Hitters
Jonathan India (CIN); FAAB Bid: 1-2% - The former top prospect gets regular playing time and his dual eligibility at both second and third base helps with roster management as well. India is batting a solid .253 this season with six home runs, 29 RBI and four stolen bases while he continues to be a consistent contributor. I’m not sure we can expect much than what we are getting from India at this point, but there is value in what we are seeing from him.
Max Kepler (MIN); FAAB Bid: 3% - Kepler came back off the Injured List on Friday and was promptly inserted back into Minnesota’s lineup. Batting seventh, the outfielder went hitless in five at bats as his batting average fell to .204 on the season. To this point Kepler has been a disappointment but he does have five home runs and five stolen bases in 157 plate appearances along with 23 RBI. The batting average will always be a concern but we should remember that Kepler did hit 36 home runs in 2019 with a launch angle very close to this year’s 18.9 degrees (18.2 in 2019). Both Kepler’s barrel rate (10.1%) and hard-hit rate (46.8%) are the highest of his career so I am looking for a bounce back here.
Joc Pederson (LAD); FAAB Bid: 2% - It seems that all Pederson does is hit home runs these days, five in the last 14 days, out of the leadoff spot for Chicago. Pederson has brought his batting average up to .250 for the season with 11 home runs and 29 RBI and for those searching for power, who isn’t, the outfielder could make a nice addition off the waiver wire. It is worth noting that all 11 of his home runs have come against right-handed pitching and he is hitting just .214 against southpaws so Pederson works better in leagues that allow for daily roster moves.
Adam Duvall (MIA); FAAB Bid: 3% - Speaking of power off the waiver wire, Duvall can’t be ignored. The outfielder is hitting .317 with six home runs and 17 RBI along with two stolen bases for good measure in the last 14 days, but for of those home runs have come in the last two games. The outburst of power shouldn’t come as a complete surprise from Duvall who has settled into the clean-up spot for Miami but he has been known to be streaky before and has 14 home runs in the season with 48 RBI but we just need to get past the .215 batting average. Ride Duvall while he is hot and chase that power while he is locked in.
Bobby Bradley (CLE); FAAB Bid: 2% - It feels like Bradley has been hanging around as a prospect for years, but he has settled into the middle of Cleveland’s lineup over the past few weeks. In 11 games entering action on Saturday, Bradley is hitting .333 with four home runs and 11 RBI as he begins to show at the major league level what he previously was as a prospect in the minors. With a .389 ISO, the power is real and Bradley is comfortable taking a walk (10%). As long as Bradley hits, Cleveland will continue to run him out there, and in our never ending quest for power, the first baseman is worth a look.
Starting Pitchers
Ross Stripling (TOR); FAAB Bid: 1-2% - Stripling ended up on the wrong side of things in his last start against the Yankees, but what stood out what his uncharacteristic reaction to Joe Panik’s error. The right-hander was quick to apologize for that and right his wrong, but we shouldn’t ignore his strong performance despite the loss; nine strikeouts and two earned runs in 6.2 innings. In his last three starts, Stripling is sporting a 3.63 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 17.1 innings and this week he takes the mound twice. Neither match-up, at Miami and home against the Orioles, should prove to be especially tough for Stripling and we know that run support won’t be an issue. Overall Stripling has a 4.64 ERA along with 9.61 strikeouts per nine innings which makes him a solid streaming option and that is especially the case this week.
Johan Oviedo (STL); FAAB Bid: 1% - The young right-hander really took a big step forward in his last start against the Marlins. Prior to that Oviedo hadn’t thrown more than 4.1 in any of his five prior starts, which did distort the 5.72 ERA the took into that start, but it’s not like he was truly dominating the opposition either. Against Miami, Oviedo threw seven shutout innings while striking out four and scattering six hits and not allowing a walk. Previously, he did have control issues (4.58 walks per nine innings) and that was evident at times in the minor leagues as well. I would never confuse Oviedo with being a top prospect, but I’m willing to roll the dice against the Tigers and Pirates as they are two of the most favorable opponents out there.
Joey Lucchesi (NYM); FAAB Bid: 2% - New York has been trying to be cautious with Lucchesi and limiting his exposure to opposing hitters for the third time through the batting order, but they aren’t getting much of a choice these days. The Mets have two doubleheaders within a couple of days each this week thanks to all of their early season postponements so their staff will be taxed and they are running out of depth options. And we haven’t even gotten into Jacob deGrom either. For now, Lucchesi will be in the rotation for the foreseeable future so he is finding his groove at the right time. On Friday, the left-hander was left with a no decision but it’s hard to argue with 5.1 shutout innings while striking out five. Through 10 games, seven starts, Lucchesi is striking out just under 10 batters per nine innings with an ERA (5.18) that has been on its way down (and should continue to fall with a FIP of 3.56).
Relief Pitchers
Michael Fulmer (DET); FAAB Bid: 3% - After a brief stint on the Injured List earlier this week, Fulmer returned to action on Monday and appears to have jumped right back into his role as Detroit’s closer. Again, it is the Tigers so we have to take it for what it is when it comes to save opportunities, but Fulmer did hang on for the save on Wednesday. It was the fifth save of the season for Fulmer who did start the season in the rotation but had his share of struggles. Overall, Fulmer’s 3.65 ERA is pretty solid considering how he began the season as he appears to be settling into the closers role. The saves might be temporary if he gets moved in the next month or so but every one helps now that he is back from the injured list.
Blake Treinen (LAD); FAAB Bid: 1% - Unless there is an injury to Kenley Jansen or Treinen picks up the occasional save when he is being rested, three so far this season, this is more of a roster maintenance addition. We are at the point in the season where it is time to take a good hard look at your team and standings. With a 2.93 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, Treinen can be a valuable contributor to strong ratios and he has 33 strikeouts in 27.2 innings. Saves and wins should not always be the main objective out of each pitching spot, unless that is what you are truly chasing, but at the same time, you can’t forget about those ratios and decisions shouldn’t be made in spite of them.