Blue Jays’ Barger, McCullers, and Leiter Surge in Fantasy Baseball
Unexpected Players Emerge as Potential League-Winners
Fantasy baseball managers are constantly seeking breakout performers, and several under-the-radar players are showing signs of significant improvement. Recent performances suggest that adding these athletes could provide a substantial boost to rosters, particularly in deeper leagues.
Addison Barger’s Rapid Ascent
Addison Barger, a versatile player for the Toronto Blue Jays, is quickly becoming a fantasy baseball asset. Available in 83.9% of ESPN leagues, Barger has earned starts in 27 of the Blue Jays’ last 29 games, even with the return of Andres Gimenez. Since May 8th, his 81 fantasy points have been surpassed by only 23 hitters, and his seven home runs trail just 15 others.
Barger’s improvements stem from adjustments made before the 2025 season, including a wider stance, a flatter swing path, and a 1.5 mph increase in average bat speed. He’s making more solid contact, boasting a 57.7% Statcast hard-hit rate, exceeding the average of only seven hitters.
Lance McCullers Jr. Rekindles Strikeout Potential
Despite a history of injuries—missing the 2019, 2023, and 2024 seasons and accumulating 12 trips to the injured list since his debut—Lance McCullers Jr., of the Houston Astros, is demonstrating promising form. Available in 78.8% of leagues, McCullers has recorded 27 strikeouts in his last 16 1/3 innings, with a 39.1% strikeout rate.
His knuckle-curve is proving particularly effective, generating nine of those strikeouts and a 60% swing-and-miss rate—significantly higher than his career rate of 38% and the league average of 32% on curveballs this season. According to Baseball Prospectus, the average MLB pitcher has seen a 2.3% decrease in strikeout rate compared to 2024, making McCullers’ recent performance even more noteworthy. Baseball Prospectus
Jack Leiter Showing Ace Potential
Fellow Texas pitcher, Jack Leiter of the Texas Rangers, presents a similar upside with less injury risk. While blisters caused him to miss some starts in April, Leiter has posted a solid 2.10 ERA in his last five outings.
He’s also averaging 97.4 mph with his fastball, throwing 17 pitches at 98 mph or faster in his last two starts, indicating a return to the velocity he displayed during spring training. Following the demotion of Kumar Rocker, Leiter appears to have secured a rotation spot.
Rotisserie Value: Gimenez Remains Relevant
Andres Gimenez, despite Addison Barger’s emergence, still offers fantasy value, particularly in rotisserie leagues. Gimenez is hitting .308 in his last four games, without a strikeout, and his defensive skills and contact-oriented approach should ensure regular at-bats. He’s also poised to contribute in stolen bases, potentially reaching 30-plus for the third consecutive season.
Deeper League Targets
Kyle Teel, catcher for the Chicago White Sox (available in 96.0%), is Kiley McDaniel’s No. 4 catcher and No. 33 overall prospect. Teel debuted Friday and is expected to share catching duties with Edgar Quero. He hit .295 with eight home runs and seven stolen bases in Triple-A Charlotte.
Jerar Encarnacion, outfielder for the San Francisco Giants (available in 99.8%), rejoined the team after recovering from a fractured hand. He could potentially claim the designated hitter role following LaMonte Wade Jr.’s release.
Ronny Mauricio, second baseman for the New York Mets (available in 95.6%), was recalled last Tuesday following an injury to Mark Vientos. Mauricio has a balanced skill set, hitting .306 with 26 home runs and 28 stolen bases in 125 Triple-A games.
