Roto Riteup: July 2, 2026
O’Neill! Oh, Canada!
Now where has this power been all season?
On the Agenda:
- Closer Chaos
- Quick Hits
- Various News and Notes
- Streaming Pitchers
Archive for Hitters
Position Player Playing Time Changes: June 30, 2026
We’re officially past the halfway point of the 2026 season! Here’s the latest significant playing time changes for hitters for the past two weeks, with remaining plate appearances prorated to 78 remaining games per team, on average.
Significant Playing Time Changes, Hitters, 6/14 to 6/30
| Name | Team | Positions | Old PT% | New PT % | PT Change | Old PA | New PA | PA Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Ingle | CLE | C, LF, DH | 4% | 41% | 37% | 13 | 138 | 134 | Called up to try to help banged-up offense |
| Jake Cronenworth | SDP | 2B, SS, 1B, DH | 49% | 85% | 36% | 165 | 286 | 131 | Back from IL |
| Kahlil Watson | CLE | RF, LF | 2% | 34% | 32% | 7 | 115 | 116 | Hitting well in first taste of the big leagues |
| Cameron Cauley | TEX | CF, 3B, SS | 4% | 34% | 30% | 13 | 115 | 109 | Called up, and could stick around thanks to versatility |
| Denzer Guzman | LAA | 3B, SS | 33% | 62% | 29% | 111 | 209 | 105 | Grabbing strong hold of 3B job |
| Heliot Ramos | SFG | LF, DH | 60% | 87% | 27% | 202 | 293 | 98 | Back from IL |
| Endy Rodríguez | PIT | C, 1B | 28% | 53% | 25% | 94 | 179 | 91 | Getting more and more of the reps at C |
| Max Kepler | ARI | LF, DH, RF | 36% | 57% | 21% | 121 | 192 | 76 | Back from suspension, should be everyday guy against RHP |
| Graham Pauley | MIA | 3B, 1B, DH | 17% | 37% | 20% | 57 | 125 | 73 | Called up, took 3B from Norby |
| Jase Bowen | SDP | RF, LF, CF | 42% | 21% | -21% | 142 | 71 | -76 | Has settled into bench/defense/pinch running role |
| Carlos Cortes | ATH | RF, DH, LF | 60% | 38% | -22% | 202 | 128 | -80 | Losing playing time to hot-hitting Jonah Heim |
| Jeremiah Jackson | BAL | 2B, 3B, RF | 35% | 12% | -23% | 118 | 40 | -83 | Optioned to minors |
| Josh Smith | TEX | 2B, SS, 3B, 1B | 61% | 38% | -23% | 206 | 128 | -83 | Optioned to minors |
| Connor Norby | MIA | 1B, 3B, DH | 68% | 45% | -23% | 229 | 152 | -83 | Optioned to minors |
| Edgar Quero | CHW | C, DH | 43% | 19% | -24% | 145 | 64 | -87 | Optioned to minors |
| Jordan Lawlar | ARI | CF, LF, DH | 72% | 48% | -24% | 243 | 162 | -87 | Hamstring strain just when he got back from IL |
| Marcelo Mayer | BOS | SS, 2B | 69% | 41% | -28% | 233 | 138 | -102 | Stress reaction in forearm |
| Angel Martínez | CLE | LF, RF, CF, 3B, SS, 2B | 81% | 50% | -31% | 273 | 169 | -113 | More clarity on injury timeframe, out 4-6 weeks |
| Wenceel Pérez | DET | RF, CF | 55% | 23% | -32% | 185 | 78 | -116 | Orbital fracture |
| Mickey Gasper | BOS | C, DH, 1B | 44% | 12% | -32% | 148 | 40 | -116 | Optioned to minors |
| Marcus Semien | NYM | 2B | 91% | 50% | -41% | 307 | 169 | -149 | Grade 3 hip flexor strain, out 4-6 weeks at minimum |
Discussing 5 Non-Starting Recent Recalls
June 30, 2026
Yesterday, I discussed seven recent hitter callups that have all been given starting job. Obviously, these names are going to be the priorities, particularly in deeper leagues where a recall fills a positional need. Today, let’s flip over to five more players who have recently been called up, but are currently serving in a bench role.
FAAB Frenzy and Waivers Wild: Week 15
Every Monday, this column will break down the most popular waiver wire and free agent acquisitions of the weekend. I dig into the top adds on the ever-popular Fantrax and in the NFBC Online Championship (OC), a national mid-stakes contest with 240 total leagues of 12 and a six-figure grand prize. Reviewing player adds between the two should provide us with a well-rounded perspective and barometer of the fantasy baseball marketplace.
Discussing 7 Recent Hitter Recalls
June 29, 2026
Trying to follow all the transactions on a daily basis can be head-spinning. Usually, it’s just a middle reliever, or a hitter expected to fill a bench role, that gets recalled from the minors. But that’s not always the case. So it pays to keep up with promotions on the chance that you just found yourself a replacement for that glaring hole you have at second base, for example. Let’s review seven of these recent hitter call-ups that look to have regular jobs.
Lineup Analysis (6/26/26)
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
American League
Angels
• Denzer Guzman (.748 OPS) hit second over the last two games.
• Jose Siri (.858 OPS) started in seven of the last eight games. Read the rest of this entry »
Rookie Check In: Hitters With Small Samples and Tools
We’ve covered several rookie-eligible starting pitchers and hitters throughout the past few months. Now, we’re examining five more rookies with small samples and tools. When we say tools, we’re usually talking about power and speed. As usual, we’ll provide recommendations for keeper or dynasty leagues based on the current data.
Roto Riteup: June 26, 2026
Any fantasy prognosticators out there pencil in Curtis Mead for 14 homers before the All-Star break?
On the Agenda:
- Closer Chaos
- Quick Hits
- Various News and Notes
- Streaming Pitchers
Roto Riteup: June 25, 2026
It looks like there’s no one at this game, though I think I saw a Meckler Heckler.
On the Agenda:
- Closer Chaos
- Quick Hits
- Various News and Notes
- Streaming Pitchers
In Search of Some Luck: Part 2
by Jack Martin
June 22, 2026
© David Banks-Imagn Images
Having now identified the three hitters who may have suffered the most bad luck so far this season, while still holding real fantasy value and possibly being available in your leagues, it’s time to dig into why.
Through the process of elimination in the In Search of Some Luck piece, we were able to land on three names, which we will break down in this piece. Trent Grisham, JJ Bleday, and Max Muncy.
These three names provide a wide scope of ways a hitter can underperform their expected output, giving not only three potential additions to your fantasy roster, but a wider methodology to consider when looking at why some hitters don’t perform to their expected offensive output.