Sometimes it seems if half of your roster is on the disabled list. Believe it or not, those perceptions are more correct than you think. More players have been placed on the disabled list than in season’s past and the three to keep and three to drop are littered with disabled players. Of course, that means there are often opportunities to take advantage of as well. Young players are getting more chances and some are taking full advantage.

Three to Add

Tim Beckham— Tampa Bay Rays

What is going on?

One of the bright spots of having a low payroll is that you aren’t beholden to expensive veterans when they aren’t producing. We will see the downside in a moment, but Beckham has been a pleasant surprise so far. The former first overall pick is finally making good on his promise. Coming into play on Thursday night, he was hitting .266 with eight home runs. That tranlates to a 20+ home run campaign if he continues to play every day.

Barriers to Launch

The Rays have impressive depth on their side. We will see the underside of that depth later on, but they can mix and match even with Beckham playing well. Part of that will minimize his exposure to situations where he might not succeed, but in fantasy terms that will limit his effectiveness.

Chris Owings— Arizona Diamondbacks

What is going on?

The trade of Jean Segura opened the door for someone to take over at short. The pundits thought it would be Nick Ahmed and he has gotten a great deal of playing time. Owings can play short and second, so he has some positional flexibility. The difference between Owings and the others is that he also offers speed in addition to power (nine steals as of Thursday). He might not hit over .300 all season, but if he continues to hit with power and speed he will be a valuable piece.

Barriers to Launch

Like Beckham, Owings exists in a crowded outfield and the Dbacks have been successful going with the hot hand. If Ahmed and Brandon Drury get hot then he will be the odd man out.

Chad Pindor— Oakland Athletics

What is going on?

Like the Rays, the Athletics are going low budget, so they really don’t care if Marcus Semien gets pushed aside. Like the others, Pindor has played both short and second base, so there is a possibility that he could play with Semien when he returns to health. Pindor has seven home runs in about a month’s worth of at bats.

Barriers to Launch

Pindor might cool off when he goes through the league a second time. Even if he continues to hit, Semien and Jed Lowrie have more experience and could reclaim their jobs.

Three to Keep

Trevor Story— Colorado Rockies

What is going on?

Brendan Rogers is the long-term solution and Story’s early struggles probably cement that fact, but for this year Story should be the guy. He has eight home runs as of Thursday and has walked 21 times as well. So yes, while he is hitting around the Mendoza line, he is still offering owners decent production in the other categories.

Drop if…

He goes into another slump. They have options if worse gets to worse.

Dansby Swanson— Atlanta Braves

What is going on?

Like Story, he is hitting under .200 so far and that has to be alarming in June, but he producing decent power numbers (four home runs) and has walked more than 20 times. Keeping him is a bet based on pedigree. The Braves have the luxury of being patient with him and you should be too. If he is dropped in your league he should be added. Remember, the numbers for you only start from today.

Drop if…

The Braves lose patience and go with someone else.

Troy Tulowitzki— Toronto Blue Jays

What is going on?

Unlike the others, he spent several weeks on the shelf, so his numbers have to be seen in that light. Tulowitzki owners should have known he would likely miss time as he has been on the disabled list nearly every season of his career. If he continues to play from here on out he will likely put up similar numbers as he has throughout his career.

Drop if…

He gets injured again.

Three to Drop

Freddy Galvis— Philadelphia Phillies

What is going on?

Galvis combines a few elements that are bad for fantasy owners. First, he is a notorious free swinger. Recent reports from Fangraphs have him in the bottom (or top) five on percentage of swings. Diminishing speed numbers mean he is essentially reduced to a power threat and with four home runs he is not much of a power threat.

Keep if…

His power numbers start to increase.

Brad Miller— Tampa Bay Rays

What is going on?

When someone gets added from your team then that means that someone usually gets dropped. The development of Logan Morrison and Beckham have pushed Miller to the bench. Of course, Miller is responsible for his own demise. He’s barely hitting over .200 and the significant power he showed last season hasn’t been there. That’s a dangerous combination.

Keep if…

The Rays suffer through a rash of injuries that return him to the lineup.

Marcus Semien— Oakland Athletics

What is going on?

Unlike Miller, Semien has lost his job due to injury. He got off to a slow start before the injury. The question might come down to Semien versus Jed Lowrie. The smart money might be on Semien, but Lowrie is playing better at the moment. Either way, the odds are good that the three will form a hybrid platoon that will limit all of their plate appearances.

Keep if…

There are injuries to one of the other two.