Outlook Gage Jump
Elite, multi-category anchor remains a premier high-floor building block in all fantasy formats
Secured firmly as the everyday starting catcher and primary cleanup hitter for the powerhouse, first-place Orioles, Rutschman enters his age-28 season in absolute peak physical prime. Our models project him to log nearly 550 at-bats as he continues to split time behind the plate and in the designated hitter slot, maximizing his lineup volume far beyond typical catchers. His elite plate discipline and high contact rate keep his roster spot completely secure and insulating him from the prolonged slumps common to the position.
According to our season projections, fantasy managers can expect another elite, multi-category campaign featuring 22 home runs, 79 runs, 84 RBIs, and a stellar .273/.369/.451 slash line. These expectations align closely with his established career baselines, proving that his outstanding plate profile is highly sustainable. While his speed remains a non-factor with just two projected stolen bases, his superior walk-to-strikeout ratio makes him an exceptional asset in points leagues and OBP formats alike.
Drafting Rutschman provides a massive structural advantage, offering an incredibly safe floor and top-three catcher upside without the typical ratio risks. He is a premier early-round target who will stabilize your team's batting average and heavily bolster counting stats from a historically weak position.
Updated 2 days ago
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Outlook Javier Assad
Assad shines with sparkling ratios, locked into a favorable mid-week matchup against the Mets.
Javier Assad has been on a dominant run, posting a spectacular 1.04 ERA and 0.64 WHIP over his last 30 days spanning 17.3 innings. He currently slots in as the number four starter in the rotation for the third-place Cubs (40-37), and his role in the rotation is highly secure with teammates Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd both sidelined on the injured list.
While his recent form is elite, Assad's tiny ERA is a clear candidate for regression when compared to our rest-of-season projection of a 3.80 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. His low strikeout rate this season (5.46 K/9) means he relies heavily on preventing hard contact, but his improved 1.07 WHIP on the year suggests he can remain a solid contributor even as his ratios drift back toward his career norms.
Assad is scheduled for a single start this week on June 24 on the road against the Mets, squaring off against left-hander Sean Manaea. With Manaea struggling to a 4.85 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, this is a highly favorable matchup for the Cubs right-hander to continue his hot streak and help fantasy managers. Verdict: Start.
Updated 2 days ago
