Week 12 Fantasy Baseball Fact Or Fiction

We have a fun mix of call-ups and vets in this edition of Fact or Fiction! Sadly, we are desperate for fantasy baseball upside across the landscape after a brutal week of injuries.

Jose Ramirez, Oneil Cruz, and Vinnie Pasquantino all broke their hands in the past few days. Also, Corey Seager, Randy Arozarena, and Seiya Suzuki are all day-to-day with nagging injuries. Do not get me started on the pitchers…

Alas, fantasy baseball leagues are won on the waiver wire, rather than draft day.

1B Paul Goldschmidt (NYY)

Old friend (emphasis on old) Paul Goldschmidt is fantasy relevant again. The 2022 MVP was trending toward retirement after last year’s 10 HR in 146 games. His wRC+ from 2024-2025 was a meager 102, while his total fWAR through 300 games was just 2.0.

Nevertheless, we have life! Goldschmidt has eight HR, 23 runs, and 28 RBI, with a .287/.366/.524 slash-line through 42 games. His xwOBA is a stellar .378, and he is playing regularly due to the Yankees’ injuries. Although playing in an offense without Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton does not help, the added playing time is great for fantasy baseball.

Part of Goldschmidt’s production thus far may have been due to the added rest at 38 years old, but with his production and lineup position, it is hard to ignore him in fantasy as an everyday player.

FACT (while playing every day)

1B/3B Blaze Jordan (STL)

Blaze Jordan sounds like a 13-year-old’s Xbox gamertag, but he is much more than that. He is a thick corner infielder with a solid hit tool and good pop. Unfortunately, that pop is often left on the ground.

Jordan’s groundball rate throughout the minors has hovered around 50% (very high). His GB/FB ratio has increased as he has risen through the minors. There is credit due for Jordan hitting well in Double-A (167 wRC+) at 22 and Triple-A (137 wRC+) at 23, especially with good plate discipline.

However, he projects like Andrew Vaughn right now. This does not make him a bad hitter, but it makes him tough to roster weekly in fantasy baseball. Maybe he can get some advice from teammate Jordan Walker on how to drop his GB% significantly after one offseason?

FICTION (outside of 15tm leagues)

OF Cole Carrigg (COL)

The Rockies called up the switch-hitting Carrigg this past week, and he has produced immediately. Carrigg has two HRs and a triple through five games. He is starting in the middle of the order already, with a good chance to rise if he continues hitting.

Colorado hitters are easily appealing due to the nature of Coors Field. However, we are often fooled by hot starts from mediocre prospects or veterans. This could be different. Carrigg is a top-eight prospect for the Rockies (not saying too much) and has hit well throughout his minor league career.

Despite being a year older than we would like at High-A (22), Double-A (23), and Triple-A (24), Carrigg did something at each level that any fantasy enthusiast would admire.

High-A – 111 games, 51 SB

Double-A – 123 games, 46 SB

Triple-A – 57 games, 30 SB

This man is an SB machine, albeit without a single MLB SB yet. The bat is probably that of an average hitter, but with his speed and Coors’ boosting offensive numbers, we have to see what he can do on 12+ team rosters.

FACT (especially if you need SB)

OF Braden Montgomery (CHW)

The White Sox took part in the rookie party this week as well. Braden Montgomery was called up to join his fellow Montgomery (Colson) in Chicago’s regular lineup. The former first-round pick was dominant in Triple-A this season. He posted a .315/.417/.495 slash-line through 29 games after owning a 170 wRC+ in Double-A this year.

The 23-year-old appears to have a bright future in the big leagues. His strikeout rate throughout the minors is a tad high, but has hovered around 25%. He has performed well above-average at every level, while at a solid age throughout his young career. The bigger concern for Montgomery is his home run potential. He has the pop, but is an even more extreme groundball hitter at times than the aforementioned Blaze Jordan.

Nevertheless, Montgomery is hitting in an improved White Sox offense with a chance to hit regularly high given his OBP and switch-hitting ability. He is worth a shot for a few weeks to see what could come. Hell, he already has one HR!

FACT (moreso in OBP/points leagues)

SP Anthony Kay (CHW)

Anthony Kay has a 3.27 ERA in 41 1/3 IP since May. Also, he just allowed two runs in five IP to the Los Angeles Dodgers, while striking out seven and walking zero batters.

There is justified intrigue in Kay, but this is likely a fugazi. He has a 5.89 xERA this season, with a 4.84 xFIP and a 4.60 SIERA. His peripherals are better since his run in May began, yet they are still above 4.00 each. The former first-rounder who spent the past two years in Japan has gone from an unplayable MLB pitcher to a back-end starter on a hot streak.

Kay has thrown six IP in just one start this season. He should be streamed in certain spots, but he is not someone to hold in fantasy baseball.

FICTION

SP Sean Manaea (NYM)

Is Sean Manaea…back? Many are asking, and I am answering. The important note is that his velocity appears “back” after beginning the season with an average fastball under 90 MPH.

Unfortunately, Manaea’s fastball is fluctuating. He hit a high of 93.2 MPH in his most recent start against the Braves, with a low of 87.3 MPH. This is still an improvement, especially considering that most of his fastballs were over 90 MPH. Regardless, Manaea is pitching very well in recent outings. He has not allowed more than two ER since April 29 and has just completed six IP (a season high) in his first “start” of the season.

While the Mets continue flailing, there is some good news here. Manaea appears back and is worth rostering for the foreseeable future. Also, two of his next three starts are against the Phillies and Blue Jays, both of whom struggle vs. LHP.

FACT

SP Javier Assad (CHC)

Javier Assad has now completed two straight 6 IP starts with no runs, 10 total strikeouts, and just two walks allowed. Although these starts have come against the San Francisco Giants, it is worth taking notice. Assad’s role this season has fluctuated between starter and long man, but his services are needed due to Chicago’s SP injuries.

There is a notable increase in Assad’s average fastball velocity this season (93.2 MPH) versus the past two seasons (91.8 MPH), but no significant increase in strikeout rate. There is a drop in walk rate to 7% thus far, and if it sustains, Assad can continue to have good starts here and there with his ability to generate ground balls (47.4%).

Assad is more of a streamer than a must-have starter, and his next few starts line up nicely against the Rockies (in Chicago), Mets, Padres, and Cardinals.

FACT (as a streamer)