2025 Fantasy Baseball: Risers & Fallers from Week 6

Health has long been a sought-after commodity in fantasy baseball. Have a healthy player? There’s a good chance to have success. Byron Buxton’s injury problems have held his fantasy value down but recently, it’s hard to notice what he is doing for owners. Here’s a look at risers & fallers for Week 6.

Risers

Byron Buxton (OF)
Daniel Schneemann (2B, 3B, SS, OF)
Cole Ragans (SP)
Robbie Ray (SP)
Juan Soto (OF)
Trey Sweeney (SS)

Isn’t it nice to see Byron Buxton healthy? Buxton put up middling numbers two years ago, one that saw him sustain multiple injuries and add to his lengthy list of health problems. But for right now, keep fingers crossed that Buxton can stay on the field.

Buxton notched three home runs over the last week, pushing him to nine home runs on the season. The 31-year-old also has eight stolen bases, and if those paces hold, Buxton would easily get a 30-30 season for the first time in his career.

Moving on to Daniel Schneemann, the Guardians infielder fits the mold of Willi Castro, Zach McKinstry, etc. All of those individuals are utilitymen who can play multiple positions, and in fantasy, anyone who can provide value and slot in at multiple positions is invaluable.

Schneeman played in 28 of the Guardians’ 37 games this season but most recently, has been on a hot streak. Across his last six games, Schneeman hit .417 with three home runs and seven RBI. He’s seen a jump in bat speed and, in turn, a sky-high jump in Barrel% (20%) that likely won’t last.

However, if Schneeman can continue to make solid contact, he’s a fantasy asset.

Lastly, Juan Soto is rounding back to form. Soto picked up two home runs over the last week, moving him to seven on the year, along with a .261 average.

While the advanced metrics have been fine, this season’s been somewhat reminiscent of 2023 when Soto pulled off on too many pitches, leading to toppers to the pull side. Soto’s GB% of 51.7% this season is close to the 51.9% from 2023. But keep in mind this: he figured it out then, and now, he’s making more quality contact.

Next up are the two lefties who’ve gotten back on track. Cole Ragans struck out 11 as he came back from a groin issue. And as for Robbie Ray, the Giants lefty, who missed a healthy chunk of 2024, is in the top 25 of the league in both ERA (2.84) and strikeouts (46).

Ray was primarily a two-pitch pitcher who incorporated a changeup this season, thanks to recommendations from Tarik Skubal. The former had troubles pronating his wrist on the changeup with his high arm slot, and Skubal’s changeup grip doesn’t require that. It’s been a good whiff piece (37.1%) and overall, a welcome addition to keep batters off balance.

Fallers

Given the Cubs lead the Majors in runs scored (344), it feels like everyone on the team is hitting. However, that’s not exactly true.

Seiya Suzuki, who has nine home runs, went 2-27 with three RBI and 10 strikeouts over the last week. And for Michael Busch, the Cubs’ first baseman went 1-17 across his last six games and biting some fantasy players (I’ll slowly raise my hand) who are relying on him for offense.

Busch was a fairly consistent hitter last season, aside from a cold spell in May last year when he batted .208 over 86 plate appearances. I’m still holding on to him, however, and you should do likewise. He doesn’t have the high upside compared to others in that Cubs lineup but he fits in well. Busch works count and should get pitches to hit with the production around him.

Moving to Boston, Lucas Giolito got hit hard in his first two outings of the season. Giolito’s pitch usage has been weird, to say the least. His changeup has generally been his best secondary offering but he’s used it along with his fastball a combined 94.5% of the time (the changeup was used 36%).

That changeup has left up a few times.

Jarren Duran, meanwhile, is hitting .259 on the season and went 4-26 over his last six games. He’s still swiping bags — 11 this season — when he gets on base. But, with a .311 OBP that’s down from 2024 (.342), one would like to see improved numbers from a top-40 player.

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