I’ve recently been fascinated by terminal velocity. Like, I get intuitively that, eventually, speeds max out when free falling because gravity is constant. But my monkey brain just has a tough time comprehending that science refutes gravity working like a magnet. I swear I’m not a flat-earther.
And maybe that fascination has sprouted because we are reaching the terminal velocity of the baseball season, fantasy-wise. (Maybe it’s also that the terminal velocity of humans is, just like five-minute-mile-mark for hardest hit balls in MLB, 120 MPH…) With nearly three months of juiced ball-aided, pitch clock timed, giant clown-based, stolen base-riddled baseball in the books, there have likely been enough ups and downs, bumps and bruises, and hot and cold to really solidify where your team stands. Your team is what is and has reached terminal velocity.
I’ll admit, the guys below aren’t likely making significant impacts on your roto standings because most are injury subs or relievers bubbling to the surface of bullpens like leathery geriatrics rising to the top of the oldest person alive charts. These suggestions are like the equivalent of flapping your arms during free fall to try and soften an eventual impact. The time to find a parachute has been long gone.
Yeah, my fantasy baseball season is going great, why do you ask?
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 6/23.
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 twitter (@mcouill7).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Gary Sanchez (SDP, 37% CBS Ownership) – The Kraken heads to America’s great middle west this week with two road series against the Pirates (okay-to-good matchups) and Reds (AWOOGA to the park!). Gary is being himself, as always, with a .210 BA and homer every 11 at-bats. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 45% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 38% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Danny Jansen (TOR, 32% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Bo Naylor (CLE, 30% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Christian Bethancourt (TBR, 18% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Yainer Diaz (HOU, 18% CBS Ownership) – This is probably your last week for a shot at picking up Diaz in deeper leagues as he now boasts a line of .276 / .291 / .521 after hitting three homers over 26 at-bats this past week. His bat is good enough that he will likely start taking time from Jose Abreu to provide offense even upon Yordan Alvarez’s eventual return. Diaz is playable in shallow leagues too right now with his steady stick and volume. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Patrick Bailey (SFG, 18% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Blake Sabol (C/OF, SFG, 13% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Connor Wong (BOS, 8% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Thaiss (LAA, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Miguel Amaya (CHC, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Joey Votto (1B, CIN, 23% CBS Ownership) – Votto returned from his lengthy rehab stint (or fashion consultant endeavor?) on Monday night and promptly parked his first homer of the season 381 feet to the GABP rightfield bleachers off Rockies lefty Austin Gomber. Was that the most challenging opponent? No. But, you can’t overlook the Reds upcoming schedule next week. They will travel to warm Baltimore for three games then return back to Cincy for another three against the Padres. Oh, and all of those games should be against right-handed starters. Now is the time to pick up Votto, hope he has a big week, then maybe find a buyer in a small trade. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Luke Raley (1B/OF, TBR, 49% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Geraldo Perdomo (2B/SS, ARI, 48% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Ji-Hwan Bae (2B/OF, PIT, 45% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ezequiel Tovar (SS, COL, 43% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Ha-Seong Kim (2B/3B/SS, SDP, 43% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), CJ Abrams (SS, WSN, 35% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luis Urias (2B/3B/SS, MIL, 34% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luis Garcia (2B/SS, WSN, 30% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Carlos Santana (1B, PIT, 28% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mauricio Dubon (2B/SS/OF, HOU, 28% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Nick Pratto (1B/OF, KCR, 27% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Zach McKinstry (2B/3B/OF, DET, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ronny Mauricio (SS, NYM, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryan Noda (1B/OF, OAK, 23% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Edouard Julien (2B, MIN, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jon Berti (2B/3B/SS, MIA, 22% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
David Hamilton (2B, BOS, 5% CBS Ownership) – Hamilton only has to outplay Christian Arroyo and Pablo Reyes to get regular middle infield at-bats for the Red Sox right now. I’ll take the chances on that and the opportunity to unleash his ungodly speed (97 steals between AA and AAA over the past two years) for some significant stolen base assistance. (3-5% FAAB)
Mike Moustakas (1B/3B, COL, 2% CBS Ownership) – Listen, I try to give some deference to modern front offices and the decisions they make because, hey, they are smart people that rose to the top of a tough profession. But then there’s the Rockies, which will perpetually confound any baseball fan seemingly until the end of time. The Rockies have two home series next week against the Dodgers and Tigers, which makes Moustakas an intriguing play because he’s taken over a strong-side platoon role. Use that to your advantage even if Moose’s presence degrades the Rockies young player development every time his cleats touch a major league field. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Enrique Hernandez (2B/SS/OF, BOS, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Paul DeJong (SS, STL, 14% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Maikel Garcia (3B/SS, KCR, 14% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jace Peterson (2B/3B, OAK, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Garrett Cooper (1B, MIA, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Nick Gonzales (2B, PIT, 8% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Brandon Belt (1B, TOR, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Samad Taylor (KCR, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ramon Urias (2B/3B, BAL, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Emmanuel Rivera (1B/3B, ARI, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Elvis Andrus (2B/SS, CHW, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Donovan Solano (1B/2B/3B, MIN, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Christian Arroyo (2B, BOS, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Andy Ibanez (2B/3B/OF, DET, 2% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Tyler Black (2B, MIL, 2% CBS Ownership) – Black continues to be the best bat in the Brewers system and now sports some eye-popping numbers in AA – 151 wRC+, 19.8 BB%, 39 (!) SBs. Brian Anderson has turned back into a pumpkin with a .186 / .294 / .271 line for the Brew Crew in June, and it’s time for new blood in Milwaukee if they are serious about contending with the Reds. (1-3% FAAB)
Osleivis Basabe (3B, TBR, 1% CBS Ownership) – The 22-year-old, contact-oriented Basabe has been parked in AAA Durham all season and performing extremely well. He’s now batting .316 while getting playing time at 2B, 3B, and SS. CBS only has Basabe listed as a 3B, but he probably has 2B and SS eligibility in other formats. He should arrive in Tampa soon to play a utility infield role and provide steady production when in the lineup. (1-3% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
TJ Friedl (CIN, 30% CBS Ownership) – Since returning from his latest IL stint on June 10th, Friedl has been a major catalyst to the Reds winning streak with a 122 wRC+ while batting regularly out of the leadoff spot. He is in a platoon due to the crowded Cincy lineup (who saw that coming at the beginning of the year?), but the Redlegs’ schedule next week with three at Baltimore and three at home against San Diego doesn’t currently have an opposing lefty starter slated. That’s the dream scenario for Friedl. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Alex Kirilloff (1B/OF, MIN, 38% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jarren Duran (BOS, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 36% CBS Ownership Rate, 1-3% FAAB), Joey Gallo (1B/OF, MIN, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jurickson Profar (COL, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 20% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Randal Grichuk (COL, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Aaron Hicks (BAL, 6% CBS Ownership) – As someone that used his first crack at a joke here on Razzball to call Hicks a lifeless corpse, I stand corrected. It’s clear that the Yankees no facial hair policy was holding back Hicks from his true potential. Since joining the Orioles, he’s swung a very much alive bat with a 178 wRC+, 3 HR, 2 SB, and .321 / .424 / .571 line in 66 plate appearances. Even with Cedric Mullins’ impending return, this zombie has been too valuable to not find near-regular at-bats for Baltimore. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Tommy Pham (NYM, 15% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Will Brennan (CLE, 15% CBS Ownership, 1-3%), Alek Thomas (ARI, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kerry Carpenter (DET, 13% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Corey Julks (HOU, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ryan O’Hearn (1B/OF, BAL, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brenton Doyle (COL, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Chas McCormick (HOU, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Mike Tauchman (CHC, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Bauers (NYY, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Will Benson (CIN, 5% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Dairon Blanco (KCR, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Derek Hill (WSN, 0% CBS Ownership) – Victor Robles returned in CF for the Nationals for five whole games before his balky back sent him back to the IL. It’s quickly spiraling into a lost season (again) for Robles, which can open the door to everyday CF reps for Hill. He will really struggle to run up that hill and make a deal with God, as he swings a gross 76 career wRC+ bat. However, he stole bags at a pace of 20 per 600 PAs in the majors before the new rules, making him a decent one-category flyer. (1% FAAB)
Billy McKinney (NYY, 2% CBS Ownership) – The prognosis on Aaron Judge’s turfed toe was not encouraging this week as he remains without a timeline for return after receiving a PRP injection. McKinney is steadily occupying a corner in the Bronx, holding on to his MLB career for dear life. That has motivated the 28-year-old to a .318 / .348 / .636 line with the Yankees that looks well-deserved with a .314 BABIP and 47.4 HardHit%. McKinney should get about another month of action while Judge remains out. During that time, Brian Cashman will weep daily in his office watching zombie Aaron Hicks propel the division rival Orioles’ playoff run. (5-7% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Bryan Woo (SEA, 33% CBS Ownership) – After an outstanding performance in Yankee Stadium Thursday night for 5.1 innings of no run pitching with 5 Ks, it’s bananas that Woo’s ownership isn’t higher. Lots of folks are seeing his high ERA (still 5.09) and forget about the 6-run dud in his June 3rd debut against the Rangers (that came with 4 Ks in 2 innings). Since then, Woo has been providing all of the Ric Flair BDE vibes with a 2.30 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 12.0 K/9 in 15.2 innings with one win over three starts. He pitches in a fantastic home park and needs to be owned universally at this point. (7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: J.P. France (HOU, 47% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Michael Lorenzen (DET, 44% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Seth Lugo (SDP, 46% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Griffin Canning (LAA, 45% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Bradish (BAL, 40% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Wade Miley (MIL, 40% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Hendricks (CHC, 38% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Clarke Schmidt (NYY, 32% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Rich Hill (PIT, 31% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), JP Sears (OAK, 29% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Matthew Liberatore (STL, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Reese Olson (DET, 21% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Hogan Harris (OAK, 9% CBS Ownership) – Along with JP Sears and Paul Blackburn, there are always Athletics pitchers that rise to the top of fantasy free agent lists because the Coliseum is so pitcher-friendly. Of course, Harris won’t be providing you any Ws, but the ratio help (a 2.57 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 3.13 FIP in his last five outings) will make your league mates green as the Hulk with envy. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Paul Blackburn (OAK, 13% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Kutter Crawford (BOS, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Manning (DET, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jaime Barria (LAA, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Ortiz (PIT, 9% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jhony Brito (NYY, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Daniel Lynch (KCR, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Irvin (WSN, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Bryan Hoeing (MIA, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Quinn Priester (PIT, 9% CBS Ownership) – Priester was featured recently here as a 15-team add, but this is a reminder that if you are in an NL-Only that allows minor leaguer ownership, Priester needs to be owned now. With Nick Gonzales getting a call-up yesterday, the Pirates are just wasting Priester’s bullets down in Indianapolis right now. I expect him to arrive soon. (3% FAAB)
Emerson Hancock (SEA, 9% CBS Ownership) – Similar to Priester above, here’s a reminder for AL-Only players that if Hancock is available, grab him now. Although he’s in AA, both Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo arrived in Seattle straight from there. Much like Priester, Hancock is a first rounder that has been around long enough that the Mariners need to see what he can do in the majors sooner rather than later. (1-3% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jordan Hicks (STL, 38% CBS Ownership) – Showing their hand of desperation, the Cardinals marched Hicks out for three straight saves from 6/17 – 6/19. Given his injury history and modern relief pitcher usage patterns, there isn’t any better indication of how strongly cemented Hicks as the closer on the fly. He becomes a must-own in every format but is an especially precious gemstone if you play in a league that distinguishes between SP/RP as he can accrue saves in your SP slot. (7-9% FAAB)
Scott McGough (ARI, 27% CBS Ownership) – Wowza, what week is it? McGough was featured as a 15-team pickup all the way back in the debut of this piece. After a few rough outings in May, he now looks like the de facto closer in Arizona, picking up three saves over the past week. All of the saves were oddballs too as he pitched two outs, six outs, and two outs. McGough also has no walks or earned runs in June, along with 12 Ks in his 10 flawless innings. The Diamondbacks are a good squad, but not world-beating good, which is perfect for setting up saves. It’s not outlandish for McGough to sniff 15-20 saves here for rest of season. (9-11% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Michael King (NYY, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kendall Graveman (CHW, 32% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Adbert Alzolay (CHC, 28% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 29% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Daniel Bard (COL, 23% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Justin Lawrence (COL, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Hunter Harvey (WSN, 10% CBS Ownership) – It takes a little work sorting through the game logs, but Harvey’s usage over the past ten days shows he’s the Nationals closer now. Peep this… 6/14 – Enters in the bottom of the ninth in Houston, gets tagged with the L on an unearned run from the call that resulted in an all-time Davey Martinez rant. 6/15 – Returns to the mound in the ninth against the Astros again, gives up a regular old blown save after Kyle Tucker leads off the inning with a double and is driven home by Yainer Diaz. But Harvey gets the win as the Nats rally in the 10th. 6/20 – Just a day of work against the Cardinals after not pitching since the 15th, of course, he gives up two runs because Hunter’s a closer now. He feeds off statistically-driven adrenaline. It’s proven science that if your closer enters a non-save situation to get in work, he’s giving up runs. 6/21 – A regular old save against the Cardinals. I rest my very messy, Charlie Day-inspired case for Hunter Harvey, newly anointed Nationals closer. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Erik Swanson (TOR, 18% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Josh Winckowski (BOS, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Trevor May (OAK, 7% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Trevor Stephan (CLE, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jason Foley (DET, 5% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Joel Payamps (MIL, 3% CBS Ownership Rate, 1% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Ian Gibaut (CIN, 2% CBS Ownership) – Tied for seventh in all of MLB in wins with 8 (along with the likes of Gerrit Cole, Joe Ryan, Mitch Keller, and Spencer Strider), Gibaut is now one of the most valuable NL-Only pitchers after notching a save this week too. Usually, we write off relievers popping wins like this, but the Reds usage patterns and late-game chaos created by Great American Smallpark provide the ingredients for future Gibaut dubs. (1-3% FAAB)
Josh Sborz (TEX, 4% CBS Ownership) – Following a 6.45 ERA in 22.1 innings last year, Sborz has gained Bruce Bochy’s trust and risen to the set-up role in Texas. He’s always thrown loud stuff with a 97 MPH fastball and 10.5 career K/9 entering the year; however, Sborz has molded himself into an elite reliever by cutting his 4.6 career BB/9 rate to 2.7 this year. If Will Smith runs into any injury or performance issues, Sborz will be the closer for the AL West-leading Rangers. (3% FAAB)
