Lineup Takeaways - Week 6 Lineup Trends

May 10, 2021

Mike Kurland takes a deep look at Week 6's fantasy baseball risers and fallers based on recent lineup trends, highlighting strong and weak platoons, and players who may benefit from lineup slot.

Week six of the MLB season is in the books. There are new injuries, players landing on the COVID injured list, and many more developments that are causing lineups to alter. Let’s try to figure out what is noise and what really matters.

Just a reminder, I have added a 'Fantasy Fallout' section to the team breakdowns. This is meant to highlight lesser rostered players who may have fantasy relevance. As we get more tangible info and stats, the notes will evolve with it.

All roster percentages are based on Yahoo! formats.

National League

NL East

Atlanta Braves

• Since being recalled on May 1st, Cristian Pache has started all six games in centerfield while batting in the bottom 3rd of the lineup.
• With Travis d’Arnaud all but out the rest of the season, William Contreras has entered the picture and has started four of the last five games at catcher while batting as high as sixth and as low as eighth.
• Ozzie Albies has batted cleanup in 13 of his last 14 starts.

Fantasy Fallout

• Cristian Pache still is not doing anything since returning to the team. Upon his return, he is hitting .087/.160/.217. Hey, at least he has a home run! In all seriousness, I would leave him on the wire for now.
• William Contreras is far more interesting, especially in two-catcher leagues. Heck, with all the catcher injuries, he is a fringe 12-team catcher option. Since coming up, he has one home run in those five games and is hitting .263 with a .807 OPS, a .350 wOBA, and a 120 wRC+. Yes, it is VERY early, but with catchers, ride the hot hand. His is hot right now.

Miami Marlins

• Since the Jazz Chisholm injury, Miguel Rojas has been the everyday leadoff man having led off in seven of the last eight games.
• Jesus Aguilar has been hitting second over the same time frame.
• Corey Dickerson only starts against RHP. He’s only started against one LHP all season.
• Garret Cooper manages to bounce around multiple positions and play most days. This flexibility has kept him in the lineup.
• Lewis Brinson has been starting in centerfield of late (six of the last seven games)
• Jon Berti is out of a regular job again. With Isan Diaz starting every day at second base and Brian Anderson returning from the IL and playing every day at third base, Berti returns to his utility role.
• Isan Diaz has started at second base seven straight games and has moved up the lineup from eighth to fifth and sixth over the last few games.

Fantasy Fallout

• Isan Diaz is walking as much as he is striking out (19.4%). This is unrealistic in terms of holding up in the walk rate department, but a double-digit walk rate is a fair expectation and this helps his case in OBP leagues. He has a .355 OBP so far and two home runs. He has only been up for eight games. Diaz has 15-team or deeper relevance and gains more value in OBP or points formats. Just be mindful, Jazz Chisholm is due back and that could be the end of the line for Diaz.

New York Mets

• With Brandon Nimmo on the IL, Jeff McNeil has led off against six straight RHP. Francisco Lindor led off against the lone LHP they have faced since.
• The Nimmo injury opened the door for Kevin Pillar to play in his absence. He’s started in six straight.
• Jonathan Villar has also started six straight, but this is due to J.D. Davis landing on the IL.

Fantasy fallout

• Jeff McNeil appears to enjoy leading off. Maybe this will earn him a spot towards the top of the order. At least against RHP.

• Do not bother chasing either of Villar or Pillar. As the team gets healthy (sooner than later), they will be relegated to the bench.

Philadelphia Phillies 

• The team is back to being healthy and with it players like Brad Miller and Nick Maton return to reserve rolls.
• Odubel Herrera is on the strong side of a centerfield platoon with Roman Quinn.
• The rest of the lineup is as expected with the starters healthy.

Fantasy Fallout

• Odubel Herrera should only be rostered in NL-Only formats. Even that might be generous.

Washington Nationals 

• Trea Turner has returned to leading off. He’s led off eight of the last nine games.
• Josh Harrison continues to bat at the top of the order regularly.
• As long as Juan Soto remains out from playing the field, Yadiel Hernandez should remain in. Although it seems he is likely running out of time to remain fantasy relevant.
• Josh Bell remains in a platoon with Ryan Zimmerman. Bell remains on the strong side of said platoon.

Fantasy Fallout

• For the second straight week, I am recommending adding Josh Harrison anywhere you need a middle infielder. Even deep 12-teamers.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs

• Upon his return, Joc Pederson has led off four-straight games. All have been against RHP and it is TBD how they plan to utilize him against LHP. He was given a rest day against the first LHP he has faced since returning, but it's still too early to say he will sit against them all.
• Kris Bryant has moved up to batting second over the last seven games. He has also moved towards playing outfield and even got one start at first base.
• Willson Contreras was bumped down to the middle of the order in the process.
• Matt Duffy has run into the starting third base job over the last 10 games. This allowed David Bote to play more second base with both getting regular run with Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner on the IL.

Fantasy Fallout

• Since returning from the IL, Pederson has hit better, and maybe some time off was a way to reset things and get him back on track. He is currently heading in the right direction.

Cincinnati Reds

• Nick Senzel has just begun leading off. He has led off against both LHP and RHP and Jesse Winker slides to the two-spot with Castellanos to the three-spot in the process.
• With Joey Votto landing on the IL, it is Mike Moustakas that has moved over to play first base for two straight games and Eugenio Suarez moving back to third base.
• They are entering a series in the AL, so seeing how the crowded outfield situation will play out with Shogo Akiyama returning will be something to monitor once they return to NL play.
• Kyle Farmer has started at shortstop in two straight since Moustakas and Suarez moved to their new positions.

Fantasy Fallout

• The biggest takeaway is Moustakas possibly gaining first base eligibility. That would be a nice addition to his multi-position flexibility.

Milwaukee Brewers

• When Lorenzo Cain is in the lineup, he bats second. Since returning, he has been playing every other game.
• Dan Vogelbach is batting second or third regularly, but sits against LHP. it looks like he is in a platoon with Billy McKinney now that Keston Hiura was sent down.
• Billy McKinney does play semi-regularly between the outfield and first base. Tyrone Taylor also plays semi-regularly and both are depth pieces.

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Erik Gonzalez has played every day and even finds himself moving up to the top of the order as he has hit third or fourth in three of the last four games.
• Ka’ai Tom has started six-of-seven since being activated off the IL.
• After a long run of starts, Phillip Evans has only started four of the last seven games.

Fantasy Fallout

• Erik Gonzalez has not exactly performed well to deserve moving up. We saw a hot stretch in 2020 to show us he is capable of running hot, but outside of NL-Onl;y, there is little relevance.
• Ka'ai Tom has a stolen base and home run since coming over to the Pirates. If the playing time is there, Tom could be some sneaky (and cheap) source of power and speed upside to get here.
• After a hot start, Evans has become droppable. Over the last two weeks, he has hit just .139 with just three runs and a single RBI.

St. Louis Cardinals

• Dylan Carlson has now batted second in 14 of the last 15 games. It is safe to say he is secured at the top.
• With Tyler O’Neill and Harrison Bader returning to the lineup, they have both played regularly and hit towards the bottom third of the lineup.

Fantasy Fallout

• Since his return from the IL, Harrison Bader has hit just .233, but with three home runs and two stolen bases. This is in just eight games. This is worth an add in leagues as shallow as deeper 12-teamers.
• Since returning from the IL, Tyler O'Neill is almost a seemingly new player. He is hitting .294 with a reduced strikeout rate with four home runs and three stolen bases. It is hard to envision a team that could not use that. Add him if he is available.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks

• Pavin Smith continues to lead off, but Tim Locastro has entered the picture and has led off against LHP in each of the last two games.
• Locastro has not been starting against RHP and appears to be in a platoon with Josh Rojas with Rojas being on the strong side. Although Rojas has played against some LHP lately as well.
• Pavin Smith remains in the lineup most days regardless.
• Carson Kelly bats second against LHP but moves down to fifth against RHP.

Fantasy Fallout

• Josh Rojas becomes relevant again in deep leagues as playing time is in his favor as the strong-side platoon player. Not to mention that after his rough start, his stats have rebounded nicely. On the year, he is hitting .277/.355/.506 with five home runs and a stolen base. Considering the hype surrounding him entering the year, I am surprised things have been so quiet surrounding his return to relevance.

Colorado Rockies

• Garrett Hampson has played daily, but finds himself shifting up and down the lineup. Hampson hits towards the top against LHP and the middle of the order in the last couple of games against RHP.
• With C.J. Cron out, Matt Adams has been playing first base and hitting sixth.
• Josh Fuentes could be earning playing time as he has started four of the last five and this is against both LHP and RHP.

Fantasy Fallout

• Even though he is playing often, Fuentes has not done much over this recent run. His only stat is a single run. He is hitting just .231 with a .269 wOBA over the last week as well. Simply avoid him outside of NL- Only leagues.

Los Angeles Dodgers

• As they are healthier, there is less mixing in of players. Matt Beaty is currently the utility player getting the most playing time and playing the outfield and first base in the process.

Fantasy Fallout

• Outside of NL-Only leagues, Beaty should remain on the waiver wire.

San Diego Padres

•  As they get healthy, we are seeing Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar fall back into their bench roles.
• Kim has played three of the last four at three different positions, all being in the infield.
• Profar continues to be the fourth outfielder and plays semi-regularly to allow the other players regular days off.
• Jake Cronenworth has shifted to sixth of late with the team getting healthy around him.
• Austin Nola has played often since his return, but finds himself at the bottom of the lineup.
• Tommy Pham has found himself towards the bottom of the order batting sixth or lower routinely.

Fantasy Fallout

• Kim and Profar are not players I would roster outside of NL-Only at this point. Both need an injury for regular playing time.

San Francisco Giants

• Austin Slater has fallen back into a weak side of a platoon, having only started against one RHP since late April. He does continue to lead off against LHP.
• Mike Tauchman has started against both LHP and RHP and leads off against RHP when Tommy La Stella is out. Tauchman still hit second with La Stella in batting eighth.
• Steven Duggar has played five of the last six while playing centerfield in the process. He did sit against the last two LHP and seems to be the strong-side platoon partner of Austin Slater.
• Wilmer Flores has started seven straight at second base, batting as high as second and low as sixth in the process.
• Evan Longoria has started four straight games at third base while hitting in the middle of the order.

Fantasy Fallout

• Wilmer Flores should only be considered in 15-team or deeper formats. Even during his last seven starts, he has only hit one home run and is batting just .214/.297/.321 in the process.
• Mike Tauchman has had the playing time but has not exactly done much yet with it. I would not roster him in anything shallower than a 15-teamer.

American League

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

• It started late last week, but Austin Hays has continued to bat second. He has now done so 10-straight games.
• DJ Stewart moves up against LHP and down the lineup against RHP, but plays every day in the process.

Boston Red Sox

• With Enrique Hernandez hitting the IL, we have seen Michael Chavis and Marwin Gonzalez each got a rep at leading off. Gonzalez is up to two games leading off after Sunday's lineup was posted. That's a spot up for grabs.
• The rest of the lineup is as expected.

Fantasy Fallout

• I would give Gonzalez a look in AL-Only leagues or if you need a utility type due to injuries in deep mixed leagues. He will get a shot at leading off, so if you need at-bats, he is your guy.

New York Yankees

• With the injuries piling up, we have LeMahieu jumping around the field playing first, second, and third base.
• Mike Ford has played first base in five of the last seven games. He sits against LHP.

Fantasy Fallout

• Mike Ford is AL-Only relevant. He offers power upside but little else.

Tampa Bay Rays

• Randy Arozarena has begun leading off of late, having done so in six of the last seven games.
• Manuel Margot has been hitting second or third in five of his last six starts. Unfortunately, he does not play every day at the moment.
• Brett Phillips has started four-straight in the outfield and bats at the bottom of the lineup.

Fantasy Fallout

• The Rays roll with hot hitters and Phillips has been hot over this stretch of games. It is a short-term play with little guarantee, but he could carry some value into next week.

Toronto Blue Jays

• With George Springer out, it is Marcus Semien who has led off in all but one game.
• Since returning from the IL, Teoscar Hernandez has been firmly planted in the cleanup spot.
• Cavan Biggio continues to shift around the bottom half of the order. He has hit as low as eighth.
• Rowdy Tellez was recalled and started two straight. He has batted fifth and eighth in his two starts. He could continue to bounce around the order.

Fantasy Fallout 

• Rowdy Tellez could be worth a look (again) in 15-team mixed leagues and deeper.
• Although Cavan Biggio has moved down the lineup, he has been hitting better over the last week. He has posted a .259 batting average with a .745 OPS. Not league-winning, but a step in the right direction. The OBP is .375, so if he continues to get on at that clip, a move up the order could be coming in short order.

Chicago White Sox

• Nick Madrigal has found himself in the mix for batting second. He has hit there in three of the last four games with one being against a LHP. He could alternate with Adam Eaton as Luis Robert did prior to the injury.
• Adam Eaton is dealing with some small injuries and it has caused playing time issues of late. He has only started two of the last five games. This could open the door for Madrigal to run with the two-spot.
• Andrew Vaughn has finally found regular at-bats. He has started eight of the last nine and plays exclusively in left field.
• Since the Robert injury, Leury Garcia has started in centerfield four of the five games.

Fantasy Fallout

• Nick Madrigal is doing Nick Madrigal things. He is walking as much as he is striking out and has an OBP of .349 while hitting .306 as well. He could take over the two-spot.
• Leury Garcia only has relevance in AL-Only formats. He will get playing time and at-bats. He might become mixed league relevant if the stolen bases come around. Garcia stole 15 bags in 2019 and 12 in 2018.
• Andrew Vaughn is getting the playing time we hoped for and he still comes with the same level of potential and upside he came into the season with. I would make a point to add him if possible. I would buy into better days ahead for him.

Cleveland

• Cesar Hernandez has returned to leading off. He has led off seven straight games.
• Jordan Luplow has fallen back into a short-side platoon role. When he plays, he bats second.
• Amed Rosario continues to play every day between the outfield and shortstop.
• Josh Naylor has now played four games at first base.
• Andres Gimenez has moved into a full-time platoon role. It is the strong side, but it's still a hit to his value.

Fantasy Fallout

• Over the last seven games since returning to leading off, Hernandez has hit well. He is worth a look in 15-team mixed leagues and the deepest of 12-team leagues if you are desperate.

• Outside of 15-team leagues and deeper it is time to cut bait on Andres Gimenez. He is even a cut in 15-teamers if you have the depth or find someone worth grabbing off the waiver wire. He has three steals on the season and that is the only redeeming quality about his production.
• Josh Naylor continues to be a solid fantasy asset. He's not flashy or exciting, but he gets the job done. Over the last two weeks, he has picked up his production.

Detroit Tigers

• Jonathan Schoop has hit second in three of the last four games.
• Niko Goodrum has started eight straight at shortstop. This suggests he is no longer being utilized in a utility role and has a more secure role at the moment. He is batting fifth in the process.
• Willi Castro has started at second base consistently while hitting towards the bottom of the order.
• Akil Baddoo has not started regularly as he once was. With the return of Nomar Mazara to the lineup, playing time could get worse.
• As mentioned, Mazara returned to the lineup and slotted into the five-spot.

Fantasy Fallout

• Nomar Mazara is a fringe deep league mixed relevant player, but add him in AL-Only formats.
• Niko Goodrum deserves a look in most formats. He is hitting .242/.314/.421 with four home runs and four stolen bases on the year. This power and speed combo comes with playing time. He is not a long-term play, but he is someone to run with while he is hot.

Kansas City Royals

• Andrew Benintendi has hit his way back to the top of the order. He’s hit second in six straight games.
• Ryan O’Hearn and Hanser Alberto have played sporadically as fill-ins depending on how the lineup rolls out or depending on who takes games off. O’Hearn has been playing with more consistency of the two.

Fantasy Fallout

• Benintendi has been on a tear over the last two weeks and moving up the lineup has been deserved.

Minnesota Twins

• Byron Buxton and Alex Kirilloff hit the IL. Trevor Larnach was called up and hit fifth in his debut.
• Miguel Sano has hit fifth twice upon his return from the IL, but has hit at the bottom of the order twice as well. He could jump around a bit.
• Max Kepler has led off against the last three RHP. Otherwise, he continues to hit towards the bottom against LHP. This should lead to more games towards the top of the order.
• Jake Cave and Kyle Garlick might have entered a platoon with Cave getting the strong side. It is a situation to monitor.

Fantasy Fallout

• Trevor Larnach feels underappreciated. He comes with a solid prospect pedigree and is known for his hit tool. The team showed confidence by starting him in the middle of the order on day one. I would give him a look in most leagues.
• Miguel Sano has had a rough start to the year. He is striking out 37.7% of the time on the year and even more of late. The power has not been all that great either. He can be dropped in most leagues.

AL West

Houston Astros

• This lineup remains one of the most consistent in the MLB.

Los Angeles Angels

• With Albert Pujols being released, Jared Walsh moves into the everyday first base role.
• Walsh moving over the first base opens up playing time in right field and Taylor Ward is filling that role batting seventh over the last two games.
• With Anthony Rendon on the IL, Jose Rojas fills in at third base and batting at the bottom of the lineup.
• Jose Iglesias has found himself hitting fifth or sixth over the last five games.

Fantasy Fallout

• Outside of AL-Only formats, Rojas and Ward should remain on the waiver wire. If you are absolutely desperate for a player with a pulse in a deep mixed league, give Ward a look.

Oakland Athletics

• Stephen Piscotty has started often lately, but that could be fueled by the fact that the Athletics have played six LHP in their last seven games. This has cut into Seth Brown’s playing time.
• As I write this article, Ramon Laureano is DTD with a right thumb injury. This could be a boost to Brown and Piscotty in the short term.
• Sean Murphy has been batting fourth. Has done so in his last four games and appears secure in the middle of the order.
• Jed Lowrie has fallen into the six-spot over the last week.

Fantasy Fallout

• Piscotty has a wRC+ of 90 against RHP and 97 against LHP. Both are worse than league average and his numbers as a whole have been lackluster.

• Seth Brown has played better against LHP and overall on the year. Brown is hitting .273/.322/.582 with a .384 wOBA and a 155 wRC+. I am not sure how Piscotty continues to get the playing time over Brown.
• Jed Lowrie has quietly remained solid and continues to just do his thing. Over his last seven games, he is hitting .407 with a 190 wRC+ and a .435 wOBA. The OPS is 1.004. Just absurd numbers on Lowrie right now.

Seattle Mariners

• Kyle Lewis has recently moved to the two-spot and Ty France to cleanup in the last two games.
• J.P. Crawford has hit fifth in each of the last two games. He could be moving up the order.
• We have seen Evan White fall to the eight-spot in the last two games. There have been a lot of changes in the last two games and there is constant movement overall.
• Sam Haggerty still gets the most playing time of the mix of outfielders they continue to trot out as Kelenic continues to work on….whatever they say he needs to work on.

Fantasy Fallout 

• Here are how well the other outfield not named Jarred Kelenic

No, I do not get it either. There is some obvious service time manipulation. Not to mention Kelenic is hitting well in the first few games of the MiLB season.

Texas Rangers

• Khris Davis made his debut against a LHP batting sixth and at DH. This pushed Willie Calhoun to left field and David Dahl hit the bench.
• Dahl could now completely sit against LHP. He would typically draw an occasional start, but that could stop altogether now.
• We need to see how they plan to utilize Khris Davis against RHP. That could eat into someone else playing time or all of David Dahl’s playing time. Just something to monitor.

Fantasy Fallout

• David Dahl is hitting just .210 with a .565 OPS. This is with most of the damage coming against RHP as he is currently hitting just .154 with a .414 OPS, .190 wOBA, and a 19 wRC+ against LHP. He is not doing himself any favors.

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