Outlook Ildemaro Vargas
Slumping Vargas Looks to Break Out of Historic Funk Against Twins
After a spectacular start to the year, Ildemaro Vargas has hit a massive wall. He is completely hitless over his last 14 days, dragging his past month's average down to .097. Despite these struggles, he remains the everyday starter at first base for the third-place Diamondbacks with Carlos Santana sidelined on the 60-day injured list. Vargas is healthy after a scary early-June collision, but his bat has gone completely cold.
This brutal stretch is a shocking departure from his overall season line of a .261 average and seven home runs. Given his established career history as a reliable contact hitter, this slump is more of an extreme outlier than a permanent skill loss. While he will not repeat his historic April peak, expect his numbers to stabilize closer to his career baselines as his luck turns around.
For the remainder of the week, Arizona hosts a three-game weekend set against Minnesota. Vargas faces some beatable pitching, including Connor Prielipp and his 5.26 ERA, followed by Taj Bradley. However, until he breaks this prolonged hitless streak, you cannot put him in your lineup. He is a clear Sit.
Updated 3 days ago
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Outlook Lars Nootbaar
Lars Nootbaar is a dynamic top-of-the-order spark plug when healthy
Lars Nootbaar enters the 2026 season as the Cardinals' primary left fielder, looking to cement himself as a premier table-setter. Now in his age-28 season, Nootbaar has proven to be an elite on-base threat, though keeping his heels and body healthy has been the primary hurdle in his career. When active, his premium plate discipline secures him a high-leverage spot near the top of the St. Louis batting order, surrounded by potent run producers.
Our models project Nootbaar for a solid campaign, highlighting nearly 460 at-bats, 10 home runs, and 46 RBIs alongside seven stolen bases. While his projected .242 batting average represents a slight risk in standard leagues, his expected .331 OBP carries significant value in points and on-base percentage formats. He has shown higher upside in the past, including a .263 average in 2023, making his projection a highly attainable baseline with room for more if his power-speed blend fully clicks.
For fantasy drafts, Nootbaar represents an outstanding post-hype target. He may not offer elite, single-category dominance, but his multi-category contributions and superb plate discipline provide a very safe floor. If you can stomach the moderate health risks, Nootbaar is a high-upside outfielder who can easily outperform his draft position.
Updated 3 days ago
