Fantasy Baseball Lineup Notes: Batting Order, Platoons, and Playing Time Changes - Week 21

August 16, 2024

Analyzing MLB starting lineup trends and emerging fantasy baseball sleepers for Week 21 (2024). Kevin reviews batting order changes, playing time, and platoons.

We're now onto Week 21 of the fantasy baseball season. Normally I'd give you my sarcastic Rockies update here but nothing tops the reality of Joc Pederson hitting a little league homer against the purple pinstripes so here I am, just drowning in the misery of my Rockies fandom. We've bottomed out as our doom and gloom surroundings have become more predictable than a Kris Bryant IL stint. But I digress.

In all seriousness, I want to thank everyone who has read this article this season. This will be the last weekly update of the 2024 season but I am certain we'll be back next year. Remember all the good recommendations I told you about (David Fry, you were awesome) and forget all the bad ones that immediately burst into flames (I never said to stash Alek Thomas before he got sent to the minors, I promise). That being said, we've still got six players to highlight to help you win your fantasy baseball championship. So let's get to it.

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 on X! Now, let's get to it.

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Platoon Player Updates for Fantasy Baseball

David Peralta - OF, San Diego Padres

Don't look now but the San Diego Padres are on absolute fire and are just 2.0 GB of the Dodgers of the NL West lead (along with fellow division rival Arizona). They're 10-2 and have been driven by an offense led by Jackson Merrill, Jurickson Profar, Manny Machado and...David Peralta?

Yes, David Peralta. His 162 wRC+ since the All-Star break is second behind only Jackson Merrill for those that have 50 or more PA in the second half. And as a lefty who platoons against righties, he matches our platooning formula for success.

Padres David Peralta Since August 1st:

🟡 230 wRC+ (3rd among all MLB OFs)
🟡.496 wOBA(3rd among all MLB OFs)
🟡 4 HRs (T-3rd among all MLB OFs)pic.twitter.com/U1DKNJpTvL

— Clark Fahrenthold (@CFahrenthold11) August 14, 2024

As we move onto our luck factor check, his season-long .333 wOBA and .328 xwOBA tell us his results are fairly true, so when he inevitably cools down, it won't be demonstrably bad.

You should expect above-average production from him going forward. With five of his six homers on the season coming in the second half, along with 12 of his 21 RBI, he's hot and needs to be snagged up ASAP. Pick him up now and ride that hot streak.

Kerry Carpenter - OF, Detroit Tigers

Not an unfamiliar name to this article but he just came off the IL, so now's a better time than any to highlight him again. Carpenter and his 163 OPS+ missed all of June and July with a back injury he suffered in late May. And since he's returned, he's hit three homers in three games. The power's there and now we just have to hope his back issues don't flare up.

Kerry Carpenter ends the shutout and ties it in the 8th! pic.twitter.com/teae0sjV4U

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 15, 2024

Carpenter has a .391 xwOBA, putting him just a touch above guys like Ketel Marte, who has a .389 xwOBA that's in the 95th percentile. At that point, any negative regression he sees from his .403 wOBA will still get you a top-of-the-line type of production at the plate.

There's a decent chance he's on your waiver wire and there's no reason he should be. Grab him before others realize he's healthy again and get him in your lineup ASAP.

Other platoon names to keep an eye on:

Gavin Lux - 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Wilyer Abreu - OF, Boston Red Sox

Playing Time Updates for Fantasy Baseball

Eloy Jimenez - DH, Baltimore Orioles

I won't lie to you, this is a bit of a confusing case. Jimenez has been a very good acquisition by the Orioles and is putting up really solid numbers for Baltimore (.414/.433/.483 slash line in 30 PA). However, he's found himself in a bit of a weird role.

He's not exactly in a platoon role and facing only lefties (though he's been much better vs. righties in Baltimore) but he's also not getting consistent starts against righties. His hot streak just hasn't meant much to the Orioles as he's only been in the starting lineup for seven of Baltimore's 13 games since he was acquired at the trade deadline.

Eloy Jiménez is now 4-for-6 to start his @Orioles career after this RBI 1B 😤 pic.twitter.com/heOTRKlc8V

— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2024

Jimenez hasn't quite been placed into a platoon role with Baltimore, but his pattern of starts is concerning given he was essentially an everyday type of player with the White Sox. He's also gotten most of his production with Baltimore off singles (12 hits, 10 singles) and doesn't have a homer as an Oriole yet.

Fantasy managers shouldn't drop him by any means, but his everyday reliability is more than in question right now. Take caution with the 27-year-old going forward and only count on him when needed.

Andres Chaparro - 1B, Washington Nationals

I know what you weekly readers are thinking...I JUST told you to pick up Juan Yepez as a 1B for the Nationals last week. So why another Nationals first baseman? Well, Yepez has slid into the DH role as the Nationals called up Chaparro this week to man first base.

While Chaparro has only played in three games, he's collected four hits and recorded two walks in the only game he hasn't gotten a hit in yet. In a low-stress environment in Washington, he's likely to be given quite a few opportunities to prove himself. That makes him a cheap option for you to sneakily snag.

8 years and 627 games in the minors turned into this...

Andrés Chaparro has his first big league hit 👏 pic.twitter.com/1fCG4t11YO

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 13, 2024

Chaparro was solid in the minors before being called up, hitting for a .961 OPS for Triple-A Reno (Diamondbacks) and then for a 1.076 OPS for Triple-A Rochester (Nationals) after Washington acquired him at the trade deadline.

After spending eight seasons in the minor leagues, he's finally getting a shot and it looks like he'll continue to get time at 1B for the Nationals. Snatch him up and don't be afraid to get him in your lineup if you need help at first base.

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

Xavier Edwards - SS, Miami Marlins
Juan Yepez - 1B/DH, Washington Nationals

Batting Order Changes for Fantasy Baseball

Adolis Garcia - OF, Texas Rangers

It hasn't quite been a great honeymoon season for the world champion Texas Rangers (still say it while you can, Rangers fans) as they are 10 GB of the AL West and 10.5 GB of a Wild Card spot. If they're going to have any miracle run in them, then it has to start now and there needs to be sparks.

A recent change to their lineup is moving up Garcia from the seven hole and getting him in the cleanup spot. He's hit for a .962 OPS in August, so the bump in the order is warranted and fantasy managers should take note. If the Rangers decide to get on in front of him, he will drive them in.

That’s the Adolis García I know. pic.twitter.com/s4vK3UNiJQ

— Michael Bier (@MichaelJBier) August 15, 2024

Though his season-long stats haven't been pretty, his .298 wOBA and .309 xwOBA point toward some positive regression. Given his recent hot streak in August, we're in the midst of his numbers normalizing. Fantasy managers should capitalize on his hot streak while they can.

Michael Massey - 2B, Kansas City Royals

Though generally in a platoon role, Massey gets the benefit of being a lefty to face righties. So when Kansas City starts facing a string of righties, we see Massey start to take off. And with a .937 OPS in August, it's earned him a bump up in the lineup from the six hole into the leadoff spot, getting him plenty more at-bats and chances to get on in front of and driven in by Bobby Witt Jr.

Seven of his 34 runs and five of his 35 RBI have come in August. That's very decent production!

Michael Massey - Kansas City Royals (9)
pic.twitter.com/O5iytVooJo

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 31, 2024

His .320 season-long wOBA and his .310 xwOBA do point toward a touch of negative regression coming, but that's not a large enough gap to make me concerned. Given his hot streak in August and the benefit of hitting in front of Witt, he should continue to get plenty of chances to get on base in front of one of the most dangerous hitters in the majors this season.

Snatch him up and ride that hot streak until it's finished.

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

Logan O'Hoppe - C, Los Angeles Angels
Jackson Chourio - OF, Milwaukee Brewers

And that's it! Thank you again to everyone who followed along this season and good luck in your fantasy championships!

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