Fantasy baseball rankings: Aaron Judge leads the way, but injuries and role changes shake up the league
The fantasy baseball landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation since the season began, with injuries, role changes, and unexpected performances reshaping the rankings. Aaron Judge has emerged as the clear No. 1 player, while Shohei Ohtani's offense has taken a hit due to increased pitching duties. Yordan Alvarez, who will soon gain outfield eligibility, has moved into the top 10 overall. The biggest risers in the outfield include James Wood, Oneil Cruz, Jordan Walker, Andy Pages, Mike Trout, and Mickey Moniak, while Wyatt Langford and Roman Anthony remain tricky to rank due to their uncertain timelines for returning from injury.
At catcher, Cal Raleigh has been a notable faller, despite being drafted as a top-15 overall pick. Liam Hicks has been a surprise, but regression is expected. Will Smith has disappointed, while teammate Dalton Rushing has outearned him despite fewer at-bats. Agustín Ramírez has fallen out of the ranks after being demoted to the minors. Ryan Jeffers looks like a top-12 catcher, yet remains available in many leagues.
First basemen have seen significant shifts, with Nick Kurtz, Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, Rafael Devers, and Vinnie Pasquantino among the obvious fallers. Matt Olson, Sal Stewart, Munetaka Murakami, and Christian Walker have been risers, with Murakami showing top-10 fantasy potential. Second basemen have also seen changes, with Fernando Tatis and Stewart gaining eligibility, helping the position overcome disappointing performances from Jazz Chisholm, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Luke Keaschall. Brice Turang has emerged as the best second baseman, while Ozzie Albies has jumped in the ranks.
Shortstops have seen notable changes, with Elly De La Cruz showing big improvements against lefties and a strong argument for a top-2 overall ranking. Francisco Lindor and Geraldo Perdomo were notable tumblers, while CJ Abrams and rookie Konnor Griffin have been the biggest risers. Abrams, drafted as the 10th shortstop, has been a top-12 overall fantasy player.
Third basemen have also seen shifts, with Austin Riley and Manny Machado disappointing fantasy managers. Kazuma Okamoto has struck out and offered more power than expected, becoming a top-10 fantasy third baseman. Miguel Vargas, Max Muncy, and Josh Jung were ignored at most draft tables but have become borderline top-15 fantasy third basemen.
Pitchers have seen the most dramatic changes, with injuries being a significant factor. Mason Miller and Paul Skenes have stood out during a season of closer chaos, while Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet are on the IL. Kyle Bradish and Eury Pérez, both drafted as top-25 starters, have dropped outside the top 50 while seemingly healthy. Jacob Misiorowski has quickly become a top-20 player, while other pitchers like Cam Schlittler, Zack Wheeler, and Shota Imanaga have seen significant jumps in ranks.
In conclusion, the fantasy baseball season has been filled with surprises and shifts, with injuries and role changes playing a significant role. As the season progresses, rankings will continue to evolve, and fantasy managers will need to adapt their strategies to stay competitive.
