MLB Player News

I've been getting a lot of questions lately asking if it's time to drop Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who is mired in a 10-for-50 slump in his last 15 games. While I did drop Blackmon in the outfielder rankings, I'm not ready to throw in the towel.

You had to expect a market correction was coming because Blackmon was hitting .355 with a .603 slugging percentage as of May 10. His numbers weren't going to stay that high all season, so we shouldn't hit the panic button at the first sign of adversity. 

Blackmon was pretty good down the stretch in 2013. He hit .316 with a .500 slugging percentage and .850 OPS in August and a .343 average, .500 slugging percentage and .866 OPS in September/October. I envision Blackmon being good enough to produce his August slash line from last season, which is right where his numbers are this season (.314/.513/.867) after his recent slide.

I know Blackmon has found himself on the bench recently when a left-handed starter is on the hill, which doesn't help his overall Fantasy value. But I'm willing to give him a few more weeks to turn it around before many any drastic roster decisions.

With word that Maikel Franco could in fact replace the injured Cody Asche if he gets hot enough at Triple-A Lehigh Valley during the time Asche is sidelined (for more, check out the latest Prospects Report), the Phillies third baseman has officially become one of the most stashable prospects in Fantasy. Of course, by now, that list has become so long that you may need help prioritizing. So here you go.

Gregory Polanco is still No. 1. He's way too good for Triple-A, and even if the Pirates are waiting because of Super 2 concerns, he may be only three weeks away. Oscar Taveras may be only one week away if you buy that the Cardinals plan to promote him for their stretch of seven games in AL parks at the beginning of June. He may not be as prepared for the big leagues as Polanco, but he has arguably more upside.

Jon Singleton is still "on deck" for the Astros and crushing it at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The comes Franco. Andrew Heaney, the top pitcher of choice, edges out Joc Pederson, who seems like a long shot for a promotion even with Carl Crawford's ankle injury.

Boom! End of list. Now, go make us proud.

Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford suffered a tough break Tuesday night, as the ankle injury he suffered against the Reds is expected to send him to the disabled list. It comes at a bad time as Crawford was starting to work his way back into being a Fantasy-relevant option.

Though, his injury could provide the Dodgers with the opportunity to promote highly touted prospect Joc Pederson, who has been toiling at Triple-A Albuquerque despite video-game-like numbers. Pederson is batting .347 with a .454 on-base percentage, .642 slugging percentage, 1.096 OPS, 15 home runs and 32 RBI in 50 games. Now, you could make the argument Pederson's numbers are little inflated because of the hitter-friendly PCL. However, he has a career .307/.402/.522/.924 slash line, so he's a legit offensive weapon. 

Perhaps the most encouraging sign that indicates Pederson is ready for the majors is how well he's hitting lefties, which has been a weakness in the past. He is batting .296 with a .549 slugging percentage and .932 OPS in 71 at-bats against lefties this season.

I hope the Dodgers bring Pederson to the majors. Even though he might not play full-time because the Dodgers still have Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, Pederson can still make an impact and help the team win games. Also, Puig was in a similar situation last year and yet managed to play his way into the lineup.

The team might have a lot of money locked up in Crawford, Kemp and Ethier, but Pederson is proving he's too good for the minors and needs his shot at the majors. If Pederson is recalled to replace Crawford, then I wouldn't hesitate adding him in Fantasy.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg hinted Tuesday he could move to a Ryan Howard and Darin Ruf platoon at first base, per the Philadelphia Daily News. 

"If it works. If it produces, then it becomes a possibility going forward," Sandberg said.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton homered and recorded his fourth three-hit on Monday, leading his team to a 3-2 win over the Nationals in Washington.

Stanton took starter Tanner Roark deep for a two-run home run in the third inning. He doubled in the first and singled in the eighth, falling a triple shy of the cycle. He finished 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBI. He is hitting .316 and leads the National League in home runs (15) and leads the majors in RBI (49).

Nationals manager Matt Williams provided an update Monday on the status of outfielder Bryce Harper, who continues to recover from left thumb surgery.

"Bryce is just healing up," Williams said, per MASNsports.com. "He is able to do some things with the thumb. He is seeing the (occupational therapist), doing that. It is still early yet, though. He is still in the process of mild stretching, strengthening and letting that matte down and heal up before he can get aggressive with it. But he is progressing."

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna went 2 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run to represent his team's entire offense in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Brewers.

Ozuna's bat has been hot as of late, as he has three home runs and three two-hit performances over the last five days. He has hit .261/.307/.443 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 176 at-bats.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 6-0 win over the Phillies Sunday.

Turner's second-inning home run increased his team's lead to 2-0, but one run would prove to be sufficient as starter Josh Beckett no-hit the Phillies Sunday. Turner has hit .239/.289/.364 with two home runs and eight RBI in 88 at-bats.

Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon, who has spent most the season tearing up opposing pitchers, has finally slumped and is out of the lineup Saturday against Atlanta left-hander Mike Minor.

Blackmon has just seven hits in his last 36 at-bats as his average has dipped from .355 to .322. He has not had an extra-base hit since May 10.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton put together his third multi-homer game of the season Friday, in a 9-5 loss to the Brewers.

Stanton clubbed a pair of home runs in the game, though neither came with runners on base; he was joined by Garrett Jones, who also hit two solo home runs. Stanton went 2 for 4 in the game, with two RBI and two runs scored thanks to his home runs.

Stanton is off to the best start of his career, after struggling through an injury-plagued 2013 season. He is hitting .314/.404/.616, ranking fourth in the NL in OPS, while also leading the league in home runs (14) and RBI (47) in 49 games.