More Fantasy Baseball Week 12 Drops: Craig Kimbrel, Luis Arraez, Yandy Diaz and More

We’ve been publishing one fantasy baseball drop story per week so far this season, but as the season rolls along, it’s going to make sense to sometimes do a couple of those per week.

This is one of those weeks, so let’s take a look at some of the most-dropped players. You can read the first week 12 drop story here.

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Craig Kimbrel Fantasy Outlook

Kimbrel is the most-dropped player, according to FantasySP Waiver Trend data, being dropped in 7.9% of leagues.

When a reliever hits this list, it typically comes after a couple of rough outings in a row, but that’s not the case here. The last time Kimbrel allowed a run was five outings ago (June 5). Since then, he’s picked up three saves, allowed just one hit and walk and struck out four.

Overall, Kimbrel has strong numbers too, with a 4-2 record and 2.49 earned run average across 29 appearances and 25 1/3 innings pitched. He’s struck out 35 batters along the way and earned 16 saves.

Kimbrel has been over the 90% own mark for about three weeks, and was nearly at 100 just a day or two ago. I’m not exactly sure what fantasy owners are dropping him for right now. I think Kimbrel should be owned in just about every fantasy league out there, so scoop him up if you get the chance.

Luis Arraez Fantasy Outlook

Arraez is another surprising name on this list for me. Again, there isn’t anything to suggest why fantasy owners are bailing on him.

In 69 total games between time with the Marlins and Padres, Arraez has a .329 average and .365 on-base percentage. His average is .355 and OBP is .380 with the Padres. Arraez only has 15 extra-base hits among his 96 total hits, along with 18 RBIs, but he’s also scored 41 runs, while walking nearly as many times (12) as he’s struck out (18).

Arraez has always been a fantasy asset because of his hitting ability, not an ability to hit for power or run production. He’s hot at the plate, playing everyday and is arguably the best contact hitter in the league.

If he becomes available in your league, quickly scoop him up and take advantage of one of the league’s best bats.

Spencer Torkelson Fantasy Outlook

Torkelson was demoted to Triple-A at the start of June, and it appears fantasy owners are sick of waiting on his return to the big leagues, so dropping him makes a lot of sense.

In 54 MLB games this season, Torkelson hit .201 and had a .266 OBP. He had 15 doubles and four homers among his 42 hits - Torkelson had 34 doubles and 31 homers a season ago. Torkelson also has 18 RBIs, 24 runs scored, 16 walks and 56 strikeouts this season.

In 10 AAA games, Torkelson is hitting .325 and getting on base at a .404 clip. He’s got five extra-base hits among his 13 total knocks, seven RBIs, 10 runs scored, five walks and nine strikeouts.

Torkelson is clearly too advanced for Triple-A, but the little surge at the plate might be exactly what he needs to get going at the big league level when he gets called back up. It’s not worth rostering him in standard leagues, but I’d still keep the 24-year-old on my team in a deep league or dynasty.

He’ll get called back up at some point, and fantasy owners should add him when he does. Torkelson was a big-time fantasy asset last season despite a .233 average, and if he can regain his power, he’ll be startable every day in all league formats.

Nolan Gorman Fantasy Outlook

Gorman had been one of the hottest hitters in the league for a little stretch, but has since cooled off.

In his past nine games, Gorman has just three hits. He’s homered once, drove in two, scored twice, walked twice and struck out 14 times in that span.

Gorman is still a solid fantasy option in deeper leagues, even if you have to stash him on the bench for a bit. In standard leagues though, Gorman can be dropped. Of course, you’ll want to keep an eye on him and give him an add if he gets going at the plate again.

Yandy Diaz Fantasy Outlook

The last player we need to talk about today is Tampa Bay’s Diaz.

After hitting .330 a season ago, Diaz is down to a .259 average across 69 games played this season. He’s got 17 extra-base hits (including four home runs) among his 71 total knocks. Diaz also has 30 RBIs, 26 runs scored, 26 walks and 41 strikeouts to his name.

He’s on pace to fall short of most of his numbers from a season ago. Diaz is still hitting well enough to hold some fantasy value, but the longer he struggles, the easier it will be for fantasy owners to move on.

It is a touch surprising to see Diaz being dropped now, as he’s got 12 hits over the past seven games. All of those hits are singles though, and he’s only got one RBI and two runs scored in that span.

I’m torn on what to do with Diaz. On one hand, I believe he’s capable of bumping his average way up, but he’s done that of late and it hasn’t really elevated him as a fantasy player. 

I think that means the best course of action would be to stash him on your bench for a bit. If you are thinking about dropping him, maybe throw his name on the trade block first, as he can probably net you a return better than what you’ll find on the waiver wire.