Fantasy Baseball Insiders

After batting just .181 with one homer over 94 June at-bats, rookie sensation Jason Heyward’s batting average fell from .292 (on May 31) to .251 following last Saturday’s 0-for-4 game.

Heyward’s recent ineffectiveness can be blamed on a lingering thumb injury that’s been bothering him since late May. Instead of continuing to let him play through the pain, the Braves decided to place the 20-year-old on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 27.

Heyward’s injury won’t require surgery, and he’s expected to be back in the lineup after the All-Star Break.

While his long-term value is through the roof, his short-term value can easily be replaced with one of the following waiver wire fliers:

• David DeJesus doesn’t wow you in the power/speed categories, but he’s batting .332 with 39 runs, five homers, 35 RBI and three steals through 289 at-bats this season.

He’s been especially hot of late, batting .416 (40-for-96) with 12 runs, a homer and 16 RBI in 25 June games for the lowly Royals.

DeJesus’s three-year average (82 runs, 11 HR, 67 RBI, eight steals, .281 average) are nothing spectacular, but he’s a solid injury replacement. In fact, the 30-year-old’s fantasy value could be on the rise, as he’s rumored to be the centerpiece of recent trade talks with the Red Sox and Giants.

He’s currently available in 55 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

• Despite his lingering reputation as a free-swinging bust, Jeff Francoeur is putting together a respectable season with the Mets. Through 75 games, the former first-rounder is batting .267 with 33 runs, eight homers, 40 RBI and seven steals. Even more, he’s striking out just 17.3 percent of the time (MLB average: 20.5 percent).

The revived 26-year-old is batting .316 with three long balls and 13 RBI this month, and appears capable of approaching his first 20/20 campaign. Given his spot in the Mets’ lineup, the former Braves prospect should continue to see his fair share of RBI opportunities.

Francouer’s average probably won’t sniff .300, but he should offer respectable power numbers while Heyward rides your DL. He’s currently owned in just 28 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

• Will Venable showed flashes of brilliance last August, whacking six homers with 17 RBI, three steals and posting a .313 average in 28 games, earning him a spot on the 2010 All-Breakout Team.

He’s not a high average hitter, but the 27-year-old right fielder offers a valuable power/speed combo. Through 68 games this season, Venable has hit eight homers and 14 steals.

His most recent production, however, makes him worthy of an add, as Venable is batting .346 (9-for-26) with four homers and 12 RBI in his last eight games.

The Padres have a favorable schedule between now and the All-Star Break, and left-handed hitting Venable should continue to produce respectable totals. If you’re in one of the 92 percent of Yahoo! leagues in which he’s available, scoop him up and start him until Heyward returns.

Image courtesy of: Leon Kwan

If you found this article useful, please support the site by visiting one of our sponsors

Shop for Atlanta Braves Jerseys:

Follow Fantasy Baseball Insiders on Facebook & Twitter

More from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

• Why You Should Sell High on Corey Hart
• Waiver Wire Fliers: Replacing Victor Martinez
• Waiver Wire Fliers: Replacing Dustin Pedroia
• Why a Low BABIP Doesn’t Necessarily Signal a Good Buy-Low Candidate
• Don’t Let Scott Kazmir’s Sparkling June Fool You

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ Prospect Report:

• 2010 MLB Draft: When Will Bryce Harper Become Fantasy-Relevant?
• Mike Stanton’s 2010 Fantasy Value
• Does Rangers’ Justin Smoak Have Fantasy Value in 2010?
• Does Mets’ Ike Davis Have Fantasy Value in 2010?

More 2010 Fantasy Baseball Insiders Player Projections:

• Mat Latos
• Cole Hamels
• Livan Hernandez
• Mike Pelfrey
• Delmon Young
• Drew Stubbs
• Nolan Reimold
• Jay Bruce
• Geovany Soto
• B.J. Upton
• Shin-Soo Choo
• Matt Wieters