Cristopher Sánchez and Jacob Misiorowski just produced epic pitching numbers for the month of May, when the starters combined to go 9-0 while allowing only one run over 77.1 innings. They recorded a 102:9 K:BB ratio with a 0.62 WHIP over that span. Misiorowski (2.09) and Sánchez (2.54) sport the league’s lowest SIERAs among SPs this season. Misiorowski’s league-high velocity likely makes him more of an injury risk, but “The Miz” posted a staggering 37.5% K-BB rate last month and now owns the most fantasy upside among all starters. Paul Skenes has been brilliant since his defense let him down during his first start, so there’s a legitimate debate as to who should be considered fantasy’s top starter.
Here are more pressing questions throughout the league as we enter June.
How long will Konnor Griffin be sidelined?
Griffin had a slow start to his MLB career, but he was turning it around before landing on the IL Sunday with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Griffin was the No. 3 fantasy shortstop over the previous month on FanGraphs’ Player Rater. The rookie had reduced his K rate (24.1%) while posting a 129 wRC+ in May, and he ranked third in steals since turning 20 years old. Griffin is a special player who has the potential to be a borderline fantasy “league winner” if healthy.
Konnor Griffin’s ranks since turning 20 on 4/24…
AVG: .317 (T-6th)
SB: 10 (T-3rd)
Runs: 23 (T-7th)
fWAR: 1.3 (T-13th)#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/CJuEafNXKd— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) May 31, 2026
The Pirates are seemingly optimistic that Griffin’s IL stint will be short term, but they’ll be cautious with their future star’s uncertain injury. Fantasy managers are hoping the situation is truly minor, as Griffin’s health has become one of the league’s biggest questions.
Will Jared Jones be worth the high bids?
Jones became this season’s highest average winning bid across NFBC Main Event leagues over the weekend, when he cost about 25% of fantasy managers’ budgets. Jones looked like a developing ace before suffering an arm injury in 2025, when he underwent a primary UCL repair with an internal brace — the same procedure Spencer Strider had with mixed results. Jones looked dominant during his rehab starts, and while he gave up runs during his first outing back in the majors, he also had elite velocity (98.7 mph), a 19.0% K-BB rate and a 3.35 SIERA.
A much-improved Pittsburgh offense will help with wins, although a shaky defense and a tough upcoming schedule ( at HOU, vs. LAD, at ATH, at COL) will hurt. Jones can pitch like a top-25 fantasy starter the rest of the season if he’s truly back to his old self, but questions remain coming off surgery.
How injured is Aaron Judge?
Judge missed Tuesday’s game with a nagging injury. He’s reportedly been dealing with shoulder soreness for weeks, and it became “more than that” over the weekend. The injury has impacted his swing lately (Judge has just one homer since May 10) and imaging revealed a bone bruise in the clavicle area. Manager Aaron Boone said Judge could miss only a few days or longer, depending on the doctor’s report. Fantasy managers are bracing for an IL trip for their star player.
Is Josh Hader fully back?
Hader was activated off the IL before Tuesday’s game, and a healthy version would be a fantasy savior during a season in which saves have been incredibly scarce. Hader has been sidelined with left biceps tendinitis after his season ended prematurely last year thanks to a shoulder strain. He was effective (21.6% K-BB) during nine minor-league rehab appearances, but Hader’s velocity was reportedly 2-3 mph down compared to last season. The Astros have disappointed, but they project to be about a .500 team moving forward and desperately need a closer — like many fantasy teams. Hader’s health is a major question, and we’ll soon have an answer.
Will Vladimir Guerrero’s power return?
Guerrero was drafted as a top-20 fantasy player this season, but he entered Tuesday rated outside the top-20 fantasy first basemen. He hit .354 with a 157 wRC+ in March/April, but had only two homers before a massive slump in May. Guerrero somehow recorded only three extra-base hits the past month, with two coming during the final weekend. He’s tied for 173rd with 12 extra-base hits this season, although he’s been running more than ever.
Guerrero entered Tuesday with a career-low K rate (10.2%) and nearly a career-high BB rate (12.2%). His ground-ball percentage is in line with his career mark, although his hard-hit rate and average exit velocity are both the lowest since his rookie season. Projection systems continue to overrate Guerrero’s power thanks to a 48-homer season in 2021, when he benefitted from playing home games in minor-league parks. He remains incredibly valuable as a batting-average asset, but Guerrero looks likely to hit closer to 20 homers than 30 for the second straight season — he finished with 23 in 2025.
Is Bryce Eldridge finally a regular?
Eldridge was used mostly as a bench player after getting called up to San Francisco, but he started seven straight games before sitting Tuesday against tough lefty Kyle Harrison. The Giants want to keep Casey Schmitt’s bat in the lineup, but the team has room for him in the outfield. Eldridge can split time at first base and DH with Rafael Devers, so the rookie will eventually gain 1B eligibility. There’s zero reason not to give Eldridge regular at-bats — including against lefties — during what’s turned into an absolutely disastrous season for the Giants.
Eldridge benefitted from a series in Coors Field recently and still sports a small sample, but his Statcast page looks like a star’s. His home park hurts Eldridge’s fantasy upside, but there’s 80-grade power potential the rest of the season now that San Francisco has finally committed. He’s available in more than 90% of Yahoo leagues.
What’s Samuel Basallo’s fantasy ceiling?
Basallo was ticketed for future stardom entering 2026, but it was reasonable to expect growing pains from a 21-year-old catcher during his rookie season. He entered Tuesday with the third-highest wRC+ (138) among catchers and on pace to club 25 homers despite not being among the league’s qualified hitters. Basallo is benefitting from splitting time at DH, and he could still slump during his rookie campaign, but he’s been quite impressive. His 2027 ADP will be awfully high.
Sam Basallo is a 21 year old Mike Piazza in the making.
It’s wild how good he’s going to be
— Rob Silver (@RobSilver) May 20, 2026
Who’s been the league’s unluckiest hitter?
Many expected a big bounce back from Mookie Betts after a down 2025 may have been attributed to an illness that cost him a bunch of weight, but he’s performed even worse this season. It’s possible age (33) is catching up to Betts, but his plate discipline remains elite while his luck has been incredibly poor. Betts entered Tuesday with a .169 BABIP that would rank last among qualified hitters despite an average exit velocity (89.9 mph) similar to his career mark (90.3).
Betts missed time with an oblique strain, and he’ll no longer chip in double-digit steals, but his batting average is due for major regression. Betts’ power has also returned this year, and he’ll continue to benefit from Dodger Stadium being MLB’s best home park for right-handed power.
Who’s been the league’s unluckiest pitcher?
Reid Detmers may have passed Jesús Luzardo as MLB’s unluckiest pitcher this season. Detmers’ 4.63 ERA ranks 66th among 72 qualified starters, but his 3.29 SIERA ranks 16th. Detmers’ 20.8% K-BB rate is just behind Chase Burns (20.9%), who owns a top-five ERA (1.96) among starters. Timing has been the main culprit, as Detmers’ 60.8% LOB rate ranks last among starting pitchers. Detmers’ ERA should improve given his elite peripherals, but further misfortune could continue thanks to his team’s league-worst defense. Wins will likely remain difficult to acquire for Angels pitchers, and Detmers’ poor luck continues with his schedule — he just misses a home start against the Rockies and instead gets a road tilt versus the Dodgers his next time out.
Which prospects are on the fantasy radar?
Edwin Arroyo was recently called up by the Reds after Elly De La Cruz was sent to the IL for the first time in his career. Arroyo can play defense across the infield and was having a nice season in Triple A, where he posted a 143 wRC+ and combined for 20 homers/steals over 53 games. Arroyo could maintain a full-time role even after De La Cruz returns, should he outperform the disappointing Matt McLain. He’s been ignored (rostered in just 15% of Yahoo leagues), but Great American Ballpark helps make Arroyo worth adding in competitive formats.
River Ryan and Kade Anderson continue to dominate the minors and will be highly sought after as soon as either gets called up to the majors, but more patience will be required. Meanwhile, James Tibbs has clobbered six homers over his past six games and owns a .322/.426/.659 line in Triple A. However, Los Angeles was presented with an obvious opportunity to promote Tibbs with Teoscar Hernández recently hitting the IL and recalled Ryan Ward instead. The loaded Dodgers will remain patient while Tibbs develops in the minors, but his opportunity could come sooner rather than later.
