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Analyzing MLB starting lineup trends and emerging fantasy baseball sleepers for Week 19 (2024). Kevin reviews batting order changes, playing time, and platoons.
It's now Week 19 in the fantasy baseball world and the trade deadline rocked the league with a flurry of trades. Some of the moves were shocking, but my Rockies yet again remained mum when they should have sold. Wild things always happen in the league but not with the Rockies front office in late July. They stood pat, as is tradition, because who couldn't use more Cal Quantrill and Elias Diaz in Denver? But I digress.
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
Gavin Lux - 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers
With the Dodgers facing a plethora of injuries in both their rotation and their lineup, they've needed someone other than Shohei Ohtani to step up. Another lefty had a great July and his name is Gavin Lux. After a very lackluster first three months of the season, Lux crushed for a .937 OPS in July, knocking in 13 RBI with four homers. As a lefty platooning against righties, he fits the formula we're looking for in platoon hitters.
Gavin Lux is slashing .293/.359/.517 for an .876 OPS in July 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/83M0AgSYnZ
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 28, 2024
From a season-long perspective, he's not all that impressive with just an 86 OPS+. But with a .290 wOBA and a .303 xwOBA, we've got some positive regression coming his way still. And with his high in July, riding that hot streak may not be a bad idea. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may find some real value out of Lux.
Jarred Kelenic - OF, Atlanta Braves
Kelenic isn't new to this article as we've featured him multiple times now. However, this lefty had a horrific July, hitting for just a .137 BA and a 37 OPS+. Much of this is correlated with Kelenic being moved to the leadoff role on June 15, signaling that maybe the additional pressure of the leadoff role has affected his performance. The Braves dropped him to the eight hole in their last two games, showing they know this platooning lefty is slumping.
With Atlanta's addition of Jorge Soler at the deadline, we would have likely seen a decrease in Kelenic's playing time under normal circumstances. But the Braves aren't under normal circumstances right now with their injury list. Kelenic should continue to get time to work out of his slump. And with a .302 wOBA paired with a .311 xwOBA, this lefty should see positive regression coming soon as he works his way back to his norms. Fantasy managers shouldn't rush to drop Kelenic, rather they should stash him on their bench before making a stronger decision on their roster.
Other platoon names to keep an eye on:
Seth Brown - OF, Oakland Athletics
Rowdy Tellez - 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates
Playing Time Updates for Fantasy Baseball
Amed Rosario - OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Traded to the Dodgers for the second season in a row, Rosario is likely to see more playing time in L.A. than he did with Tampa. The Dodgers' outfield situation outside of Teoscar Hernandez has been precarious all season and has practically been begging for a hitter like Rosario, that being someone to pair with Hernandez who has an above-league-average OPS+. Rosario had been seeing decreased playing time month after month in Tampa, but his 114 OPS+ on the season was driven by a .913 OPS in July.
UTIL Amed Rosario (TBR):
Boston was previously interested in Rosario in the off-season.
Rosario this season is slashing .312/.330/.430 with a 118 wRC+ vs LHP. Career 121 wRC+ vs LHP.
Can play 2B/SS/RF.
93rd percentile speed (29.2), would work in Boston’s offense. pic.twitter.com/a8nUy7vKFt
— Pat (@PatSullivan05) July 25, 2024
There is one valid concern to be aware of, though. Rosario's .325 wOBA is paired with a .293 xwOBA that ranks in the 19th percentile. You never want to see negative regression looming, especially with that big of a gap. Maybe the 28-year-old's return to L.A. sparks better results, but there's cause for concern. Fantasy managers should approach Rosario with a bit of caution. You shouldn't necessarily pass up on him if he's on your waiver wire, rather you should temper expectations.
Ramon Urias - 3B, Baltimore Orioles
Orioles fans were bummed to see Jordan Westburg go down with a fractured right hand. His 132 OPS+ is going to be tough to replace in the Orioles lineup, but Ramon Urias will be tasked with doing just that. And lucky enough, Urias' .940 OPS in July will fit right in. He'll go from spotty playing time to consistent playing time at third while Jackson Holliday mans second base, picking up Westburg's secondary position.
Ramón Rocket 🚀 pic.twitter.com/hYAaHmZ4Ey
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 30, 2024
Orioles fans have surprisingly been shouting their distaste for Urias on social media, but his bat simply doesn't care for their thoughts and opinions. With a .314 wOBA and a .312 xwOBA, his results on the season are fairly true. With Westburg out for at least a couple more weeks, maybe longer, Urias should continue to get opportunities for the Orioles. Snag him off the waiver wire if he's available and ride that hot streak until further notice.
Other names to keep an eye on who are now receiving more playing time:
Nacho Alvarez Jr. - 3B, Atlanta Braves
Victor Robles - OF, Seattle Mariners
Batting Order Changes for Fantasy Baseball
Ian Happ - OF, Chicago Cubs
Chicago's season hasn't gone the way it wanted it to go and it'll need a lot of help to have any sort of hope of claiming a Wild Card spot (6.5 GB). The Cubs are in a spot where they need to tinker their lineup and hope to catch fire. One of the moves they're trying is putting veteran Ian Happ into the leadoff spot, a role he hasn't been in consistently since mid-April. The switch-hitter had been hitting in the cleanup role before moving him up.
Cincy is Ian’s Happ(y) place. 😏 pic.twitter.com/Lru7KJ2Cz2
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 1, 2024
With a 150 wRC+ in June and a 135 wRC+ in July, Happ is clearly in a good spot with his bat. While moving him from the cleanup spot will reduce chances for RBI, he'll get more chances at the plate to produce with his bat. His .342 wOBA and .348 xwOBA also show us his results are true and may even have some slight positive regression coming his way. Make sure he's in your starting lineup and ride that hot streak.
Colton Cowser - OF, Baltimore Orioles
With the Orioles fighting to win the AL East title for the second season in a row, they've come out of the All-Star break a bit slow compared to what they have been this season. An adjustment they've made over the last week to try and get a spark is moving AL Rookie of the Year candidate Colton Cowser into the leadoff spot. After hitting for a .830 OPS from July 2 to July 27, the Orioles bumped him up from the six and seven spot and he's now hitting for a 1.011 OPS in five games in the leadoff role.
Colton Cowser crushes this one for his 16th homer of the year! pic.twitter.com/DDa3sRS3XU
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 31, 2024
Now on a 14-game hitting streak, Cowser is making a name for himself in an Orioles lineup that's full of young up-and-comers. And with a .337 wOBA and a .358 xwOBA that ranks in the 86th percentile, he's got positive regression coming his way. If he's somehow available on your waiver wire, then snag him up immediately and get him in your lineup.
Other players to keep an eye on for batting order changes:
Paul Goldschmidt - 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
Maikel Garcia - 3B, Kansas City Royals
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