Mike Rose

Great analysis. Honestly, of the three pitchers the Twins acquired who are close to the majors (Bradley, Abel and Rojas), I think we could be pretty happy if any two of them become “dudes.” With Ryan and Pablo in place, imagine having above-average 3 and 4 starters, and then rounding out the rotation with one of Ober, SWR, Festa, Zebby, etc. That’s a pretty solid 1-5…and a great way to get back into contention soon. I like many am still bummed about the trade off, but if you squint, you can definitely see the vision.

With the regular season wrapping up, here are some awards for the best fantasy performances by Minnesota players. Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports A week from today marks the end of the regular season, so that makes this the last Twins Fantasy Fix of the year. It’s been a fun ride, and to wrap things up, I want to give out a few awards. Before the season began, I made my pick in four different areas: offensive and pitching MVPs, sleeper and super sleeper. Here’s who I picked back then, and who I’m picking now to end the year. Offensive MVP preseason pick: Byron Buxton Offensive MVP: Max Kepler Crazy as it sounds, Kepler has been the team’s most consistent offensive player for the past several months. That is partly due to injury-plagued, down seasons by both Buxton and Carlos Correa. However, Kepler still deserves some flowers for reaching 22 home runs, which is the second-highest total of his career. His .792 OPS is also his best since the 2019 Bomba Squad season. It’s not been an elite campaign by Kepler, but with the Twins lacking consistent offensive production, I think he deserves the MVP. Pitching MVP preseason pick: Jhoan Duran Pitching MVP: Pablo Lopez Duran has been good for fantasy purposes, but I’ll give this to Lopez in a close race with Sonny Gray. Lopez is slightly ahead of Gray in ESPN’s player rater thanks to his strikeout potential. His career-high 228 strikeouts are currently good for third in the majors. While Gray has been the steadier performer, fantasy players like upside, and Lopez provides that due to the missed bats. Sleeper preseason pick: Max Kepler Sleeper: Royce Lewis I’d have felt good going Kepler here, but I gave him the offensive MVP nod, so I’ll go with Lewis. I’m calling him a sleeper because he was somewhat off the radar (in redraft leagues, at least) to begin the year due to being out with injury. However, Lewis obviously hit the ground running in a big way. He still remained largely under-owned in fantasy, and now he’s out with a hamstring issue. However, to start the season as an undrafted player and then to go on the run Lewis did is quite impressive. Super sleeper preseason pick: Edouard Julien Super sleeper: Julien Again, purely from a fantasy perspective, Julien wasn’t really on the radar to begin the year outside of deeper dynasty formats. He was just getting his first taste of Triple-A and was no lock to see regular playing time with the Twins. Fast forward a few months, and he’s established himself as an everyday player with a strong .829 OPS. Julien will be a key player for the team again in 2024, and he should move up draft boards quite a bit as well. For the final time, let’s now take a look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Byron Buxton Expected return: This week or 2024 Buxton remains a mystery man for the Twins. He restarted his rebab assignment in St. Paul on Thursday, so a return could be imminent, but nothing has been officially announced. It’s also possible that the Twins decide to simply shut Buxton down and let him get right for 2024. If he does return to the team in an effort to get him ready for the playoffs, his talent makes him worth keeping an eye on, as he’s shown the ability to string together big games. However, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that, either. Royce Lewis Expected return: Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series As it stands, the Twins are going to let Lewis rest his hamstring and hope he’s ready for the start of the playoffs. Thus, his strong but abbreviated fantasy season appears to be over. Knock on wood that he’s fully healthy to begin 2024, and if he is, Lewis should go much higher in fantasy drafts. Carlos Correa Expected return: This week or Game 1 Correa’s injury status appears to be less murky than Buxton or Lewis. He sustained a tear of the central cortex of the plantar fascia in his left foot, which has led to swelling and some discomfort. The shortstop simply needs to let it rest, and he should be ready for the playoffs, though the Twins may get him into a few final regular season games. His disappointing fantasy season is mostly over. Brock Stewart Expected return: Any day Chris Paddack just returned Sunday and Stewart shouldn't be too far behind, as both players have been on rehab assignments with St. Paul recently. Stewart figures to give Minnesota's bullpen a boost heading into the postseason, though he might not have a ton of fantasy appeal in most formats. Stock Rising: Louie Varland ESPN ownership: 1% The Twins recalled Varland in early September and have used him as a reliever. So far, the results have been promising. He’s allowed just two earned runs across 9 1/3 innings (five appearances) with 12 strikeouts. Varland can of course pitch multiple innings as a former starter, so he stands a decent chance of earning some wins in relief. At the very least, his 2024 outlooks becomes more interesting as a potential setup option in front of Duran. Varland won’t be widely owned in that role, though he could have appeal in deeper formats. Stock Falling: Carlos Correa ESPN ownership: 66% This is due to his injury, which could end his regular season as noted above. From a fantasy perspective, you can move on from Correa, though many fantasy managers already have due to his struggles this season. The hope is that he’s healthier in 2024, and the shortstop could come at a discount on draft day, making him a decent bounce back candidate next year. But for now, Correa’s fantasy stock is down. Prospect Spotlight: Kala’i Rosario (High-A Cedar Rapids) A late-round pick in 2020, Rosario has moved up the prospect rankings since then, and he was recently named MVP of the Midwest League. The young outfielder turned in 21 home runs and 94 RBI across 118 games, both of which led the league. Rosario is still likely a few years away and the Twins have a crowded outfield situation, but he’s worth keeping an eye on in the long term. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 3 Games vs Oakland (Paul Blackburn, Luis Medina, Ken Waldichuk) 3 Games at Colorado (Ty Blach, Karl Kauffmann, Chase Anderson) The Twins head to Coors Field for the first and only time this season, which is always worth a look in DFS formats. All of the matchups look appealing this week actually, as Blackburn is the only scheduled starter on the slate with an ERA below 5.00. The only question is which Twins will be in the lineup any given day now that they’ve clinched, but that could unlock some bargain options. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Kenta Maeda is lined up to start Tuesday and Sunday. The Tuesday matchup against Oakland looks great, as the Athletics are the lowest scoring team in baseball. The Coors Field trip could be a little more dicey, and it’s possible that Maeda’s pitch count is limited if the Twins intend on using him as a reliever in the postseason. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch As noted above, the Twins should be a good DFS stack candidate this week based on matchups, but you’ll want to check on lineups each day. Expect to see plenty of Andrew Stevenson and other regular bench players. That could lead to some interesting lineup combinations and also some value in DFS, particularly during the three games at Coors Field. The two players I’m probably most focused on this week are Willi Castro and Kyle Farmer. Both should have regular roles with Lewis and Castro out, and both have had their moments when given the chance this year. I also like taking a flier on sluggers whenever they’re at Coors Field, and Matt Wallner probably fits that bill more than any other Minnesota regular at the moment. He may strike out a ton, but if anyone is going to go deep multiple times in a game, it’s probably Wallner. Who are your Minnesota fantasy MVPs this season? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

The performances of Minnesota’s younger players this season should move them up in many dynasty rankings. Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports Stories of the demise of Minnesota’s farm system were perhaps exaggerated. The Twins did notably move a handful of good prospects in the past few years to acquire the likes of Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle and Jorge Lopez, with the last two deals of course not looking so great at the moment. With the exodus of some young talent, there was chatter about Minnesota’s system taking a hit, and it certainly did from a depth perspective. However, I think we’ve seen enough from a handful of Minnesota youngsters to still feel pretty good about the system, both from a real baseball and fantasy perspective. In terms of minor league prospects, Brooks Lee and Walker Jenkins continue to look like studs, while David Festa has gotten off to an encouraging start at the Triple-A level, and Austin Martin has rehabbed some of his stock with the Saints this season as well. Emmanuel Rodriguez is also still an intriguing long-term prospect for dynasty players. Looking at players already in the majors, Royce Lewis is the obvious dynasty riser, and I have more on him below. Edouard Julien has also seen his stock climb dramatically in the past year. Meanwhile, Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez and Jhoan Duran aren’t quite as young as Lewis and Julien and perhaps don’t have as much upside in dynasty formats, but all three have boosted their outlooks this year. The trio is still in their 20s, so plenty of good baseball should be ahead. Overall, these five players are likely the best Minnesota dynasty targets when considering both immediate impact and long-term upside. It’s a pretty solid group that fantasy managers can feel comfortable investing in. Let’s now take a look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Michael A. Taylor Expected return: This week Taylor took batting practice and ran the bases last week as he recovers from a hamstring strain. It looks like a return is imminent, which could cut into Willi Castro’s playing time in center field. Brock Stewart Expected return: Sept. 22 Stewart began a rehab assignment with the Saints on Friday and looked sharp. He’ll likely get in a few more appearances for St. Paul, and assuming everything goes well, he should return from his elbow issue when the Twins start their final homestand of the season. Chris Paddack Expected return: Late September Paddack tossed 58 pitches in a rehab game for Double-A Wichita last week after previously logging 54 pitches in his first rehab game. The righty is still hoping to help the Twins at the end of the regular season and possibly in the playoffs, with a long-relief role his likely landing spot as he returns from Tommy John surgery. Byron Buxton Expected return: Late September Buxton’s hamstring injury remains a mystery hanging over the team. He was pulled from a rehab assignment in early September and has yet to pick it back up. He could still return at the end of the month and give the squad a jolt, though fantasy players shouldn’t count on anything more from Buxton at this point. Nick Gordon Expected return: Late September or 2024 Gordon suffered a fractured tibia earlier this year but could work his way back before the regular season ends. He started a rehab assignment with the Saints on Friday and will likely need a little time there considering his long layoff. Gordon could give the Twins a dynamic bench option for the postseason but likely won’t have any more fantasy impact in 2023. Stock Rising: Royce Lewis ESPN ownership: 48% We’re running out of words to describe what Lewis has been doing. He’s now batting .311 this year with a .923 OPS, 14 home runs (including four grand slams!) and 51 RBI across 55 games. Over the course of 162 games, that comes out to around 41 long balls and 150 RBI. I still can’t believe that his ownership is under 50%, and managers who’ve enjoyed Royce’s run could very well be in line to win their leagues. Lewis should rocket up draft boards in 2024, particularly in dynasty formats considering he's still only 24. Stock Falling: Dallas Keuchel ESPN ownership: 1% Keuchel is not scheduled to start again this season as he shifts to a relief role, which makes room for Bailey Ober’s return to the rotation. The veteran southpaw had a few nice moments, though he has an 8.03 ERA across his last three starts, so he may be running out of gas. Either way, his fantasy value is essentially zero as a long reliever, so managers should look elsewhere. Prospect Spotlight: Walker Jenkins (Single-A Fort Myers) Jenkins quickly earned a promotion from the Florida Complex League, and the 18-year-old has continued to mash for his new team. Across 12 games for Fort Myers, he’s batting .392 with a 1.054 OPS and 10 RBI. The offensive talent is clear, and while Jenkins likely won’t appear with the Twins until 2025 at the earliest, he’s a definite target in dynasty formats. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 3 Games vs Cincinnati (Connor Phillips, Ben Lively, Hunter Greene) 3 Games at Los Angeles Angels (Griffin Canning, Tyler Anderson, Reid Detmers) The Twins will face the Reds for the first time this year, which means getting a closer look at former Minnesota prospects Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. While Cincinnati has been strong on offense, the pitching matchups don’t look particularly daunting. Same goes for the Angels, so it could be a big week for Minnesota hitters. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Joe Ryan is set to start Monday and Sunday. As noted, the Reds are a tricky matchup, but if Ryan can navigate that one, he could be in line for two wins this week with the Angels struggling lately and playing without both Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch Greene probably has the best pure stuff of anyone Minnesota will face this week, but no one on the slate looks too scary. Phillips has an ERA over 8.00 and is currently at Triple-A, while Lively and Anderson have ERAs above 5.00. Those are the spots I’d focus on in DFS. Phillips and Lively are both righties, so Julien, Max Kepler and Alex Kirilloff are good targets. Anderson is a lefty, so Lewis and Carlos Correa probably deserve a bump. Frankly, Lewis looks matchup-proof at this point, and with middling pitchers on the docket this week, he could be in line for a huge week. As noted above, he should probably be more widely owned, so now could be a good time to scoop Lewis up if he’s still out there in your league. Willi Castro also merits a quick shoutout, as he’s batting .304 this month with a pair of home runs and stolen bases. He’s been dynamic for Minnesota when given the opportunity, and while the return of Taylor could cut into Castro’s role, I think he’s a good bargain option in DFS whenever he’s in the lineup. Which Twins are you most excited about in dynasty leagues? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

As we near the end of the regular season, Minnesota hitters are showing some signs of life for fantasy players. Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports The Twins are 6-3 in September, and the offense has been a big reason why. Minnesota is averaging 6.8 runs per game this month, which included a 20-run outburst against Cleveland. There are a few guys fantasy players should focus on while the offense is hot. Carlos Correa (more on him below) is finally looking like himself, Royce Lewis has become a force at the plate and Alex Kirilloff is back at the party. The strong offensive performance raises the late-season outlooks of other Minnesota hitters as well, particularly Max Kepler, who has been locked in pretty much the entire second half and typically occupies a key lineup spot. We’ll explore the offense’s outlook for the week ahead in a bit more depth below. Let’s now take a look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also highlight some matchups to target and avoid this week. Twins Injury Updates Jorge Polanco Expected return: This week Polanco was placed on the bereavement list Sunday and will be away from the team for a few days. Gilberto Celestino was recalled from St. Paul to fill Polanco’s spot on the roster, but the former should be able to return soon, and he’s been performing well at the plate recently, too. Byron Buxton Expected return: September Buxton’s return remains a bit of a mystery. He was removed from his second rehab game on Sept. 1 with soreness in his right knee. Buxton has since been officially pulled from his rehab stint, and while it appears like a significant setback, the Twins haven’t ruled out his return this season. Michael A. Taylor Expected return: September Taylor remains out with a hamstring strain. He’s hopeful to return soon, but Willi Castro will continue filling in most of the time in center field until then. Brock Stewart Expected return: September Stewart tossed a 20-pitch bullpen session last week and felt good afterward. It’s unclear if a rehab assignment will follow or if the righty will continue to toss bullpens. Stewart could slot in as a key setup option if he’s able to return before the end of the year. Chris Paddack Expected return: Late September Paddack began a rehab assignment last week, tossing 54 pitches in his first game with Fort Myers. The righty is aiming for a Sept. 22 return to the majors, though he’ll likely work in a bullpen role instead of as a starter. Stock Rising: Carlos Correa ESPN ownership: 70% Late-season Carlos seems like officially a thing. The shortstop is batting .343 this month with two home runs and six RBI in nine games. Last year, as the Twins’ playoff hopes faded, Correa still batted .355 in the season’s final month with seven home runs and 19 RBI. If Correa gets on a roll like that, he could make the difference in many fantasy leagues down the stretch. Stock Falling: Joey Gallo ESPN ownership: 3% Gallo was pretty much already a fantasy afterthought, but he’s probably now fully off the radar for the rest of the year. He was placed on the injured list Friday with a foot contusion, which was convenient for the Twins with Kirilloff returning the same day. Whether Gallo is seriously hurt or not, it seems unlikely that he resurfaces with Minnesota unless there are more injuries. Gallo should not be on any fantasy rosters at this point. Prospect Spotlight: David Festa (Triple-A St. Paul) Festa was promoted to Triple-A at the end of August and he’s been good in two appearances for the Saints, allowing three earned runs across 9 2/3 innings with 13 strikeouts. The righty is one of Minnesota’s top pitching prospects, and while he’s unlikely to make noise for the team this year, he could push for a rotation spot to begin 2024. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 3 Games vs Tampa (Tyler Glasnow, Zack Littell, Taj Bradley) 4 Games at Chicago White Sox (Jose Urena, Jesse Scholtens, Dylan Cease, Touki Toussaint) Minnesota has a big test with Tampa coming to town, followed by a matchup with the struggling White Sox. For both Minnesota pitchers and hitters, I’m focusing on the Chicago matchups, but there are some avenues to potentially exploit with the Rays. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan are each slated to start twice. Both have been solid all season, and they should be locked into fantasy lineups this week. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch Glasnow is the one spot I really don’t like this week, as he’s posted a solid 2.98 ERA so far and is coming off of a 13-strikeout performance. However, old friend Littell and Bradley are way less imposing, with the latter coming into the game with an ERA north of 5.00. Neither player has much of a history against the Twins, though you could definitely consider Minnesota stacks against the middling arms. The Chicago matchups look very enticing across the board. Urena has a career ERA of 4.90 and it’s been above 5.00 each of the last four seasons. Scholtens is 1-8 with a 4.38 ERA. Cease has struggled lately and has an ERA just a notch below 5.00. And Toussaint has a career ERA above 5.00 and hasn’t been much better this year. You could justify a Minnesota stack in any of these spots. Cease is the pitcher the Twins have seen the most, and Kepler has taken him deep three times in 25 career at-bats. Which Minnesota hitters do you expect the most from down the stretch? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

With Byron Buxton experiencing some soreness in his last rehab game, should fantasy managers officially count him out? Image courtesy of Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Byron Buxton remains out with some injury questions, and it’s unclear if or when he’ll be able to return. In his second rehab game for the Saints on Friday, Buxton left early with soreness in the patella tendon of his right knee. The team is considering him “day to day,” and while players often experience some soreness when they return after a long layoff, this news is still disconcerting given his history. The Twins figure to keep doing what they’ve been doing most of the year: Michael A. Taylor in center field (though he’s also dealing with an injury; more on that below), spelled occasionally by the likes of Willi Castro and Joey Gallo, with a number of players rotating through the DH spot. But what should fantasy managers do? If you have an open IL spot and have been carrying Buxton there, you can probably maintain the status quo, though I wouldn’t fault you for dropping him, either. It’s hard to imagine Buxton having a significant fantasy impact down the home stretch, if he’s even able to take the field. In dynasty formats, Buxton’s outlook is a bit more complicated. He signed a seven-year contract after the 2021 season, so he’s in Minnesota’s plans for the foreseeable future. However, he’ll also be 30 when the 2024 season begins, and it’s unclear if he’ll return to center field at some point or if he’s looking like more of a full-time DH. While his defensive abilities don’t matter in fantasy, position eligibility does matter. Plus, if Buxton is deemed incapable of playing center, it probably also means he won’t run as much. At his peak, Buxton is a 20-20 (or 30-30) threat, though he last had double-digit steals back in 2019. If the next phase of his career sees him hitting for power but without the steals, he becomes a lot less appealing in fantasy because a lot of players can provide home runs on their own. I’d say Buxton could still be worth a lottery ticket in dynasty leagues, though I wouldn’t invest heavily in him, and I’d feel a lot better if we saw him run a bit more. Just don’t hold your breath. Let’s now take a look at some other key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Michael A. Taylor Expected return: Mid-September Taylor aggravated a hamstring injury and was placed on the injured list a day later. With Buxton still a question mark, the Taylor news is a blow to the team, though they activated Willi Castro in a corresponding move. Castro could become the top option in center field in the interim, though Gallo and Andrew Stevenson figure to also mix in. Alex Kirilloff Expected return: September Like Buxton, Kirilloff also began a rehab assignment with the Saints this past week. The team hasn’t said how long the assignment will be, but expect him back sometime this month, assuming he doesn’t suffer a setback in his recovery from a shoulder strain. Brock Stewart Expected return: September Stewart has tossed a few bullpen sessions recently and has said he’s targeting a Sept. 10 return, though that’s still up in the air. He could give the Twins a boost but his fantasy value is limited outside of leagues that count holds. Chris Paddack Expected return: Late September Paddack’s return from Tommy John surgery is maybe a little further out, though it’s encouraging that he’s being discussed for a role in the majors this season. If the righty is able to return, the Twins will likely be extremely cautious, so he probably would slot into the bullpen and be on a pitch count. Jose Miranda Expected return: TBD Miranda was recently transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day IL, and it’s unclear if he’ll play again this year. It’s been a lost season for Miranda, who started the campaign as the team’s regular third baseman and was expected to make a big impact following a promising 2022 debut. He still figures to be in the team’s plans for 2024 and beyond, though his outlook is a little less promising than it was a year ago. Stock Rising: Joe Ryan ESPN ownership: 90% Ryan has now made two starts since returning from a groin strain and he’s looked sharp. The righty has allowed just two earned runs over 11 total innings with 14 strikeouts. Before the injury began to slow him down, Ryan was quite effective, posting a 2.98 ERA across his first 15 starts of the season. If the groin issue is fully behind him, Ryan should be able to get back to his earlier form, and if that’s the case, he should be locked into fantasy lineups moving forward. Stock Falling: Jhoan Duran ESPN ownership: 46% Duran’s overall numbers look good: 2.60 ERA, 12.2 K/9 and 24 saves. However, he’s been much more pedestrian lately with a 4.20 ERA and two blown saves over his last 15 appearances. I still think he should be rostered in most fantasy formats due to his talent and role, though he’s lost a little bit of his shine in recent weeks. Prospect Spotlight: Andrew Stevenson (Minnesota) Stevenson just made his Twins debut Friday, but I’ll retroactively give him some attention as a prospect. The outfielder was outstanding for the Saints this year, batting .317 with 16 home runs and a whopping 44 stolen bases in 106 games. He projects as a depth piece for the Twins in the short term, though with Taylor out, Stevenson may be able to seize a more prominent role if he plays well. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 3 Games at Cleveland (Lucas Giolito, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams) 3 Games vs New York Mets (Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Tylor Megill) The Twins play a familiar opponent in Cleveland then get the Mets for the first time this season. Giolito will be making his debut for the Guardians, and the righty has experience against the Twins from his time with the White Sox. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Pablo Lopez lines up to start Monday and Sunday. After an incredible stretch in August when he recorded three straight scoreless appearances, the righty has taken a bit of a step back, allowing eight runs in his last two starts. However, the matchups look good and Lopez has been solid overall, so he should be locked into fantasy lineups. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch Giolito has been mostly good against the Twins, holding them to a .194 average overall. However, Max Kepler is hitting .293 against the righty and has taken him deep three times. With Giolito struggling a bit lately (6.89 ERA in six appearances for the Angels), you could definitely consider a Minnesota stack on Monday, with Kepler included. The Twins just saw Bibee, and he held them to two runs and only four hits. He’s been solid all year with a 3.03 ERA and might be worth avoiding. Williams exited a recent start against Minnesota after just one inning due to knee soreness but has been deemed healthy. He’s also been solid with a 3.46 ERA. The New York pitchers are not surprisingly less familiar to Minnesota hitters. The Twins have never seen Senga, who’s been solid in his first season in the majors after coming over from Japan, posting a 3.08 ERA and striking out 176 batters across 143 1/3 innings. I like the other two New York matchups a lot better, as both Peterson and Megill have ERAs over 5.00. Without any significant matchup histories to lean on, I’d probably just target the usual suspects for the Twins: Edouard Julien, Jorge Polanco, Royce Lewis, Max Kepler and possibly Carlos Correa, though I trust the first three more at the moment. Donovan Solano will also probably be in the lineup against the lefty Peterson and he’s batting .302 against southpaws this season. He projects as a great low-cost DFS option in that spot. What do you expect from Buxton in fantasy the rest of this year and beyond? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

Did the same thing…which means he’s going to go off as soon as he gets back. Guaranteed! 🤣

The Twins have been getting big contributions from young players, and fantasy managers should take notice. Image courtesy of Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports Let the kids have some fun! That’s been the Twins’ motto lately, as the team has been getting big contributions from young players as they head into the home stretch. Here are a few highlights from guys who are 25 years old or younger: Edouard Julien (80 games): .286 batting average, .378 on-base percentage, 11 home runs Royce Lewis (37 games): .312 batting average, .500 slugging percentage, .858 OPS Matt Wallner (47 games): .496 slugging percentage, .832 OPS, nine home runs Jhoan Duran (49 games): 2.58 ERA, 12.3 K/9, 23 saves This list doesn’t include Alex Kirilloff, who has been out with injury but figures to return next month. Duran is clearly locked in as the team’s top reliever, and the offensive players should maintain key roles as well, with the likes of Joey Gallo and Kyle Farmer more at risk of losing playing time once Kirilloff and Byron Buxton rejoin the mix. The Twins seem set to go as far as their youngsters will carry them. For fantasy purposes, trusting youngsters can be a frustrating endeavor, but I’m willing to trust the upside. Duran should already be owned in most competitive formats, though the other three are all owned in less than 10% of ESPN leagues. If you’re willing to roll the dice, consider taking a flier on one or more of them, as the payoff could be well worth it. Let’s now take a look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Byron Buxton Expected return: September Buxton should begin a rehab assignment soon, and a return figures to come not long after that. The big question will be whether he’ll play center field, and if so, how frequently. Allowing Buxton to play center and not DH would open the DH role for Julien in what’s becoming a crowded Minnesota lineup. Alex Kirilloff Expected return: September Kirilloff also hopes to begin a rehab assignment soon. He’s been hitting off a machine and doing some of his normal pregame work, so he seems to be close to fully recovered from his right shoulder strain. His return might push Gallo off the roster, and Donovan Solano would likely see his role reduced. Willi Castro Expected return: Late August or early September Castro is dealing with a mild oblique strain. He started a rehab assignment Friday and may be back with the Twins at the end of this month or early next month. Castro gives the Twins a versatile bench option, but with other guys getting healthy, he may not start that often down the stretch, except for when others need a day off. Brock Stewart Expected return: September Stewart threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, which is a positive sign after he experienced a setback last month in his recovery from right elbow soreness. The righty could provide a boost to the middle of Minnesota’s bullpen, though he may not have a fantasy-friendly role outside of deeper formats. Stock Rising: Royce Lewis ESPN ownership: 9% There’s a reason Lewis was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft a few years ago, and now that he’s healthy (knocks on wood) he’s been showing it. Since returning on Aug. 15, Lewis has batted .279 with a .925 OPS, three home runs and nine RBI across 11 games. He’s a dynamic player who should stick in a key spot within Minnesota’s lineup. I’m kind of surprised his ownership is this low, but I imagine it will rise, and Lewis is also an attractive option in daily formats considering that his salary is still pretty low. Stock Falling: Michael A. Taylor ESPN ownership: 1% Taylor has actually been pretty good this month (.246 batting average, .888 OPS and seven home runs across 19 games), but he could get squeezed out of some playing time if Buxton does in fact return to center field. As good as Taylor has been, the Twins still have too much invested into Buxton to not give him a regular role when healthy. Taylor will still play often, because the Twins will surely be cautious with Buxton, but a smaller role seems likely. Taylor is not widely owned, though he’s been useful in deeper formats and daily games due to his ability to hit for power and swipe a base. He should still be able to do that, just maybe not as often. Prospect Spotlight Kody Funderburk (Triple-A St. Paul) Funderburk could be a September call-up option based on his strong play this year. The former 15th-round pick has posted a 2.36 ERA and struck out a whopping 89 batters across 61 innings this year. If he gets the call, Funderburk may not have much fantasy appeal in 2023, though if he keeps missing bats, he could be an intriguing relief option next year and beyond if he settles into a high-leverage role. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 3 Games vs Cleveland (Xzavion Curry, Gavin Williams, Cal Quantrill) 3 Games at Texas Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery, Nathan Eovaldi) The Twins’ big stretch continues with series against the Guardians and Rangers (again). Cleveland is the third-lowest scoring team in the league, though Texas is much better, sitting at second best. The Rangers are also rolling out their three best starters during the series, so Minnesota hitters will be challenged. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Even with the Twins playing six games, they don’t have any one set to start twice at the moment, as it looks like they’ll roll with six starters for the time being. That will allow Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober to get a bit more rest down the stretch. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch The Texas series looks like a buzzsaw when it comes to pitching matchups, so targeting Cleveland starters may be the best play in daily formats. Curry and Williams have both pitched well but are fairly inexperienced. Quantrill is returning from injury and has a rough 6.45 ERA this season, though he’s stymied Minnesota hitters in his career, as the Twins are batting just .195 against him all time. If you do go against the grain and roll out some Twins against the Texas starters, Carlos Correa is 8-for-24 all time against Eovaldi, 4-for-10 against Montgomery and 3-for-10 against Scherzer. As noted above, Lewis has also been locked in since returning from injury, and it makes sense to trust his talent even in tricky matchups. Which Minnesota youngster has you most excited in fantasy? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

Pablo Lopez is the headliner for the Twins right now, both in real baseball and fantasy Image courtesy of Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports I could have gone a few different ways with this week’s column, but let’s be real – Pablo Lopez had to be the focus. He’s on an amazing run right now (more on that below) and could end up winning the championship for his managers, especially considering his relatively modest ADP. Simply put, he’s been everything the Twins and fantasy players could have hoped for. Before diving into the Pablo show, I’ll continue to look at under-the-radar options, inspired by this article from a few weeks ago. Today, let’s look at the NL East: Atlanta: Orlando Arcia (32% ESPN ownership). The Atlanta offense is a machine, and Arcia’s low ownership plus fairly solid stats could be your way to get in on the action. Philadelphia: Taijuan Walker (33%). Walker has an OK 4.03 ERA and only 106 strikeouts across 131 2/3 innings this year, though he’s managed 13 wins. Backed by a strong offense, he could continue to excel there, and he may be able to lower his ERA after finishing with a 3.49 mark last year. Miami: Eury Perez (35%). The rookie righty has dazzled with a 2.91 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 83 strikeouts across 68 innings. While workload restrictions are a concern, Perez’s per-start upside is very high. New York: Adam Ottavino (4%). When the Mets traded David Robertson, it opened the door for Ottavino to see regular save chances. Brooks Raley is in the mix too, but the righty Ottavino looks like the top option right now, and he’s widely available. Washington: CJ Abrams (33%). Abrams remains under-owned, as the young shortstop is batting a respectable .250, and he’s supplemented that with 12 home runs and 33 stolen bases. Let’s now take a look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Joe Ryan Expected return: Late August Ryan made his first rehab start for St. Paul on Friday as he comes back from a groin strain. He looked good, allowing just one run across four innings while logging 71 pitches. His next start could come for the Twins, though that’s not been announced yet. Byron Buxton Expected return: September Buxton has returned to some baseball activity as he recovers from a hamstring strain. A return in September seems possible, and manager Rocco Baldelli indicated that Buxton could return to the outfield for a playoff push. That won’t do much for his fantasy outlook, though it would make many Twins fans happy. Alex Kirilloff Expected return: September Kirilloff doesn’t have a clear timeline for a return, though he has started to hit off a tee. He’s been out for a few weeks with a right shoulder strain. Willi Castro Expected return: Late August or early September Castro is dealing with a mild oblique strain and should be able to return soon. He’s been a valuable utility player for the Twins, though with Royce Lewis and Jorge Polanco both back in the fold, the playing time might not be there for Castro to have a ton of fantasy value. Stock Rising: Pablo Lopez ESPN ownership: 97% I had Lopez in this space last week, but I couldn’t justify going with anyone else. The righty hasn’t allowed a run in his last three starts, a span of 19 innings. His three starts before that weren’t too bad, either, as he allowed just five earned runs over 18 innings. All in all, the good stretch has allowed Lopez to lower his ERA to 3.51, and he’s tied for the AL lead in strikeouts with 187. He’s been the best fantasy pitcher in ESPN formats across the last 15 days and one of the best options all season long. Lopez is entering the Cy Young chat and has been a roster lock for fantasy managers. Stock Falling: Griffin Jax ESPN ownership: 1% Jax is lightly owned, but he had a chance to show some value in deeper leagues as a reliable 1B to Jhoan Duran’s 1A. However, Jax has struggled a bit lately, allowing five runs over 6 1/3 innings this month. At the same time, Emilio Pagan has emerged as a dependable option, and Caleb Thielbar has returned as well. As it stands now, Jax still should have a high-leverage role, though he may not be as consistent of a source of holds and even a few saves with more competition around him. Prospect Spotlight: Austin Martin (Triple-A St. Paul) Martin is reintroducing himself as a prospect. The 24-year-old didn’t get off to a great start with the Saints, though he’s been much better lately. Since the middle of July, he’s batting .315 with a .904 OPS across 28 games. If Martin can stay hot, he could be a September call-up, and his ability to get on base and swipe a bag could make him a useful option if he sees regular playing time. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 2 Games at Milwaukee (Wade Miley, Corbin Burnes) 4 Games vs Texas (Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery) It’s a tough and important week for the Twins, as they’ll face two playoff-caliber teams in their own quest for the postseason. Every starter on the docket has a sub-3.75 ERA as well except for Andrew Heaney, who has a 4.27 ERA and may be worth targeting, though he is a lefty and Minnesota has struggled mightily against southpaws. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Bailey Ober is lined up to start Tuesday and Sunday. He’s been good this season but has struggled a bit lately, and he makes for a risky option in standard formats next week, particularly against a tough Texas team that is second in the majors in runs scored. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch Matt Wallner took a pitch to the hand Friday and sat out Saturday. Thankfully, X-rays did not show any broken bones and he's back in the lineup Sunday, so he should be good to go moving forward. The powerful outfielder is still a bit boom-or-bust at the plate, though he does have four home runs, 13 RBI and an .811 OPS in 13 games this month. His power potential makes him worth watching in fantasy. Meanwhile, if you believe in targeting Heaney in daily leagues as the weakest starter the Twins will face this week, consider using Correa in that spot, as he’s 8-for-21 all time against the southpaw with three doubles. I’d probably include Royce Lewis in a stack against Heaney as well as Ryan Jeffers, who owns an .801 OPS and .462 slugging percentage against lefties over the last three years. How would you describe Pablo Lopez’s fantasy impact this year? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

A few notable Twins are expected back soon. Here’s a look at some of the fantasy impacts. Image courtesy of Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports The Twins have been inconsistent on offense all season, and part of the culprit lately has been injuries, as all of Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff are out (not to mention Joe Ryan on the mound). Lewis appears to be the closest to returning (more on that below), and as a result, I’m most bullish on his fantasy outlook the rest of the way. Lewis should play everyday when he’s back with the Twins, but the key question is where. Minnesota has been using Jorge Polanco at third base in an effort to keep Edouard Julien’s bat in the lineup at second base. Lewis has mostly played third during his recent rehab stint, however, so it seems like he’ll end up back there, with Polanco returning to second and Julien getting first and/or DH. That will have a trickle down effect, which will be compounded by the (likely) eventual returns of Buxton and Kirilloff. Buxton has exclusively served as the DH this year, so if Julien is getting reps there, a platoon situation may develop. Kirilloff, meanwhile, typically plays first or a corner outfield spot. His return should hopefully and finally mean the end of the Joey Gallo experiment, assuming the Twins realize that Matt Wallner needs to retain a regular role. Donovan Solano is also back in the lineup Sunday after missing four games with a right knee issue, and he gives the Twins an option at first against southpaws, with Kirilloff likely to slot in against righties when he’s able to return. Let’s now take a closer look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Joe Ryan Expected return: TBD Ryan is still out with a groin strain. Dallas Keuchel has made two starts in the meantime, though his second one was a disaster and could be his last with the Twins. With no clear return set for Ryan, Louie Varland may return to Minnesota’s rotation, where he had some success earlier in the year before falling off. Byron Buxton Expected return: TBD Buxton remains out with a hamstring strain. The team expects him to be shut down for a few weeks before reevaluating. He’s yet to resume any type of baseball activity, and while no word on a shutdown has emerged yet, it’s not out of the question in what’s become a lost season for Buxton. Alex Kirilloff Expected return: TBD Kirilloff is dealing with a right shoulder strain and remains without a clear timeline, though it seems like he should return this season. Royce Lewis Expected return: August Lewis continues to recover from a Grade 2 oblique strain. He began a rehab assignment with the Saints on Tuesday. In four games, he hit .417/.500/.917 (1.417) with two homers and a stolen base. He played two games at third base and made the plays. The stats don't really matter. He got through the week without any setbacks. As noted above, he’ll likely slot back in at third, though he could possibly play in center to give the Twins some versatility. Stock Rising: Pablo Lopez ESPN ownership: 97% I firmly stick by my take that Pablo Lopez is an ace and the Twins were right to move Luis Arraez to acquire him. Over the righty’s last five starts, he has a 1.45 ERA and 35 strikeouts across 31 innings. For the season, he has a 3.66 ERA and 180 strikeouts (good for third in the majors) across 147 2/3 innings. His 3.19 FIP suggests his ERA may continue to drop as he turns in ace-like production for fantasy managers. Stock Falling: Bailey Ober ESPN ownership: 45% Bailey Ober is trending in the opposite direction of Lopez. Over his last five starts, Ober has a 5.88 ERA and has served up seven home runs. His season ERA still sits at a solid 3.40, but he’s been way less dominant lately. The workload could be catching up to Ober, as he’s now up to a career-high 108 2/3 innings after not reaching 100 MLB innings in either of his previous two seasons. The righty is still usable in the right spots, though I think he’s fallen into more of the streamer category versus a must start. Prospect Spotlight: Emmanuel Rodriguez (High-A Cedar Rapids) The 20-year-old top prospect has a solid .851 OPS this year for the Kernels, and he’s been even better in August with a robust 1.147 OPS across nine games. And most importantly, he avoided a serious injury after colliding with the wall recently, as Twins Daily’s Seth Stohs noted. Rodriguez is still a few years away from the majors, though he could be a force by the time he’s ready. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 2 Games vs Detroit (Alex Faedo, Reese Olson) 3 Games vs Pittsburgh (Mitch Keller, Andre Jackson, Quinn Priester) After a full seven games on the road this past week, the Twins are set for a lighter week at home. With only five games on the schedule, it may be hard to use any Minnesota hitters in weekly formats. However, in daily formats, the Twins set up well on paper, as Cedar Rapids-native Mitch Keller is the only real established option on the docket. And he’s struggled lately with a 9.11 ERA over his last five starts. Detroit and Pittsburgh are also both in the bottom six in the league in runs scored, so Minnesota starters look to have very promising matchups, though no one is set to take the mound twice. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch With no lefties on the schedule, Edouard Julien should be in line for a good week, along with potentially Max Kepler. Despite neither pitcher being much of a standout, the Twins have struggled collectively for some reason against Faedo and Olson. The team obviously doesn’t have as much experience against Pittsburgh’s hurlers, though notably, Kyle Farmer is 8-for-15 against Keller from his time with the Reds. He could be a good low-budget DFS option that day, assuming the Twins slot him into the lineup. Which Minnesota player are you most excited to see return from a fantasy perspective? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

I wanted to believe in Carlos Correa in fantasy, but time might be about up for the shortstop. Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports I really wanted to believe in Carlos Correa, fantasy star. I wrote about staying patient in June, then made the case for him last month when he moved into the leadoff spot. However, as Nick Nelson so succinctly wrote about earlier this week, it may be time to give up on the breakout. This might actually be what Correa is for fantasy purposes, and if that’s the case, there are plenty of better options likely available on your waiver wire. For starters, the opposing shortstop this weekend, Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo , is available in about 85% of ESPN leagues. He’s batting .269 this season and has swiped 13 bases. At this point, you’d probably welcome that level of production versus what you may get from Correa. A few other shortstops who are lightly owned that you might want to consider: CJ Abrams, Orlando Arcia and Anthony Volpe. All are available in about 70% of leagues or more, and in the case of Abrams and Volpe, have at least 20 stolen bases. Speaking of lightly owned players, I’m going to continue my look at under-the-radar fantasy options from each team. This week, I’ll run through the AL West: Rangers: Mitch Garver (3% owned). Hello, old friend! With Johan Heim injured, Garver has taken over as the team’s primary catcher, and he’s been solid with an .832 OPS this year. Astros: Jose Urquidy (11%). The righty is returning to the rotation Sunday after being out since April due to a shoulder injury, and he struggled when he was healthy, but he was decent last year and could be a streaming option the rest of this year with a strong team behind him. Mariners: Eugenio Suarez (22%). Twins fans are familiar with what Suarez can do when he gets hot. He’s only batting .232 but has 16 home runs and could be worth targeting if he heats up. Angels: Mickey Moniak (16%). Moniak has been a pleasant surprise for the Angels all year, batting .307 with 12 home runs, often from the leadoff spot. Athletics: Trevor May (3%). Another old friend! May has become Oakland’s closer, and while that job doesn’t come with a ton of opportunities, it still gives him a little fantasy value at a very cheap price. Let’s now look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Joe Ryan Expected return: TBD It was revealed that Ryan has been dealing with a groin strain, which could explain his recent struggles. The team decided to move him to the injured list, opening up a rotation spot for Dallas Keuchel in the meantime. Ryan should be able to return before the season ends, though it remains to be seen if the Twins keep Keuchel in the rotation and decide to roll with six starters at some point. Byron Buxton Expected return: TBD Buxton also hit the injured list recently with a hamstring strain. The team expects him to be shut down for a few weeks before reevaluating. Buxton has mostly struggled all year, so perhaps some time away is just what he needs to get right. That could benefit fantasy managers in the long run, but there’s not really a long run left this season, so Buxton might not have a chance to make much of an impact before the campaign wraps up. Alex Kirilloff Expected return: TBD The third of three Minnesota players to hit the injured list recently, Kirilloff is dealing with a right shoulder strain. He received a cortisone injection and is still allowing the shoulder to rest before he begins any kind of rehab work. Royce Lewis Expected return: August Lewis continues to recover from a Grade 2 oblique strain. He’s been playing catch from 120 feet and taking batting practice, and his return shouldn’t be too far off, which is good news for a team missing Buxton and Kirilloff. Lewis should regain an everyday role, though it’s unclear if that will be at third base or elsewhere with Jorge Polanco playing the hot corner lately. Brock Stewart Expected return: TBD Stewart was originally expected back shortly after the All-Star break, but he experienced a setback in his recovery from right elbow soreness, and the team shifted him to the 60-day injured list. He could return in September if everything goes well, but the Twins will proceed cautiously. Stock Rising: Matt Wallner ESPN ownership: 1% Wallner is available in pretty much every league, and he could be worth taking a chance on as he starts to see regular playing time. Over his last 10 games, the young outfielder has five home runs and a 1.076 OPS. The eventual return of Buxton, Kirilloff and Lewis will complicate the playing time picture, but Joey Gallo should be more at risk than Wallner. As long as Wallner keeps hitting the ball over the wall, he should remain in the lineup. Stock Falling: Byron Buxton ESPN ownership: 50% Like with Correa, I wanted to believe that a breakout was coming, but it doesn’t look like it’s coming for Buxton either. His latest injury might be the final nail in the coffin, as he’s running out of time to get into a groove of any kind. Buxton still has immense talent, though it looks like 2023 will go down as a lost season, and fantasy managers can probably move on if they don’t have any IL spots available. Prospect Spotlight: Brooks Lee (Triple-A St. Paul) Lee was promoted to Triple-A earlier in the month, and he earned the promotion with a .292 average and 11 home runs across 87 games at the Double-A level. Lee is an advanced hitter for a prospect, making his MLB debut a possibility later this year. He’s already on the radar in dynasty formats, but managers in redraft leagues might want to take notice soon as well. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 4 Games at Detroit (Joey Wentz, Eduardo Rodriguez, Reese Olson, Tarik Skubal) 3 Games at Philadelphia (Cristopher Sanchez, Taijuan Walker, Ranger Suarez) It could be a tough week for Minnesota’s hitters, as the club is slated to face five left-handed starters in seven games, and their struggles against southpaws are well documented at this point. Twins’ pitchers could be in a better spot, at least to begin the week when they’ll face Detroit, a team that is 29th in the league in runs scored. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray. Both righties have been good lately, and with the matchups against the Tigers coming up, I like both of them in lineups this week. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch In theory, this would be a good week for right-handed Minnesota batters. Ryan Jeffers may be the player to watch, as he’s sporting a 1.431 OPS across his last 10 games. The Twins are still giving Christian Vazquez regular playing time for some reason, but Jeffers is making it harder and harder to keep him out of the lineup. As far as stackable spots, Wentz (6.37 ERA) and Olson (4.94 ERA) look like the best targets. The Twins have actually struggled against Wentz with a .159 batting average across 44 all-time at-bats, but his struggles this year make it seem like that trend could change. Olson is a rookie with a much shorter track record against the Twins. He’s one of the few righties on the schedule this week, so Edouard Julien and Max Kepler (and maybe Gallo, if you’re desperate) could make sense in daily formats. Is Correa cooked in fantasy? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

With a few Minnesota pitchers enduring rough appearances recently, workload concerns could be creeping up. Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports What happened to the Twins’ pitching? A few bad starts (and a rough Jhoan Duran relief appearance) has led to a string of disappointing losses to end the week. Workload issues could be at play. Joe Ryan (more on him below) is now at 122 innings, which is getting closer to his career high of 147 set last season. Bailey Ober has set a new career high with 98 2/3 innings. Duran continues to be heavily used in critical spots, including pitching three days in a row earlier this month. The team may decide to add Dallas Keuchel to the rotation in the near future, which would give Ryan, Ober and others a little bit of a break. In the bullpen, the addition of Dylan Floro helps, as will the return of Caleb Thielbar and eventually Brock Stewart, but a trade might still be needed to further bolster this area and give Duran more support. I still believe in the likes of Ryan, Ober and Duran despite some recent stumbles, though it’s worth watching what the team does (or doesn’t) do to help them down the stretch. Obviously I would feel a bit better about all of them if reinforcements were added to lessen their loads just a bit. Before getting into the rest of the regular update, I’m going to continue my look at under-the-radar fantasy options from each team. This week, I’ll run through the AL East: Orioles: Ryan O’ Hearn (4% owned in ESPN leagues). The former Kansas City slugger is now part of a resurgent Baltimore squad. He often sits against southpaws but has managed a .301 batting average and nine home runs from his platoon role. Rays: Pete Fairbanks (23%). Fairbanks is the team’s top closing option and has pitched well with a 1.90 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. He missed some time due to injury, otherwise he’d likely be more widely owned. Blue Jays: Yusei Kikuchi (29%). The righty has been solid with a 3.79 ERA and 8-3 record this season, and he may be able to stick in the rotation even with the pending return of Hyun Jin Ryu, with Alek Manoah possibly the odd man out. Red Sox: Trevor Story (15%). Story struggled some last season in his first year with the Red Sox, but he has a strong track record and could see his ownership climb once he makes his 2023 debut in the near future. Yankees: Harrison Bader (13%). Another player who had his 2023 debut pushed back due to injury, Bader is batting .254 and has also chipped in 10 stolen bases, which has given him some fantasy upside. Let’s now look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Alex Kirilloff Expected return: TBD Kirilloff hit the injured list right before Sunday's game with a shoulder strain and it's unclear how long he'll be out. It's unfortunate timing, as Kirilloff was playing well lately, including taking home AL Player of the Week honors earlier this month. On the bright side, the Twins did activate Caleb Thielbar in a corresponding move, so at least some pitching reinforcements are coming, but now their lineup may take a hit in the short term. Royce Lewis Expected return: August Lewis continues to recover from a Grade 2 oblique strain. He said he recently took batting practice and has been throwing regularly without pain. The team is understandably being cautious given his injury history, but Lewis should be able to return soon, and he may shift to the outfield with Jorge Polanco seemingly taking over at third base for now. Brock Stewart Expected return: August Stewart threw a few bullpen sessions recently as he works to come back from right elbow soreness. The Twins are being cautious with the righty, though he should be able to return soon and bolster the bullpen. Stock Rising: Jorge Polanco ESPN ownership: 44% Just returning from the injured list is obviously a nice boost to his value, but Polanco also seems poised to add a new position of eligibility in some formats. Polanco started at third base in each of his first two games back from his hamstring injury, as the Twins seem committed to keeping Edouard Julien at second base given his strong play. As long as Polanco continues to see regular playing time, however, his ability to play multiple positions only furthers his appeal. The eventual return of Royce Lewis could complicate things, but Minnesota needs as much offensive firepower as it can get, so my bet would be that Lewis moves to the outfield, while Polanco sticks at third and Julien continues to play at second. Stock Falling: Joe Ryan ESPN ownership: 96% I still believe in Ryan as a pitcher, but his recent performance hasn’t been great. After posting a 2.77 ERA through the end of May, the righty has a 5.53 ERA since the beginning of June. As noted above, Ryan is getting closer and closer to a new career high in innings, so a break in the form of a six-man rotation could help. He still has a strong 10.9 K/9, and if he can cut down on the home runs a little (15 allowed over his last 10 starts), Ryan has the pure stuff to turn things around. For the time being, however, his fantasy stock has taken a dip. Prospect Spotlight: Walker Jenkins (rookie) Jenkins was drafted fifth overall earlier this month, and he agreed to a contract with his new team on Monday. The high school outfielder is still a few years away from the majors, but his pretty left-handed swing has drawn comparisons to Larry Walker, so the payoff could be well worth the wait. Jenkins is of course an immediately attractive option in dynasty formats. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 3 Games at St. Louis (Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, Miles Mikolas) 3 Games vs Arizona (Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson, Zac Gallen) Flaherty and Montgomery have both been discussed as trade candidates, so it’s possible the Twins see two different pitchers in those spots. If that happens, they could be worth targeting, depending on who takes the hill. Minnesota will also see Arizona’s top two starters, though in between them is Nelson, who has a 4.97 ERA this year. He’s allowing a .286 batting average to lefties this year, though righties are hitting .285 against him, so you could stack Minnesota hitters from both sides of the plate. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Pablo Lopez is lined up to start Tuesday and Sunday. He can be a bit volatile, though his impressive strikeout numbers alone make him worth keeping locked in lineups. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch Montgomery is the only lefty on the docket, but as noted above, he could be traded before this start. The Twins’ struggles against southpaws is well documented, so seeing a bunch of righties is encouraging. Julien has cooled off a bit after a torrid stretch, but he still has a strong .919 OPS across his last 10 games, and I like him a lot against opposite-handed pitching. I'd like Kirilloff this week if he was healthy but instead I'll look toward Max Kepler, who is batting .308 with a .906 OPS over his last 10 games. I’ll also be keeping a close eye on Polanco this week, particularly to see what his role looks like. I anticipate the Twins giving him some rest days as he gets back up to speed, but as long as regular playing time is available, I think he can be productive no matter if he’s starting at second or third. Are you worried at all about Joe Ryan in fantasy? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

He’s doing weight room stuff according to the team though not really running yet. Looks like probably late-August or September at best. From a fantasy perspective, I don’t see the playing time being there for Gordon to be relevant this year.

Kenta Maeda has pitched well lately but isn’t heavily owned in fantasy leagues, making him an under-the-radar option worth considering. Image courtesy of Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports It’s the point of the fantasy season when a lot of fantasy managers really need to dig deep to separate themselves in their leagues. Whether you have a player who’s underperforming or are dealing with a ton of injuries, finding under-the-radar options is essential to success. Thankfully, there is no shortage of candidates, if you’re looking in the right places. The Twins are no exception, with several players who aren’t widely owned in fantasy leagues but who could still move the needle down the stretch. But there’s one player I’m looking at in particular: Kenta Maeda. Owned in just 9% of leagues, Maeda has been mostly outstanding since returning from the injured list in late June. He’s logged a 2.73 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across five starts (26 1/3 innings). Perhaps most impressively, he’s maintained a 12.3 K/9 during that stretch. The club has raved about his stuff, and if Kenta is truly “back” from Tommy John surgery, perhaps we can expect something closer to his 2020 form, when he finished second in AL Cy Young voting. For a guy who’s this lightly owned, he has plenty of upside the rest of the way. In the spirit of being under the radar, here are additional options from the rest of the AL Central. To be considered, a player must have been under 50% owned in ESPN leagues. I’ll explore other divisions in future posts. Guardians: Tanner Bibee (26%). With Shane Bieber and Cal Quantrill out, Bibee has stepped up and pitched well, and he should be able to stick in the rotation for the foreseeable future. Tigers: Spencer Torkelson (14%). The prospect pedigree is certainly there, and now he’s starting to display some power, with 10 home runs since the beginning of June. White Sox: Andrew Benintendi (18%). He’s hitting leadoff most days and has done well with a .289 average and 11 stolen bases. The power hasn’t been there, but he can contribute in other categories, especially if he keeps batting first. Royals: Maikel Garcia (6%). Garcia has been seeing regular playing time and has responded by batting .277 with 14 stolen bases this season. He has eligibility at both shortstop and third base in ESPN leagues, giving his value a little boost. Let’s now look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week as well as a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also take a look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Jorge Polanco Expected return: Late July Polanco recently began a rehab assignment with the Saints, playing the field for the first time on July 20. Notably, the team has said Polanco would get reps at third base during the assignment, suggesting that he may play there for the Twins when he returns, with Edouard Julien sticking at second. Royce Lewis Expected return: Mid-August or later Lewis continues to recover from a Grade 2 oblique strain. He should return sometime next month. If Polanco takes over at third base, it remains to be seen where Lewis would play. The outfield is a possibility. Jose Miranda Expected return: TBD Jose Miranda received a platelet-rich plasma injection for his sore shoulder on July 17 and remains without a clear timetable for a return. It looks like he’ll be out of the mix at third base whenever he’s able to come back, with Lewis and possibly Jorge Polanco ahead of him. Brock Stewart Expected return: August Brock Stewart is dealing with right elbow tendinitis and was expected back soon after the break. Things are maybe not progressing as quickly as expected, but he should still be able to get back into the bullpen during the second half. Stock Rising: Edouard Julien ESPN ownership: 10% Julien is making it impossible for the team to take him out of the lineup, even when Polanco eventually returns. Julien is hitting a scorching .452 this month with a 1.402 OPS. He’s showing plenty of power and plate discipline, with nothing to indicate that he’ll become overwhelmed as a rookie. Simply put, Julien can hit, and his ownership rate should continue to climb upward. Stock Falling: Joey Gallo ESPN ownership: 4% Gallo’s only positive fantasy attribute is power, but he’s not able to go deep when he’s not in the lineup. He’s missed a few games recently with pink eye, though perhaps the bigger long-term issue is the presence of Matt Wallner. If the latter continues to see more playing time in left field, Gallo could get squeezed. The return of Royce Lewis could also impact Gallo if Lewis ends up seeing time in the outfield. The Twins have a handful of outfield options, and Gallo may find himself on the outside looking in. Prospect Spotlight: Brooks Lee (Double-A Wichita) I wrote up Lee in this spot earlier in the year but he deserves another mention. The young infielder is batting .339 this month for the Wind Surge with four home runs and 15 RBI in 15 games. He looks ready for Triple-A, and frankly, he’s probably about ready for the majors as well. If that doesn’t happen this season, Brooks Lee should definitely be in the mix for the Twins in 2024., and fantasy managers should have him on their radars. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 3 Games vs Seattle (Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller) 3 Games at Kansas City (Brady Singer, Jordan Lyles, Ryan Yarbrough) The Twins get to play Seattle again, with rematches against Castillo and Kirby. Minnesota beat Castillo thanks to two home runs, but he still managed 11 strikeouts. Kirby, meanwhile, shut out the Twins with 10 strikeouts across seven innings. As such, I’m much more interested in the Kansas City matchups this week. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Kenta Maeda gets a chance to continue his strong recent play with scheduled starts Monday against the Mariners and next Sunday against the Royals. He was phenomenal in his last start, which was also against Seattle, and the Royals are 29th in runs scored, so both matchups look positive. I’m feeling pretty good about rolling with Kenta. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch Julien is an obvious choice here, but Alex Kirilloff has been almost as hot lately. Thankfully for both of them, the Twins are only slated to face one lefty all week, and that’s not until next Sunday against Yarbrough. Both players should be locked into the lineup and look to be good bets to keep producing at a high level. Byron Buxton’s recent slump has been well documented, though he did pop for two home runs Friday. He’s also 7-for-13 lifetime against Singer with two dingers, so I like him in that spot. Truthfully, I like just about every Minnesota hitter against Singer and Lyles. The former has a 5.55 ERA this season while the latter is sitting at 6.05. Yarbrough isn’t much better with a 5.21 mark, and he’s allowed righties to hit .281 against him over the last three years. Christian Vazquez is also 11-for-28 against the southpaw all time with three home runs. In daily formats, you could justify Minnesota stacks in all three games during the Kansas City series. The Twins typically offer some good bargain options such as Matt Wallner, who remains priced at or near the minimum but can quickly return great value due to his power potential. Is Maeda back to being a consistent fantasy performer? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article

I think we see the rubber meet the road soon, with Polanco returning. Does Julien take DH ABs then? Wallner/Gallo/Kepler also make sense as DH options against righties. Perhaps Buck finds himself on the short side of a platoon? I still find that hard to believe, even with his struggles, but you never know.

Carlos Correa has done well since taking over as Minnesota’s leadoff hitter and could be poised for a strong second half. Image courtesy of Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports The Twins started their post-break schedule with two wins over the struggling Oakland Athletics, bringing their record to 47-46 with 69 games left. As far as opponents go, this is about par for the course in the second half. According to Tankathon’s calculations, the teams left on Minnesota’s schedule have a combined .471 winning percentage. That’s the second easiest in MLB. Now could be a time to get some players right for fantasy purposes, particularly on offense. After wrapping up against Oakland, the Twins head to Seattle. The Mariners pitch pretty well, sitting fifth in team ERA, but Minnesota also faces the White Sox (25th in team ERA) and Royals (28th) this month. Then, the Twins will get St. Louis (24th) and Detroit (22nd) in early August. Minnesota hitters have been inconsistent all season, but these matchups could be just what the doctor ordered. The Twins have scored 15 runs in two games after finishing the first half with five total runs during a three-game sweep against Baltimore. Let’s now look at some key injury updates, plus which Twins have their stock rising and falling from a fantasy perspective due to results from the past week and a prospect to keep an eye on. I’ll also look at the week ahead and highlight some matchups to target and avoid. Twins Injury Updates Jose Miranda Expected return: TBD Miranda was in the initial lineup Friday before getting scratched due to shoulder soreness and sent to the 10-day injured list. It remains to be seen how long he’ll be out, but his absence has opened up a spot for Matt Wallner (more on him below). Royce Lewis Expected return: Mid-August or later Lewis continues to recover from a Grade 2 oblique strain. He should return sometime next month and take over again at third base. Brock Stewart Expected return: Mid-July Stewart is dealing with right elbow tendinitis and was expected back soon after the break, so he should be able to rejoin the club in the next few days. Jorge Polanco Expected return: Late July Polanco will begin an extended rehab assignment on July 16 as he slowly returns from a hamstring strain. The Twins will surely be cautious here, but when Polanco can return, they’ll have an interesting dilemma with Edouard Julien at second base. Stock Rising: Carlos Correa ESPN Ownership: 74% Correa started batting leadoff on June 30 and has taken off in the new role. In 11 games since then, he’s batting .364 with a .871 OPS. He’s yet to hit a leadoff home run, but if the power comes and the batting average stays up, a big second half could be in order. I already mentioned the soft pitching Minnesota will face in the near term, which only further boosts Correa’s outlook. He’s available on the waiver wire in some shallower leagues, and in the leagues where he’s owned, his trade value remains decreased due to his subpar first half. I’ve been banging the drum for taking a flier on the shortstop, and I’ll bang the drum even louder now. Stock Falling: Jose Miranda ESPN Ownership: 35% Any thought of Miranda picking up steam with his latest opportunity in the majors likely ended when he hit the injured list. He’ll be out for at least ten days and possibly longer, and Lewis is expected back sometime next month. In the meantime, the Twins will rotate the likes of Willi Castro, Kyle Farmer, and Donovan Solano at the hot corner, with Wallner and Joey Gallo likely seeing the bulk of the playing time in left field. If Wallner performs well when called upon, Miranda may stay in the minors, even if he’s ready to go before Lewis. Prospect Spotlight: Matt Wallner (Current team: Minnesota) As noted above, Miranda’s absence has opened the door for Wallner. The 25-year-old has a .927 OPS across 67 games in Triple-A and 1.099 OPS over 11 games with the Twins earlier in the year, so he could be an offensive weapon if the playing time materializes. Wallner continues to strike out a fair amount, but the power is real. Consider taking a flier on the young outfielder if he gets hot, or at the very least look his way in daily formats when he’s in the lineup, as he should be pretty affordable. Upcoming Week Matchup Notes 4 Games at Seattle (Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, Luis Castillo, George Kirby) 3 Games vs White Sox (Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito) I mentioned that Seattle is a tough pitching matchup, and the Twins are set to face All-Stars in Castillo and Kirby. The Mariners have been more middling on offense, as they sit 17th in the league in runs scored. The White Sox have some good starters on paper but own a 4.59 ERA as a team. On offense, they’re 23rd in runs scored. Two-Start Starting Pitchers Sonny Gray and Bailey Ober are both lined up to start twice. I like both Minnesota starters, with neither the Mariners nor the White Sox being particularly imposing offensively. Based on their performance so far, they should be locked into lineups. Twins Fantasy Hitters to Watch As noted above, I’m pushing my chips in on Correa, though a few of the matchups look tricky. He hasn’t faced the two Seattle aces and has struggled against each of the Chicago starters, batting .200 or lower versus all three. Still, I trust his recent form and think he can still have a good week. Gallo hit a big home run Friday, but I’ll watch how playing time shakes out in the next week or so. If Wallner starts to overtake the veteran in left, it will change the fantasy prospects of booths players. Third base is the other place to monitor in the near term. It seems like the Twins will rotate a few players, but if someone gets hot and grabs hold of a more significant role, they could be worth picking up in deeper leagues or using in a DFS stack. Speaking of stacks, Lynn looks like the pitcher to target this week with his 6.06 ERA. Woo is the least experienced starter the Twins will face, though the youngster has pitched well lately. Lynn, meanwhile, allowed four earned runs or more in two of his last three starts. He’s mostly done well against Minnesota hitters, though Castro has taken him deep twice in 10 career at-bats. Do you believe in Correa the leadoff hitter? Let me know in the COMMENTS, plus post your thoughts on the matchups this week. View full article