Tristan H. Cockcroft
If this season feels brutal on the injury front, especially among the sport’s marquee players, you’re not imagining it.
Seven of the first 11 players typically drafted in ESPN leagues this preseason have already spent time on the injured list, each facing a stint longer than a minimum stay.
Editor’s Picks
Aaron Judge – No. 2 in ADP, out until at least mid‑July
Juan Soto – No. 3, 19 days
Tarik Puls – No. 6, 43 days
Jose Ramirez – No. 7, out 4‑6 weeks
Ronald Acuña Jr. – No. 8, on the IL again
Garrett Crochet – No. 9, 52 days and counting
Cal Raleigh – No. 11, 33 days
When a large slice of the fantasy‑baseball superstar pool is sidelined, the focus shifts to who can step into those roles. Injuries not only open opportunities for new contributors but also allow existing players to assume more prominent positions.
Fantasy managers with injured stars like Judge or Ramirez may feel compelled to shake up their lineups to recoup lost production. With that in mind, here are three players with exceptionally high ceilings who make ideal acquisition targets right now.
Caglianone, the No. 6 overall pick in 2024 after hitting 68 home runs in his final two college seasons, has taken a gradual path to prominence, similar to players like Junior Caminero and Kyle Schwarber.
He has yet to enjoy sustained MLB success and currently holds the record for the lowest batting average by any rookie (minimum 200 PA) in the divisional era. As a sophomore, he ranks outside the top‑120 in both points‑based and rotisserie formats. The Royals’ recent adjustment of Kauffman Stadium’s outfield fences was expected to boost his power, yet he has managed only five homers in 37 games.
Despite modest production, Caglianone’s contact‑quality metrics are impressive. Among qualified hitters, he ranks 11th in average exit velocity (93.6 mph), 18th in barrel percentage (14.8 %), and 6th in hard‑hit rate (57 %). He is one of only ten players to rank in the top‑20 for all three categories, underscoring his raw power potential.
Through early June he is hitting .422/.509/.689 with three home runs over 13 games, moving into the upper half of the Royals’ lineup. This could be a final window to add or trade for him.
Basallo’s rookie season has unfolded smoothly, positioning him as a strong contender for the AL Rookie of the Year award. Yet, with Adley Rutschman entrenched in Baltimore, Basallo often operates in the shadow of the former No. 1 overall pick.
Rumors—however speculative—that Rutschman could be traded make Basallo an especially intriguing fantasy acquisition, particularly in dynasty formats. Securing him as an everyday catcher would lock in valuable positional eligibility for years to come.
Although his contact‑quality metrics don’t match Caglianone’s, Basallo still posts strong numbers: a 91.9 mph average exit velocity, a 12.9 % barrel rate, and a 47.5 % hard‑hit rate, all in the 80th percentile or better for catchers (only Drake Baldwin and Hunter Goodman rank similarly).
At the start of June he was struggling, hitting .143/.211/.257 with one home run over 12 games, potentially setting up a trade market for him.
The White Sox sit tied for the AL Central lead and just above .500, but projection models forecast a sub‑.500 finish. Late‑season games could hinge on bullpen reliability.
Current closer Seranthony Domínguez has one of the lowest save conversion rates among relievers with at least ten opportunities. If the team seeks to improve its bullpen, a change in the closer role may be warranted.
Taylor’s emergence has been relatively quiet, partly because his multi‑inning relief work doesn’t directly impact saves or holds. Nonetheless, he ranks sixth among qualified relievers in strikeout rate (35.6 %) and eighth in FIP (1.80). His arsenal—fastball, curveball, and slider—each generated at least a 29 % whiff rate this season and last.
While a closer switch isn’t guaranteed, Taylor appears poised to become Chicago’s ninth‑inning option, boasting top‑five upside should he assume that role.
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