The Philadelphia Phillies thought Scott Kingery would be a terrific offensive player last season, and that got fantasy managers excited. I certainly agreed. It clearly did not happen, however, as Kingery struggled to a .605 OPS and .263 wOBA, each figure making him among the worst five hitters in the sport. My expectations for 2019 were that
Kingery homered for the ninth time in Wednesday's first game of the doubleheader, topping last season's mark in barely a quarter of the plate appearances, and did so as the club's enticing No. 3 hitter. Fantasy managers pay more attention to No. 3 hitters, of course, because run-producing opportunities increase, but Kingery earned the spot in the lineup with his inspiring hitting. He is batting .338 with a 1.039 OPS, and while some of this seems likely to regress soon, Kingery is simply a different hitter.
His hard-contact rate has blossomed. Exit velocity is way up. The walks are not there, but Kingery is laying off the pitches he cannot drive, getting into better counts and doing damage when he swings. A healthy BABIP drives the batting average to some degree, but this is someone with speed, and if permitted to run, Kingery could add 20 stolen bases to his pending 20 home runs. Throw in middle and corner infield eligibility plus outfield and it seems obvious to add Kingery to most fantasy leagues while he is hitting.
With that, welcome to another Thursday, as I go position by position to find the fantasy hitters and pitchers who deserve more attention and others who, well, do not. Feel free to share your thoughts (as if you need prompting!) with me on Twitter.
Corner infield
Barely over 50 percent mixed league must-add: Daniel Vogelbach, Mariners; Matt Olson, Athletics
Below 50 percent must-add: Nobody who is eligible solely at corner infield stands out this week.
Worth adding: Pirates third baseman Colin Moran might be turning a corner into a reliable power option and could soon add second base eligibility. I still like Tampa's Yandy Diaz, but another injured list stint is discouraging. I doubt the Mariners' Kyle Seager and Mets' Todd Frazier hit for average. The Dodgers' David Freese does but might not play enough for your taste. The Dodgers use him correctly. Mixed league stash: The Rays should give Nate Lowe more chances, but the fantasy upside is a bit limited.
Drop 'em: Nothing has changed with Joey Votto. Sorry. Miguel Sano looks like last year's version, and that is not good. Maikel Franco has never looked this bad. Justin Smoak is hurt.
Don't drop 'em: I will stick with Matt Carpenter. I cannot forget last season. Hunter Dozier is nearing a return to the Royals, and that is a good thing. Josh Donaldson is suddenly hitting for power. Things change quickly.
Middle infield
Barely over 50 percent mixed league must-add: Didi Gregorius, Yankees; Jeff McNeil, Mets; Howie Kendrick, Nationals
Below 50 percent must-add: Kingery goes here. Tampa's Brandon Lowe should approach 30 home runs. He deserved a spot on rosters two months ago and might be an All-Star. Cincinnati's Scooter Gennett is the NL version of Gregorius; the power is real, and now that he is healthy, enjoy it.
Worth adding: As with Kingery, if the Jays hit Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the No. 3 spot, we must pay attention. Derek Dietrich should lose some playing time when Gennett returns, but the power is legit. Pittsburgh's Kevin Newman is the NL version of the Angels' David Fletcher; the batting average might soon fall, but he can run a bit and he scores runs. Cavan Biggio clearly has pop, but contact is an issue.
Mixed league stash: The three NL rookies who deserve to play but are in the minor leagues qualify: the Brewers' Keston Hiura, Padres' Luis Urias and Rockies' Brendan Rodgers, in that order. We will hear from these fellows soon, and in the case of the Rockies, if Trevor Story hits the injured list with a thumb injury, Rodgers could get the call. I think he will hit.
Drop 'em: If Cesar Hernandez cannot hit enough to lead off, and he surely was not, then move on. Robinson Cano is like Votto. These numbers are simply not enough, and we can no longer trust career stats with them. It was a nice ride for Jonathan Schoop and Fletcher, but it appears over. Amed Rosario is a mess.
Don't drop 'em: Corey Seager returns in a few weeks. Keep him rostered. Paul DeJong remains a power threat as he struggles. Nick Senzel is too good to be available in any league, even if he does not lead off. I will not cut Michael Chavis unless the Red Sox stop playing him, which does not seem to be in their best interest.
Outfield
Barely over 50 percent mixed league must-add: Yordan Alvarez, Astros; Ian Desmond, Rockies
Below 50 percent must-add: What are you waiting for on the Royals' Jorge Soler? Yes, the 20 home runs he has already hit do not guarantee 20 more, especially with his approach, but I see him flirting with 40 blasts. Same with the Padres' Franmil Reyes, who was hurt last week, but the power is obviously still there to reach 40 homers. Tampa Bay's Avisail Garcia is hitting as he did in 2017. Oakland's Ramon Laureano is a 20/20 threat, much like Desmond used to be. Cleveland rookie Oscar Mercado might be a better choice, and he hits higher in the lineup.
Worth adding: Jackie Bradley Jr. shouldn't hit like this for much longer, but while he is doing it, sure, add him. Miami's Garrett Cooper cannot hit .310 for long and has no help around him, but there are Christian Walker power similarities here. Kevin Kiermaier and Jarrod Dyson keep running.
Mixed league stash: Philly's Roman Quinn is playing and he can steal bases, though his injury history is certainly dubious. Miami's Harold Ramirez is hot, but that batting average is all BABIP. He can run, though.
Drop 'em: Clint Frazier is in the minors. He might not return to the majors for a while, and there might not be a trade elsewhere for five weeks. I was ready to put Nicholas Castellanos here, but you know he can't be this bad. You can't be faulted for moving on. Cutting Billy Hamilton, Jose Martinez and Ryan Braun cannot hurt you much.
Don't drop 'em: Several injured folks show up here. Keep Mitch Haniger, Byron Buxton and Hunter Pence, if possible. Franmil Reyes can still hit 20 more home runs. So can Joc Pederson. Yasiel Puig is infuriating, but what a power/steal combination. Seems like fantasy managers get a bit too eager to drop injured and disappointing outfielders.
Catcher
Worth adding: Few have noticed what Cleveland's Roberto Perez is doing. Only three catchers have more home runs. I still like Houston's Robinson Chirinos and legit Twin Mitch Garver.
Mixed league stash: At some point the Dodgers might have to bring back youngster Will Smith because he has homered in five consecutive games for Triple-A Oklahoma City. I still love Willians Astudillo more than most but cannot imagine he keeps playing at second base. He homered Wednesday.
Drop 'em: How long will you wait for Buster Posey? His career numbers cannot help him in 2019. Same with Jonathan Lucroy. I'm getting close on adding Yadier Molina here. Mike Zunino will never hit for average. I was wrong to rank him high.
Don't drop 'em: At this point, the only catchers who must be rostered in all leagues are Gary Sanchez, J.T. Realmuto, Willson Contreras and Yasmani Grandal. That leaves much room for interpretation!
Starting pitcher
Barely over 50 percent mixed league must-add: Nobody really is a "must," but the Phillies' Zach Eflin and Nick Pivetta and Kyle Gibson of the Twins probably deserve more attention. I do not think Cleveland's Zach Plesac does.
Below 50 percent must-add: The Rangers' Lance Lynn gets too many strikeouts to be ignored. Miami rookie Jordan Yamamoto will give up runs at some point, but until he does, enjoy it. Houston rookie Framber Valdez sure looks interesting so far.
Worth adding: Oakland's Mike Fiers is the Marwin Gonzalez of pitchers. He can help a fantasy team, but if you leave him on the free-agent wire, someone else will take him and then put him back in two weeks. Arizona's Merrill Kelly will likely continue with some inconsistency. I think Washington's Anibal Sanchez can do what he did in 2018. He has done it recently. Cardinals right-hander Dakota Hudson could be emerging, and even though Miami rookie Zac Gallen has yet to pitch at the highest level -- he will Thursday -- I think he will thrive.
Mixed league stash: Peter Lambert might be great, but there remains the Coors Field factor. Hitters seem to be catching up to Adrian Sampson. Oakland's Jesus Luzardo and White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease should matter within a month, and A.J. Puk perhaps a month after that. The recent minor league numbers for Alex Reyes are not encouraging.
Drop 'em: Lefties Martin Perez and Yusei Kikuchi have ceased pitching well. Jake Arrieta is much like Votto, Cano and Castellanos. He should be better, but the numbers do not lie. We soured quickly on Jimmy Nelson.
Don't drop 'em: Chris Paddack is still terrific, and as we told you a week ago when outrage surrounded his demotion, he is pitching this weekend in the majors. I must wait on Indians Carlos Carrasco and Corey Kluber. Miles Mikolas and Jose Quintana are borderline top-40 options. Rick Porcello and Jon Lester could be.
Relief pitcher
Barely over 50 percent mixed league must-add: Hector Neris remains undervalued.
Below 50 percent must-add: Forget what you thought you knew about the Royals' Ian Kennedy. The saves are finally here and coming fast. The Angels' Hansel Robles is also piling up the saves. These fellows have their roles sewn up. Shawn Kelley remains the Rangers' closer and very available, though Jose Leclerc is finally on the dropped list.
Mixed league stash: In the latest installment of "pick a Red Sox right-hander," I nominate ... Matt Barnes. Nobody here is getting 15 saves, but Barnes remains the team's top reliever. The Reds' Michael Lorenzen might accrue saves if manager David Bell continues with Raisel Iglesias in the eighth inning. White Sox right-hander Aaron Bummer has numbers, and if Alex Colome ends up elsewhere, Bummer gets saves. Scott Oberg has numbers if Wade Davis is hurt.
Drop 'em: Cubs not named Craig Kimbrel. Rays not named Diego Castillo. Twins not named Taylor Rogers. Why is Cody Allen -- free agent in real life -- still rostered in so many leagues? Do not let the fact that he will find a new team this week dissuade you. Even if he gets a late-inning role, he will not thrive.
Don't drop 'em: Greg Holland, Sergio Romo and, most of all, Ken Giles do not deserve their placement on the most-dropped list.
Wednesday takeaways
• Defending AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell retired only one more Yankees hitter than you and I on Wednesday -- I assume Snell does not read this -- and there is significant concern in the fantasy world. The Tampa Bay Rays lefty walked four Yankees with nary a strikeout. In his previous outing, he walked four Angels. Does not matter. You cannot and should not cut him. I feel like it should be obvious, and since people asked, I answer. Expect much better next week, even against the Twins and Rangers.
• You do not need me to tell you how great Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer is, even a day after busting his nose and blackening his right eye in a meaningless pre-game bunting incident. Moral of the story: never bunt. Scherzer dominated the floundering Phillies, one of the most overrated offenses in the league. I still have Scherzer as my No. 1 starting pitcher -- over Chris Sale, Justin Verlander and anyone else. Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito was not there yet, but he is a borderline top-20 option, even after the Cubs hammered him Wednesday.
• Six players hit multiple home runs on Wednesday, making those who love a million home runs a night happy. Mike Trout keeps getting better, as he should since the golf balls -- excuse me, new baseballs -- fly farther, but Chris Taylor, Rowdy Tellez and Jason Kipnis also hit two blasts. Taylor did it because Giants lefty Drew Pomeranz is terrible. Tellez sells out for power, as many do now and probably should. Kipnis has three home runs and 10 RBIs since Sunday, but I still cannot get on board.
• The Cubs called up promising right-hander Adbert Alzolay, and I am intrigued, but Tyler Chatwood still gets the start on Thursday. Alzolay and his impressive curveball could get the start next week and beyond, at least until Kyle Hendricks is healthy. Alzolay fanned eight or more hitters in his past four minor league outings for Iowa. Something to watch.
Health report
• Miami right-hander Pablo Lopez is someone I keep recommending, and his numbers warrant it, but his trip to the injured list for a shoulder problem is concerning. Lopez has four consecutive quality starts and he misses bats. Perhaps his absence is a short one.
• Twins utility option Marwin Gonzalez hit the IL with a strained hamstring. He is rostered in more than 45 percent of leagues, but even if it drops to 25 percent, it will go back up in a month. Sano looks like a bench player on this division-winning club.
• If you draft Dodgers lefty Rich Hill, you know you are not getting 30 starts. He left Wednesday's outing after one inning. Who knows when he returns? Yes, the numbers are there, but still, move on.
Closing time
• Nothing of note from Wednesday. Craig Stammen saved the Padres' win because Kirby Yates cannot pitch every single day. Houston's Roberto Osuna has been a bit less than perfect lately, but I would not rush out to sign Ryan Pressly. Osuna should be fine. Wade Davis allowed another home run, but he loses the closer role only if he is hurt. Matt Barnes again got the eighth inning for Boston, regardless of score. I think Marcus Walden gets a save if the Sox do not score in the eighth. Not much to watch this weekend except maybe the Reds (Lorenzen) and Twins (Taylor Rogers).
W2W4
• Miami's Gallen posted a 1.77 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans, with great control and myriad strikeouts, and he debuts Thursday. The Cardinals did not score in either of Yamamoto's first two starts. It does not mean Gallen matches the achievement, but with the Cardinals hitting .218 in June, this is a case where relying on a rookie in his debut makes sense. I would rely on Gallen over Adam Wainwright. The Marlins have outscored the Cardinals this month.
• Former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel makes his Braves and season debut on Friday night at Washington. Keuchel is rostered in three of every four ESPN standard leagues, and he should be. This was not a fantasy top-50 starting pitcher a season ago, though, so keep expectations in check. Not only does he not miss many bats, he has barely pitched since signing.
• Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN features Angels lefty Tyler Skaggs vs. Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas, and each comes off a terrific outing. Mikolas is the preferred choice, though fantasy managers seem impatient with him. I want to see every Shohei Ohtani at-bat. I also want to see when Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt gets around to stealing his first base of the season (he's averaged 20 per season since 2015).
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Thursday, June 13: Free agent report: Yordan Alvarez, Rays outfielders
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