Greetings to the real All-Stars (that’s you, dear readers)!
I hope you enjoyed the All-Star festivities. Besides the busted version of the U.S. national anthem, there are no new, notable injuries.
However, halfway through the season is always a good time to reflect upon the injuries WE DO HAVE:
The Home Run Derby felt a little bit like a changing of the guard as first-timer and dark horse Teoscar Hernández, who barely made it through the first round, was crowned champion.
Pete Alonso, who is the ripe old age of 29, squeezed out 12 HR despite never hitting less than 23 HR. Despite the low output, Alonso shared with the media that he hopes to continue participating.
“There’s definitely more in there.”
Pete Alonso says he would do the Home Run Derby again: pic.twitter.com/wvV8nsUObz
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 16, 2024
Alonso was the only Derby veteran in this year’s field. Last year, the participants, besides Alonso, were Luis Robert Jr., Adley Rutschman, Julio Rodríguez, Mookie Betts, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Adolis García, and Randy Arozarena.
When I read that list, I was struck at where and how some of the participants are now. Despite the best intentions and well-informed decisions when drafting, shit happens. And then it floats downstream.
I checked in with some other Razzball writers to see how they have been rolling with these kinds of punches. share who some of their fantasy baseball losers and winners (mostly based on injuries) are at the All-Star break.
Losers at The All-Star Break
In this category, the writers share who or what was causing them managerial grief this season so far.
C.A. James (Avoiding the Blurbstomp):
“I was going to say Luis Robert, but Ozzie Albies toe injury has destroyed my stat production from the 2B position. At least with Robert I could IL him and plug in hopeful replacements (Varsho, Adell before he regressed to the mean). Albies came back early from the injury and his entire profile is abysmal. Power gone. Counting stats waiver-replaceable. Hitters all around him struggling. And yet I have to keep him in the lineup because draft cost regret/possible FOMO if he starts being good again.”
MarmosDad (Top 100 Starting Pitchers/Rizz Master):
“Injury report? Oh, it’s ugly with a side order of disgusting over here.
“In the Perts league I currently have Royce, Trout, and Tatis as my ‘big three’ boots to the chin.
“I drafted CES [Christian Encarnacion-Strand], instead of Josh Naylor as my 1B in that league in the 6th round too, even though I fully believed in the Naylor breakout. I’m a sucker for the rookie hype and between the visions of Edwin’s parrot and Jack Black’s luchador mask, Encarnacion tugged on all the right heartstrings.
“In the AL only one I’m in I lost Esteury to injury early and Jordan Romano (twice!).
“My entire starting infield in that league was either hurt or optioned. Torkelson, Julien, Vaughn Grissom, Rendon. Curtis Mead at MI too.
“Ruiz is probably the one that hurt the most. He was a pricey keeper that I was willing to take the power hit on because he would give me the SB category advantage by such a big margin.
“That one stung. I have him in a bunch of leagues including both my keeper home ones.
“I did somehow manage to sneak into the Razzslam consolation bracket by the skin of my teeth and a good FAAB 2 run. But the injury swarm has pretty much sunk me in every other league this year.
“I know everyone has to deal with injuries, but between that and the player demotions it’s been tough sledding for MarmosDad in 2024!”
Matt Truss (Father of RCL):
“Just always with the pitcher injuries. Every season it seems like it’s Armageddon, but it’s really the same every year. And yet, I’m still always surprised.”
Mike Couillard (Cards & Categories):
“The days of the J.T. Realmuto providing a path to extra steals are over. His knee injury and general wear-and-tear have taken a toll on the former king of the catcher pool.”
Last, but not least, The GreatKnoche (SAGNOF) delivers the most relatable analysis:
“1) My Healthy Players are the main problem.
2) I’ve found a bunch of other crappy healthy players who are providing the same level of shitty stats.”
Winners at The All-Star Break
In this category, writers share what players have been a light in the darkness of injuries.
C.A. James (Avoiding the Blurbstomp):
“Could not be more pleased that Carlos Correa has stayed relatively healthy considering his chronic heel issue. He’s also been hit on the hand by multiple pitches in the last few weeks and missed no games somehow. He’s one of the only reasons I still have a shot in a few of my leagues. I don’t want to talk about pitchers, because the jinx potential is too great.”
Marmos Dad (Top 100 Starting Pitchers/Rizz Master):
“Keeping Aaron Judge for a ton in a keeper league was a tough call but he’s been pretty solid and has avoided any significant absences with injuries. That helped keep me afloat for a while (before in had to bite the bullet and rebuild with him as the main trade piece).”
Matt Truss (Father of RCL):
“Catchers – these guys are always taking a beating, but I have found a glut of useful catchers on waivers all season, and none of them seem to be getting hurt. Willson Contreras was the only one I can recall right now, and he was easily replaced for a few weeks.”
Mike Couillard (Cards & Categories):
“I’ve been finding success with well-rounded ballplayers buoyed by defensive chops, as they play every day and keep racking up at-bats and runs. Players like Harrison Bader, Matt Chapman, Brenton Doyle, and Ezequiel Tovar are keeping teams afloat.”
As I mentioned, TheGreatKnoche’s resonated with me (shout out to my RCL league).
What about you? Who has given you grief? Who has given you relief? Hit me up in the comments (and feel free to ask for any injury updates too).
