Lineup Analysis: American League

by Jeff Zimmerman

August 16, 2018

Angels

The lineup is in flux with Mike Trout out, Ohtani DH-ing half the time, and Taylor Ward getting promoted.
Since the All-Star break, David Fletcher has started every game and recently has either hit second or fifth. He has no power or speed but he’s a nice everyday accumulator.

Astros

The lineup has taken some hits with George Springer and Jose Altuve out.
Tony Kemp (.281/.368/.416, 8 SB) has been playing every day since Springer went on the DL. He’s a nice buy right now as he could stay in the outfield over Kyle Tucker (.157/.259/.216) and Marwin Gonzalez (.241/.323/.384).
Yulieski Gurriel has eight games at second base and he could be a nice late round multi-position player next season.
Tyler White has started nine of the last 10 games for the Astros and is hitting .286/.389/.623 with 7 HR in 77 PA.

Athletics

Nick Martini has been leading off against righties while hitting .311/.419/.459 against them. Ramon Laureano takes his place to against lefties but hits at the bottom of the lineup.
Mark Canha has become a regular staring in the last nine games. He’s not heated up but could provide decent counting stats in a good offense.

Blue Jays

Right now, the team has an extra bat with one of Curtis Granderson, Kendrys Morales, Teoscar Hernandez, Randal Grichuk, or Kevin Pillar needing to sit every night.
Russell Martin (10 HR, .349 OBP) has started nine games at third base. While the positional flexibility is worthless, the extra playing time should help to boost his fantasy value.

Indians

A steady lineup with the only shakeup being Edwin Encarnacion heading to the DL. It’s tough to know who will fill the DH spot since the last three games have been in an NL park (vs Reds).

Mariners

Guillermo Heredia (vs LHP) and Denard Span (vs RHP) are in a platoon. The situation may get a little tighter with Cameron Maybin getting moved from center field by Dee Gordon.
Robinson Cano has hit in the #2 hole since returning from his suspension.

Orioles

Jonathan Villar is hitting at the top of the lineup with a .288/.362/.442 triple slash line and one steal since joining the team.
While Trey Mancini isn’t hitting as many groundballs as Eric Hosmer (61% GB%, 18% HR/FB), he’s trying with a 54% GB% and a 21% HR/FB.
Renato Nunez looks to be an accumulator at third base with a good OBP (.292/.370/.444).

Rangers

The top of the lineup is safe but one of Joey Gallo, Jurickson Profar, Ronald Guzman, or Willie Calhoun must sit every day. There may be enough spots depending on if Adrian Beltre is headed to the DL.

Rays

They still seem to have a couple platoons in place but it’s tough to tell since they’ve only faced one lefty in the last nine games. The first is C.J. Cron (vs LHP) and Ji-Man Choi (vs RHP) at DH. The other is in the outfield with Carlos Gomez (vs LHP) and Brandon Lowe (vs RHP). The last two should be heading to the bench with Tommy Pham about to come off the DL.

Red Sox

Royals

This lineup is loaded with some below average accumulators. Alex Gordon and Rosell Herrera are the best two options since they hit near the top of the lineup.
I’ve seen a lot of recent fantasy love for Adalberto Mondesi and his 15 steals. For owners riding the hot hand, just keep starting him but know he has a ton of risk. He needs to get on base and even with a .352 BABIP, his on-base rate is .289. This year’s BABIP is almost 100 points higher than the previous two seasons (.271 and .267). It’s lucky he’s on the Royals where he’ll play every day.

Tigers

As a team, they have the lowest on-base rate at .297. Niko Goodrum is hitting cleanup. Jeimer Candelario is the leadoff hitter. I just didn’t know the lineup was this horrible.
Jose Iglesias (batting second) and Goodrum look to provide constant playing time while hitting near the top of the lineup.

Twins

Two made up players, Jake Cave (vs RHP) and Johnny Field (vs LHP), are in a left-field platoon.
Since returning from his minor league stint, Miguel Sano is normally hitting clean up (.268/.349/.464).
Logan Forsythe is playing every day and hitting .386/.449/.432 since being part of the Brian Dozier trade.

White Sox

Over the past week, Nick Delmonico (.215/.282/.446) has led off with Tim Anderson hurt and Yoan Moncada struggling over the last 28 days (.144/.264/.267).

Yankees

Gleyber Torres is hitting .145/.250/.290 since coming off the DL (hip) in late July with several off days sprinkled in. There is a pretty good chance he’s still hurt.
The Yankees lineup is not scary with Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez on the DL.
Neil Walker has played right field for the last five games.
Greg Bird (.215/.306/.404) or Luke Voit (.185/.267/.296) are playing first base. On the season, Yankee first basemen are hitting .213/.289/.378. For comparison, all MLB catchers on the season are hitting .233/.306/.375.