Offense has been down across the league. It’s unclear if has to do with the humidor or a new baseball. Knowing MLB it’s likely a mix of both but have patience with your hitters as we don’t fully understand this new run scoring environment. As always, set your lineups first, identify needs and bid with purpose.
10/12 Team adds
Alec Bohm (PHI/3B) – Where Bryson Stott has floundered, Bohm has shined. The former #3 overall pick is currently slashing .476/.483/.714 with 12.5%-barrel rate and 50% hard hit rate. (5-6% FAAB)
Merrill Kelly (ARI/SP) – It’s only been three starts but it appears Kelly has made substantial changes. His 4-seam FB is currently averaging 92.1 MPH, 0.6 MPH higher than his career best. His changeup usage is also up, 23.1% vs 17.5% in 2021. It was his best pitch in 2021 generating a 27.4% whiff rate. That number currently sits at 45.5% in 2022. It’s not hard to understand why, as it is generating 2.3” of additional vertical AND horizontal movement over 2021. Should we expect his 28.6% k-rate to continue? Probably not, but 24-25% is feasible and that makes him useful in almost every format. (8-10% FAAB)
Josh Staumont (KCR/RP) – While it is a committee for the Royals, to me, Staumont is clearly the leading guy. Let us take a look at the week that was for them. 4/16 – Barlow comes in and faces the bottom of the order in the 8th, Staumont (SV) against the top of the lineup, with a similar situation playing out on 19th. On the 20th, Staumont pitches the 8th against the top of the lineup with Barlow getting the save. While it’s impossible to figure out what part of the order will be up in the 9th inning. It’s clear who they prefer in high leverage situations. (6-7% FAAB)
Lucas Sims (CIN/RP) – Activated Friday from the IL and should take the reins for closing duties. Of course, they’d actually have to be in contention to win a game first… (8-10% FAAB)
Jeremy Pena (HOU/SS) – The Astros placed Jose Altuve on the IL Tuesday with a hamstring injury. This resulted in Pena taking the leadoff role. The rookie is hitting .308/.364/.590 and could run away with the leadoff job by the time Altuve gets back. (12-15% FAAB)
Emilio Pagan (MN/RP) – Pagan got the save Thursday, with Jhoan Duran pitching the 7th inning. Tyler Duffey has been brutal and seems to be out of the running at the moment. Duran has the best stuff and is likely the closer of the future but today its Pagan. (5-6% FAAB)
15 Team adds
Jorge Lopez – He seems to have cemented his role as closer with Paul Fry and Dillon Tate pitching 6th and 7th innings respectively on Wednesday. Lopez recorded a 5 out save as well as nailing things down on Friday. The team context is awful, but if you need saves, you could do a lot worse. (6-8% FAAB)
Michael Pineda (DET/SP) – Detroit kept him in the minors to build up his pitch count and now has an MLB start under his belt. He’s the definition of a boring vet but since 2017 he has 3.90 ERA, 1.21 WHIP to go along with a 16.9 K-BB%. (3-4% FAAB)
Christian Walker (ARI/1B) – Walker has a 16.1% barrel-rate and 51.6% hard hit rate, yet he’s only hitting .146/.286/.317. Small sample, fair enough, but he has already posted three seasons with a barrel rate north of 11%. (4-5% FAAB)
Kyle Farmer (CIN/SS) – Nothing to get excited about here, but the Reds will be in Coors for a 3-game set over the weekend. Making him a decent streaming option for those looking for PAs. (1% FAAB)
AL/NL Adds
Derek Hill (DET/OF) – Recalled on Friday for the Tigers. Akil Baddoo has been pretty awful, .115/.179/.269 with a 5.6% hard hit rate. He might be staring down a demotion if he can’t pick it up. Hill is not a sexy fantasy asset, but he did hit 3 HRs and amassed 6 SBs in 150 PAs in 2021.
Odubel Herrera (PHI/OF) – Activated from the IL on Friday. Bryce Harper has been relegated to a DH role due to an elbow injury. It’s unclear whether he needs an IL stint but it does open a consistent spot in the outfield for Herrera for now, longer if an IL stint is required.
