This week our top 100 hitters get a shakeup not only from shifting roles and recent performance, but unfortunately, we see a few players tumbling down of their own accord. Whether it was a bad haircut leading to a PED suspension or another off-the-field run-in with the law, it is not the way we want to see a player dropping out of the rankings. That said, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Marcell Ozuna do not seem to care about your fantasy team any more than their own team at this point, so our rankings had to return the favor. Disappointing as it may be for teams relying on their fading stars at the end of the season, it is out with the old and in with the new in this week’s rendition of the top 100 hitters for the rest of the 2022 fantasy baseball season.
Rising
- Max Muncy – A staple of fantasy teams for a number of years, Muncy came into this season trying to recover from an elbow injury and later admitted that he rushed back. A first half with a .164 average and .155 ISO confirms that was not the best-laid plan. However, some time on the IL and an All Star break may have been just what the doctor ordered. Since the break, Max is swatting a respectable .244 with an ISO of .291. Over just the last two weeks, he has popped five homers with strong counting stats (7 R, 11 RBI). Moving up our list, he might be a cheap source of power over the last month of the season.
- Michael Harris II – What came first? The performance or the contract? For Michael Harris II, it looks like both may be aligning at the right time. On track for a rookie season with a 15/15 line and a .290 average, the Braves have already recognized him with an eight year, $72 million contract. Over the last three weeks, he has hit nearly .300 with 25 R + RBI. With a solid rookie showing he is forcing his way up the rest of season rankings.
- Andres Gimenez – Gimenez bumps up a little this week thanks to a scorching August. For the month, Andres has hit nearly .400 with a clean seven steals on the base paths. Sure he has a .450+ Babip but we are watching a potential 20/20 season. While I might not be buying Gimenez shares left and right, we give him a bump thanks to the additional speed he has displayed over the past few weeks.
Falling
- J.D. Martinez – Tumbling down the rankings this week is JD Martinez who has been cold as ice. He has exactly one home run since June 15th. It is not just a lack of power but a lack of any hitting in general with an average below .150 since the All-Star break. While he has certainly lost a step or two over the last few years, this drop off is still surprising. Unfortunately, time is running out to let him make some needed adjustments.
- Whit Merrifield – With Merrifield heading north of the border, there were certainly concerns with his playing time due to vaccination status. That worry has come and gone, but Whit has found limited early success at the plate and has been losing starts here and there to Santiago Espinal. There is no time left in the season for Whit to battle for playing time. Fantasy owners need to be looking elsewhere as this has been a season to forget for the former Royal and fantasy weapon.
Watching
- Jesse Winker – As soon as I begrudgingly started to demote Winker on our list, he responds with a three week stretch delivering five dingers and twelve runs and RBI apiece. We are not bouncing him back, but there may be some life left in that bat yet. Hold for now and hope the trend continues.
- Brett Baty – One major league at bat and one major league home run. We do not know if Baty is more Daniel Nava or Aaron Judge. However, we do know that Baty had been on fire in AAA prior to his promotion. He is worth a speculative add as we find out if he is ready to handle pitching at the major league level. So far, he has looked right at home.
Dropping out this week: Alejandro Kirk, Gleyber Torres, Matt Carpenter, Fernando Tatis Jr., Marcell Ozuna, Tim Anderson
