FAAB Week 1: The Battle Victors

The season has kicked into high gear! No more of being forced to parse apart those pesky and noisy Spring Training stats over small samples against rando players. It’s time for some real, hard and fast MLB information to work with. Since we’ve met here last week, each team has provided us roughly *checks notes* two games of data. Okay, so maybe not that much, but we have received some valuable pieces of information from each team.

First, every roster is settled for now. No more guessing on which prospect outfielder the Rockies are going to bury in Triple-A (although, good money would have been to bet on all of them). No more speculating who’s grabbing that last rotation spot or is going to be held off the IL.  Second, we’ve also seen who has come out victorious in those position battles that were still raging entering this week. It should allow one to feel more confident in bids instead of trying to run ahead of leaguemates for those spec adds. So with that, let’s focus on some of the available players that won contested lineup spots and have cemented themselves into a regular role for the time being.

If you need a primer on overall strategies for FAAB bidding and my methodologies, check out last week’s post. You’ll see below that some of the roster rates are still a bit wonky because not all leagues have snatched up players following early March, pre-Japan Series drafts. I’ve done my best to toggle FAAB bids for what should be an appropriate bid, but YMMV based on league size and history.

The stats and Rostership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 3/28.

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

Ivan Herrera (STL, 47% CBS Rostership) – Herrera was profiled here last week, and likely still is still available in shallower leagues. Please, I’m begging you to pick him up. He’s swings a steady bat that will keep him in the lineup after winning the Opening Day start over Pedro Pages. In addition, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Herrera get DH at-bats throughout 2025. All the projections are too low on his playing volume and batting average at this point, as the St. Louis backstop looks headed for a top 10 catcher season based on his hitterish plate approach. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 41% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 32% CBS Rostership, 1-3%), Patrick Bailey (SFG, 26% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Kyle Higashioka (TEX, 24% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Danny Jansen (TBR, 12% CBS Rostership) – Injuries ravaged Jansen during his time in Toronto, so his roster rate dropped compared to when I suggested him last week as he battled a rib injury late in spring. However, the 29-year-old is good to go for Rays Opening Day and will be the main catcher for a team that’s playing its home games in a windy bandbox. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Elias Diaz (SDP, 13% CBS Rostership, 1-3%), Hunter Goodman (C/OF, COL, 11% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Korey Lee (CHW, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

INFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Tyler Soderstrom (1B, ATH, 45% CBS Rostership) – There were no issues with Soderstrom securing his spot in the A’s lineup entering 2025, but he looks poised for a significant breakout after mashing two taters on Opening Day in Seattle, including this 432-foot tank to dead center. Given how the park will likely play in Sacramento, I’m bumping my home-run ceiling expectation for Soderstrom into the 35-40 range. Not to mention the Athletics get a crazy good home schedule next week with three home games in Sac-Town before a three game set at Coors Field. Any A’s player in the top half of their lineup is streamable in even the shallowest of leagues out there for next week. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Spencer Torkelson (1B, DET, 43% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Ben Rice (1B, NYY, 40% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Manzardo (UTIL, CLE, 39% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 39% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jose Miranda (3B, MIN, 37% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jonathan Aranda (1B, TBR, 36% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jacob Wilson (SS, ATH, 35% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Brett Baty (3B, NYM, 32% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Joey Ortiz (3B/SS, MIL, 32% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jose Caballero (2B/3B/SS, TBR, 30% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Gavin Lux (2B, CIN, 23% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Ryan Bliss (2B, SEA, 7% CBS Rostership) – Okay, so yes, the Quick Hits section below here is a bit chunky, but all of those players currently have full-time jobs for their respective teams. Typically, it takes a few weeks for the fantasy baseball markets to catch up on news of who is actually playing in deeper leagues post-draft, so there are options abound if you have a roster spot that needs filling thanks to an injury or late spring demotion. In addition, if in a shallower league without any of the options above in the 10/12 Team section available, feel free to start dipping down into this tier for a replacement. Now back to player at hand… Bliss carved out a starting role with the M’s thanks to a solid .308/.325/.462 (102 wRC+) slash line in 40 spring plate appearances with solid defense at the keystone. He only swiped two bags, but flashed what his elite speed can do with 13 runs. The batting average will be middling for Bliss, but if he sticks at 2B for Seattle, he’s a lock for 30-plus steals with 500 plate appearances, and more likely set for 40-plus. The package comes with non-zero power too, as he’s capable of running a decent barrel rate (9.3% in 71 plate appearances last year) with HardHit rates over 40% throughout his minor-league stops. I have Bliss penciled in for something like a .225 average, 12 homer, 35 steal season assuming he sticks at his spot with upside if he breaks out. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B, PIT, 19% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), J.P. Crawford (SS, SEA, 17% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 16% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB) Carlos Santana (1B, CLE, 15% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2B/3B/SS, PIT, 14% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Otto Lopez (2B, MIA, 14% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ernie Clement (3B/SS, TOR, 13% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Josh Bell (1B, WSN, 13% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Paul DeJong (3B/SS, WSN, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ty France (1B, MIN, 9% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Geraldo Perdomo (SS, ARI, 9% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Miguel Vargas (3B/OF, CHW, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Brayan Rocchio (SS, CLE, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Oswaldo Cabrera (3B, NYY, 7% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), LaMonte Wade (1B, SFG, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jonah Bride (1B, MIA, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB, Orlando Arcia (SS, ATL, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Brendan Rodgers (2B, HOU, 3% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Lenyn Sosa (2B/3B, CHW, 2% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Gio Urshela (3B, ATH, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Gavin Sheets (1B/OF, SDP, 5% CBS Rostership) – Full disclosure, Sheets might be my favorite active player as I developed a bond cheering for him live at Sox games and still have an active baseball card PC for him. The 28-year-old was crying out for a change of scenery as the White Sox never offered him consistent playing time and appeared incapable of offering him the requisite coaching to further his development. Sheets can absolutely mash right-handed pitching, as evidenced by this strong solo tater to straight away center on Opening Day. Even in a strong-side platoon role (he has no business facing southpaws), Big Gav can reach the 25 homer plateau thanks to an organization leveraging and coaching his abilities properly. (5-7% FAAB)

Gabriel Arias (3B, CLE, 2% CBS Rostership) – Arias opens 2025 as the second baseman for the Guardians, mostly because Juan Brito fell flat on his face in spring. However, Arias offers some intrigue as his 74.5-mph average bat speed in 2024 was above league average. The Venezuelan infielder’s weak spot has always been an elevated K-rate, but he punched out at only a 19.6% clip in spring. So long as he puts the ball in play and keeps his job, Arias should be a .245-ish hitter with 10-15 homers and steals apiece. (5-7% FAAB)

OUTFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Victor Scott II (STL, 48% CBS Rostership) – Scott is a main target early in the 2025 season thanks to winning a starting role out of Spring Training, as evidenced by his significant jump in roster rate since being the suggestion last week for 15-teamers. The upside here is exponential due to Scott’s speed and non-zero power (he’ll especially pick up hustle doubles and plenty of triples ripping liners into the gaps), but the downside includes him being back in Memphis by May 1. For shallower leagues, be cautious with the bids because we’ve seen the downside in 2024. In deeper leagues, he’s a must add just for the potential steals bonanza.  (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Garrett Mitchell (MIL, 44% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Lars Nootbaar (STL, 45% CBS Rostership, 5% FAAB), Jake McCarthy (ARI, 35% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB) Jo Adell (LAA, 29% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Tommy Pham (PIT, 28% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Trevor Larnach (MIN, 21% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Alan Roden (TOR, 12% CBS Rostership) – The Roden love around this site is strong, just look at this player tag for piece after piece on analysis for this rookie in 2025. While a lot of the news reports point to the outfielder only getting his chance while Daulton Varsho is out, there’s no way Toronto is going to keep Nathan Lukes, the definition of an org depth outfielder, around over Roden upon Varsho’s return. The budding astrophysicist should stick all year with the Blue Jays while hitting .260-ish with 15/15 homers and steals as the floor, with the upside being 20/20 with a .280-plus average. Buy now before you miss out on what should be an AL Rookie-of-the-Year finalist just hanging out on waiver wires (invest in shallower leagues too). (7-9% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Jacob Young (WSN, 18% CBS Rostership, 5% FAAB), Andy Pages (LAD, 18% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 17% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jordan Beck (COL, 9% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Andrew Benintendi (CHW, 11% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jonny DeLuca (TBR, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Pavin Smith (ARI, 7% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Tyler Freeman (OF, COL, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Harrison Bader (MIN, 5% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Miguel Andujar (ATH, 3% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Andrew McCutchen UTIL, PIT, 3% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Hunter Renfroe (KCR, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jake Meyers (HOU, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Kyle Stowers (MIA, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Derek Hill (MIA, 0% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Mickey Moniak (COL, 2% CBS Rostership) – Rockies gonna Rockie. After blocking Zac Veen on the heels of a solid Cactus League campaign that would have granted him a roster spot in just about any other organization, Colorado buried Veen even further by bringing former number one overall pick Moniak into an already crowded outfield situation. The former Angel becomes the first big player to cross the AL/NL divide and lines up for a full-time gig in Colorado. Be aggressive with this bid if desperate for a starting outfielder in an NL-only league, as Moniak didn’t make the Opening Day lineup, but should start cracking the starting nine more often after settling in. (3-5% FAAB)

Michael A. Taylor (CHW, 0% CBS Rostership) – The Colorado Rockies, AL Central Division Edition, also couldn’t help themselves when presented the opportunity to block developing prospects with a veteran that would be a fourth outfielder on a second-division team (the Rox and Sox are third or fourth division in my book). Taylor should play every day on the Southside as Mike Tauchman is sidelined with a hammy injury and likely sees enough playing time even after Tauchman’s return to make him useful in AL-only leagues. The batting average will be rough for the 34-year-old, but he’s capable of popping 15 homers and swiping 10-plus bags with upside for more in both categories as he tries to play his way off this putrid Chicago roster. (5% FAAB)

STARTING PITCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Sean Burke (CHW, 34% CBS Rostership) – I’m kicking myself a bit because I was pegging Burke for a breakout throughout preview season, including covering him as a “Buy” in the Cards & Categories AL Central preview and a Sleeper in my Podapallooza appearance. The 25-year-old looked sharp in his Opening Day start against the Angels, tossing six scoreless innings without yielding a walk. His fastball clocked in at a dirty 135 on the Stuff+ scale. If looking for a constant source of Ks and ratios, Burke is a steady option that will get the ball every fifth day for the Sox. Just know that wins will be far and few between (he probably bumps to the level of a third or fourth starter in a QS league) and blow ups will happen given his low groundball rate (he will struggle to push above 40% based on his performance in the minors) and poor defense behind him. (5-7% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Jack Leiter (TEX, 46% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), A.J. Smith-Shawver (ATL, 38% CBS Rostership, 5% FAAB), Griffin Canning (NYM, 34% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Will Warren (NYY, 30% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Matthew Boyd (CHC, 30% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Aaron Civale (MIL, 30% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Richard Fitts (BOS, 30% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Luis Ortiz (CLE, 29% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Tylor Megill (NYM, 24% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Landen Roupp (SFG, 17% CBS Rostership) – I’ll admit that this suggestion might be a quirk of leveraging CBS data and my arbitrary cutoffs, but if Roupp is somehow available in your 15-teamer, go grab him immediately and aggressively. When it comes to winning jobs out of spring, there is a level of deference to be paid to the teams that are watching each player upfront. The fact that the Giants chose Roupp for the rotation over Hayden Birdsong, who steamrolled Cactus League competition to the tune of a 0.75 ERA with 18:0 K:BB in 12 innings, speaks volumes. Roupp was no slouch himself, working in a new cutter that led him to a 3.75 ERA (3.23 FIP) with 14:1 K:BB across a dozen innings. Every projection system has the 26-year-old slated for a sub-4.00 ERA with roughly a 22% K-rate while pitching in one of the best home ballparks for run suppression. I’d pick up Roupp in all 12-team leagues too. (7-9% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Ben Brown (CHC, 19% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Cade Povich (BAL, 17% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Tony Gonsolin (LAD, 14% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Chris Paddack (MIN, 14% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Mitchell Parker (WSN, 13% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Hayden Wesneski (HOU, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Osvaldo Bido (ATH, 12% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN, 11% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Andrew Heaney (PIT, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Shane Smith (CHW, 9% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Davis Martin (CHW, 5% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Kyle Hart (SDP, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT, 1% CBS Rostership) – In a surprise, Mlodzinski, typically a reliever at the big-league level, grabbed a rotation spot in Pittsburgh as Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington were sent back to Triple-A to marinate (aka, not have their arbitration clocks started). Given that the Pirates are going to do everything in their power to suppress the future earning power of Chandler and Harrington, Mlodzinski can stick in this rotation through May. The 26-year-old offers a solid three-pitch mix (fastball, slider, cutter) that should generate enough groundballs in front of solid defense to push towards a league-average ERA and K-rate. (3-5% FAAB)

Sean Newcomb (BOS, 4% CBS Rostership) – Welcome back from the dead, Sean Newcomb. The former first-round pick of the Angels in 2014 who debuted with Atlanta in 2017 cracked the Boston rotation, and not out of desperation either. The veteran southpaw was electric over 14.1 innings in the Grapefruit League with a 0.63 ERA, 8.2 K/9, and, most importantly, only 1.9 BB/9. The walks have been his weak point for several years, which landed him in a variety of LOOGY roles in the bullpen. However, it looks like the Red Sox pitching development machine unearthed another gem here in Newcomb. Be aggressive if thirsty for pitching in AL-Only leagues, and I’d be willing to take a flyer on Newcomb in 15-teamers for a few FAAB bucks. (9% FAAB)

RELIEVERS

10/12 Team Adds

Luke Jackson (TEX, 24% CBS Rostership) – Note: I wrote the following pretty much during Jackson’s Opening Day blown save: Last week in the blurb for Tyler Holton, I commented about grabbing the Detroit southpaw just for the security of locking in a solid pitcher with a regular role to avoid the large number of committees in MLB. I wish I had taken my own advice as I, a big-time buyer on the Chris Martin experience, look like a big dummy. Bruce Bochy has anointed Jackson as the closer in Texas and deployed his bullpen accordingly on Opening Day. The warning here is that Jackson is an inferior pitcher with a 3.78 FIP and 16.0% K-BB% over the past three years compared to 2.44 and 25.5% marks for Martin. So, don’t be surprised if Jackson unravels and loses this job back to Martin, but if seeking saves, Jackson has to be the play for now. Okay, now I’m back in real time. Chris Martin is still a superior pitcher, but Jackson still appears slated for the closer role in Texas… for now. This a classic SAGNOF situation, saves are saves are saves. Just know this can fall apart quickly, so don’t go hog wild blowing FAAB bucks on Jackson and maybe roster a cheap Martin too if available to handcuff the Rangers closer situation. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Kirby Yates (LAD, 47% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), A.J. Puk (ARI, 44% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Chris Martin (TEX, 44% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Porter Hodge (CHC, 30% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 27% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jason Adam (SDP, 26% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Tyler Holton (DET, 23% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Mike Clevinger (CHW, 21% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB if you have to… but puke emoji)

15 Team Adds

Tony Santillan (CIN, 7% CBS Rostership) – Santillan might be the closer while Alexis Diaz is shelved with a hammy pull? It’s tough to read how new Reds manager Terry Francona will play this, as he’s been cagey about answers, calling Tony the best reliever in the ‘pen but that he might be “too valuable.” I’ll count on Francona wanting his job to be valuable and will be willing to stick his best reliever in the ninth inning when required (Ian Gibault’s Opening Day blown save in the ninth might only help out here). Given how poorly Diaz has pitched since, well, always, don’t be shocked if you look at this Reds roster in October and see that Santillan sits atop its saves leaderboard. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Beau Brieske (DET, 11% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Strahm (PHI, 8% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Seth Halvorsen (COL, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Seranthony Dominguez (BAL, 6% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jesus Tinoco (MIA, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Scott Barlow (CIN, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)