely coming. However, his xwOBA has been at or above league average over his last 50 at-bats. If he's on your waiver wire picking him up is worth a shot. Stash him on your bench at the very least. DFS players will want to look at getting Yastrzemski in their lineups when he's playing at home where he's hitting for a 152 wRC+.

Jake Bauers - 1B, Milwaukee Brewers

While he's been a bit cold in July, Bauers is the opposite of Yastrzemski. While you may be buying high on Yastrzemski, you'll be buying low on Bauers. Though he's hitting for a league average of 100 wRC+, he's got positive regression heading his way.

JAKE BAUERS HAS THE THIRD BREWERS GRAND SLAM IN THE LAST FIVE GAMES pic.twitter.com/leKykPJSBh

— The Brew Crew Scoop (@BrewCrewScoop) June 26, 2024

With his .314 wOBA paired with a .339 xwOBA, the positive regression I mentioned is coming. While he's only hitting for 61 wRC+ this month, he'll rebound soon enough. Snag him up and stash him on your bench so that when his hot streak starts again you'll be the first to capitalize off of it.

Other platoon names to keep an eye on:

Sal Frelick - OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Ben Rortvedt - C, Tampa Bay Rays

Playing Time Updates for Fantasy Baseball

Korey Lee - C, Chicago White Sox

With Martin Maldonado being cut by the White Sox this week, Lee is currently the only catcher on the roster. He's the de facto beneficiary to get more playing time with Chicago cutting one of the worst players in baseball this season. So is he worth picking up?

Given that we're talking about someone on the White Sox not named Garrett Crochet, you know the answer is probably no. That's the case with Lee. He's only hitting for a 70 wRC+ on the season and his xwOBA of .270 ranks in the bottom 6% of the league. His outlook doesn't look great for the rest of the season but, in a low-stress environment that will be the uncompetitive nature of the White Sox, he'll get plenty of chances to work on things. Don't waste your resources on Lee in 2024.

Michael Toglia - 1B, Colorado Rockies

Speaking of uncompetitive baseball, the Rockies provide another low-stress environment for its younger players. Toglia had been receiving more playing time with Kris Bryant being perpetually on the IL and Elehuris Montero being released, but that's now turned from simply receiving more playing time to absolutely lighting it up. With three homers on Sunday, Toglia has seven homers in July and 10 hits total in the month. He's homer or bust, a switch-hitting Joey Gallo.

MICHAEL TOGLIA GOES DEEP FOR THE THIRD TIME TODAY pic.twitter.com/LwjE0o2sAq

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 14, 2024

He has solid positive regression coming too. With a .321 wOBA and a .358 xwOBA that ranks in the 86th percentile of the league, you can look well past his .197 BA and see he's going to keep racking up positive results. Grab him if he's available on your waiver wire and hope his homer or bust streak in July continues.

Other names to keep an eye on who are now receiving more playing time:

Spencer Horwitz - 2B, Toronto Blue Jays
Daniel Schneemann - SS, Cleveland Guardians

Batting Order Changes for Fantasy Baseball

Julio Rodriguez - OF, Seattle Mariners

While the Mariners look to stave off the Houston Astros in the AL West, they've looked for ways to spark their offense. Rodriguez has had a rather underwhelming season so far, but his July has been absolutely scorching. The Mariners have moved him from the two-hole and gotten him into the cleanup spot. It's worked out extremely well for Rodriguez, who's hitting for a 1.236 OPS in July.

JULIO gets the Mariners started with a two-run shot! pic.twitter.com/xKedeUH0dM

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 13, 2024

Expect more positive regression to continue for Rodriguez as well. With a .306 wOBA paired with a .341 xwOBA, he has plenty of positive regression coming his way. If a fantasy manager in your league is willing to sell low on the 23-year-old then make a trade work as quickly as possible. You'll be very thankful you did.

Lawrence Butler - OF, Oakland Athletics

Let's stay in the AL West where Butler, like Rodriguez, has had a scorching July with a 1.203 OPS during the month. This hot streak has gotten the A's to move Butler up from the bottom of the order and thrust into the leadoff spot. Butler had been due for positive regression and he's finally seeing it come to light.

It's a THREE-homer day for Lawrence Butler! pic.twitter.com/nyJuzwIwKJ

— MLB (@MLB) July 14, 2024

As with his AL West counterpart Rodriguez, the gap for positive regression is wide. Butler's .299 wOBA is paired with a .331 xwOBA. That .331 xwOBA would rank in the 61st percentile in the league, which would get us just above league-average results from Butler. He's likely sitting on your waiver wire right now so go and snag him up in the hopes that his hot streak continues through July.

Other players to keep an eye on for batting order changes:

Colt Keith - 2B, Detroit Tigers
Brenton Doyle - OF, Colorado Rockies

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