The Confounding, Surprising Offenses of the AL West

This column is a mid-week review of the most relevant fantasy baseball nuggets and trends. There won’t be a standard format, yet the goal will be to keep you informed about the fluidity of playing time, batting orders, rotations and bullpens to help guide fantasy lineup and roster decision-making.

This week, let’s take a semi-deep dive into the offensive rosters of the AL West.

AL West Offense Check-In

Sacramento Athletics

• Placed on 10-day IL: Miguel Andujar (6/2)
• Promoted: Max Muncy, JJ Bleday
• Demoted: CJ Alexander
• On the bubble: Logan Davidson, Drew Avans
• On the mend: Nick Kurtz

The A’s have been reeling, losing 21 of their last 22, tying a franchise record. Rookie outfielder Denzel Clarke has played well defensively but has exhibited horrific plate discipline – 23 strikeouts (60% K rate) and just one walk in 38 plate appearances. His defense may keep him in the lineup for now.

Miguel Andujar is on the IL and the A’s called Max Muncy (the other one) back up, optioning CJ Alexander Wednesday. Muncy slashed a measly .176/.211/.279 in his first 21 games and hit .325 in Triple-A. Perhaps he steps up offensively this time around, but he likely won’t be a 15-team FAAB target this weekend unless he crushes it this weekend.

JJ Bleday was called up Monday and can hopefully get his groove back after the brief demotion. Bleday broke out last season, hitting 20 bombs with 74 runs scored.

Lawrence Butler is hitting .383 with a wOBA over .500 and three homers in his last 12 games. Jacob Wilson has been locked in the two-hole. He’s hitting .384 over the last 30 days and is the only active hitter on the team with an ISO over .200 (.260).

Nick Kurtz (hip) has a target return date of next Monday, June 9, per GM David Forst. This doesn’t seem like a very accurate target date since Kurtz isn’t expected to begin running until this weekend. A more accurate target date is Monday, June 16.

Please reconsider if you’re holding Zack Gelof in formats without an IL. He is eligible to return from the 60-day IL June 16, but there is no clear timetable for his return and he won’t be fantasy relevant until at least after the All-Star break. His true value is in strikeouts-only leagues.

Promotion Watch

Darell Hernaiz (L15: .313/.380/.375), Colby Thomas (L4: .444, 3 HR)