MLB · 5 months ago

Top 5 MLB Fantasy Baseball Pickups of the Week (June 30)

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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1. OF Jurickson Profar, Atlanta Braves (23.4% Rostered)
It’s been a wild ride for Jurickson Profar truthers. After a breakout campaign at age 31, the veteran landed with the Atlanta Braves only to watch his season be paused by a PED suspension. Now that he’s back this week, anyone limping through outfield injuries or streaming dead weight should take the flier before he heats up.

He was off to a glacial start (.200/.250/.200 in four games) before his suspension, but if there’s even a hint that last year’s version shows up, Profar’s mid-season upside is worth the roster spot. At this point in the grind, sometimes you bet on the narrative — and Profar’s storyline is far from finished.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
5. SP Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (39.2% Rostered)
Kershaw is Kershaw — what more do you need? Even in 2025, the future Cooperstown lock continues to baffle hitters. The strikeouts aren’t what they once were (29 Ks over 38.2 IP), but the crafty lefty still owns a tidy 3.03 ERA for the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers.

He’s a savvy add if your rotation needs quality innings, a steady ERA anchor, and win potential every time he toes the rubber. Don’t overthink it — if Clayton Kershaw’s floating on waivers, grab the legend and ride.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
4. 2B/SS Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins (12.8% Rostered)
Otto Lopez doesn’t shout for attention, but sharp managers know he’s the type of flexible depth piece that wins leagues. Back from injury, he’s on a heater for the Miami Marlins — hitting .303 with four homers and three steals over the past month.

For the year, Lopez sits at .260/.330/.394 with eight homers and eight bags, all while playing almost daily. His low strikeout rate (13.9%) and rising pop suggest this breakout has staying power. He’s already topped last year’s homer output in half the games. Plug him in for multi-position eligibility and category juice.

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3. RP Grant Taylor, Chicago White Sox (1.1% Rostered)
Casual players might not know the name yet, but Grant Taylor’s not staying under the radar much longer. The former second-round pick is pumping 99 mph heaters and missing bats at an elite clip (38.5% whiff rate, 18 inches of induced vertical break).

Through 10 innings, he’s sporting a 1.80 ERA and has already secured two saves for a Chicago White Sox team starved for consistency. Sure, Chicago’s win column won’t overflow, but Taylor is carving out a closer’s gig — that makes him a must-roster in deep leagues and a name to circle for next spring’s draft boards.

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2. 1B Nolan Schanuel, Los Angeles Angels (14% Rostered)
Not every corner infielder needs to mash 40 bombs to carry weight. Nolan Schanuel, only 23, brings an old-school profile that can help stabilize batting average and OBP in leagues where power’s already covered.

He’s hitting .273 with seven homers for the Los Angeles Angels, sporting an impressive 12.6% K-rate and a tidy 10.8% walk rate. His average exit velo and barrel numbers are creeping up, too — small steps that hint at future pop. For fantasy managers needing batting average insurance at first base, Schanuel is a sneaky solution.
1. OF Jurickson Profar, Atlanta Braves (23.4% Rostered)
It’s been a wild ride for Jurickson Profar truthers. After a breakout campaign at age 31, the veteran landed with the Atlanta Braves only to watch his season be paused by a PED suspension. Now that he’s back this week, anyone limping through outfield injuries or streaming dead weight should take the flier before he heats up.

He was off to a glacial start (.200/.250/.200 in four games) before his suspension, but if there’s even a hint that last year’s version shows up, Profar’s mid-season upside is worth the roster spot. At this point in the grind, sometimes you bet on the narrative — and Profar’s storyline is far from finished.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
5. SP Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (39.2% Rostered)
Kershaw is Kershaw — what more do you need? Even in 2025, the future Cooperstown lock continues to baffle hitters. The strikeouts aren’t what they once were (29 Ks over 38.2 IP), but the crafty lefty still owns a tidy 3.03 ERA for the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers.

He’s a savvy add if your rotation needs quality innings, a steady ERA anchor, and win potential every time he toes the rubber. Don’t overthink it — if Clayton Kershaw’s floating on waivers, grab the legend and ride.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.

Top 5 MLB Fantasy Baseball Pickups of the Week (June 30)

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