FAAB Week 24: There’s A New Sproat In Town

Hello once again, Razzballers! With the NFL officially kicking off and drawing all of those sports-loving eyeballs to it this weekend, we are officially in the throes of the 2025 fantasy baseball season. There’s a tendency to throw in the towel at this point because there are roughly three weeks left in our six-month fantasy baseball season, but don’t fall for that temptation.

Take a look at those roto standings, I bet there are narrow races for points across the board. You’ve been playing this game hard for five months, lo and behold, all of those random stats have kicked out a pack of five teams within a few Ks of each other.

Plus, we have plenty out there in the heat of head-to-head playoff matchups looking for any and every edge, as a homer here or there will make or break a season.

Given the short window left on the 2025 season, it’s time to really focus on upcoming streams and pure volume of playing games for next week. Even with the MLB rosters expanding from 26 to 28 this week, there isn’t a lot that has shaken up the overall player pool. Injuries are starting to slow because either players are hitting the shelf for issues that will end their seasons, or they want to push through whatever is bothering them in pursuit of a World Series glory or free agency windfall.

First, let’s look at the 10 teams this week that have a full seven-game slate (important for reliever and pure volume streaming):

• CLE, COL, KCR, LAA, MIA, NYM, PHI, SDP, SEA, WSN

Of those 10 teams, the Padres probably have the easiest slate for pitchers with seven home games against the Reds and Rockies. None of the squads have a standout seven-game week for bats. In fact, no team has a great week (like next week’s upcoming six home games for the Rockies… ooo la la) for bats, with maybe the Pirates having the nicest one with three games apiece at Baltimore and Washington?

Remember from last week, we’ve got a slightly different format for bid suggestions, as you should be down to your last dollars at this point.

Still need assistance for what moves to make? Now (and honestly, always) is the time to leverage our Streamonator and Hittertron tools for those daily and weekly streaming calls and try to clinch those league titles. Alright, let’s get into the rest of the suggestions!

The stats and roster rates below are updated as of noon central time on 9/5.

As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on BlueSky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).

CATCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS: Kyle Teel (CHW, 38% CBS Rostership), Dillon Dingler (DET, 35% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 33% CBS Rostership), Francisco Alvarez (NYM, 30% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Sean Murphy (ATL, 30% CBS Rostership), Carlos Narvaez (BOS, 24% CBS Rostership)

15 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS:

Edgar Quero (CHW, 12% CBS Rostership) – Uh oh, is there actually power in Quero’s bat? He popped another tater, his fifth, in Minnesota this week. Over his last 12 games, the 22-year-old is slashing .357/.386/.500 (147 wRC+), as he’s really settled into his two-thirds DH and one-third catching role with the Pale Hose. Quero is worthy of Dollar Bid status in all shallower leagues given his regular lineup spot, and he’s rapidly moving up the list of 2026 breakout candidates given his age-to-level outlook.

DOLLAR BIDS: Carter Jensen (KCR, 6% CBS Rostership), Adrian Del Castillo (ARI, 6% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Victor Caratini (C/1B, HOU, 11% CBS Rostership), Patrick Bailey (SFG, 7% CBS Rostership), Liam Hicks (C/1B, MIA, 6% CBS Rostership), Freddy Fermin (SDP, 4% CBS Rostership)

INFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS:

Kyle Manzardo (1B, CLE, 46% CBS Rostership) – Looking for the next hyped-up power bat for 2026 draft season? Look no further than Manzardo, who’s been on fire since the All-Star break with a .264/.358/.519 (143 wRC+) slash line to go with 10 bombs and 25 RBI over 39 games. Pretty easy to multiply that production by four and see it’s a 40-homer, 100-RBI pace. The talent has always been there for the 25-year-old, but it looks like the steady diet of regular playing time without the pressure of the recently cut Carlos Santana has unlocked everything for Manzardo. He’s been hot enough that those desperately seeking power bats for the last three weeks might want to upgrade him into “Break The Bank” territory, and I won’t quibble with that.

OTHER PLUS BIDS: Tyler Freeman (2B/OF, COL, 31% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: Josh Jung (3B, TEX, 45% CBS Rostership), Jeff McNeil (2B/OF, NYM, 39% CBS Rostership), Caleb Durbin (2B/3B, MIL, 39% CBS Rostership), Jake Cronenworth (1B/2B, SDP, 37% CBS Rostership), Jordan Lawlar (2B/3B/SS, ARI, 35% CBS Rostership), Carson Williams (SS, TBR, 32% CBS Rostership), Sal Stewart (2B/3B, CIN, 27% CBS Rostership), Ryan Mountcastle (1B, BAL, 24% CBS Rostership), Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, PIT, 23% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Colt Keith (1B/2B/3B, DET, 49% CBS Rostership), Brett Baty (2B/3B, NYM, 42% CBS Rostership), Nathaniel Lowe (1B, BOS, 41% CBS Rostership), Brooks Lee (2B/3B/SS, MIN, 41% CBS Rostership), Kristian Campbell (2B/OF, BOS, 40% CBS Rostership), J.P. Crawford (SS, SEA, 36% CBS Rostership), Andres Gimenez (2B, TOR, 35% CBS Rostership), JJ Wetherholt (SS, STL, 28% CBS Rostership), Coby Mayo (1B/3B, BAL, 24% CBS Rostership), Luis Rengifo (2B/3B, LAA, 21% CBS Rostership), Kevin McGonigle (SS, DET, 21% CBS Rostership)

15 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS:

Romy Gonzalez (1B/2B/SS, BOS, 19% CBS Rostership) – For those in daily leagues, you likely already know the magic of Romy’s 2025 season. He’s been a first-round fantasy talent against southpaws this season, posting a .330/.386/.600 (163 wRC+) slash line against them. There are some elite power skills here in Gonzalez’s profile too, so it hasn’t been a fluke, as he sports a 13.2% Barrel rate and incredible 57.4% HardHit rate in all plate appearances. He’s been so good that the Red Sox have just given him outright full playing time with recent injuries to Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, and Marcelo Mayer while Romy’s production has warded off Kristian Campbell. Given the breadth of positional eligibilities, Gonzalez fits on any roster anywhere and could be in for a productive week with two lefties and a trip to Bing Bong Stadium on the Boston schedule.

OTHER PLUS BIDS: Jared Triolo (1B/2B/3B/SS, PIT, 19% CBS Rostership), Curtis Mead (1B/2B/3B, CHW, 5% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: Blaze Alexander (2B/3B/SS, ARI, 20% CBS Rostership), Ha-seong Kim (2B/SS, ATL, 16% CBS Rostership), Chase Meidroth (2B/SS, CHW, 14% CBS Rostership), Kyle Karros (3B, COL, 10% CBS Rostership), Brayan Rocchio (2B/SS, CLE, 4% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B, CIN, 16% CBS Rostership), Josh Bell (1B, WSN, 10% CBS Rostership), Tyler Locklear (1B, ARI, 10% CBS Rostership), Kody Clemens (1B/2B/OF, MIN, 9% CBS Rostership), Eric Wagaman (1B/3B/OF, 7% CBS Rostership), Casey Schmitt (1B/2B/3B, SFG, 7% CBS Rostership), Brooks Baldwin (2B/3B/SS/OF, CHW, 5% CBS Rostership)

OUTFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS:

Daulton Varsho (TOR, 46% CBS Rostership) – After blasting three homers in two games at Coors Field in the first week of August, Varsho has not stopped hitting. Since that series in Colorado, the converted catcher has mashed to the tune of seven homers, 16 RBI, 14 runs and a .265/.350/.618 (159 wRC+) slash line over 23 games. Varsho is firmly cemented as the five-hole hitter in a great lineup and will be crucial to the Blue Jays’ ability to wrap the AL East title over the next few weeks.

OTHER PLUS BIDS: Colton Cowser (BAL, 44% CBS Rostership), Dylan Beavers (BAL, 35% CBS Rostership), Victor Robles (SEA, 27% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: Isaac Collins (MIL, 47% CBS Rostership), Austin Hays (CIN, 39% CBS Rostership), Mickey Moniak (COL, 39% CBS Rostership), Miguel Andujar (3B/OF, CIN, 32% CBS Rostership), Lars Nootbaar (STL, 37% CBS Rostership), Matt Wallner (MIN, 33% CBS Rostership), Jeremiah Jackson (3B/SS/OF, BAL, 32% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Jesus Sanchez (HOU, 24% CBS Rostership), Andrew Benintendi (CHW, 21% CBS Rostership)

15 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS:

Luis Matos (SFG, 17% CBS Rostership) – The Giants finally have cleared the path for the 23-year-old Matos to get some run as a regular. Since his re-promotion and joining the lineup on Aug. 21, the San Francisco outfielder has slashed .400/.429/.711, good for a nifty 213 wRC+, over 49 plate appearances. Matos is a high-floor player because his contact ability (career 14.2% K-rate over 578 plate appearances) allows him to be a batting average asset. Sure, he currently sports a .235 career average, but luck has not gone his way with a .251 BABIP – unusual for someone with speed like Matos.

OTHER PLUS BIDS: Wenceel Perez (DET, 17% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: Harrison Bader (PHI, 19% CBS Rostership), Tommy Pham (PIT, 12% CBS Rostership), Joc Pederson (DH, TEX, 9% CBS Rostership), Andrew McCutchen (PIT, 7% CBS Rostership), Daylen Lile (WSN, 4% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Jake Mangum (TBR, 17% CBS Rostership), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 11% CBS Rostership), Nathan Lukes (TOR, 9% CBS Rostership), Mike Tauchman (CHW, 5% CBS Rostership), Heriberto Hernandez (MIA, 4% CBS Rostership), Austin Martin (MIN, 3% CBS Rostership)

STARTING PITCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

BREAK THE BANK:

Brandon Sproat (NYM, 26% CBS Rostership) – If you’ve whiffed on picking up Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong, Sproat is the consolation prize. The University of Florida product is not currently on the same level of those prior two, as his 4.24 ERA and 11.7% K-BB in 121 frames at Syracuse lagged behind his rookie teammates. That should roughly translate to a 4.00 ERA and strikeout per inning in the big leagues, which isn’t too thrilling, but there is more ceiling here. It’s possible the long Triple-A stint frustrated Sproat, leading to worse performance. If Sproat can rekindle the magic of his 2024 minor league run with a 3.40 ERA and 10.1 K/9 across three stops, look out, because that guy was more in the Jonah Tong realm of arm. I’ll be honest, there’s no harm in settling for Ian Seymour, Shane Smith, or Braxton Ashcraft – all are solid arms on par with Sproat – but above all those dudes, Sproat is going to be the most expensive this FAAB period because of the hype and prospect ceiling.

PLUS BIDS: Ian Seymour (TBR, 43% CBS Rostership), Shane Smith (CHW, 42% CBS Rostership), Ryan Bergert (KCR, 34% CBS Rostership), Braxton Ashcraft (PIT, 33% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: Justin Verlander (SFG, 40% CBS Rostership), Slade Cecconi (CLE, 38% CBS Rostership), Luis Garcia (HOU, 30% CBS Rostership), Taijuan Walker (PHI, 24% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Colin Rea (CHC, 47% CBS Rostership), Adrian Houser (TBR, 46% CBS Rostership), Taj Bradley (MIN, 34% CBS Rostership), Michael McGreevy (STL, 32% CBS Rostership), Jake Irvin (WSN, 32% CBS Rostership), Cade Cavalli (WSN, 29% CBS Rostership), Robby Snelling (MIA, 21% CBS Rostership)

15 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS:

Tyler Wells (BAL, 5% CBS Rostership) – The roster levels are creeping up percent by percent for Wells. He looked pretty sharp in his return against the Padres this week, featuring a five-pitch mix (all above average per Stuff+, except for an 81 Stuff+ fastball) to work five innings of two-run ball with four Ks and no walks. The hulking 6’8” righty draws another soft landing this week with a scheduled start at home against Pittsburgh. Kind of odd for this 4.00 ERA talent that can push a K per an inning (hey, this sounds familiar, see Sproat above) to remain available, signaling the lull created by the all-consuming force of fantasy football.

OTHER PLUS BIDS: Martin Perez (CHW, 12% CBS Rostership), Caden Dana (LAA, 6% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: Joey Cantillo (CLE, 9% CBS Rostership), Yoendrys Gomez (CHW, 7% CBS Rostership), Nabil Crismatt (ARI, 4% CBS Rostership), Andrew Alvarez (WSN, 4% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Janson Junk (MIA, 14% CBS Rostership), Davis Martin (CHW, 13% CBS Rostership), Johan Oviedo (PIT, 12% CBS Rostership), Stephen Kolek (KCR, 5% CBS Rostership), JR Ritchie (ATL, 4% CBS Rostership), Mitch Farris (LAA, 2% CBS Rostership), Jacob Latz (TEX, 2% CBS Rostership)

RELIEVERS

10/12 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS: Dennis Santana (PIT, 47% CBS Rostership), Jose Ferrer (WSN, 35% CBS Rostership), Calvin Faucher (MIA, 26% CBS Rostership), Victor Vodnik (COL, 18% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: JoJo Romero (STL, 37% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Ronny Henriquez (MIA, 35% CBS Rostership)

15 Team Adds

PLUS BIDS: Shawn Armstrong (TEX, 15% CBS Rostership), Keegan Akin (BAL, 11% CBS Rostership), Andrew Saalfrank (ARI, 10% CBS Rostership), Jordan Leasure (CHW, 4% CBS Rostership), Jake Woodford (ARI, 1% CBS Rostership)

DOLLAR BIDS: Justin Topa (MIN, 14% CBS Rostership), Phil Maton (TEX, 11% CBS Rostership), Sean Newcomb (ATH, 3% CBS Rostership)

ZERO BIDS: Michael Kopech (LAD, 7% CBS Rostership), Aaron Ashby (MIL, 4% CBS Rostership), Hogan Harris (ATH, 2% CBS Rostership)