X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Baseball Players To Watch For The Week Ahead (June 17 - June 23)

Austin Riley - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Values, MLB News

Jarod's fantasy baseball watch list - hitters, pitchers, and relievers he's keeping an eye on for June 17-June 23 (2024). Hot bats, good matchups, pitchers on a roll, and more.

We're through another week of baseball, so rejoice in those victories and lament those losses for a moment; learn from what was successful and from what did not work, then let's get prepared for the week ahead. There are lots of articles out there outlining waiver wire adds, two-start pitchers, players to stash, and more, but this one aims to isolate certain players that I'm watching, for one reason or another, to help you get ready for the week ahead.

For those keeping track of some of last week's topics, Dansby Swanson went ice-cold (again), Garrett Crochet was electric (again), and Drew Thorpe's debut went well (his second start, not so much).

Taking a look ahead to this week's action, we'll touch on some intriguing hitters below, both for DFS and season-long leagues. There are also some enticing pitching matchups this week, pitchers that have regression in their future, and more. I've got my eye on these guys, and perhaps you should too.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Players to Watch: Hitters

Bryan Reynolds

What I'm watching: Hit streak

After an 0-for-4 day at the plate on Sunday, Alex Bregman's 16-game hit streak came to an end, leaving Bryan Reynolds as the league's new leader. Reynolds extended his hit streak to 14 games after going 1-for-4 on Sunday. During Reynolds' streak, the switch-hitter is 20-for-59 (.339) with five doubles, a triple, and two home runs. He now owns a .268-9-38-27-5 line with a .336 wOBA and 117 wRC+ on the season and, as anticipated, has been a solid multi-category contributor.

Austin Riley

What I'm watching: Does he keep rolling this week?

Austin Riley's season thus far has been somewhat of a disappointment, especially for fantasy managers who drafted him for power and run production. While he's underwhelmed, it also isn't out of the ordinary. For his career, the two-time All-Star has a .252 BA in June and September, the lowest of any month. However, July and August are his best, hitting .292 in those months. On Sunday, Riley belted his sixth home run of the season, with one coming in each of the last three games. So, it appears he's heating up at the right time. Riley could be a buy-low candidate if you find a disenchanted manager to trade with.

Carlos Correa and Steven Kwan

What I'm watching: Is there anyone hotter right now?

I won't harp on Steven Kwan much, I already broke him down in my "Breakout Watch" article this past Friday. What has he done since then? Only gone 8-for-13 (.615). Incredible run the 26-year-old is on over an 11-game hit streak, second-longest behind only the aforementioned Bryan Reynolds, in which he's gone 23-for-43 (.535).

Carlos Correa is a bit more of a surprise. After coming off a down year last season where he slashed .230/.312/.399 with a .309 wOBA and 96 wRC+, Correa is proving he can still produce. And lately, he's on fire, hitting safely in nine of his last 10 games. Over that stretch the 29-year-old has gone 21-for-42 (.500) with two home runs, 10 RBI, 10 runs scored, and nearly as many walks (4) as strikeouts (5). On the season, the 2x All-Star owns a .298/.364/.476 slashline with a .361 wOBA and 137 wRC+.

 

Key Matchups: Hitters

These hitters caught my eye when looking over batter vs. pitcher matchups, and I kept rolling with the table format below as it seemed easier on the eyes. Most of these guys are already rostered in a majority of leagues, so you aren't running out to snag them off the waiver wire, but they could be targets for your DFS lineups. While sometimes there isn't enough matchup history worth looking at, there is frequency with these, and with frequency comes familiarity. These pitchers likely don't have any more tricks up their sleeves versus these batters.

 

Players to Watch: Starting Pitchers

Bryan Woo

What I'm watching: Will he pick up where he left off?

Bryan Woo was a bit of a sleeper pick in fantasy drafts, but then missed the first several weeks of the season, throwing cold water on some excitement that had built up. He came off the IL and pitched great, only to have his last turn through the rotation skipped as a result of forearm discomfort. The MRI came back clean though and he'll start Wednesday against the Guardians. So far this season, Woo has a sparkling 1.07 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, and a 2:24 BB:K over six starts (33 2/3 IP).

Bailey Ober

What I'm watching: Another start against the A's

Bailey Ober was the model of consistency last year, basically working five to six innings and allowing three or fewer runs. Only four times in 28 starts did the righty allow four or more earned runs. This year has been more of a rollercoaster, with the 28-year-old allowing four or more earned runs in a game five times already through just 14 starts. Many of his stats are little changed from last year, so it's hard to pinpoint what exactly ails him, but perhaps that gives credence to why his FIP, xFIP, and SIERA (4.28. 4.13, and 3.87) were much lower than his actual ERA (5.13) heading into Sunday's start.

The one stat that stands out is his LOB%, which went from 79.1% to 66.1%, which was well above average to well below average (71.7%). Clearly, if he can stop baserunners from scoring at such a high rate, his ERA should adjust. Maybe it has already begun to do so: on Sunday he went six-and-a-third innings against the A's, allowing one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out eight, lowering his season ERA to 4.81. Ober gets to face those same A's in his next start in Oakland, don't give up on him yet in redraft leagues, and get ready to fire him up in DFS.

Tyler Anderson and Patrick Sandoval

What I'm watching: Is regression coming?

In looking at Ober's numbers, it got me thinking, "Who else has a large discrepancy between ERA and FIP?" Turns out, there are Angels at the top and bottom of the list. Tyler Anderson has a 2.58 ERA on the year but a 4.68 FIP, 5.06 xFIP, and 5.18 SIERA. The lefty has a low 5.6% K-BB% yet, unlike Ober, has been able to strand a whopping 87.0% of runners. A blowup game may be coming.

On the other hand, teammate Patrick Sandoval has a bloated 5.24 ERA but a 3.82 FIP, 3.86 xFIP, and 4.03 SIERA. He's given up eight home runs already on the year after giving up 12 all last season, but his K-BB% is 13.7% compared to last season when it was 8.3%, so there's clear improvement there. With a .342 BABIP and 64.9% LOB%, there's room for Sandoval's numbers to improve from here on out.

Neither one has an easy task this week, however, with Anderson's next start lining up with the Brewers and Sandoval's lining up with the Dodgers.

 

Players to Watch: Relief Pitchers

Justin Martinez

What I'm watching: New scoreless streak on the horizon?

After seeing Matt Strahm's scoreless outing streak come to an end earlier in the week, I again got to thinking, "Who else has a scoreless streak going?" These types of pitchers may not be closers, so they aren't going to earn saves for you, but they can help with other stats like ERA, WHIP, and Ks. In this case, I came across Justin Martinez of the Diamondbacks. He hadn't allowed an earned run since April 30, a stretch of 15 games in which he posted a 0.00 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 30.7% K% (23 K in 19 IP). On Sunday, the 22-year-old finally gave up a run but still has a 0.69 ERA on the season.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

New York Knicks

Trey Jemison III Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP