Who is Being Dropped & Why

Another week of players heading to the waiver wire. Here’s a look at most dropped players in the NFBC Main Event (38 leagues).

Injured

• Drew Pomeranz (18): A lat injury has placed him on the IL but what’s really hurting him is the 5.93 ERA.
• Francisco Mejia (17): He’s landed on the IL (knee) and his owners moved on since he was just hitting .167/.207/.259.
• Mike Zunino (12): He’ll miss over a month with a quadriceps injury.
• Clay Buchholz (10): A bad shoulder is keeping him out.
  

Demoted

• Luis Rengifo (22): With Zack Cozart returning from the IL, there was no place for Rengifo.
• Delino DeShields (20): He got the shaft with Ronald Guzman returning from the IL since he has minor league options remaining. While his .182 AVG was a hindrance to Roto leagues, he still had a .321 OBP which help for eight steals. For those owners in need of steals, grab him as a speculative add.
• Cal Quantrill (17): Demoted because he wasn’t needed in rotation. He’ll be back up in the majors at some point.
• A.J. Minter (14): He was demoted after struggling with walks (7.4 BB/9) which ballooned his ERA to 9.82.
• Dereck Rodriguez (14): He was walking such a fine line to stay a starter. All three of FIP components got worse and his ERA has nearly doubled from last season.
• Carter Kieboom (13): After struggling in the majors, he was demoted after Juan Soto was activated from the IL
• Jon Duplantier (12): He could be a reliable 5th starter but he keeps getting jacked around heading to and from the D-Backs rotation.

Other

• Felix Hernandez (22): Dropped after a two-step versus the Red Sox and Yankees. He rewarded his owners with five strikeouts, 15.95 ERA, and 2.45 WHIP.
• Kelvin Gutierrez (18): His 15-team league fantasy value is killed since he’s not playing fulltime with his limited talent (.265/.288/.388). The Royals have to keep Chris Owings (.143/.250/.214) in the lineup.
• Anthony Swarzak (17): He’s given up six runs in his last eight relief appearances. Roenis Elias and Brandon Brennan are now in line for Saves in Seattle.
• Collin McHugh (17): Relegated to the bullpen after struggling as a starter (6.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP).
• Brandon Drury (16): He’s not been playing since Freddy Galvis returned and Eric Sogard slipped over to second base.
• Derek Holland (16): Transferred to the bullpen after coming off the IL with a fake injury. He’ll likely be on the most added list if he goes back to the rotation.
• Cole Tucker (14): The results have been horrible (.186/.238/.288) so far and Kevin Newman (.344/.382/.469) is starting to get more playing time.
• Joakim Soria (14): Blake Treinen had an injury scare last weekend so owners speculated on a new Oakland closer. Treinen is fine and Soria is off to the waiver wire.
• Renato Nunez (14): After hitting .266/.316.477 in April, he has only hit triple .083’s in May. Quite a few corner infielders have popped up this season so there is no reason to roster Nunez if other options exist.
• David Bote (13): He’s started 14 of the last 15 games while hitting .222/.317/.370. If he goes on a hot streak, he could be added again.
• Sandy Alcantara (12): He’s doing nothing positive with his 95-mph fastball. No strikeouts. Too many walks, home runs, and runs allowed.
• Tim Beckham (11): After a hot start to the season (.880 OPS in March and April), he’s cooled off in May (.455 OPS).
• Brad Keller (10): All of his late season improvements are coming to fruition except a 5.5 BB/9. He’s unplayable until the walks come down.
• Bryan Reynolds (10): He’s struggling to hit in May (.179/.258/.214) while splitting time with Melky Cabrera.
• Chris Iannetta (10): While hitting decent (.250/.362/.500), he’s only caught in three of the eight games since coming off the IL. Tony Wolters (.301/.355/.386) has been catching instead.
• Elias Diaz (10): It’s easy to drop a backup catcher hitting .152/.176/.182.
• Eric Sogard (10): I don’t get this drop at all. While he’s hitting over .300, it not with some crazy BABIP (.305). These 10 shares will be gobbled up next week.
• Mike Tauchman (10): With Aaron Hicks coming off the DL, Tauchman has nowhere to play.
• Nick Anderson (10): Sergio Romo seems to have a lock on Miami’s closer’s role.
• Reyes Moronta (10): Some owners gave up gambling on Will Smith getting traded.