Welcome to the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 19 Drop List.
Three outfielders land on the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 19 Drop List. One has missed time this week with an injury and might be watching his everyday role diminish. The next is not producing well enough for his roster percentage. Lastly, we have a player suspended 80 games for a performance-enhancing substance.
These players have all helped Fantasy Baseball teams this season but now is an opportunity to replace them with a higher producing player for the playoff stretch.
2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 19 Drop List
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Andrew Benintendi, OF, Kansas City Royals
Benintendi has been missing time with a shoulder injury. He was able to pinch-hit just three days after the injury, however. This comes after he was injured for about three weeks in June and July.
On the season Benintendi is slashing .256/.307/.411 with 11 home runs, 41 runs, and 38 RBI. Not bad but not great either. His 96 wRC+ is just below league average as well.
After returning from the first injury he slashed a meager .187/.205/.373 through 79 plate appearances. Simply put, his injuries are the biggest concern and why he lands on the drop list.
There is one more thing that should scare Fantasy Managers. Edward Olivares has impressed in his current stint with the Royals. He's smashed three home runs in seven games, while only striking out twice. Olivares could be making a case for the Royals to start him every day, resulting in Benintendi potentially missing out on playing time.
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Tommy Pham, OF, San Diego Padres
Pham is rostered in 84% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues even though there are better players on the waivers.
Let's compare Pham to Tyler O'Neill in 2021.
Pham: .249/.356/.405, 12 home runs, 63 runs, 38 RBI, 13 SB, 23.2% strikeout rate, 112 wRC+, 84% rostered
O'Neill: .282/.342/.521, 18 home runs, 49 runs, 41 RBI, 9 SB, 31.3% strikeout rate, 136 wRC+, 60% rostered
Pham strikeouts too often and doesn't homer enough. Based on production, these rostered percentages could be swapped between Pham and O'Neill.
Pham still has value with his high amount of runs and stolen bases. However, his last 15 days have been quite terrible, bringing that value down. In this span, he's slashing .133/.170/.244 with 20 strikeouts, two walks, and one home run for five runs and three RBI.
Fantasy Managers are dropping Pham as they realize there are lesser rostered players performing better than him. This goes for other struggling outfielders as well. Fantasy Managers can drop Adolis Garcia, Mike Yastrzemski, Wil Myers, and Michael Conforto for a player, like O'Neill, that is heating up down the stretch.
Ramon Laureano, OF, Oakland Athletics
Laureano tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and will miss the remainder of the 2021 season after receiving an 80 game suspension.
This is an easy drop for Fantasy Baseball managers, but what might not be easy is finding the replacement for Laureano. Be sure to read the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 19 Waiver Wire to find the best options.
Performance Review
Michael Conforto, OF, New York Mets
Conforto has done well-reaching base in the last week but has not produced enough runs or RBI to help Fantasy Baseball teams. He stays on the drop list for now, but Fantasy Managers will watch him closely in case he starts knocking in runs.
Ryan Mountcastle, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles
Mountcastle has gone off and been one of the best hitters in the majors for the last seven days. I am taking him off the drop list.
The Orioles placed him on the concussion list Sunday, hopefully, he will be able to return soon. Stash Mountcastle on the IL for now, there's a chance he can keep producing the same upon his activation.
Richard Rodriguez, RP, Atlanta Braves
Rodriguez has had four appearances since the Pittsburgh Pirates traded him to the Braves. Each lasted one inning. He allowed two hits in his first outing for the Braves but has been perfect since recording one strikeout.
While he has pitched well, he is yet to record a hold or save with his new team. This limits his fantasy value greatly and is still a drop going forward.
Jorge Soler, OF, Atlanta Braves
Soler is producing since joining the Braves and is playing an everyday role. He's played better than everyone on this week's list, besides Mountcastle. He too makes his way off the drop list.
Eddie Rosario will return from the injured list in a few weeks and will take playing time from the current Braves outfielder. If Soler can keep his current production up he will be safe from losing playing time.
Check out all the 2021 Fantasy Baseball content from this great group of writers.
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[…] appeared on the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 19 Drop List. At the time Fantasy Managers rostered him in 84% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. I again listed him as […]