Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis: AL 07/27

American League Lineup analysis is back for one more first-half recap. This article will help you stay up to date on the ever-changing lineups from the American League with notes on injuries, playing time changes, hot streaks, and more. The five hottest hitters in the AL over the past two weeks have been Lawrence Butler, Bobby Witt Jr., Juan Soto, Jarren Duran, and Aaron Judge. Keep reading for the latest news and notes from all 15 American League teams.

Please note that this article was written the day before publication. I will do my best to update the article with any relevant information from the previous night’s games.

Fantasy Baseball Lineup Takeaways

AL East

New York Yankees

• Ben Rice is playing on the strong side of a platoon
  • Rice has been sitting on the bench against lefties and has cooled off significantly since his hot stretch
  • His batting average has dipped under .200 thanks to just three hits in his last 45 plate appearances
  • BABIP is part of the issue, but Rice’s strikeout rate has also spiked. He could be a causality of the trade deadline or at least start moving down in the lineup
• Austin Wells is batting fourth in the lineup
  • The Yankees are searching for a spark in the lineup and Wells is finally getting a chance
  • Wells has been playing nearly every day and performing well. He is up to seven home runs and is batting over .300 over the past two weeks
  • With Wells moving up in the lineup, Alex Verdugo has slid down in the order
• Giancarlo Stanton is nearing a return
  • The team is expected to decide in the coming days whether or not he will require a rehab assignment
  • If Stanton does need a rehab assignment, it is likely to be brief
  • When Stanton does return to the lineup, Trent Grisham is likely to lose his playing time and is not playing well enough to force Verdugo to the bench

Boston Red Sox

• There are three platoons in Boston’s lineup
  • Wilyer Abreu, David Hamilton, and Dominic Smith are all playing on the strong side of platoons with Romy Gonzalez, Jamie Westbrook, and Rob Refsnyder all getting at-bats against lefties
  • Of note, Hamilton is just 4/7 recently on stolen bases and has a wRC+ below 90 since the start of July. He could continue losing playing time
  • Triston Casas remains without a firm timetable for a return leaving Dominic Smith’s lineup spot safe for now
• Jarren Duran’s excellent season has continued
  • Duran continues to be one of the best all-around players in baseball this season hitting for average, power, and playing solid defense
  • He has hit safely in eight straight games and is batting .340/.394/.617 since the start of June
  • If you are considering trying to sell high on Duran, do not. This is an elite player

Tampa Bay Rays

• Yandy Diaz has been on the restricted list
  • Diaz has been away from the team since the All-Star Break and remains without a timetable to return
  • With Diaz absent, Isaac Paredes has shifted to first base and Jose Caballero has been drawing the majority of starts at third base
  • Richie Palacios has also moved up to the leadoff spot in the lineup with Diaz out
• The Rays traded away Randy Arozarena
  • The first of potentially many trades for the Rays this month was made on Thursday night when Arozarena was sent to Seattle
  • With Arozarena gone, the Rays have a few options that they could go with
  • The first is shifting Richie Palacios to the outfield and allowing Curtis Mead (or Jonathan Aranda) to get consistent playing time
  • The other is to get Jonny DeLuca into the lineup more often in the outfield and leave Palacios in the infield
  • Mead has the prospect pedigree that makes him worth a speculative add if he gets consistent playing time
• Josh Lowe is playing a little bit better
  • Lowe has hit safely in each game since the All-Star Break batting fifth in Tampa’s lineup
  • The issue is that his plate discipline metrics have yet to show any improvements
  • He is not a player I am trying to buy low on

Toronto Blue Jays

• Bo Bichette is on the IL with a calf strain
  • Bichette landed on the IL on the 19th and is expected to miss multiple weeks
  • With Bichette out of the lineup, Leo Jimenez has been getting the majority of starts batting at the bottom of the lineup
  • Jimenez makes contact at a plus rate but has little power or speed to turn into a fantasy-relevant asset
  • Addison Barger is also up from Triple-A but is not getting much of any playing time
• Kevin Kiermaier is losing playing time
  • Kiermaier has been on the bench against three of the past four righties and could continue moving into a fourth-outfielder role
  • In his place, Davis Schneider is seeing additional playing time in left field batting seventh in the lineup
  • Schneider has plus power but is unlikely to ever hit for much average
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa is nearing a return to the lineup
  • IKF has been sidelined since June 30 with a knee injury but is almost healthy again
  • Ernie Clement has been filling in at third base but is unlikely to retain playing time once IKF returns
  • IKF is another player who has been brought up in trade rumors lately

Baltimore Orioles

• Jorge Mateo is on the IL
  • Mateo suffered an ugly arm injury that will keep him sidelined for a bit
  • With Mateo out, Connor Norby was recalled from Triple-A and is likely to serve as the everyday second baseman
  • Norby was up to 16 homers and 13 steals in Triple-A and is worth picking up if you need middle infield help
• Colton Cowser has maintained an everyday job
  • Cowser was losing playing time prior to Heston Kjerstad getting injured but has gotten hot at the plate
  • Kjerstad returned from the IL last Saturday but is not eating into Cowser’s playing time
  • Cowser has hit safely in all but one game since the break and should be rostered based on his upside alone
• Ryan Mountcastle has been on the bench against two righties this week
  • Mountcastle has been brought up in trade rumors over the past couple of weeks and could be dealt away
  • The team has been playing top prospect Coby Mayo at first base in Triple-A and could easily make the switch if they find a deal they like
  • Getting Mountcastle out of Camden Yards would be great for his fantasy value as his pull-side power would not have to deal with that stupid wall anymore
• Austin Hays was traded to Philadelphia
  • The team received Cristhian Pache in return but he is not expected to see any significant playing time
  • With Hays gone, Heston Kjerstad could factor into the playing time mix a bit more as the team’s fourth outfielder

AL West

Houston Astros

• Jeremy Pena is sliding higher up in the lineup
  • Pena has had some significant highs and lows this season but has hit safely in seven straight games
  • He has hit two home runs since the All-Star Break and has a notably higher barrel rate recently
  • If Pena can hit for more power, he will turn into a reliable fantasy asset
• The team brought back Aledmys Diaz
  • Diaz was a reliable utility player for multiple seasons in Houston and is now back with the organization
  • Most of his playing time is likely to come at first base with Jon Singleton continuing to struggle
  • He is not likely to become fantasy-relevant
• There are four outfielders for two lineup spots
  • Joey Loperfido, Trey Cabbage, Mauricio Dubon, and Chas McCormick are all rotating through the two open outfield spots with none getting regular playing time
  • Loperfido is getting the most consistent playing time against righties batting toward the bottom of the lineup. He is hitless since the All-Star Break
  • None of the other three players are worth consideration in fantasy leagues

Los Angeles Angels

• Luis Rengifo has been activated from the IL
  • Rengifo returned to the lineup on Tuesday and has been batting second since returning
  • There is a chance Rengifo gets traded, but he should maintain his great fantasy value regardless. He should be 100% rostered if he was dropped anywhere
  • With Rengifo back, Willie Calhoun and Brandon Drury are likely to see their playing time decrease
• Mickey Moniak is batting all over the lineup
  • Moniak moves up in the lineup when regulars get a day off and back down to the bottom third when everybody is in
  • He has been swinging the bat well at the plate hitting over .300 since July 8
  • His extreme fly ball tendencies are unlikely to produce much batting average but his barrel rate suggests he could hit for decent power
  • He is worth a look in deep leagues

Texas Rangers

• Josh Jung is beginning a rehab assignment
  • Jung continues to work his way back from a wrist injury but should return in the next week or two
  • With Jung out, Justin Foscue has been serving as the primary DH for Texas batting eighth in the lineup
  • Foscue has struggled this season, especially at the Major League level. He is not worth rostering at this point
• Marcus Semien is hot at the dish
  • Semien has two homers since the All-Star Break with more walks than strikeouts
  • After his midseason slump, Semien is reminding fantasy managers why he is one of the game’s top options at the position

Oakland Athletics

• Abraham Toro is back from the IL
  • Toro has been serving as the team’s everyday third baseman since returning from the IL. He is batting fifth or sixth in the lineup
  • Prior to his injury, Toro was posting decent numbers but nothing that is going to generate significant fantasy value. He is a fine add in AL-only leagues thanks to consistent at-bats
  • With Toro returning to the lineup, Brett Harris has lost his starting spot
• Jacob Wilson’s Major League start got off to a rough start
  • Wilson got a hit in his first at-bat but strained his hamstring trying to score
  • Prior to getting injured, Wilson profiled to serve as the team’s everyday shortstop
  • With Wilson on the IL, Max Schuemann reenters the lineup and continues to bat at the bottom of the lineup
• Lawrence Butler has continued hitting
  • Butler has now hit safely in seven straight games including five multi-hit performances since the All-Star Break
  • Since the start of July, Butler’s chase rate is down nearly five percent and his contact rate is up. These improvements are leading to lower strikeout rates and phenomenal results
  • Butler’s power is incredible so any improvements to his hit tool could turn him into an elite fantasy asset

Seattle Mariners

• Ty France was DFA’d
  • One of the longer-tenured Mariners, France just was not performing offensively this season and will now be looking for a new team
  • With France gone, the team promoted top prospect Tyler Locklear to serve as the everyday first baseman
  • Locklear struggled to limit the strikeouts in his first Major League stint earlier this season but has enough power to turn into a reliable fantasy asset. He is worth a speculative add if you need help at that position
• Jason Vosler was promoted from Triple-A
  • Vosler was up to 20 home runs in Triple-A prior to his promotion although he has never found much success at the Major League level
  • He has been batting sixth or seventh in the lineup since being promoted to DH
  • Mitch Haniger has moved into more of a bench role with Vosler joining the team. Neither player is worth rostering
• Julio Rodriguez is on the IL
  • Rodriguez landed on the IL with an ankle injury and is likely to be sidelined through the first week of August
  • With Rodriguez out, Victor Robles has moved up to second in the lineup and is playing every day out in center field
  • Robles has stolen 12 bases in just 42 games and is currently running a barrel rate above 12%
  • While Robles is unlikely to ever become a star, he is providing quality fantasy value for those playing him right now. He could keep his lineup spot over Vosler or Mitch Haniger even after Rodriguez returns
• The team acquired Randy Arozarena
  • Arozarena is going to play every day and in left field for Seattle and will provide a much-needed boost to the lineup
  • With Arozarena here, the playing time situation remains to be seen
  • Tyler Locklear, Luke Raley, and Jason Vosler could all be impacted. My money is on Vosler to lose the most playing time moving forward with Locklear and Raley splitting time between first base and DH

AL Central

Detroit Tigers

• Justyn-Henry Malloy is up to third in the Tigers’ lineup
  • Malloy was batting toward the bottom of the order for a while but has moved up thanks to strong offensive output
  • He has hit two home runs since the ASB and is up to seven in 141 plate appearances. That is a 30/600 pace
  • The rest of Malloy’s profile leaves plenty to be desired but his strong walk rate provides additional value in OBP leagues. He should be locked into everyday playing time as the Tigers keep their eye on the future
• Mark Canha is playing a bit more regularly
  • Canha has been batting fifth in the lineup and is playing against all lefties and about half of righties
  • This is likely the Tigers’ way to try and audition his value to other teams around the trade deadline as Canha is extremely likely to be dealt
  • He is not worth adding in fantasy leagues

Kansas City Royals

• MJ Melendez is nearing a return from the IL
  • Melendez has been sidelined with an ankle injury but could head out on a rehab assignment as early as this week
  • With Melendez out, Dairon Blanco and Drew Waters have been splitting time in the outfield
  • Waters has played well in Triple-A this year but has continued to struggle at the Major League level. He is not worth rostering in fantasy leagues
• Nobody is hotter right now than Bobby Witt Jr
  • Witt has hit safely in 18/19 games including seven straight
  • He is batting over .500 with six home runs during that span
  • Witt might be the best hitter in baseball and profiles to be toward the top of that list for the next decade
• Not sure why Adam Frazier continues to bat leadoff
  • Frazier continues to bat at the top of Kansas City’s lineup despite batting under .200 on the season
  • He is batting just .135 since the start of July
  • Not only could Frazier move down in the lineup, but he also could lose his playing time altogether

Chicago White Sox

• Brooks Baldwin was promoted from Triple-A
  • Since being promoted, Baldwin has been serving as the everyday second baseman batting in the back half of the lineup
  • Baldwin, a switch hitter, put up strong numbers in both Double and Triple-A prior to his promotion. He is a plus runner with average power and an average hit tool
  • He is worth a speculative add in dynasty leagues but is not somebody you need to run and pick up
• Luis Robert Jr and Tommy Pham have flipped in the lineup
  • Robert has moved up to the leadoff spot with Pham dropping down to third in the order
  • Both players of course are at the center of trade talks and could easily be dealt away in the coming days
  • Pham’s fantasy value could disappear if he is traded to a short-side platoon situation
• The team released Martin Maldonado
  • With Korey Lee serving as the everyday catcher, the team felt no need to keep Maldonado (who will probably just end up resigning with Houston haha)
  • Lee has struggled to do much offensively lately with a wRC+ below 20 sine the start of July
  • A potential option is for the team to promote top prospect Edgar Quero from Triple-A although his numbers have dipped since his promotion

Minnesota Twins

• Royce Lewis is back
  • Lewis returned to Minnesota’s lineup on Friday after needing only two rehab games
  • When healthy, Lewis has been one of the best players in baseball this season and should instantly be inserted back into fantasy lineups
  • With Lewis back, Brooks Lee was optioned back to Triple-A
• Jose Miranda is also back in the Twins’ lineup
  • Miranda was red hot at the plate prior to landing on the IL and should insert directly back into the lineup
  • With Lewis back and Carlos Santana playing well, Miranda’s playing time could come at the expense of Trevor Larnach who has been serving as the team’s DH
  • Playing time in the Twins’ lineup is worth paying close attention to this weekend
• Edouard Julien is back from Triple-A
  • With Carlos Correa landing on the IL, Willi Castro has been playing shortstop and Julien is up to play second base
  • Julien has primarily been batting toward the bottom of the lineup so far but is not showing any improvements
  • The sample is small, but Julien is still striking out way too much and is likely to find himself back in Triple-A soon

Cleveland Guardians

• Jhonkensy Noel is getting more playing time
  • Noel started four games in a row (albeit three against lefties) and hit fifth or sixth in the lineup
  • Noel has been splitting time with Will Brennan in the outfield but could start taking more time away
  • Brennan has yet to get a hit since returning from the IL on July 11 and could move into a bench role if his struggles continue
• Bo Naylor sat three straight games this week
  • Naylor continues to struggle this season and is batting under .200 since the start of July
  • Although the team remains committed to getting him into the lineup, he could continue to lose playing time as the playoff race heats up
  • David Fry and Austin Hedges are both spending time at catcher in place of Naylor
• Daniel Schneeman is struggling to hold onto playing time
  • Schneeman is currently drawing most of the starts at shortstop over Brayan Rocchio but is in a major slump at the dish
  • Schneeman is batting under .180 since the start of July with a strikeout rate over 30%
  • His contact rate has dropped and although his BABIP is due for positive regression, Schneeman is looking less and less like a Major League regular