Fantasy Baseball All-Stars: Jacob Misiorowski earns top billing among breakout stars
The All-Star game is upon us, and with it comes the usual debates and discussions about who should be included and who should be left out. As a fantasy baseball enthusiast, I find myself particularly intrigued by the players who have emerged as breakout stars this season. Among them, Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers stands out as a true phenomenon.
Misiorowski's journey from an "interesting but flawed" pitcher to the "best pitcher in baseball" is nothing short of remarkable. His 41% whiff rate with a four-seamer that has leapt to 100.3 mph is a testament to his overpowering performance. The rest of his arsenal, too, looks deeper and more dominant than ever before, with a 1.62 ERA that is backed up by ERA estimators in the low-2.00s. While the risk of injury looms over any flamethrower, Misiorowski's first half ended with arm fatigue, a concern that the team seems to think is minor.
Another standout performer is Cam Schlittler, who has shown some vulnerability to the long ball but still strikes nearly 30% of hitters while walking just 5.3%, nearly half of his previous mark. His triple-fastball approach, coupled with elite velocity, makes him an absolute ace. However, it's worth noting that he won't maintain an ERA in the 2.00s, and his performance may be slightly more volatile.
Zack Wheeler, a 36-year-old pitcher who returned from shoulder/rib surgery, has also been exceptional. He's throwing six-plus innings consistently, his velocity is back, and his 2.63 xERA is the second-best mark of his career and second-best among all starters. Wheeler's comeback from injury has solidified his status as an ace and potentially a future Hall of Famer.
Moving on to the infield, Liam Hicks of the Marlins has emerged as a top-five catcher, thanks to a swing change that added a leg kick and improved his power output. While his underlying numbers don't fully support his breakout, he's still a top-five catcher in runs and RBI, with a respectable batting average. Dillon Dingler of the Tigers is another standout, with 19 homers and a .376 expected wOBA, making him a strong contender for the second half.
At first base, Ben Rice of the Yankees has been the best player, leading all first basemen in homers, RBI, and runs with a .279 batting average. While he may experience some regression in the second half, he remains a valuable asset and a potential early-round pick next season.
Otto Lopez of the Marlins is a versatile player who excels at second base, with a .334 batting average, 15 homers, and 30 steals. Brandon Lowe of the Pirates is another standout, with a 31-homer season and a strong power-hitting profile. However, his draft position was lower than expected.
Sal Stewart of the Reds has slowed down after a hot start, but he remains a top-12 option at three different positions, including third base. Casey Schmitt of the Giants has also shown breakout potential, with strong underlying numbers, despite some regression in June.
CJ Abrams of the Nationals has been the best shortstop in Fantasy, with improved plate discipline and quality of contact. Xavier Edwards of the Marlins is another versatile player who excels at second base and has improved his strikeout and walk rates.
In the outfield, James Wood of the Nationals, Yordan Alvarez of the Astros, and Jordan Walker of the Cardinals have all taken steps forward. Alvarez, in particular, has a high ceiling, with a .318 batting average and 50-plus homer pace. Wood and Alvarez have also shown strong performance, with impressive statistics.
Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs has emerged as a top defensive player at designated hitter, improving his plate discipline and quality of contact. Andy Pages of the Dodgers has also shown improvement, with a strikeout rate below 20% and a pulled-air rate near 20%.
Finally, Jacob Latz of the Rangers has been a standout relief pitcher, taking over as closer and showcasing his dominance. Louis Varland of the Blue Jays is another elite closer, with a strong performance and a high level of dominance.
