Get in line, Brendan Rodgers!
We need more than one hand to count the number of intriguing hitting prospects debuting this week, and Rodgers, the Colorado Rockies infielder with seemingly little left to prove at the Triple-A level, is next. Atlanta Braves third-base prospect Austin Riley, now playing left field, homered Wednesday. Kansas City Royals infielder Nicky Lopez is batting second in the lineup. The Los Angeles Angels called up a first baseman who also pitches in Jared Walsh. What a week! Anyway, one might be wondering where to fit all these prospects on a fantasy team.
Well, it's Thursday and we're trying something different with the weekly free-agent column, breaking deeper into categories by each position. Relevant players eligible at multiple spots will be mentioned in the spot I'd utilize them, if possible, but having options is great. Feel free to share your thoughts -- as if you need prompting -- on Twitter (@karabelleric).
Corner infield
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must-add: Yandy Diaz, Rays
Below 50 percent must-add: Austin Riley of the Braves hit 15 home runs in 37 games at Triple-A Gwinnett, and he drew walks. I doubt the latter continues to that degree in the majors, but he homered in his debut and will play. Ender Inciarte, we hardly knew ya.
Worth adding: Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland has never reached 25 homers in a season prior, but perhaps this is the year at age 33. A low BABIP is holding his lowly batting average down, but not for long.
Mixed-league stash: The Twins' Miguel Sano is a career .477 slugger and off the injured list. One assumes he gets every chance to show his power, and Marwin Gonzalez, who has been hot of late, assumes a utility role. Sano is no lock, but I see great upside.
Deep-league stash: Gio Urshela is not going to hit .330 for long, but he has four multi-RBI games in the past 10 days, and Miguel Andujar is done for the season.
Drop 'em: Andujar, of course; Justin Smoak, Blue Jays; Daniel Vogelbach and Ryon Healy, Mariners; Jesus Aguilar, Brewers
Don't drop 'em: Joey Votto, Reds. Be more patient. Christian Walker, Diamondbacks. He and Luke Voit will hit again.
Middle infield
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must-add: Michael Chavis, Red Sox; Nick Senzel, Reds
Below 50 percent must-add: Angels surprise Tommy La Stella should not be hitting for this much power, based on his past and some underlying numbers, but he is absolutely doing it and must be added. What if he hits .290 with 25 home runs? I no longer view it as ridiculous. Keston Hiura should hit for average, but I worry he falls short of double digits in home runs and steals, even if he plays regularly. I'd rather add Brendan Rodgers because of his home ballpark and the vast possibilities of true stardom.
Worth adding: Hiura for sure, and Reds afterthought Derek Dietrich looks like he can hit 20 home runs.
Mixed-league stash: There is little evidence Tigers infielder Ronny Rodriguez will keep hitting, but while he is, enjoy it. Royals second baseman Nicky Lopez steals bases and hits second in the order. The Royals sure do run. Just ignore in points leagues. Might as well add Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius first. He is proven.
Deep-league stash: Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford has a points-league future because he draws walks and might develop power.
Drop 'em: Farewell to Travis Shaw and Ryan McMahon. So much promise unfulfilled. Also, goodbye to Brian Dozier, Jose Peraza and Tim Beckham.
Don't drop 'em: Daniel Murphy is like Joey Votto at this point. We know he can do better than this. And don't cut Robinson Cano. He will get better.
Outfield
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must-add: Byron Buxton, Twins; Jose Martinez, Cardinals
Below 50 percent must-add: The Padres' Franmil Reyes will hit .260 with 32 home runs. Well, at least I think he will. I feel more certain of that than Pirates veteran Gregory Polanco being a top-30 outfielder, but both are possible. If you need stolen bases in a roto format, and I know you do, why is Arizona's Jarrod Dyson so available?
Worth adding: Hunter Pence could lose playing time to Willie Calhoun, and if you're the Rangers, don't you play the younger guy more and see what happens? They might not. Pence is hitting. Dodgers youngster Alex Verdugo can clearly hit. So can the Rockies' Raimel Tapia.
Mixed-league stash: I could see 20-plus homers for the Royals' Jorge Soler, I suppose. Same with Tampa Bay's Avisail Garcia. Of course, each has burned us before. In roto leagues, Seattle's Mallex Smith is running wild in Triple-A and will be promoted soon.
Deep-league stash: Indians rookie Oscar Mercado might be good. Astros prospect Yordan Alvarez might get the call. Most rookies fail, ya know.
Drop 'em: Jason Heyward and Ender Inciarte, for sure. Brandon Nimmo and Harrison Bader no longer excite. Danny Santana never did. I can't wait for A.J. Pollock, either.
Don't drop 'em: Nomar Mazara and Joc Pederson should not be on the most-dropped list. Nor should Jesse Winker in points formats.
Catcher
Below 50 percent must-add: Jonathan Lucroy of the Angels deserves top-10 placement at this point. It's a low bar.
Worth adding: Willians Astudillo should hit for average, at the least, and play more now with Mitch Garver out a while. I like Houston's Robinson Chirinos more than most, too.
Mixed-league stash: There is no point in stashing at catcher in ESPN leagues.
Drop 'em: Garver, unfortunately. High ankle sprains take a while to heal.
Don't drop 'em: Why drop Buster Posey? I get he is not a top-five option, but still. It feels wrong cutting him for Lucroy.
Starting pitcher
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must-add: Kenta Maeda, Dodgers; Luke Weaver, Diamondbacks; Jake Odorizzi and Martin Perez, Twins
Below 50 percent must-add: Astros rookie Corbin Martin flew under the radar, but he could be a big winner on this awesome team. It's somewhat similar for Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who keeps missing bats and gets offensive support. Spencer Turnbull does not. Also, why did everyone cut Mets lefty Steven Matz? It was one bad outing!
Worth adding: Lucas Giolito of the White Sox has great stuff and recently he's been using it properly. Just be prepared to run away if it goes awry. Phillies right-handers Zach Eflin and Jerad Eickhoff still get to face the Marlins quite a few times. And yeah, I know it's not an exciting name, but Brewers lefty Gio Gonzalez is going to win double-digit games. Turnbull won't, but he is pitching well.
Mixed-league stash: Something's interesting about Pirates right-hander Jordan Lyles, Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson and Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle.
Deep-league stash: I still think Braves right-hander Touki Toussaint will matter.
Drop 'em: Collin McHugh, Astros; Mike Foltynewicz, Braves; Nick Margevicius and Joey Lucchesi, Padres; Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays
Don't drop 'em: Joe Musgrove, Pirates; Kyle Freeland, Rockies; Tyler Glasnow, Rays; Griffin Canning, Angels
Relief pitcher
Barely over 50 percent, mixed-league must-add: Matt Barnes, Red Sox; Alex Colome, White Sox
Below 50 percent must-add: Luke Jackson of the Braves is getting all their saves, with no end in sight. Steve Cishek of the Cubs has an end in sight, but who knows when Pedro Strop returns. It's not like he's Craig Kimbrel, you know.
Worth adding: Hansel Robles, Angels; Diego Castillo, Rays; Chris Martin, Rangers
Mixed-league stash: Jose Leclerc, Rangers. We know he can be great. A.J. Minter, Braves. Same issue. It's the walks.
Drop 'em: Ryan Brasier, Red Sox; Nick Anderson, Marlins; Anthony Swarzak, Mariners; Emilio Pagan, Rays; Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers
Don't drop 'em: Jose Alvarado, Rays
It's anyone's guess: Craig Kimbrel, free agent for three more weeks.
Wednesday takeaways
.@Mike_Soroka28 is just the 2nd @Braves pitcher since 1918 to have 6 straight starts allowing 1 ER or less to start a season (Kris Medlen, 2012). pic.twitter.com/V3bDwq1Soe
- MLB Stats (@MLBStats) May 16, 2019
• Atlanta's starting pitching ranks 21st in the sport with a 4.49 ERA, but Soroka has clearly done his job, and then some. What's odd is that of the nine Braves hurlers rostered in at least 10 percent of ESPN standard leagues, Soroka and the clear-cut closer, Luke Jackson, are the only ones with trends rostering in the positive direction. Mike Foltynewicz has been terrible, and is likely hurt. Max Fried has cooled off quickly. Kevin Gausman looks more like the Orioles' version these days, and Julio Teheran, even with a K per inning, is still giving up too many runs and baserunners. Soroka cannot keep this up to this degree, of course, though it is worth pointing out his next four outings are scheduled to be against the Giants, Cardinals, Tigers and Marlins, and three of those teams do not hit. OK, so trade Soroka in a month, I guess!
• Lost in the call-ups this week is Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun, who got the call on Wednesday, was inserted into the coveted No. 2 lineup spot and homered in his very first plate appearance. Calhoun replaced Elvis Andrus on the roster, but he cannot play shortstop. He was the designated hitter and that could spell trouble for resurgent Hunter Pence, who sat Wednesday. Regardless, Calhoun has power, and after a disappointing 2018 season -- majors and minors -- he showed it. He has plate discipline. He should stick around.
• Detroit Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario got a surprise demotion to Triple-A Toledo, though fantasy managers in AL-only formats were investing. Still, it's one fewer Tigers bat in an already terrible lineup. Only the Marlins, on a historic pace, incidentally, and with more shutout losses than wins, have scored fewer runs. Yeah, I liked Miguel Cabrera back in March. I don't anymore. Nicholas Castellanos has 12 RBIs. The versatility of Niko Goodrum means nothing if he can't hit. But, hey, Ronny Rodriguez is hitting!
Health report
• Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke, the No. 3 starting pitcher on the full-season Player Rater, left his outing a batter or two early with abdominal tightness, and an MRI is pending. Hopefully, this is nothing. Remember when so many fantasy managers -- and analysts, but not this one -- wanted to dump Greinke when he permitted seven runs on Opening Day? But he can't throw hard! He's done. Only Justin Verlander and Hyun-Jin Ryu rank better on the Player Rater.
Closing time
• Now we just don't know what Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli is doing. Journeyman right-hander Mike Morin saved Wednesday's win, with Blake Parker recording an eighth-inning out and lefty Taylor Rogers out after pitching consecutive games. No, I don't expect Morin will continue earning saves, but it's getting tougher to make a case to keep Parker and Rogers rostered in a 10-team fantasy league, points or roto, since neither looks likely to sail past 20 saves. It's a bit like Baldelli's former team, the Rays. Jose Alvarado is so good. So is Rogers. But 20-plus saves? Not likely.
W2W4
• As mentioned on pretty much every episode of the Fantasy Focus Baseball podcast, the awful Miami Marlins are on their way to perhaps the worst offensive season ever, so load up on opposing pitchers. This weekend, it's the Mets! Lefty Steven Matz should come off the injured list to throw six shutout innings. Detroit has several available arms out there in advance of the series for next week. We also await Jed Lowrie debuting for New York but, honestly, with his track record, just move on.
• After enjoying the pitching stylings of the awful Orioles, the Yankees get a tougher foe in Tampa Bay. Blake Snell starts one of the games. Yonny Chirinos should pitch quite a bit in another game. Try to keep Luke Voit rostered, even if he has a tough weekend, and ignore newcomer Kendrys Morales. On the Rays side, Brandon Lowe has ceased hitting, which is dispiriting, but we knew that batting average wasn't safe. The power remains.
• Sunday Night Baseball features the resurgent Kyle Hendricks and his below-average fastball against the Washington Nationals and their below-average bullpen. No, seriously, Hendricks has allowed one earned run in his past three outings, which is awesome. The Nationals could have shortstop Trea Turner back in the lineup, so we shall see if that makes everything better. It sure helps Turner investors, since he was a first-round pick in most leagues! Have an awesome weekend!
Most recent KaraBlogs
Wednesday, May 15: Josh Bell, Vlad Jr., prospects, Mitch Garver
Tuesday, May 14: Closer report: Yates, Greene, who to trade
Monday, May 13: Weekend wrap, Springer dingers, Puig, Cishek
Thursday, May 9: Pence, Chavis, other free-agent adds
Wednesday, May 8: Mike Fiers, Justin Turner, Hyun-Jin Ryu