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Welcome back to our top fantasy baseball injury stashes for Week 17, looking at IL players as of July 21. Today's list of injured MLB players to consider stashing off the fantasy baseball waiver wire includes Trevor Story, Ryan Helsley, Brandon Drury, Hyun Jin Ryu, and Brendan Rodgers.
In case you're not yet familiar, this list is a weekly article series that will highlight the top five hitters and pitchers to hold in your IL spots in re-draft fantasy baseball leagues. As players injured early in the season begin to make their way back to their respective teams, it's time to check who is coming back sooner than later.
These five players are rostered in less than 60% of leagues and have the opportunity to make an impact in fantasy the rest of the way. Make sure to check if these players are available to be picked up in your leagues!
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Trevor Story - 2B/SS, Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox middle infielder Trevor Story did not have the season that most expected from him in 2022. In Story's first season in Boston, the slugger showed signs of regression in several categories. His strikeout rate eclipsed 30% for the first time since 2017 and he finished the year with the worst batting average of his career. Despite his struggles, the 30-year-old has been one of the most prolific power bats in the middle infield positions since he first debuted in 2016.
The veteran slugger has been on the injured list all season after elbow surgery in the offseason. Story has been increasing his baseball activities, and the time has finally come for him to begin his rehab assignment. Due to the length of time that he has been on the injured list, an extended rehab should be expected. Story could spend up to three weeks building up to game speed, but he will likely be up before then. My best guess would be Story returns during the Red Sox homestand starting on August 4.
Story is 42% rostered in Yahoo and 10.5% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he should be available on waiver wires, depending on your platform. Fantasy managers needing help at the middle infield positions should look to stash Story wherever he is available. Story only carries second base eligibility but will likely pick up shortstop eligibility shortly after he returns. The former Rockies slugger has the skills to be a difference-maker in the power department, and those can be hard to find this late into the season.
Ryan Helsley - RP, St Louis Cardinals
St Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley broke out in a big way last season, collecting 19 saves and 94 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings. Helsley's K/9 jumped from 8.94 to 13.08 from 2021 to 2022, and he also dropped his BB/9 from 5.13 to 2.78. The flamethrower also had a velocity jump, pushing the average mph of his four-seam fastball from 97.4 to 99.6. These improvements helped Helsley finish the 2022 season with a 1.25 ERA and a 2.04 xERA.
Helsley was last placed on the injured list on June 12 with a forearm strain and has been slowly working his way back. The 28-year-old has been throwing off a mound, so a rehab assignment could be soon. Helsley's return date is not clear, but he could realistically be activated in two weeks following multiple bullpen sessions and rehab appearances.
Jordan Hicks has taken over the closer role in Helsley's absence, and it remains to be seen how that situation plays out when both are healthy, but the decision between the two dominant pitchers may not even take place.
Helsley and Hicks are essential players to watch because both Cardinals relief pitchers have been heavily discussed as we approach the August 1 trade deadline. If Hicks is moved, Helsley is likely to reclaim the closer role for the Cardinals, and if Helsley is moved, he may close for his new team. Helsley is 80% rostered in Yahoo and 52.5% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's much more available in ESPN leagues. Fantasy managers needing saves would be wise to stash Helsley before his return.
Brandon Drury- 3B/1B/2B, Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Drury showed the power he possesses by putting up career-best numbers in the power department. Drury finished 2022 with 61 extra-base hits, including 28 home runs. The 30-year-old has increased his BA, OBP, SLG, average exit velocity, barrel rate, and HardHit% this season and would be on pace to challenge his career-best numbers if he wasn't dealing with injuries.
Drury was placed on the injured list on July 2 with a shoulder contusion and has yet to begin a rehab assignment but has been ramping up activities. Depending on how he responds to higher-velocity pitching, Drury has been taking batting practice and could begin a rehab assignment soon. If the veteran slugger feels healthy enough, a rehab assignment could start as soon as next week, and activation within two weeks would not be unreasonable.
Drury is 73% rostered in Yahoo and 32% in ESPN leagues, so he could be floating around on waiver wires. Drury possesses substantial power upside and can likely be picked up or acquired cheaply. Fantasy managers needing help at any infield positions can stash Drury.
Hyun Jin Ryu - SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu was an undervalued player in fantasy baseball for several years. Ryu possessed strong run prevention skills and superb walk rates. The extreme control pitcher could limit base runners and hard contact when he gave up hits. These skills allowed Ryu to have some of the lowest ERA numbers in baseball consistently. The 35-year-old is over two years removed from his last good season, but there is some reason for optimism.
The veteran pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery last year and has progressed to rehab starts. Since late June, Ryu has made three rehab starts, and the results have been encouraging. In those three starts, Ryu collected 11 strikeouts and zero walks in 12 innings. The southpaw also only allowed two earned runs in those starts. If Ryu can return to form, he could be one of the best adds in fantasy baseball this season.
Ryu is 14% rostered in Yahoo and 3.2% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he is available in nearly all leagues. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues needing help with ratios should stash Ryu because he could string together a series of solid starts.
Brendan Rodgers - 2B, Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers was one of the most underrated hitters at his position over the past two seasons. Rodgers only played a handful of games in 2019 and 2020, but every year since his debut, the young second baseman has shown growth.
In terms of counting stats, the 25-year-old had his best season in 2021, but some of his underlying numbers were better in 2022. Rodgers increased his average exit velocity by nearly two mph, his HardHit% by 5.6%, his walk rate by 3.3%, his barrel rate by 1%, and his xwOBA by 15 points. This progression makes Rodgers an attractive breakout candidate upon his return, assuming he can fully recover from his injury.
Rodgers was placed on the injured list in May with a shoulder injury and has yet to make his season debut. The young slugger has been ramping up and has finally begun his rehab assignment. Rodgers is expected to need a handful of rehab games before activation, likely needing at least a week and a half to two weeks' worth of playing time. His progress will need to be monitored, but assuming no setbacks, Rodgers could return for the series against the Diamondbacks at Coors Field on August 14.
Rodgers is 7% rostered in Yahoo and 10.2% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's available in nearly all leagues. The young slugger has been injured for a long time, but he plays half of his games in Colorado and possesses above-average skills. Fantasy managers with an open IL slot should consider stashing Rodgers because good second basemen are not easy to come by.
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