In the June edition of my rest-of-season position rankings and overall top 300 for 5×5 leagues, I have been on a quest to find a new No. 1 overall player. However, it has proven to be a challenge as there are only around 120 players in the majors capable of hitting right now, with many of the best pitchers dealing with injuries. It is important to stay up-to-date on player news and waiver claims in order to make informed decisions about your roster all season long. The Rotoworld Baseball Show is an excellent resource for this information, and you can listen to it by clicking here or downloading it wherever you get your podcasts.
In terms of first basemen and designated hitters, some players have fallen off the rankings including Matt Mervis, Tyler Nevin, Wilmer Flores, and Ryan Noda. Michael Busch has been a bit of a dilemma this season as his batted-ball numbers have improved, but the Cubs have recently benched him against both righties and lefties due to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s return to the majors. However, Busch’s low strikeout rate and impressive steal numbers make him stand out among other first basemen. With Crow-Armstrong still playing regularly at first base for now, Busch’s playing time remains uncertain.
On the other hand, Spencer Torkelson had a strong finish last season which earned him an extended stay in the majors this year. However, his recent demotion to Triple-A was long overdue given his struggles at the plate and below-average defensive skills. While Torkelson may have better numbers playing in a different ballpark, he still needs more time to refine his game before getting another chance in the majors. Despite the Tigers’ hopes for his success
