Welcome to the latest edition of FantasyPros’ Fantasy Baseball Injury Stash Rankings!
As usual, we have a wealth of new names hitting the injured list that will affect these rankings. The rankings attempt to blend a player’s fantasy value and their expected timetable to return, if available. The longer a player is out, the lower they will fall in the rankings as we try to provide insight for redraft, keeper, and dynasty leagues.
Let’s dive into this week’s rankings and find out who is worth those precious IL roster spots!
Fantasy Baseball Injury Stash Rankings
Top 10 Players to Stash Right Now
Aaron Judge (OF – NYY)
Yordan Alvarez (OF – HOU)
Cedric Mullins (OF – BAL)
Julio Urias (SP – LAD)
Carlos Rodon (SP – NYY)
Max Muncy (2B, 3B – LAD)
Hunter Greene (SP – CIN)
Oneil Cruz (SS – PIT)
Brandon Woodruff (SP – MIL)
Jazz Chisholm Jr (2B, OF – MIA)
The upper tier of this list is dominated by some of the best bats in baseball, as both Aaron Judge and Yordan Alvarez are sidelined at the moment.
While the Yankees keep tabs on the progress of Judge’s injured toe, Alvarez is a new name on this list as he’s out with an oblique injury. The timetable isn’t devastating, but Alvarez isn’t expected back imminently as he is a couple of weeks away from beginning baseball activities, leaving a pre-All-Star break return in question.
Another impact bat enters this list in the form of Dodgers slugger Max Muncy. Muncy is out with a hamstring injury, but he ranks right up with the big boys on this list for two reasons. First, he could return from the injured list this weekend. Secondly, it’s tough to find a second baseman with 18 home runs on the season, even if he’s hitting just .191. His 15.5% BB% also plays in points leagues.
Finally, young strikeout machine Hunter Greene is a new addition. Greene hit the injured list due to right hip pain, and the timeline for a return is unclear at this point. Nonetheless, with a 3.93 ERA, 3.58 SIERA, and a massive 31.4% K% on the season, Greene is a must-stash in all formats.
Top 10 Pitchers to Stash Right Now
Julio Urias (SP – LAD)
Carlos Rodon (SP – NYY)
Hunter Greene (SP – CIN)
Brandon Woodruff (SP – MIL)
Max Fried (SP – ATL)
Chris Sale (SP – BOS)
Ryan Helsley (RP – STL)
Tarik Skubal (SP – DET)
Eduardo Rodriguez (SP – DET)
Nick Lodolo (SP – CIN)
We’ll stretch the pitchers/hitters individual rankings to 10 for this week and likely moving forward.
There’s good news on Brandon Woodruff, who has been throwing from 120 feet and is set to throw bullpen sessions moving forward. It appears a minor-league rehab assignment isn’t too far away. He has made just two starts this season due to a shoulder injury.
Sale is out for the long term, but his strikeout rate is too good to throw away. He may not be vintage Sale these days, and he’s been injured plenty of late, but the left-hander can still provide plenty of punchouts for fantasy baseball managers in the season’s second half.
Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley has hit the shelf due to a forearm injury, but reports are the Cardinals aren’t concerned after evaluating imaging of the injury. The hard-throwing righty owns a 3.24 ERA on the season with a 32% K%, seven saves, and a pair of holds across 22 appearances.
A pair of Tigers left-handers appear on the list, and both shouldn’t be out much longer. In fact, Skubal may need just one more Triple-A rehab assignment before returning from a lengthy IL stay after undergoing flexor tendon surgery last summer. The left-hander was in the middle of a breakout at the time, posting a 3.52 ERA, 2.96 FIP, 3.58 SIERA, and a 17.8% K-BB% in 21 starts.
As for Rodriguez, he is throwing in his rehab from a finger issue. He’ll need more time, but his All-Star form puts him squarely on this list. Finally, Nick Lodolo will also need more time — perhaps until August — but his 3.38 SIERA and 28.3% K% make him a major stash candidate in keeper and dynasty leagues.
Top 10 Hitters to Stash Right Now
Aaron Judge (OF – NYY)
Yordan Alvarez (OF – HOU)
Cedric Mullins (OF – BAL)
Max Muncy (2B, 3B – LAD)
Oneil Cruz (SS – PIT)
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B, OF – MIA)
C.J. Cron (1B – COL)
Brandon Lowe (2B – TB)
Ryan Mountcastle (1B – BAL)
Kris Bryant (OF – COL)
Jazz Chisholm ticks up the rankings as he is on a rehab assignment at Triple-A at the moment, making him a short-term IL stash at this point. It was recently reported that Chisholm will need off-season surgery on his toe, but he is expected to play the remainder of the regular season while managing the issue.
C.J. Cron has been out longer than expected with back issues, and there’s no updated timetable for his return. However, that light-tower raw power is too good to toss away at Coors Field.
Speaking of Coors Field, Kris Bryant is participating in baseball activities as he rehabs a heel bruise. He certainly hasn’t been in his previous MVP form, as he has just five homers and a .720 OPS in 190 at-bats, but an offensive explosion isn’t out of the question in Colorado.
Finally, Ryan Mountcastle makes the list as he is out with vertigo. However, he, too, is currently on a Triple-A rehab assignment. He has slowed down following a hot start but hits in the middle of a productive Orioles lineup and owns a .351 xwOBA that is far superior to his .292 wOBA while he’s still just 26 years of age.
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