Brooks Lee. A top-50 prospect heading into this season, Lee was oh-so-close to cracking the Twins’ MLB roster out of camp (.333/.351/.611) until a herniated disc forced the young infielder to the IL. Long story short? With a long-term injury like that everybody (in re-draft anyway) forgot about him. Now he’s healthy, back in action, and raking at the plate in the majors (*it’s probably too late, but if Lee is still available he is a must-add in deep leagues*).
So, inspired by the 23-year-old, let’s get into it. Seven players, all potential roster options but not yet must-adds, fantasy managers with first-place aspirations can’t afford to forget about down the stretch.
7 Players Not to Let Fall Under Your Radar
Parker Meadows, OF, DET
.131/.247/.286, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 4 SB, 11 R over 84 AB (35 G)
Despite getting off to early struggles out of the gate, there was no shortage of optimism surrounding Meadows in the young season (recall the rookie outfielder was hitting leadoff against RHPs). And while his offensive woes carried over into May, after a few months in the minors (.298/.394/.511, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 58 R, 19 SB) the 24-year-old got the call on July 5.
Impressive overall, he hit well in the three games he managed to play in, enjoying a 4/11, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB three-game stretch – before an untimely hamstring injury put an end to things. But after turning it around in the minors, things are looking up for Meadows. The Tigers are probably out of the playoff race and that means there’s playing time available for Meadows when he returns. Not to mention, given the swing adjustments he’s made to better hit fastballs, there is reason to think he really has turned a corner. So with his potentially elite power-speed combination at hand plus his strong defensive abilities that work to keep him in the lineup, monitor Meadows while he recovers, and definitely don’t forget about him on the IL.
Parker Meadows hit a home run in his return to the Tigers lineup.
He was sent down to Toledo on May 7, but was recalled before Friday’s game.
Video: @tigers
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 6, 2024
Yariel Rodriguez, SP, TOR
3.78 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 1 W, 36 K over 33.1 IP (8 starts)
The Blue Jays offered Cuban-born pitcher Yariel Rodriguez – after dominating as a reliever in Japan (1.15 ERA, 54.2 IP) – a chance to start heading into this season. And while the need to stretch his arm out held him off the big-league roster initially and an injury at the end of April made things worse, Y-Rod has been electric lately. Just take a look at his last three starts.
- July 1st: 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K vs. HOU (L)
- July 6th: 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 6 K @ SEA (W)
- July 12th: 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 7 K @ AZ (ND)
It’s easy, especially at this point of the year, to overlook the Blue Jays and players like Rodriguez. But with his dominant play of late (and I mean, wow – he’s come a long way value-wise after being unable to get through 5 IP earlier this season), don’t be the one to miss out on the emerging stud. Forgetting about him aside, fantasy managers should consider adding Rodriguez as the most viable option on this list.
Sal Frelick, OF, MIL & MJ Melendez, OF, KC
.275/.349/.354, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 14 SB, 43 R over 291 AB (87 G)
.192/.257/.385, 11 HR, 29 RBI, 2 SB, 26 R over 265 AB (85 G)
It’s interesting. Sal Frelick (a champion of contact hitting for Milwaukee) and MJ Melendez (not quite, but don’t knock his power potential) are drastically different hitters, but as far as this article is concerned they offer fantasy managers almost the same opportunity. Why? Because, regardless of how they profile, they’re both better than their ownership rates would indicate and they’re both red-hot. Just take a look at the numbers:
- Frelick: .333/.404/.431, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 4 SB, 9 R over his last 15
- Melendez: .255/.300/.489, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 6 R over his last 15
Although Frelick doesn’t offer much in terms of HR or RBI, his speed and rapidly rising average make him worth adding. And with respect to Melendez, given the 20+ HR expectations entering 2024, his July has been very encouraging (and with some speed as well, there’s so much potential if he were to really break out). So, while their numbers may be somewhat forgettable right now, the two outfielders headline this list and are exactly the type of production fantasy managers can’t afford to forget about.
*Monitor MJ Melendez and his apparent ankle injury, forcing him to exit yesterday’s Royals game*
Hunter Renfroe, OF, KC
.226/.297/.387, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 1 SB, 28 R over 235 AB (76 G)
I’m not saying add Renfroe with these numbers… but maybe consider it? Since coming off the IL on June 21st the outfielder has been hitting well and he’s swinging it right now (.292/.320/.375 over his last 7, .314/.364/.451 over his last 15).
The bottom line here is that, despite his stat line, the 32-year-old can still command himself at the plate. He’s hit for 25+ HR five times in his career and is still hitting consistently in the No.5/6 spot for the Royals. So while it may be too early – and it probably is, frankly – don’t forget about Renfroe and his power potential.
Alejandro Kirk, C, TOR
.234/.308/.323, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 0 SB, 11 R over 158 AB (52 G)
Remember that epic All-Star clip from 2022 when Alek Manoah – mic’d up on the mound – had John Smoltz call his 0-2 pitch? Behind the plate was none other than his teammate, one Alejandro Kirk. Granted it was before the Adley Rutschman era, but Kirk still went on to slash .285/.372/.415 with 14 HR and 63 RBI after the dust of 2022 settled. And while the last few seasons have seen the 25-year-old decline offensively (although his defensive metrics are superb), you have to think there’s more in the tank.
Danny Jansen is in the last year of his contract, and with the Jays in last place, he’s probably getting traded. Having played a lot better of late (.292/.351/.375 over his last 15, .435/.448/.522 over his last 7) things are really starting to look up for Kirk. He probably hasn’t proved enough to be a realistic option just yet, but certainly don’t forget about the young backstop, and do not let him fall under your radar.
Alejandro Kirk in his last 4 games:
15 AB
8 H
2 2B
5 RBI
.533 AVG
1.167 OPS#TOTHECORE pic.twitter.com/g7pY8dyBml— BlueJays Muse (@BlueJays_Muse) July 11, 2024
Eduoard Julien, 2B, MIN
.207/.309/.367, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 6 SB, 24 R over 169 AB (58 G)
Sophomore growing pains have hit Julien hard this season. But in 2023, the rookie Canadian on-base guru slashed .263/.381/.459 with 16 HR and a solid 6 SB over 109 games. And with the Twins willing to hit him in the leadoff spot against RHPs coupled with his power-speed potential at second base, there’s still so much to like about the young slugger.
And thus, given the talent he’s already demonstrated at the major-league level, it certainly feels like the 2024 numbers Julien has posted with Minnesota are more fluke than anything. Initially struggling upon his return to the minors, he’s found his grove lately in Triple-A (.308/.400/.308 over his last 7 games) and you have to believe he’ll be back at Target Field before season’s end. Skippers should monitor Julien closely over the next few weeks and shouldn’t forget about all he can do.
Max Schuemann, SS, OAK
.245/.339/.347, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 9 SB, 36 R over 216 AB (74 G)
Going back to making a point about not overlooking players on underperforming teams, let’s talk about Max Schuemann. Now the A’s starting shortstop, he has been quietly hitting almost .350 over his last 15 games (.341/.436/.500, 2 HR, 9 RBI). Even better, the 27-year-old has been much more aggressive on the bases and has managed an impressive five steals over that span.
The second-half is an exciting time for stolen bases, especially on teams like Oakland. Schuemann’s line isn’t exactly overwhelming, but he could offer fantasy managers a lot. At the very least, he plays every day (defensive bonus considered), has been hitting for average, and offers potential for steals. Skippers should certainly get to know the rookie and monitor him closely.
⚾Max Schuemann, @maxschuemann! HR (5)
Holy toledo!🐘7/6/24 @ OAK, ⬇️ 2nd
vs LHP Cade Povich103.2 MPH / 37° / 390 ft to LF
Off a 91.8 MPH four-seam fb▶️It's a home run in 29/30 parks.◀️
🏟️(Not in BAL.)📺: https://t.co/bF5LaPvBsY pic.twitter.com/ZGLIMduS9j
— Home Run Report (@homerunreport) July 6, 2024