It is almost impossible to realize that as we head into the end of July, the fantasy playoffs are just six weeks away. Teams are looking to solidify their playoff positions or simply to get into the postseason. As always there are players that, for whatever reason, just aren’t at the top of their games. Without question, these players need to be at the top of the fantasy baseball top drops list.

Once sent to waivers, new players can be added to the roster. Of course, that will be the subject of a different article. For the time being, let’s get these players identified so that the proper actions can be taken. As always, debate and discussion are highly encouraged. As a reminder, all roster percentages are provided by ESPN. With all of that said, let’s dive in.

Alejandro Kirk, C, Toronto Blue Jays

Beginning the fantasy baseball top drops list is a player that has been appeared previously. While he was just mentioned in that week eight waivers article, Alejandro Kirk takes center stage here. In the time since that article’s publication, Kirk has done little to justify being rostered in 50 percent of leagues. First, he isn’t in the lineup every day, and second, when he is, his bat is often missing in action.

In fact, Kirk had a couple of hits against the Padres on Thursday, but prior to that, he had just two hits the entire month of July. In points leagues, Kirk’s review this month is really bleak, as he has had positive points just three times. As mentioned, he has missed time: in 15 Toronto games, Kirk hasn’t appeared at all in six of them. In one other game, he appeared only as a pinch hitter.

Of course, as a catcher, that surprises no one. However, he is also listed as a DH, which hasn’t increased his at bats. At 50 percent rostered, managers should expect more from Kirk. He isn’t delivering. There are catchers that are producing more than Kirk has. Locate that catcher, get him on the roster, and send Kirk to the wire and don’t look back.

Kris Bryant, OF/DH, Colorado Rockies

When Kris Bryant signed with Colorado before last season, many in the fantasy community thought it was a match made in Heaven. Unfortunately, it has been anything but. Bryant has gone through injuries and when he was on the field, the production has been lacking. True, he hit two home runs in the past week. That’s the end of the good news, though. In that same time frame, Bryant has six strikeouts while hitting just .167.

Even worse, despite the homers, Bryant has posted zero fantasy points in three of his last five games. In fact, over more than a month of games, Bryant has provided his fantasy managers with more than two fantasy points just four times.

However, I have left the most unfortunate news for last. After finishing a short five-game homestand, Colorado hits the road this weekend, which begins a six-game trip. The first three games are in Miami, which is a notorious pitcher’s park. Even if that weren’t the case, whenever the Rockies leave home, their hitter’s bats disappear. There has to be a better hitter on the waiver wire than Bryant for the next week or so, if not the rest of the season. Find him and cut the cord on Bryant. To be perfectly clear, Bryant’s production in no way matches his 62 percent roster rate.

NOTE:

To top off Bryant’s problems, he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday’s game and exited early. He should be fine but is listed as day-to-day. Simply put, getting hit is just another reason to find an alternative to Bryant on your fantasy roster.

Bryce Elder, SP, Atlanta Braves

Without doubt, including Bryce Elder on this fantasy baseball top drops edition is as big a surprise to me as anyone. After all, Elder was one of the best waiver pickups of the year. As with most everything in life, all good things must come to an end. The situation in which myself and anyone else that has Elder on their rosters is that a decision has to be made. Can Elder turn things around or is it best to cut bait?

To be sure, the best option would be for him to get back to being the pitcher he was much of the season. During a span of six straight starts in May, Elder allowed two or fewer runs. Cracks in the armor appeared in a two start span in which he allowed nine runs in 11.1 innings. In his next four turns, Elder seemed to have regained his stuff: five earned in 25.2 innings.

Unfortunately for all concerned, the bottom has completely disappeared under Elder in his last two starts. In just six innings, he was blasted for a frightening 12 earned runs on 13 hits. Unsurprisingly, Elder was hit with negative fantasy points in each start: -16 against the Rays and -6 against Arizona. To be fair, Tampa and the Diamondbacks can both hit the ball. Even so, these results can’t be ignored.

The Bad News for Elder isn’t Over, however.

You read that headline correctly. In his next start, Elder will face the Brewers in Milwaukee on Sunday. The Brewers can also swing the bats and their home park is one of the best hitting paradises in baseball. Those managers in ten team leagues might do well to seriously consider an alternative to Elder, even at 85 percent rostered (those in 12 team leagues might want to do the same).

Brent Rooker, OF/DH, Oakland A’s

Without question, the first half of the baseball season was like a dream come true for Brent Rooker. After playing just 81 major league games over the previous three seasons, Rooker took the game by storm to begin 2023. Rooker played so well that he was Oakland’s All-Star representative. He homered in consecutive games before the break.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long in the second half for the shine to wear off. Since the season resumed last Friday, Rooker has played five games entering Thursday. He has two hits to show for it. Much, much worse, however, are the nine strikeouts, including consecutive games with three. Over the past week, Rooker has -6 fantasy points.

Whichever way anyone wants to look at it, the conclusion must be that Rooker couldn’t be any colder than he is right now. Don’t let his All-Star status fool you. In just about any league setting, there are OF/DH players that are available that are much more productive than Rooker right now. Send him to the waiver wire but keep an eye on him. If he heats back up, consider adding him again, but not before.

Jose Miranda, 1B/3B, Minnesota Twins

As I am sitting here typing this, I can’t help but be amazed that Jose Miranda has a 35.1 percent roster rate. All I can think of is why is this so? Before the season started, many, including myself, thought that Miranda was in for a big season. However, that notion wore off a long time ago. Miranda was sent to the minors earlier in the season. Of course, that is never a good sign.

He was recalled to Minnesota in early July and proceeded to play in six games. Care to guess how many hits he had in those games? A grand total of one. That is all he had: one hit. As hard as it may be to believe, the bad news is just getting started.

On Sunday, it was announced that Miranda was officially placed on the injured list with shoulder soreness. It is an issue that has hampered him since Spring Training. Most likely, the injury explains why Miranda has had such problems at the plate. In any event, he will be shut down for a minimum of 10 days, although he will be out probably much longer.

At this point in the season, everyone’s injured lists are full. Even if that weren’t true, keeping Miranda on a fantasy roster just doesn’t make sense. At least for this year, send him to the wire. Perhaps next season he can regain his swing and the confidence of fantasy managers everywhere.

Jarred Kelenic, OF Seattle Mariners

Given recent events, the player at the top of this fantasy baseball top drops edition has to be Jarred Kelenic. For those who haven’t heard, Kelenic went on the injured list with a broken foot after kicking a cooler. The incident occurred after a strikeout in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Twins. This sorry episode was unfortunate for Kelenic, the Mariners, their fans and all fantasy managers who had him on their rosters.

For sure, the season was filled with such promise for Kelenic, who had struggled the previous two years to make Seattle’s roster full time. He came out of the gate strong and had an excellent first half. Since returning from the All-Star break, though, Kelenic was on a real roll, with hits in all six of Seattle’s games. In that time, he had two doubles, four RBIs, two runs scored and a steal, checking in with a .350 average.

Unfortunately, all of that is out the window now. His timetable for a return hasn’t been announced, but with such an injury, expect a lengthy absence. As stated with Miranda above, managers simply don’t have room on their injured lists to make room for Kelenic. Unless there is a miraculous roster opening, the answer is clear: send him to the outhouse.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball top drops edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on Twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

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