We have made it through another week of the MLB season, and there were some awe-inspiring performances. But, as usual, there were some great and rough performances to dig into. This weekly column will help highlight some hot and cold players, so-called risers and fallers for fantasy purposes. Some players are already rostered in many places so trades may be in order. Other players may be widely available, making a potential waiver wire claim in the cards. So this week, I will highlight some known and lesser-known players. So let’s see some of the risers and fallers for fantasy baseball Week 12 (6/12-6/18).
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Risers
Michael Harris II (OF – ATL)
Harris has been heating up of late, and this past week was another monster week. He hit safely in six of seven games with a .556 batting average with three home runs, eight runs scored, nine RBI, and two steals. Harris was stuffing the stat sheet while only striking out 3.6% of the time. That means a lot of balls in play which Harris took advantage of with an 11.1% barrel rate and 44.4% hard-hit rate.
Harris is hitting .383 with four home runs and two stolen bases in June. He’s only striking out 15.9% of the time with a .267 ISO, 1.047 OPS, and 178 wRC+. It took a while for Harris to get going, but he is now hitting .249 with six home runs on the season, and he should be in for a big 2H of the season.
Eddie Rosario (OF – ATL)
The Braves had another big offensive week and Rosario was a significant part. Rosario finished the week riding a four-game hitting streak, collecting eight hits, including five home runs. Rosario hit .381 while only striking out 7.4% of the time while walking 22.2% of the time. Rosario was barreling the ball 26.3% of the time with a 47.4% hard-hit rate while being locked in. Rosario is hitting .339 in June with eight home runs and 19 RBI.
Leody Taveras (OF – TEX)
Taveras is having a quality fantasy season and this past week may have been one of his best weeks. Taveras hit safely in five of seven games with a .357 batting average. He hit three home runs while stealing two bases. Taveras showcased great plate discipline by striking out only 3.4% of the time. He had a .357 ISO and 1.094 OPS with an 11.1% barrel rate and 44.4% hard-hit rate. Taveras is finally becoming the fantasy asset many hoped he would be last season.
Christopher Morel (2B,SS,3B,OF – CHC)
When Morel joined the Cubs, he was one of the best fantasy players. That changed, though, as he went into a mega slump, and fantasy managers became quite frustrated. Well, Morel woke back up in a big way this past week. He hit safely in five games for a .429 batting average with three home runs and 10 RBI. He barreled the ball 22.2% of the time with a 61.1% hard-hit rate. Morel will be a streaky hitter throughout the season, but when he is on, he can be a fantasy game-changer, as we saw this past week.
Spencer Torkelson (1B – DET)
Torkelson has been improving at the plate throughout the season and he was crushing it this past week. Torkelson hit safely in six games for a .310 batting average with three home runs; six runs scored, and eight RBI. He barreled the ball 14.3% of the time with a 42.9% hard-hit rate. Torkelson can continue improving at the plate for a big 2H of the season.
Fallers
Nolan Gorman (2B,3B – STL)
Not long ago, Gorman was one of the best fantasy players in the game, but that has come to a screeching halt. This past week, Gorman had just one single while walking 14.8% of the time and striking out 44.4%. His plate discipline has deteriorated in a big way in recent weeks, and until that improves, it will be tough for Gorman to regain any fantasy appeal.
Owen Miller (1B,2B,3B,OF – MIL)
There were some concerns about Miller’s playing time as the Brewers became healthy. This past week did not help Miller’s case to continue getting regular at-bats. Miller did not collect a hit last week while striking out 35.3% of the time. He only started four games, which could continue to deteriorate in the coming weeks with production like this from Miller.
Giancarlo Stanton (OF – NYY)
The Yankees need all the offensive help they can get with Aaron Judge on the IL, and Giancarlo Stanton would be one of the leading players they could use help from. Stanton did not help this past week as he hit .100 with a single and a solo home run. Stanton struck out 39.1% of the time with a 9.1% barrel rate and a 36.4% hard-hit rate. Stanton only has five hits, two being home runs, for a .122 batting average since returning from the IL on June 2.
Connor Joe (1B,OF – PIT)
Like most Pirates, Joe’s production has come to a screeching halt. This past week, Joe hit .158 with a single and two doubles. He struck out 40% of the time with a 27.3% strikeout rate. Joe is hitting a .182 batting average with a .091 ISO and a 32.7% strikeout rate. The Pirates are calling up prospects and moving players around to get their best lineup, so Joe will need to start hitting very soon to keep his regular playing time.
Casey Schmitt (2B,SS,3B – SF)
Schmitt was a great story when he was called up, but his production has slowed dramatically. This past week he hit just .150 with three singles and a 31.8% hard-hit rate. Schmitt did not collect a barrel and only had a 30.8% hard-hit rate. Schmitt has still been a great asset to the Giants, but as a fantasy asset, he has become a streamer at best.
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