Unfortunately we all put a lot of hope that the 21 year old Rafael Devers would live up to his massive potential this season, but he’s been oft-injured and oft-not hitting. Stash or Trash: Stash. Unless you’re in a 10 team league — if you have a better option available — then jump on him. Fill In: David Fletcher (3.4%.) With Ian Kinsler traded to the Red Sox, Fletcher could be due for a big boost in playing time. In 254 AAA ABs was hitting — wait, this can’t be right — .350?! Fletcher also hit 6 HRs so he has some power potential and stole 20 bases last season so he can even steal a few bags. He only has 1 of each in 114 ABs so far, but the .298 is pretty on par for him and the added at bats should result in more power and stolen base opportunities.
- Jose Altuve, 2B, Knee Discomfort: The 2017 AL MVP and 4 time consecutive winner of the silver slugger is in the midst of a disappointing season — sort of. The .329 average is still elite, he’s still leading the league in hits — but 9 HRs and 14 SBs are off pace from his past two elite seasons. Astros are thinking this won’t be a long term issue so there’s still time for Altuve to go on a crazy hot streak. Stash or Trash: Come on. Fill In: Adalberto Mondesi (6.8%.) Baby Mondesi has been hitting like Baby Huey in July. In 54 ABs he’s got 9 runs, 2 HRs, 7 RBI, 5 SBs and a .333 AVG. Mondesi is one of five remaining Royals on the team that I can name and due to that fact alone he hit 2nd in the order in his most recent game. Mondesi has 25 stolen base potential in a full season so we could see another 9-10 stolen bases in the remainder of the season.
- Josh Bell, 1B, Strained Oblique: Another victim of the dreaded oblique injury. Pirates are hoping Bell is back in 10 days — but oblique injuries are the wooooooorrrsssttt. Stash or Trash: Bell has been a huge disappointment and you deserve better than his 6 HRs. Fill In: Kendrys Morales (9.4%.): On July 2nd, Morales was hitting only .229. Since then he’s 21 for 62 with 13 runs, 4 HRs and 9 RBI. Morales is lining up for a hot second half: Morales hits 24 points higher in August than any other month throughout his career.
- Brandon Belt, 1B, Hyperextended Knee: This Belt really must be made of chewing gum. Belt hyperextended his knee July 25th and was placed on the DL the next day. No updates on Belt yet which isn’t good, he’ll be missing an extended period of time. Stash or Trash: Depends on your league size. Belt rocked up my Top 100 hitters early in the season, but has been nothing but a disappointment since. If you’re in a 10 team league I could see you trashing him. Fill In: Joe Mauer (13.9%.) A front runner for a fill in All Star position, Mauer does just enough with the stick to make him a viable replacement. Mauer obviously isn’t a power threat, but in July he’s hitting 297 with 13 runs, 1 HR and 12 RBI.
- Kris Bryant, 3B, Shoulder Inflammation: Another DL stint, another injury without structural damage. The disappointing season continues for Bryant. Stash or Trash: Stash. If this stint gets him healthy he could come back and help you win you your league. It’s clear that this shoulder thing has been with him since spring training. Fill In: David Bote (1.2%.) Bote is filling in for Bryant so he’s a very obvious grab if you’re in a deep league and lost KB. In 267 AAA at bats he hit 15 HRs, 47 RBI with a .281 average. In his last 6 starts in place of Bryant, Bote has 7 hits including 1 HR and a double.
- Johnny Cueto, SP, Elbow Sprain: Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that Cueto could need Tommy John surgery. So there’s that. Stash or Trash: Stash for 3 more days. Then, when they announce his TJ surgery you can trash. Fill In: Derek Holland (17.6%): Holland hasn’t allowed over three runs since May 30th. In the 54.2 innings since that start Holland has a 2.80 ERA with 66 Ks. With Jeff Samardzija and Cueto out Holland has a bit of starting pitching security and has only allowed 4 ERs in his last 17.1 starting innings.
- Corey Dickerson, OF, Strained Hamstring: Dickerson was placed on the DL retroactive to July 25th so he could be back this weekend. Dickerson was hitting for the highest average of his career and had great numbers around that average too: 50 runs, 11 HRs, 44 RBI and even 6 SBs. Stash or Trash: Stash for a few more days. Fill In: Daniel Palka (2.4%.) Palka your eyes out. In his major league debut, Palka has been doing what Palka do — hitting HRs, 15 to be precise. Palka had a pair of back to back 30+ HR seasons in the minors so the power is for real. If you need a power play, grab Palka.
- Aaron Judge, OF, Fractured Wrist: That must’ve been one hell of a fastball to break the wrist of the invincible giant Aaron Judge. The hope is Judge goes on a rehab assignment after three weeks and is back shortly after. Stash or Trash: Definite stash unless you’re in that one league with just you and your weird uncle. Fill In: Yairo Munoz (13.7%.): Due to his three position eligibility and low ownership Yairo might find himself in this column every week going forward. Yairo is hitting .316 in July with 3 HRs and 2 SBs. He’s hitting in the bottom third of the Cards line-up which isn’t great, but as long as he’s hitting he can be a Judge replacement. Which is really a tough sentence to write.
- Chris Sale, SP, Shoulder Strain: Oh that’s rich. Strike out 10 batters on July 27th, placed on DL on July 31st. The hot goss in Boston is that he should only miss one start. Let’s hope that’s the case. Stash or Trash: Stash and pray. Fill In: Max Fried (7.9%): Trade one tall, lanky lefty for another. In his last 4 starts Fried has pitched 19.2 IP and only allowed 6 runs with 25 spicey K’s. His most recent start was after missing 3 weeks with a blister. He pitched 5 innings of 1 run ball and 7 Ks against the Dodgers. The Dodgers have the great and powerful Max Muncy y’all. Max Muncy! Oh Max Muncy didn’t start in this game? FORGET IT! Fried is a bum!
- Ross Stripling, SP, Big Toe Inflammation: The site I used to get all my injury updates listed this one as “great toe inflammation.” So you know what I’ll be calling my big toe from now on. The Dodgers expect Stripling to only miss about 10 games. Stash or Trash: Stripling’s ERA is still under 3.00, but had three rough starts in July allowing 4 runs or more in three of his five starts and not escaping the 5th inning in his last two starts. Hopefully the time off will help Stripling get back on track. Fill In: Trevor Richards (6.4%.): I know what you’re thinking “But Kerry, his ERA was over 5.00 at the beginning of this month. Well that was old Richards! In his last three starts he’s pitched 18.2 innings and allowed only 1 ER with 18 Ks.
- Jesse Winker, OF, Shoulder Subluxation: 18 days ago I tweeted @Kerry_Klug: “Jesse Winker is approaching 5th keeper conversation in my OBP league.” 7 days ago, Jesse Winker injured his shoulder diving for a ball in a game. 4 hours ago Winker had season-ending surgery. 30 seconds ago, I began to cry. Stash or Trash: In keeper/dynasty OBP leagues you should stash Winker. All others: trash. Fill in: Steven Souza Jr. (11.2%) After missing 40 games due to injury, Souza returned at the beginning of July and has hit .290 with 2 HRs and 14 RBI in 18 games. He hit 30 HRs with 16 SBs last season and is capable of accomplishing a part of that in his remaining games this season.
