As we hit the dog days of summer, it’s time to ask the tough fantasy baseball question: Who’s hurting your team more than helping? Let’s dig into the numbers and see who’s underperforming relative to their three-year averages — and whether it’s time to cut bait.
📉 Players Failing to Meet Expectations
Luis Robert Jr. – OF, White Sox
- 2025 Stats: .206 AVG, .636 OPS
- 3-Year Average: Above .275 AVG, .800+ OPS
- The Story: Robert entered the year with high hopes but has stumbled out of the gate. That said, he’s shown signs of life with a .351 AVG and .982 OPS over his last 11 games.
- Fantasy Verdict: Monitor closely. If he’s heating up, don’t be the fool who drops him too soon.
James Wood – OF, Nationals
- 2025 Stats: Disappointing power, struggling with contact rate
- 3-Year Outlook: Prospect hype hasn’t translated
- Fantasy Verdict: Drop in redraft leagues. Too raw for contending rosters this year.
Casey Mize – SP, Tigers
- 2025 Stats: Low K-rate, WHIP issues
- 3-Year Trend: Injuries and inconsistency have stalled the breakout
- Fantasy Verdict: Drop. Not worth the roster clog unless it’s a dynasty hold.
Lawrence Butler – OF, A’s
- 2025 Stats: Weak slash line, inconsistent ABs
- 3-Year Outlook: Low floor, low opportunity
- Fantasy Verdict: Drop. Plenty of better waiver-wire upside options available.
Shane Baz – SP, Rays
- 2025 Stats: Struggling post-injury with control and velocity
- 3-Year Trend: Once-elite prospect derailed by injuries
- Fantasy Verdict: Drop in all but the deepest leagues.
🤔 On the Bubble
Eugenio Suárez – 3B, Red Sox
- 2025 Stats: Inconsistent power, low batting average
- 3-Year Average: Power threat with run-producing upside
- Fantasy Verdict: Bench or stream. Monitor lineup protection and possible trade value boosts.
🔒 Safe to Keep
Salvador Perez – C, Royals
- 2025 Stats: Steady veteran production, leadership role
- 3-Year Average: Elite fantasy catcher metrics
- Fantasy Verdict: Keep and ride the consistency.
📊 Summary Table: Cut or Keep?
| Player | 2025 Stats Snapshot | 3-Year Trend | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Robert Jr. | .206 AVG, .636 OPS | Power/speed breakout past | Monitor / Hold |
| James Wood | Poor contact, no power surge | Prospect hype fading | Drop |
| Casey Mize | Low Ks, rising WHIP | Injury-prone, inconsistent | Drop |
| Lawrence Butler | Underwhelming performance | Lacking upside | Drop |
| Shane Baz | Post-injury regression | Long-term maybe | Drop |
| Eugenio Suárez | Power-only bat | Lineup-dependent | Bench |
| Salvador Perez | Veteran stability | Elite consistency | Keep |
🧠 Final Takeaway
Now’s the time to be ruthless. Don’t let name value or past hype hold your roster hostage. Cut the dead weight, open up a streaming spot, and target rising stars on the wire.
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