We’ve already made it past Memorial Day and into June. It sure has happened in a flash.
In dynasty leagues, this is a critical time. Where as in redraft leagues, you might be plotting ways to still contend this season, you have to be more realistic in a dynasty format. Is it really worth buying to contend this season? Would roster spots be better utilized by speculating on young players? Should you trade veterans on your roster with an eye toward next year? With almost four months remaining in the season, the return from contenders could be significant. Winning is ultimately why we play in these leagues, but keep an open (and realistic) mind.
With the calendar flipping to June, I figured this was a good time to discuss some players who are headed in different directions in dynasty formats. In addition to major league risers and fallers, you’ll also find some prospects on the rise. Be sure to stash them if you haven’t already. At the very least, the momentum is building.
Dynasty Risers
Shane McClanahan LHP, Rays
How many pitchers would you take over McClanahan in dynasty leagues right now? Really think about that one. It should be a select group at this point. After a successful rookie campaign last year, the 25-year-old has leveled up this year with a 2.10 ERA and 89/12 K/BB ratio in 64 1/3 innings across 11 starts. He’s improved his walk rate from last year while his strikeout percentage (36 percent) is easily the highest among all qualified starters. His swinging strike rate has also increased from last year and is currently tied with Corbin Burnes for the highest among starters. The arrow is way up here, with perhaps only Burnes and Gerrit Cole ahead of him among dynasty league pitchers.
MacKenzie Gore LHP, Padres
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the 2022 season to date, Gore has reeled off a 1.50 ERA and 57/17 K/BB ratio through his first nine appearances (eight starts) in the majors. The 23-year-old struck out 10 batters in his last start against the Brewers and has racked up double-digit whiffs in four out of his last five starts. And how about this for a stat: Gore is the first pitcher with at least 55 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.50 or lower over his first nine appearance since ERA became an official stat in 1913. It has been a long road for Gore, but it’s safe to say he’s living up to the potential many pegged him for over the years. Move him up.
Andres Gimenez INF, Guardians
Coming off a big weekend against the Orioles, Gimenez is now slashing .307/.329/.540 with seven homers, 29 RBI, four steals, and 19 runs scored over 42 games. In standard Yahoo leagues, he ranks ahead of the likes of Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, Chris Taylor, Bo Bichette, Bobby Witt Jr., and Wander Franco, among others. He’s only drawn four walks in 144 plate appearances, which isn’t ideal, but his xBA checks in at .299, so he’s earned his success to date. His sprint speed is legit, so he has staying power in fantasy leagues.
Dynasty Fallers
Yoan Moncada 3B, White Sox
I considered Moncada an overrated fantasy option even coming into this season, but his struggles have pushed him down even further in my rankings. Missing the start of the year with an oblique strain certainly hasn’t helped matters, but he’s slashing just .135/.169/.230 with an ugly 22/2 K/BB ratio over 19 games since returning. The lack of power is discouraging enough, but the lack of patience has been especially disturbing. He’s drawn only two walks in 77 plate appearances while swinging more often than ever before. Moncada has slugged just .388 since his 25-homer season in 2019 and is just 3-for-5 in stolen base attempts during that same timespan. The name recognition is still there, but not much else from a fantasy perspective.
Trevor Rogers SP, Marlins
Rogers finished second to Jonathan India in the NL Rookie of the Year Award balloting last year after posting a dominant 2.64 ERA across 25 starts, but he hasn’t come close to replicating those numbers so far in 2022. The 24-year-old southpaw holds a rough 5.80 ERA over 10 starts. He’s already given up eight homers in 45 innings after allowing just six in 133 innings last year. Opposing batters are somehow slugging .645 against his four-seam fastball after posting a modest .344 SLG against the pitch last year. And while his changeup was an elite pitch in 2021, that just hasn’t been the case so far this year. This can’t be explained by early-season noise. In fact, his xERA (5.27) isn’t too far off from his actual ERA. Dynasty mangers will surely wait this out after what he did last year, but it’s hard to recommend him as a buy-low.
Aroldis Chapman RP, Yankees
I was already a bit down on Chapman coming into this season, but his future outlook is even trickier at this point. The southpaw struggled mightily prior to hitting the injured list with an Achilles injury last month. The fastball velocity continues to trend down and batters have had a much easier time making contact so far this year. He’s also walked 48 batters in 70 1/3 innings dating back to the start of last season. It’s a troubling combination, at least if you are expecting top-tier closer production. Clay Holmes has been lights-out this season and is at least making a case to keep the job. Also keep in mind that Chapman is due to become a free agent after this season, and (assuming he doesn’t stay with the Yankees) his next landing spot might not be as favorable.
Prospect Risers
Jackson Chourio OF, Brewers
Could we be witnessing the blossoming of one of the game’s elite young prospects? It’s beginning to look that way. Signed out of Venezuela for $1.8 million in January of 2021, Chourio landed on Top-10 lists for the Brewers this year after playing well in the Dominican Summer League, but he’s making his way to national lists due to his production with Class A Carolina this season. Despite just turning 18 years old in March, he’s slashing .371/.417/.595 with four home runs over 28 games. Yes, there’s a .488 BABIP behind those lofty numbers, but he’s also hitting the ball extremely hard. According to the Brewers’ Player Development Twitter account, Chourio’s 47-percent hard-hit rate is in the 96th percentile among hitters in A-ball. Get him if you still can.
Ricky Tiedemann LHP, Blue Jays
Tiedemann cracked the Top 100 list at MLB Pipeline last week and his early results in pro ball suggests he should continue to climb in the weeks ahead. Selected in the third round in last year’s draft, the 19-year-old has compiled a 1.41 ERA across nine starts this season. He’s been dominant after his recent option to High-A Vancouver, allowing just one run in 14 2/3 innings with 19 strikeouts and just two walks. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, his arsenal includes a mid-90s fastball and strong changeup as well as a slider. His ceiling will likely depend on the development of that third pitch, but that he’s already having this level of success at the age of 19 is enticing, indeed.
Logan O’Hoppe C, Phillies
I went over my top dynasty catchers a couple of weeks ago and O’Hoppe nearly made the cut. While catchers generally aren’t the most sought-after position in a format such as this, it’s undeniable that O’Hoppe has been one of the biggest risers. After a successful 2021 season between three different levels, the 22-year-old has dominated Double-A to the tune of 11 homers and a .301/.414/.583 batting line over 44 games. Selected in the 23rd round in 2018, the right-handed hitting O’Hoppe employs a strong approach as well as the ability to stick behind the plate. J.T. Realmuto is still signed through 2025, so the big question here is whether O’Hoppe will end up fitting for the Phillies or be used as a chip elsewhere.
