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The fantasy baseball season has resumed Friday, with the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks kicking off the second half of the year. It has been a difficult season so far for fantasy managers, given the number of injuries that have plagued rosters all year.
As a result of these injuries, it is important for fantasy baseball managers to be aware of which players' stocks are rising and which are falling. This should allow these managers to scour the waiver wire for under-owned stars or cut bait with those trending in the wrong direction.
Here's a look at rising and falling players in fantasy baseball leagues right now
Players' whose stocks are rising
Trending
#1. Taj Bradley
Tampa Bay Rays starter Taj Bradley has been excellent this season since returning from the IL. Over 68.1 innings this season, Bradley has proven why he was highly touted coming into the MLB. In the second half of the year, Bradley will look to continue the momentum he built up before the All-Star Game when he pitched 7.0 shutout innings against the Cleveland Guardians.
#2. Brent Rooker
It might be time for fantasy baseball managers to start viewing Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker as a star in the position. Rooker has been a beast at the plate, racking up 21 home runs and 62 RBIs in the first half of the year. If he can keep up with this pace, he could be a league-winning talent.
Players' whose stocks are falling
#1. Alex Verdugo
After opening the year as a sneaky value for the New York Yankees, Alex Verdugo has seen his level of production fall off dramatically. While he is expected to continue serving as the team's clean-up hitter, his value in fantasy baseball leagues has continued to fall.
#2. Javier Assad
Another breakout talent at the beginning of the season was Javier Assad of the Chicago Cubs. Assad has given up multiple earned runs in seven of his last eight games while pitching less than 6.0 innings in each of those outings. There is a chance that he could eventually end up in the Cubs' bullpen, which would severely hurt his fantasy baseball value.
