The Weekly Planner – 5/29 – 6/4

For the past five-plus years, I’ve contributed The Week Ahead and Impact Report at Rotoworld. Those articles included a look at two-start pitchers, streamers, waiver pickups, and injuries. Many readers planned their week and FAAB deadlines around those articles, so my plan is to contribute something similar weekly throughout the 2023 season in this space.

If there’s something else you’d like to see, please let me know in the comments section.

 

Two Start Pitchers

American League

Strong Plays

Shane McClanahan: @CHC, @BOS

Joe Ryan: @HOU, CLE

Sonny Gray: @HOU, CLE

Nathan Eovaldi: @DET, SEA

Zach Eflin: @CHC, @BOS

 

Decent Plays

Tyler Wells: CLE, @SF

Michael Kopech: LAA, DET

Bryce Miller: NYY, @TEX

Brayan Bello: CIN, TB

Logan Allen: @BAL, @MIN

Yusei Kikuchi: MIL, @NYM

Domingo German: @SEA, @LAD

Griffin Canning: @CHW, @HOU

J.P. France: MIN, LAA

 

At Your Own Risk

Brandon Bielak: MIN, LAA

Cal Quantrill: @BAL, @MIN

Matthew Boyd: TEX, @CHW

Paul Blackburn: ATL, @MIA

 

National League

Strong Plays

Zac Gallen: COL, ATL

Sandy Alcantara: SD, OAK

 

Decent Plays

Marcus Stroman: TB, @SD

Kodai Senga: PHI, TOR

Anthony DeSclafani: PIT, BAL

Bobby Miller: WAS, NYY

Adrian Houser: @TOR, @CIN

Michael Soroka: @OAK, @ARI

Kyle Freeland: @ARI, @KC

 

At Your Own Risk

Rich Hill: @SF, STL

Trevor Williams: @LAD, PHI

Ryan Weathers: @MIA, CHC

Ranger Suarez: @NYM, @WAS

Ben Lively: @BOS, MIL

Ryne Nelson: COL, ATL

Streamers

These are pitchers I’m considering as single-start streamers this week in a 12-15 team mixed league that are available in at least 50% of leagues.

American League

Austin Voth: CLE (5/31)

Daniel Lynch: COL (6/4)

 

National League

Adam Wainwright: KC (5/29)

Sean Manaea: PIT (5/30)

Jared Shuster: @OAK (5/31)

Zach Davies: COL (6/1)

 

Player Notes

  • This is another good opportunity if you need middle infield help, as the returns of Royce Lewis and Luis Urias from the 60-day IL are imminent. Lewis has continued to rake in the minors, going 7-for-33 with four home runs and four steals in 10 games at Triple-A St. Paul. That steal total is especially significant coming off a knee injury, and an indication that he will be able to provide steals for fantasy managers. As for Urias, he’s really struggled at Triple-A, going 0-for-13, but the Brewers desperate need the help after losing Willy Adames to a concussion. His track record over the last two years indicates that Urias should be fine, at least if you need power.
  • Jake McCarthy was dropped in most leagues after his demotion to Triple-A, an example of cutting our losses after he was top 120 in ADP entering the season. He’s back as the Diamondbacks try to find answers in their outfield, and could be the big FAAB prize this weekend for fantasy managers desperate for stolen bases. It’s still worth noting that McCarthy is hitting eighth in Arizona’s batting order. He was mostly between 3-6 in the batting order last season during his breakout campaign, so the positioning in the order could hurt even if McCarthy is able to rebound. That said, steals are steals, and McCarthy showed great efficiency on the basepaths with 23 steals in 26 attempts last season.
  • It’s Miller time once again in this week’s pickups as Dodgers top prospect Bobby Miller has joined the Dodgers rotation. Coincidentally, he joins fellow top “Miller” pitching prospects Mason Miller and Bryce Miller as a FAAB prize, and the bidding should be spirited after a dominant opening act against Atlanta. Some of the hype is warranted with Miller’s dominant stuff, but I’ll be exercising some discretion with this one given Miller’s struggles in the upper levels of the minors. He doesn’t have great control (3.0 BB/9 at Double- and Triple-A), and the leash could be short with Michael Grove’s return imminent and Julio Urias likely close behind him.
  • If looking for an established MLB player to help, there are two new options with Jaime Barria and Austin Voth. Barria joined the Angels rotation this week and had an excellent debut start. The key to Barria’s game has always been his control, with a career 2.8 BB/9, and he’s continued to rely more on his offspeed stuff this season with greater success. As for Voth, he has a chance to replace Grayson Rodriguez in Baltimore’s rotation after doing a great job with the team last season (3.04 ERA in 83 innings). Home runs have always been an issue for Voth, which has continued this season and makes him a risky play in shallow leagues. Still, he has a career-best 3.57 K/BB ratio out of the pen this season, and the strong supporting cast does put him in the conversation if you’re desperate for new streaming options.

Fantasy Baseball Outfield Rankings 2023

Updated 01/21/23

Rankings based on 15-team mixed, standard roto-scoring leagues.

Rating: 1-5, 5 is likely improvement, 1 is likely decline

Status: Sleeper (S), Deep Sleeper (DS), Bust (B)

RankNameLgTeamPosCommentsRatingStatus
1Julio RodriguezASEAOFBad in April, then terrific. Best month was September. Leadoff over last three months. Clear 30/30 if he stays healthy.4
2Ronald Acuna Jr.NATLOFSprint speed well down, EV down, GB way up. Didn't really progress. A lot of risk in rebound assumption.3
3Juan SotoNSDPOFBatted ball data was down, K% was fine. xBA was higher but still only .266. Didn't attempt SB with SD.3
4Kyle TuckerAHOUOFEV down slightly, but strong contact held. Extreme EV, ran despite speed crash. Skeptical of SB but otherwise safe.3
5Aaron JudgeANYYOFIndicators mostly matched 2021.2
6Cedric MullinsABALOFPark really hurt. Showing more extreme LA, didn't hit LHP. Benefitted from hitting leadoff.3
7Michael HarrisNATLOFPower could be fluke based on LA, but has elite speed and BA potential. Maintained play through season.3
8Randy ArozarenaATBROFMostly consistent across the board, showing some speed growth.3
9Yordan AlvarezAHOUOFCut K% significantly, slowed by wrist in August. Ridiculous .329 xba.3
10Mookie BettsNLADOFK% up slightly, mostly steady. Speed down b2b years. Not bullish on him.3
11Jake McCarthyNARIOFElite speed. Reworked swing corrected K issues, and showing new pop. Hit 3rd in September. Still has some risk.3
12Steven KwanACLEOF9% K, nearly on par with minors. Minimal speed or power, but BA looks legitimate. EV sucked but hit to all fields and was consistent.3
13Starling MarteNNYMOFSteep decline in speed, and some decline in EV.3
14Mike TroutALAAOFChronic back issue but looked fine after return. K% 28% in consecutive seasons. Still running well but not attempting SB.3
15Corbin CarrollNARIOFElite speed, clear 20/20. Batting order spot wasn't great.3
16Luis RobertACHWOFChronic wrist problem. LA was down. Sprint speed not great. 20/20 if he can ever stay healthy.3
17Bryan ReynoldsNPITOFEV was up, but K rate increase hurt BA. Speed in decline.3
18Seiya SuzukiNCHCOFVery good in April and September. Japanese numbers show more power potential.4
19Esteury RuizAOAKOFElite speed, was first time he ever hit. Has path to playing time.3DS
20Oscar GonzalezACLEOFConsistent BA and showed much more power in 2021. More power in September.4
21Alex VerdugoABOSOFSpeed has tanked. Dug out from slow start. Improved to 13% K. Elite BA but nothing else.3
22George SpringerATOROFPlayed throught multiple injuries. Batted ball data was fine, but LA down slightly. Worst HR% since 2018. Leadoff all year helped SB, but speed is in decline.2
23Adolis GarciaATEXOFGood EV, some K% improvement. SB looks like a fluke.2
24Teoscar HernandezASEAOFElite EV but K% back up.3
25Christian YelichNMILOFEV way down since 2021. Speed also falling.3
26Jose SiriATBROFElite speed and defensive skill. 33% K, inconsistent BA in minors. Should continue to play.4
27Ian HappNCHCOFHuge K% improvement and big doubles increase. Don't give up on power.4
28Tyler O'NeillNSTLOFEV back down after 2021 breakout, K% also improved. Elite speed, chronically injured.3
29Kris BryantNCOLOFBack and plantar fasciitis. HR% well down when he played. EV worst of career, K% best of career.3
30Andrew BenintendiACHWOFReworked swing. Career-best 15% K. EV was decent, no reason to think power can't rebound.3
31Kyle SchwarberNPHIOFBest HR% of career but nearly matched 2021. 123 starts at leadoff. Best batted ball data of career. Some risk given age/profile.3
32Alek ThomasNARIOFConsistent .300+ with pop and speed in minors. Not awful until September. Tons of upside for flier.3DS
33Ji Hwan BaeNPITOFHas consistently hit for BA and run. Hit near bottom of order.3
34Eloy JimenezACHWOFExcellent batted ball stats, K% best of career. Elite in second half. Injury prone.4
35Nick CastellanosNPHIOFEV well down, but hit .288 in 2nd half. Would have 19 HR in CIN.3
36Matt VierlingADETOFHit well vs. LHP. 15/15 potential if he plays. Could get bump with Harper out.3DS
37Sal FrelickNMILOF
38Taylor WardALAAOFOn par with history, likely hit ceiling.3
39Hunter RenfroeALAAOFAlmost no change. Solid second half.3
40Juan YepezNSTLOFExtreme LA shows 30 HR potential. Freak elbow injury. Path to PT.4
41Bryan De La CruzNMIAOFElite in September, great batted ball stats. Interesting milb track record.4DS
42TJ FriedlNCINOFPlayed up to potential, .888 OPS in 2nd half. Has 15/15 ability.3DS
43Charlie BlackmonNCOLOFEV continuing to crash, sub-.800 OPS at Coors. Horrible in the last two months.2
44Lars NootbaarNSTLOFStrong EV, BA should have been slightly higher. Walk rate makes up for poor BA. Showing some power upside.3
45Andrew McCutchenNPITOFWorst power since 2010. Batted ball data looks good. No reason to give up if he gets another chance.4
46Michael BrantleyAHOUOFMajor shoulder surgery, sub-11% K when healthy. HR still down.3
47Masataka YoshidaABOSOF
48Oswaldo CabreraANYYOFLegit 20/20 upside, .803 OPS in September.3DS
49Riley GreeneADETOFStuck as leadoff man but didn't run. Terrible LA. Breakout isn't imminent.3
50Ramon LaureanoAOAKOFSprint speed in decline, terrible in second half.3
51Myles StrawACLEOFMinimal change in batted ball data. Hit .308 in September. Demotion to bottom of order is biggest issue.3
52Anthony SantanderABALOFInsane LA but batted ball data looks the same. 10 HR in September.2
53Lourdes Gurriel Jr.NARIOFConsistent improvement in K%. Had wrist and hamstring injuries.3
54Randal GrichukNCOLOFDidn't hit RHP or on the road. Very risky if he's traded.2
55Dylan CarlsonNSTLOFStrong contact improvement, but EV was awful. Only hit LHP, terrible in 2nd half with thumb.3
56Austin HaysABALOFEV down but clearly hurt by park. Lousy second half.3
57Brandon NimmoNNYMOFBest K% of career. Hit leadoff. Healthy for first time since 2018.2
58Michael ConfortoNSFGOFMajor shoulder surgery, has had a lot of time to recover.3
59Bubba ThompsonATEXOFInsane speed. 31% K and bad EV. SB production hitting 9th, but job is shaky.3
60Giancarlo StantonANYYOF30% K for second time in career. Elite batted ball data like 2021. BA should bounce back a bit, and power safe if healthy.3
61Joc PedersonNSFGOFElite batted ball stats, sat more vs. LHP. Power outage in second half but OPS was better.3
62Lane ThomasNWSNOFProduction on par with previous but EV well down.3
63Brandon MarshNPHIOFBetter with PHI but still 30% K. Has never shown big power or speed.3
64Byron BuxtonAMINOF30% K, super streaky. Elite EV, hip injury killed him.3
65Cody BellingerNCHCOFK% as bad as 2021. Ridiculous LA again. Did start to hit fastballs again. A flier.3
66Akil BaddooADETOFPlayed regularly in September, power mostly disappeared. EV has been bad, 28% K. Just a flier.3
67Nolan JonesNCOLOFOvermatched but has pop and draws walks. Clear path to Abs.3DS
68Josh LoweATBROFOutstanding at AAA, .757 OPS in July. Has some post-hype appeal.3
69Jesse WinkerNMILOFLA spike, EV tanked. Getting out of Cincinnati hurt.2
70Drew WatersAKCROFVery strong September. Didn't hit ball hard, but has pop and speed.3
71Harrison BaderANYYOF5 HR in playoffs, EV and power well down in regular season. Expected HR about same at NYY as STL.3
72Garrett MitchellNMILOFScary K% but hits ball hard with elite speed. Stuck at bottom of order.3
73Mark CanhaNNYMOFSomewhat more aggressive, almost no upside.3
74Tyrone TaylorNMILOFExtreme LA, streaky and inconsistent. Has some slack for PT.3
75Mike YastrzemskiNSFGOFAll rates remain the same. Terrible in the second half, but BA could benefit from shift.3
76Manuel MargotATBROFSpeed in severe decline. Killing LHP.3
77Austin MeadowsADETOFMore injuries.3
78Jurickson ProfarNFAOFEV bounced back but nothing good. Stats inflated by 90 games in leadoff.2
79Sean BouchardNCOLOFVery good home and road, breakout at AAA. Has shown legit pop. Very interesting with PT.4DS
80AJ PollockASEAOFOnly hit LHP but had good second half. Speed in steep decline.3
81Kerry CarpenterADETOF28% K, poor defense, struggled in September. Just a stash.3
82Leody TaverasATEXOFK% improvement. Got hot in April and then regressed and was demoted to bottom of order. Only tools are speed and defense.2
83Stone GarrettNWSNOFVery good EV, extreme LA. Super intriguing power but slowed down in September.3
84Chris TaylorNLADOF35% K, knee and foot injuries. Power worst since 2016. Could be in big trouble.2
85Nick SolakNCINOFGood at AAA again, batted ball data not great. Excellent opportunity.3
86Avisail GarciaNMIAOFWorst K% of career, still had strong EV. Not worth more than flier.3
87Jack SuwinskiNPITOFBig power potential. 31% K and low Ba. Doesn't hit LHP at all.3
88Will BrennanACLEOF9% K, nearly on par with minors. Minimal speed or power, but BA looks legitimate.4DS
89Mitch HanigerNSFGOFAnkle and back injuries. EV was good. Buy for cheap.3
90Yonathan DazaNCOLOFLousy EV but 14% K. The new Tapia with no speed.3
91Jake FraleyNCINOFLong injury history, but power looks legit. .903 OPS in 2nd half.4S
92Trent GrishamNSDPOFK% spiked to 29%, LA was up. Clearly not a starter.2
93Jarren DuranABOSOFStill had good year at AAA. Chance to buy low but a doofus.3
94Marcell OzunaNATLOFK% spike, EV way down since 2021. Barely played in second half.2
95Jorge SolerNMIAOFK% up again, but still hit ball hard. Multiple time missed with back injury. Likely to bounce back.3
96Oscar ColasACHWOF
97James OutmanNLADOFBreakout year with BA, has legit pop and speed.3
98Edward OlivaresAKCROFEV way up, finally hitting but very injury prone.4
99Alex KirilloffAMINOFEV down, more wrist problems.3
100Gavin SheetsACHWOFHorrible defense. .765 OPS in second half. Very fringy regular.3
101Austin SlaterNSFGOFMost PT vs. lhp3
102Max KeplerAMINOFLA has gone in the tank. Best K% of career, xBA was decent.3
103Chas McCormickAHOUOFShowing solid pop, mostly smashes LHP. Better in second half.3
104Enrique HernandezABOSOFEV way down, likely platoon player.3
105Stuart FairchildNCINOFInteresting power and speed potential in CIN.. BA was a fluke.3DS
106Victor RoblesNWSNOFStill high LA and not hitting ball hard. Showing elite defense and good speed. Should continue playing.3
107Kyle StowersABALOFVery strong batted ball data. 30% K. Strong power potential, but might need time.3
108Kyle IsbelAKCROFDidn't do anything with regular playing time. Elite defense makes him a bit more interesting.3
109Alex CallNWSNOFPlayed okay as a regular over last six weeks. Minimal upside but played well at AAA in 2022.3
110Michael A. TaylorAKCROFEV ranked for sake of contact. Could keep PT due to defense.2
111Raimel TapiaABOSOFSlight improvement in batted ball data. Speed in decline.2
112Eddie RosarioNATLOFEye issue, K% skyrocket. Slightly better in September but still not good. Just a flier.2
113Miguel AndujarNPITOFDecent at AAA but not great. Played regularly and hit 3-5 for PIT.3DS
114Jesus SanchezNMIAOFHit well at AAA again. Milb track record is mediocre. Very good September provides momentum.3
115David PeraltaAFAOFK% worst of career, didn't do anything with TB.2
116Jose AzocarNSDPOFElite speed and defense, has shown BA in minors. No positives in MLB performance.3
117Yadiel HernandezNWSNOFMissed end of season with calf. Terrible defense but could be platoon player.3
118Nelson VelazquezNCHCOF32% K, big power potential and some speed. Only hit LHP.3
119Kevin KiermaierATOROFStill running well, but K% getting worse.2
120Cal MitchellNPITOFLacks plus ability, was okay as regular in September.3
121Tommy PhamNNYMOFBig K% spike, power not helped by small parks. EV was excellent.3
122Jarred KelenicASEAOFStill struggled in September but .713 OPS. Upside power but far too inconsistent.3
123Tyler NaquinNFAOFLA was up. Bad defensively.3
124Pavin SmithNARIOFK% spike. Fractured wrist. Was clearly trying to hit for power.3
125Nick SenzelNCINOFMore injuries, surgery on toe. Had one good month.3
126Rafael OrtegaANYYOFMediocre across the board and now old.2
127Sam HaggertyASEAOFElite speed.3
128Robbie GrossmanNFAOFJust a platoon player now, EV decline.2
129Corey DickersonNWASOFStats holding strong, hit well in second half.3
130Trayce ThompsonNLADOFInsane numbers at AAA, legit EV improvement, but unsustainable at 37% K. Hit .208 in September.3
131Jake MeyersAHOUOFHas killed milb pitching, but K% is too high and EV not great.3
132Aaron HicksANYYOFEV well down, got worse as season progressed.2
133Willi CastroAFAOFNever hit the entire year.3
134Nate EatonAKCROFGood at AAA, elite speed.3
135Joey GalloAMINOFEV tanked since 2020. 42% K in LAD, looks finished.2
136Conner CapelAOAKOFPlayed well over last two weeks for Oakland, very little upside.3
137Rob RefsnyderABOSOF
138Ben GamelNFAOFSpeed well down. No upside.3
139Chad PinderAFAOF31% K, discipline a mess. EV tanked.2
140J.J. BledayNMIAOFSub-.230 BA in minors, 28% K. Insane LA.3
141Victor ReyesACHWOFSpeed really in the tank.2
142Alexander CanarioNCHCOF
143Trevor LarnachAMINOFCore surgery, 32% K, power is questionable.3
144Estevan FlorialANYYOFPost-hype speed and some pop. K rate is big problem.3S
145Ceddanne RafaelaABOSOF
146Michael TogliaNCOLOF37% K, extreme LA. Overrated prospect.3
147Will BensonACLEOFGreat OBP potential, has plus power and speed. Underrated prospect, but only hit for BA once.3DS
148Adam DuvallABOSOFWrist surgery. EV starting to decline, and K% still bad.2
149Jordan LuplowNATLOF
150Nick MatonADETOF
151Mickey MoniakALAAOFGood in limited time at AAA, and still young.3
152Dominic FletcherNARIOF
153Alec BurlesonNSTLOFGood contact, consistently good power. Worth watching closely.3DS
154Joey WiemerNMILOF
155Adam EngelNSDOF5th OF3
156Matt WallnerAMINOFBig power upside and draws walks. 39% K in debut.3
157Cristian PacheAOAKOFBad in minors and MLB. Has speed and defense.3
158Gilberto CelestinoAMINOFMinimal upside in track record.3
159Derek HillNWSNOF
160Michael SianiNCINOFElite speed, hasn't hit.3
161Taylor TrammellASEAOFCut K% to 28%, missed time with hamstring. Still 20/20 upside.3
162Jake CaveNPHIOFEV and LA improvement, good year at AAA. Possible sleeper.4DS
163Justyn-Henry MalloyADETOF
164Dominic CanzoneNARIOF
165Sam HilliardNATLOFStill very good at AAA.3
166Zac VeenNCOLOF
167Cade MarloweASEAOF
168Richie PalaciosACLEOFWalk machine who has hit for BA and has some speed.3
169Wilyer AbreuABOSOFS
170Jake LambALAAOF
171Brennen DavisNCHCOF
172Colton CowserABALOF
173Bryce JohnsonNSFGOFNo power but has BA and speed.3
174Luke RaleyATBROFStrong AAA performer with power. Worth watching.3
175Moises GomezNSTLOF
176Kyle GarlickAMINOFSmashes LHP, K% is bad.3
177Jorge BarrosaNARIOF
178Tyler GentryAKCROF
179George ValeraACLEOF
180Dalton GuthrieNPHIOFGood year across the board at AAA, not much of a track record.3
181Canaan Smith-NjigbaNPITOF
182Ryan McKennaABALOFElite speed, clearly trying to hit HRs.3
183Nomar MazaraABALOF
184Josh PalaciosNPITOFPlus speed and has hit for average.3
185Travis SwaggertyNPITOFSome speed and walks. Nothing else.3
186Luis GonzalezNSFGOFTerrible after decent start.2
187Parker MeadowsADETOF
188Bligh MadrisADETOF
189Matt GorskiNPITOF
190Jason HeywardNLADOFTerrible in consecutive years.2
191Kole CalhounAFAOFK% above 30% for first time, EV was good.3
192Mark PaytonACHWOF
193Cal StevensonAOAKOF
194Brandon DixonNSDPOF
195Justin DirdenAHOUOF
196Jerar EncarnacionNMIAOFOvermatched in MLB but showing power upside.3
197Eli WhiteAFAOFElite speed and nothing else. 35% K.2
198Brent RookerAOAKOF
199Cole TuckerNCOLOF
200Peyton BurdickNMIAOF34% K, has never hit for BA. .736 OPS at AAA.2
201Daz CameronABALOFReally bad year at AAA, minimal upside beyond some SB.3
202D.J. StewartNPHIOF
203Heliot RamosNSFGOF