Kyle Schwarber has made a significant leap in fantasy baseball outfield rankings, demonstrating renewed value for the current season. Meanwhile, Michael Toglia is gaining attention for his rising role at first base, making both players notable figures in ongoing player evaluations.

Progress in Pitching: Spencer Strider’s Velocity Returns

Spencer Strider showed clear signs of improvement during his outing on Saturday, as his fastball velocity increased to 97-98 mph after consistently measuring 95-96 mph earlier this year. This boost mirrors the level he displayed before undergoing elbow surgery and reflects the performance that earned him second place in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 with 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Following that, he led the majors in strikeouts and wins in the subsequent season. His strong performance included six scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts, marking his best start of the season.

Assessing Context: Strength of Opposition and Long-Term Outlook

Though some may question the significance of Strider’s 13 strikeouts given that the Colorado Rockies’ lineup, his opponent, has struggled, the achievement still stands as encouraging. Grant Holmes struck out 15 batters against the same Rockies lineup the next day, suggesting that the hitter quality was a factor. However, Strider’s improved velocity helps dispel concerns about a lasting decline caused by surgery, offering hope he can regain his prior effectiveness.

Ranking Adjustments Reflect Cautious Optimism

Scott White raised Strider only two spots in his latest rest-of-season rankings, placing him as the 20th starting pitcher. This adjustment climbs him just above Kris Bubic and Bryan Woo. Though far from his previous projection as the top starting pitcher during drafts, Strider’s recent performance has justified maintaining a spot in the top 25. White emphasized the importance of sustaining this velocity and proving dominance against stronger lineups before further ranking increases.