I’ve mentioned fantasy baseball legend Tim McCleod before. He’s a Tout Wars champion, and he’s got an indispensable fantasy baseball podcast. He is also famous for his axiom, “Do not make changes to your team until after American Memorial Day (because he’s Canadian). Well, here we are. It’s hot outside, and the kids are getting out of school. And we need to know where you stand and where you can improve. So I’m here to tell you who will be your best bets the rest of the way.
Tier 1
- Bobby Witt Jr
- CJ Abrams
- Brice Turang
- Elly De La Cruz
We’re talking about the first two rounds of the draft here. Bobby went homerless through April, and then hammered 8 in May, though the Royals’ offense has had issues driving him in. Abrams has kept up his offensive assault and is well on his way to a 30/25 season with a strong OPS. Turang has been the best hitter on one of the best and weirdest teams in baseball. He should continue to be the only top second baseman the rest of the way. Elly started out strong and then hit 3 homers in the past month. Also, he stole 3 bases the past month. I don’t think he’s on the second half plateau, he fell off last year, but it’s always a possibility.
Tier 2
- Ketel Marte
- Konnor Griffin
- Travis Bazanna
- JJ Wetherholt
This would be the next 3 rounds. Marte woke up in May and hit on a 30 bomb pace. He’s also hitting over 300 and has the track record to keep it up. The next 3 are exciting rookies and top prospects who are producing. Griffin did his adjustments and has been really good in May. He’ll only get better. Bazanna added SB to his game in his month up and seems to have established himself at the top of Cleveland’s lineup. Wetherholt still hasn’t figured out the average portion, but is well on his way to 20/20. His multi-positional availability and impact in the fantasy stats make me confident he would be a top 50 pick.
Tier 3
- Brandon Lowe
- Xavier Edwards
- Otto Lopez
- Brayan Rocchio
- Zach Neto
- Kevin McGonigle
- Nico Hoerner
- Gunnar Henderson
Lowe is on pace for 35+ bombs, and getting that at second is terrific. Especially since he’s hitting over .250. The Marlins middle infield pair has been stellar. Both are hitting over 300, and powering that offense. Rocchio is having a career year, and you should ride that wave as far as you can. Neto is on pace for 30/20, but the Angels don’t give him anyone to drive in, and he’s not hitting often enough to make up for it. McGonigle has cooled off and still has the same problem. Unless you’re in a points league, you’re not getting what he does well. But he does enough to break the top 100. Nico has also cooled off considerably, as has the entire Cubs offense. But I believe enough in them to tell you Nico will be good. Gunnar is having a lot of trouble raising his average. That being said, he’s still on pace for 30 bombs.
Tier 4
- Casey Schmidt
- Colson Montgomery
- Ozzie Albies
- Jazz Chisholm
- Trea Turner
- Mookie Betts
- Willy Adames
- Chase Meidroth
- Curtis Mead
- Bryson Stott
This is the 100-200 range, starters, but not really ones you’re excited about. Schmidt has surprised by developing some power to help the meager Giants’ offense. Colson continues to build on his power, even if he’s not making enough contact to contribute other places. Ozzie has cooled off since his hot start, but he’s still rosterable and contributes across the board. Jazz woke up from his awful start, though he dug himself a really deep hole. I don’t think you’ll get top 100 value the rest of the way. Same with Trea. He still will get 30 steals, but isn’t contributing anywhere else. Mookie has come back ok, but he’s not a top 100 guy anymore. Willy is another vet who won’t return top 100 value, but you still can have some hot streaks to help you. Meidroth remains an underrated on base machine who continues to score runs. The pop just isn’t there. The pop is with Curtis Mead, who has quickly shown that he can be an everyday guy in the surprising Nats offense. Stott has come around with the Phillies’ offense, but isn’t going to carry your team.
Tier 5
- Francisco Lindor
- Corey Seager
- Bo Bichette
- Gerardo Perdomo
- Dansby Swanson
- Jeremy Pena
- Fernando Tatis Jr
This is the big name failure section. All these names have track records, but they’ve either sucked or gotten hurt. If you want to buy low on these guys, that’s fine. I’m not going to.
Where would you throw Stewart from Cincy into?
*Noticed Zeke Duran of Texas is conspicuously absent.
*I know he’s not mentioned in the same breath as other MVP type candidates, Witt, ELDC, Turang, et.al. but Otto is good for a hit a game, usually more but also at least one other counting stat to go with it. I got Turang as the top ranked 2B but Otto isn’t far behind. The dual eligibility doesn’t hurt either.
*If Gunnar isn’t this year’s biggest flop/disappointment, I don’t know who is? Tatis? Maybe his two HR game yesterday gives him a kickstart, but damn I’m not holding any other Baltimore shares in that dumpster fire.
*Mead is still available in most leagues. Swap him out for EDuran?
Parades?