We have made it through another week of the MLB season, and there were some awe-inspiring performances. As usual, there were some great showings and some rough ones to dig into. This weekly fantasy baseball column will help highlight some hot and cold players, risers, and fallers. Some players are already rostered in many places, so that trades may be in order. Other players may be widely available in fantasy baseball leagues, making a potential waiver wire claim in the cards.
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 15 (6/24-6/30).
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Start/Sit Lineup Advice
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Risers & Fallers: Week 15
Fantasy Baseball Risers
Jonathan India has been on a heater for a few weeks, but this past week was a monster week of fantasy production for him. India hit safely in all seven games, with multiple hits in six. He did not collect a home run, but India collected 10 doubles while hitting .538. The plate discipline was great; he walked 12.7% of the time while striking out 9.7%. India ended June hitting .380 with two home runs and three steals while scoring 19 runs. He’s flashing his Rookie of the Year form and could be in for a huge second half.
After a slow start to the season, Matt Chapman has been playing better over the past month. This past week he showcased his offensive upside. Chapman hit safely in all seven games for a .385 average with three home runs. Chapman was barreling the ball 19% of the time with a 42.9% hard-hit rate and walking 13% of the time. Chapman hit .253 in June with three home runs and two stolen bases. The improvements in June could lead to a nice second half from Chapman.
Byron Buxton has had a rough 2024, but the past few weeks have shown glimpses of the elite player many drafted. This past week he hit safely in three out of five games with multiple hits in each three. Buxton hit three home runs with nine RBI while striking out 9.1% of the time. Buxton was barreling the ball 16.7% of the time with a 66.7% hard-hit rate. Buxton is a streaky hitter with quite an injury history, so weeks like this remind us why we should take our chances on Buxton.
Fantasy managers have been waiting for Nico Hoerner’s bat to wake up; this past week, it was wide awake. Hoerner hit safely in all seven games for a .345 batting average. He hit two home runs while stealing three bases, showcasing his 20/20 skills. The two home runs were the only home runs he hit in June. He hit .230 in the month, showcasing just how big this past week was for his fantasy season.
Mark Vientos has been on a mission since he was recalled from AAA. He hit safely in four out of five games this past week for a .333 batting average. Vientos hit three home runs, two off Gerrit Cole, while also driving in seven runs. Vientos usually hits the ball hard, but this last week was next level with a 30.8% barrel rate and 53.8% hard-hit rate. Vientos is now hitting .301 on the season with 10 home runs. He has been a welcomed addition to third base this season.
Fantasy Baseball Fallers
Marcus Semien is in quite a funk at the plate; this past week was rough. Semien collected two singles over seven games for a .065 batting average. He barreled the ball 3.4% of the time with a 31% hard-hit rate. Semien ended June hitting .202 with two home runs and two steals. Semien can’t be dropped, but being benched for the time being may be an option in fantasy.
JJ Bleday was swinging a good bat for a few weeks, but he hit the skids this past week. Bleday hit two singles over five games for a .095 batting average. Bleday did not collect a barrel with a 26.7% hard-hit rate. He also struck out 27.3% of the time. Bleday is still locked into his starting outfield job with the A’s, but you can move on from him for fantasy.
Nolan Gorman was one of the hottest hitters for a month, but that has reached a screeching halt. Gorman had two singles over seven games this past week for a .100 batting average. His strikeout tendencies returned as Gorman struck out 43.5% of the time. Gorman will always flash power, but if he is not hitting for average and striking out a lot, then his fantasy upside disappears.
The disappointing 2024 season continued this past week for Matt Olson. He hit .192 over seven games with five singles and one RBI. Olson struck out 41.4% of the time without a barrel and a 28.6% hard-hit rate. Olson is now hitting .242 on the season with 12 home runs and 41 RBI, disappointing stats from what we would expect from a second-round pick.
Ty France has had a rough season. He hit .192 over six games this past week with a home run. He barreled the ball 14.3% of the time with a 35.7% hard-hit rate, which is down from France’s standards. He also struck out 34.8% of the time with a 55 wRC+. France is now hitting .232 on the season with eight home runs. The Mariners may look to replace France at some point if this poor production continues.
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