Weekend Hitters Recap

LAB REPORTS

By: The Lab

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In this weekly article, I will recap the best performers at each position from the previous weekend. I will include waiver-wire options (under 60% rostered on Yahoo) at each position as well.

Catcher - Drake Baldwin (96% rostered)

Baldwin was absolutely blazing this weekend. He hit .714, with 3 homers, 5 runs, 8 RBI, and 1 steal. Baldwin had been slumping since coming back from the IL on 6/16. During that time, he slashed .229/.314/.371 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI. Perhaps this is the start of Baldwin returning to form as a top 3 Catcher in fantasy.

Waiver Wire Option - Harry Ford (1% rostered)

The Nationals called up Harry Ford on Friday, and he promptly delivered with a home run, 3 RBI, and 3 runs. He was on the bench on Saturday vs righty J.T. Ginn but was back in the lineup Sunday vs lefty Jacob Lopez, and Ford went 1/3 with an RBI and a steal. Ford has fantasy upside as a catcher who can provide some speed on the bases, and he should boast decent counting stats; however, if he continues to sit against righties, you should not consider rostering him unless in a 2-catcher league.

First Base - Ty France (3% Rostered)

Ty France had a big weekend of production with 3 homers and 6 RBI against the Royals. France has been on fire over his past 6 games, slashing .476/.519/1.19 with 4 home runs, 9 RBI, and 7 runs. France has had a relatively streaky season, and he's worth a look in shallow leagues while he remains hot.

Waiver Wire Option - Andres Chaparro (0% Rostered)

A double dose of waiver wire options leads first base. Chaparro had the best game of his career on Friday when he went 4/5 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI, and he followed it up with a poor game on Sunday when he went 0/3 with a walk. On the season, Chaparro is slashing .210/.347/.403 with 3 home runs across 75 plate appearances. Per BaseballSavant, his underlying metrics are rather impressive, but he's not worth a look in fantasy until his production can match his advanced stats.

Second Base - Fernando Tatis Jr. (99% Rostered)

Nando is finally showing signs of life after a terrible start to the year. Over the weekend, he hit .500 with 2 homers, 6 RBI, 4 runs, and 2 steals. Obviously, if you are rostering Tatis, you are starting him 100% of the time; but it has certainly been a frustrating season for him. Perhaps this weekend will show a return to form for him.

Waiver Wire Option - Cole Young (12% Rostered)

Cole Young continued his terrific rookie campaign over the weekend with 2 homers, 5 RBI, and a .307 batting average. On the season, Cole Young has slashed .256/.315/.409 with 13 homers and 48 RBI. Young is a solid contributor in deeper leagues but is unlikely to make an impact in shallow leagues this year.

Short Stop - Willy Adames (71% Rostered)

My 2022 breakout pick had a massive weekend in Seattle with 2 homers and 5RBI. Adames has had a solid year with 17 homers, 42 RBI, and has slashed .228/280/.428. Unfortunately, Adames plays his home games in the 25th-worst park for right-handed hitters, per BaseballSavant. Adames is a league-specific player, meaning he is worth rostering in most category and roto leagues but is not worth rostering in any points leagues where you get negative points for strikeouts, as backed up by his 28.2% K rate.

Waiver Wire Option - Willi Castro (29% Rostered)

Willi Castro clubbed 2 homers this weekend with 3 RBI. I was hoping for a better season from Castro, as I expected his multi-position eligibility and the Coors effect to boost him to an impactful role... however, he has remained unimpactful outside of NL-only leagues.

Third Base - Austin Riley (82% Rostered)

Is Austin Riley finally delivering on his top 100 ADP?! He certainly delivered this weekend with 3 homers and 5 RBI at home vs the Rangers. In July, he is slashing .273/.355/.509 with 4 homers and 10 RBI and an .864 OPS. Riley has always been an extremely streaky hitter, and let's hope this weekend is a sign of things to come. Riley is a must-roster in almost all leagues outside of shallow points leagues.

Waiver Wire Option - Curtis Mead (46% Rostered)

Curtis Mead continued his breakout season over the weekend with a .455 BA, 3 doubles, 5 runs, 4 RBI, and 1 stolen base. Mead's breakout has come out of nowhere and has been a nice addition to one of the league's best offenses. On the season, he is slashing .256/.350/.511 with 17 homers and 48 RBI. Mead is a must-roster in all league formats, and I encourage you to pick him up soon, or your league mates will grab him!

Outfield - Wilyer Abreu (83% Rostered)

Abreu did his best Barry Bonds impersonation this weekend with 4 homers and 6 RBI. The Red Sox have been red hot, winning 13 straight games. Abreu has been hot in July, slashing .245/.359/.604 with a .963 OPS and 5 homers, 10 RBI, and 12 runs.

Waiver Wire Option (Lane Thomas 9% Rostered)

Lane Thomas had a power surge this weekend with 2 homers, 3 RBI, 3 runs, and 1 stolen base. On the season, Thomas is slashing .240/.340/.417; however, he's been picking it up in July, with a .321/.390/. 698 line, 4 homers, and 11 RBI. Lane is worth monitoring in all deeper leagues, and if he has another big week, I would try to scoop him up.

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