Five Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 11

June 2, 2024

Wade highlights the top-five fantasy baseball hitters and pitchers that can be stashed in your IL spots in redraft leagues as of May 31, 2024 (Week 11).

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another weekly edition of the Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball series! Heading into Week 11, this article highlights five injured players worth stashing. If you're new to the series, be sure to check out previous articles for even more options.

Lots of productive players are gearing up for a return to big league action. If you stash them on your IL spots, their production could pay off in dividends once they're healthy. Whether you need pitching, offense, or both, the players on this list are bound to help.

As always, only those rostered in less than 60% of Yahoo leagues are eligible for inclusion. The goal is to put a spotlight on far-too-overlooked players. Without further ado, let's get into this week's list.

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Gavin Williams, SP, Cleveland Guardians

Rostered: 46%
Estimated Return: Mid June

During spring training, Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams hurt his elbow with a weighted ball. At first, he was healing and progressing well, but he was shut down at the end of April following a setback. After throwing a few bullpen sessions to ramp things up, he started a rehab assignment earlier this week. By the time you're reading this, he's likely made his first start with Triple-A Columbus.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 250 pounds, Williams was a first-round pick out of East Carolina University in 2021. In 175 1/3 MLB innings, he posted a 2.10 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 230 strikeouts, and 64 walks. When he made his MLB debut last June, his success continued. He threw 82 innings and posted a 3.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 81 strikeouts, and 37 walks. While not as impressive in the majors, his rookie year was undeniably stellar.

Last season, much of Williams' big league success was due to a nasty slider-curveball combo. He threw his slider 306 times, managing a 26.4% strikeout rate with it. Opposing hitters combined for a .157 AVG (.195 xBA) and .241 SLG (.256 xSLG) against it. He threw his curveball 235 times, resulting in a 30.2% strikeout rate.

Opposing hitters combined for a .174 AVG (.187 xBA) and .391 SLG (.321 xSLG) against it. While his breaking balls were outstanding, his fastball was closer to league average. His four-seamer averaged 95.7 mph, yet opposing hitters combined for a .250 AVG (.277 xBA) and .404 SLG (.442 xSLG) against it. Despite there being room for improvement, his fastball still ranked in the 80th percentile for fastball run value, according to Baseball Savant.

Overall, Williams has ace-like potential. Considering how his 25th birthday is on July 26, the sky's the limit. If his fastball improves and/or he increases his command, he could take a big step forward upon rejoining the Guardians rotation. Even if that step isn't taken in 2024, he'll still be a productive option in fantasy.

Gavin Williams, 99mph Paint. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/ODYyu7Ofmt

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 6, 2023

Jeffrey Springs, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Rostered: 15% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Late June

For those of you who've been following this series throughout the season, you'll remember how adamant I was about adding Kyle Bradish. I found it puzzling that someone who'd finished top five in the AL Cy Young Award race was available in over 40% of Yahoo leagues, despite the fact that he was expected to return in May. Well, I have a feeling we've found the next Kyle Bradish: Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs.

Heading into last season, Springs was one of the most exciting pitchers in fantasy baseball. In 2022, he threw 135 1/3 innings with a 2.46 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts. Unfortunately, he tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery after just three starts.

Springs is currently on a rehab assignment with the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, but he was removed due to shoulder tightness after facing just one batter. On the bright side, it seems to have been precautionary, but we're still waiting on further updates.

If he's shut down, I'd suggest holding off on stashing him until he's reactivated. But if he's cleared, he'll presumably continue his assignment as planned. If that's the case (and it seems like it is), I'd suggest picking him up immediately. There likely won't be another pitcher as widely available with his upside.

An update on #Rays starter Jeffrey Springs, who has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He left yesterday's rehab start with the Florida Complex League Rays due to a lat issue.

"It's actually more kind of lat, under like the armpit area," Cash said. "It's very…

— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) May 26, 2024

Michael Conforto, OF, San Francisco Giants

Rostered: 36%
Estimated Return: Early June

San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Conforto has been sidelined with a strained right hamstring since May 11. Before that, he was having a strong start to the 2024 season. Fortunately, he's supposed to begin a rehab assignment very soon.

Michael Conforto puts the Giants in front with a solo homer! pic.twitter.com/9uJH2Dqwqi

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 9, 2024

Through 154 plate appearances in 38 games, Conforto is slashing .280/.331/.490 with 19 runs, seven doubles, seven home runs, and 20 RBI. His 9.9% barrel rate is his best since 2020, and he's posting his lowest strikeout rate (20.8%) and hard-hit rate (44.1%) since 2015. He also has a .495 xSLG, which ranks in the 85th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. The biggest bash against Conforto is the serious drop he's had in walk rate. It's 7.1% this year, far below his career average (11.8%). Based on his track record, his plate discipline could certainly improve once he returns.

With the amount of outfielders on the IL (like Ronald Acuna Jr.), Conforto is a great option for those looking to boost their outfield production. At the rate he's currently going, 2024 could ultimately be a career year. Perhaps most importantly, he's set to rejoin the Giants lineup really soon.

Brock Stewart, RP, Minnesota Twins

Rostered: 4% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Uncertain

For those who compete in leagues with holds as an important stat, Minnesota Twins reliever Brock Stewart (shoulder) is a sneaky option to keep an eye on. He's been out since May 3, but a rehab assignment could be on the horizon.

Stewart has been impeccable since he joined the Twins last year. In 41 innings, he has a 0.66 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, 56 strikeouts, and 15 holds. Before getting hurt, he'd already tallied seven holds in 13 appearances.

Brock Stewart, 97mph Two Seamer (18 inches of Run) and 85mph Sweeper (20 inches of Break), Overlay

😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/RJwcRWaFaW

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 25, 2024

Overall, Stewart's value is relatively limited depending on league format. However, in the leagues that acknowledge holds, he's a really solid option. As a matter of fact, you likely won't even have to stash him. Just be sure to keep him on your radar as he recovers.

TJ Friedl, OF, Cincinnati Reds

Rostered: 37% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Activated From The Injured List On May 30

Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl missed the first month of the 2024 season with a fractured right wrist. When he was activated from the IL, he only played six games before he was hit by a pitch in the left thumb. As a result, he was replaced on the 10-day IL. Fortunately, he's set to make his return within the next few days.

Friedl was a fantasy darling in 2023. He played 138 games, posting a .279/.352/.467 slash line with 73 runs, 22 doubles, 18 homers, 66 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. When he was healthy earlier this month, he managed to hit a double and steal two bases.

David Bell said that TJ Friedl could return as soon as late this week or early next week.

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 27, 2024

Overall, I find it perplexing that Friedl is so broadly available. If he can continue playing like he did in 2023, he should be rostered in every league. In reality, there won't be many power-speed threats coming along with this much upside.

Update: Friedl was activated from the injured list on Wednesday and went 0-for-3 with two walks in his return. Now that he's activated from the injured list, fantasy managers should look to add Friedl off the waiver wire in most leagues where he's available.

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