Fantasy Baseball Rest-of-Season Rankings: Scott Pianowski's updated risers and fallers as of July 6
It's an All-Star edition of the Monday market movers, as all of our upgrades have been selected for the summer showcase in Philadelphia next Tuesday. Hey now, you're an All-Star, get your game on, go play.
As always, use this column as you see fit — for self-scouting, pickup advice, trade counsel. And if you have a respectful piece of disagreement, I'm all ears — catch me on social media.
Upgrade
Otto Lopez, 2B/SS, Marlins: He's this year's winner of the Geraldo Perdomo/Maikel Garcia Award, the most improved player in the league. Lopez has always had elite bat control, but this year he's made technical improvements and bumped his quality of contact as well. Sure, the slash line is a little over his skis, but only slightly — the Statcast data suggests a .300 average and .464 slugging. And the cherry on the top of the sundae is the steals, with Lopez motoring for 30 or more this year. Lopez will justly get some down-ballot MVP love this season, an amazing turnaround for someone who was cut by the Blue Jays and Giants.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers: I couldn't view Freeman as a proactive pick in March, given that he was entering an age-36 season. But he continues to be remarkably consistent — note that his OPS+ is 141, 143 and 144 the last three years. Last year, Freeman slashed .295/.367/.502, this year it's .293/.383/.502. Sometimes we have to consider different aging curves for future Hall of Famers.
Sal Stewart, 1B/2B/3B, Reds: He's the runaway leader in challenges won among hitters, showcasing his elite eye. In line with that, Stewart has a modest strikeout rate and an excellent walk rate, while maintaining an exciting hard-hit profile. Stewart also checks the versatility box, stealing bases and covering three infield spots for Yahoo managers. Impressive stuff from someone in their age-22 season.
CJ Abrams, SS, Nationals: He might be an eyelash underrated only because James Wood is the dominant presence in the surprising Washington lineup. Abrams has learned how to attack, pulling the ball more and bumping his hard-hit rate, and he's learned how to handle off-speed pitches. His defense might eventually force him off shortstop, but that's not a problem for the moment.
Dillon Dingler, C, Tigers: Detroit should have a garage sale at the trade deadline, but players like Kevin McGonigle and Dingler aren't going anywhere. Dingler already had Gold Glove defense in his basket, but he's growing as a hitter — walks up, strikeouts down, hard-hit contact spiking, more pull concentration. The Tigers prioritize his at-bats, giving him some DH time when he needs a break from catching.
Max Meyer, SP, Marlins: Another case of following pedigree and making low-investment plays with our late-round picks. Meyer was the third overall pick in the 2020 draft but battled injury issues, missing the entire 2023 season. It's all come together in his age-27 season, even if his 2.53 ERA is about a run fortunate against his expected numbers. Meyer has a plus strikeout rate, an acceptable walk rate and keeps the ball on the ground most of the time. Better breaking pitches have helped him handle left-handed batters.
Downgrade
Ryan Helsley, RP, Orioles: Normally there's little use to pick on injured players in the downgrades, it's taking the easy way out. But I want to underscore that a player like Helsley isn't just a downgrade right now, he's probably a drop as well. He missed seven weeks with an elbow injury and has since returned to the IL after an ineffective five-game return (7.71 ERA). Injury optimism is never going to be my jam.
Willy Adames, SS, Giants: Is he psyched out by the home park? His splits showed a road bias last year, but it's become jagged this year — Adames is slashing just .212/.156/.364 in home games, with only three homers. He has also pulled back on stealing bases, limiting him to a two or three-category contributor. Adames is a possible cut in smaller leagues.
Christian Yelich, OF, Brewers: An early-season groin injury cost him some time, and lately Yelich has been battling a back problem. He's still able to play, but the Brewers limit him to DH time and give him periodic rest. Milwaukee also has to accept others are hitting better in this lineup — Yelich has an OPS+ below code for the first time in his career. He's not OF-eligible in some non-Yahoo formats, which opens up the possible case for cutting Yelich.
