After a week of baseball action, it’s hard to stay steady as one might be watching a fantasy team sink to the bottom of the standings. But unlike other fantasy sports, baseball is a long haul over six months, especially if you are making daily lineup decisions like in the RCL. Keep that in mind as you wince at the current output from Austin Riley or Willson Contreras (however, I have some bad news for those of you with Rafael Devers in lineups…). Wilmer Flores and Otto Lopez will not be Top 20 hitters on our Player Rater by season’s end. I’m not even going to link the pitching one in order to protect the public from unnecessary Anthony Banda hype.
It’s hard to not kneejerk immediately and pick up the hottest players. But remember, those roto standings can change on a dime and often are at this time of the season based on rotation turns. So take all of these pickups with that grain of salt for your FAAB bids this weekend. The bid levels might even be a little low compared to what overzealous leaguemates might be dropping on these players, but take into account the next six months of fantasy baseball action. Not to say these aren’t valuable roster additions, but there’s a reason I’m focused on players with solid playing time pathways and projections that warranted rostership to begin with and not throwing all of my budget at small-sample darlings like Wilmer Flores and Jake Mangum.
The season is just beginning, and some diligence in bidding now can pay off handsomely as two-start pitching matchups get juicier, injuries mount to clear new opportunities, and hot prospects get the call over the coming weeks.
The stats and Rostership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 4/4.
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
Hunter Goodman (C/OF, COL, 49% CBS Rostership) – Well, well, well, the Rockies finally made a decision that benefitted one of their young position players. Goodman has started all six games (as of April 4) so far this season in some form or fashion between donning the tools of ignorance (catching) or tools of torpor (DH-ing). He’s set up to be discount Willson Contreras with a pathway to full-time at-bats in the middle-of-the-order with half his games coming in Coors Field. If Goodman is still available in your shallow league, he’s at least 100% streamable in Colorado while providing volume when he’s on the road to be a solid fantasy team asset throughout 2025. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 33% CBS Rostership, 3%), Sean Murphy (ATL, 32% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jonah Heim (TEX, 25% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Miguel Amaya (CHC, 19% CBS Rostership) – Mea culpa, in setting up this analysis for the first week, it’s a lot of sorting through volume, and Amaya slipped through the cracks last week. Despite Carson Kelly’s Triple-A park aided cycle this past week, Amaya is the main catcher in Wrigleyville. The 26-year-old has always had a solid plate approach through the minors that has shown up in his career 19.7% K-rate, but there could be growth in his career 6.5% BB-rate now that he can settle fully into this number one catcher role. Amaya reminds me a bit of Alejandro Kirk with a tick more pop and tick less batting average, warranting a roster spot in all 15-teamers if he’s still available. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Danny Jansen (TBR, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Dillon Dingler (DET, 6% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Thaiss (CHW, 0% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Ben Rice (1B, NYY, 49% CBS Rostership) – With how shallow first base and corner infield were around draft time, it’s no surprise that the likes of Tyler Soderstrom and Spencer Torkelson, last week’s top adds, were quickly hoovered up. The last remaining solid power-bat option available in 12-teamers is likely Rice, who continues to draw plenty of plate appearances for the Bronx Bombers at DH and first base despite the team’s reticence to have him face southpaws. However, this may work to our benefit in the fantasy space because of Yankee Stadium’s (and now George M. Steinbrenner Field, too) notoriously short right-field porch along with the AL East not having many lefty starters in rotations. Baltimore only has Cade Povich; Boston has Garrett Crochet (not like anyone is touching him anyways) and Sean Newcomb (might not stick in rotation); Tampa is currently all righties with Shane McClanahan’s future looking uncertain; and Toronto has a spot dedicated to waiver-fodder and usual reliever Easton Lucas for now. That all lines up for Rice to get plenty of runway to flash his career 18.5% (!!) Barrel-rate while Giancarlo “Tennis ElbowS” Stanton looks to be shelved for a long, long time. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Colt Keith (2B, DET, 48% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Nolan Schanuel (1B, LAA, 42% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jacob Wilson (SS, ATH, 40% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Jonathan Aranda (1B, TBR, 37% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 36% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jose Caballero (2B/3B/SS, TBR, 33% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Miranda (3B, MIN, 33% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2B/3B/SS, PIT, 29% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ryan O’Hearn (1B/OF, BAL, 27% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Dylan Moore (2B/3B/SS/OF, SEA, 27% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Geraldo Perdomo (SS, ARI, 20% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Will Wagner (2B/3B, TOR, 14% CBS Rostership) – It’s only been 19 plate appearances boosted tremendously by a .500 BABIP, but Wagner is slashing .389/.389/.500 so far and showing his batting averages of .315 in 355 minor-league PAs and .305 in 86 major-league PAs in 2024 were no fluke. Lowkey, this lefty infielder might show us shades of Luis Arraez in a 2025 batting title chase, the only difference is that it comes with non-zero pop (8.6% Barrel rate and 49.4% HardHit rate in his MLB career) and a blushing Savant page. Wagner doesn’t have 3B eligibility quite yet but should be well on his way with three starts at the hot corner already. Okay, so maybe the batting title is a little too high of a ceiling for this son of a Hall-of-Famer, but he seems like a lock for a .280-.290 average, which is a huge value when you can carry him as a bench piece and roster salve. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Wilmer Flores (1B, SFG, 17% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 17% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB) Carlos Santana (1B, CLE, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Josh Bell (1B, WSN, 14% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ernie Clement (3B/SS, TOR, 12% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Paul DeJong (3B/SS, WSN, 11% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ty France (1B, MIN, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Miguel Vargas (3B/OF, CHW, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Oswaldo Cabrera (3B, NYY, 8% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Brayan Rocchio (SS, CLE, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ryan Bliss (2B, SEA, 7% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), LaMonte Wade (1B, SFG, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Gabriel Arias (3B, CLE, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Lenyn Sosa (2B/3B, CHW, 3% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Thomas Saggese (2B, STL, 4% CBS Rostership) – Nolan Gorman torpedoed the spot he had on the Cardinals’ roster early with a hammy strain, resulting in Saggese arriving quickly from Triple-A. This St. Louis offense is looking dangerous thanks to Ivan Herrera’s first week breakout along with solid production from Lars Nootbaar and Victor Scott II, ranking top five in runs right now, which they might be able to maintain. You will want as many pieces of that as possible in an NL-Only league, and while Saggese doesn’t currently have a role, his versatility could result in some nice eligibilities over 2025 while he can possibly hit .250 with what would pace to like 15 homers and six-to-eight steals. He’s a great bench piece to tuck away and let marinate. (1-3% FAAB)
Brooks Baldwin (2B, CHW, 2% CBS Rostership) – One reason I was bit lower than consensus on Chase Meidroth’s 2025 opportunity was Baldwin, who earned a long look at the majors after posting a .324/.391/.460 (150 wRC+) slash line across Triple- and Double-A last season. The 24-year-old might be the only switch-hitter in the league in a platoon, thanks to a floundering track record against lefties, but that gives more upside to his profile if he can get full playing time. There’s no reason to think Baldwin can’t stick all year on the Chicago infield and stumble his way into double-digit homers and steals along with a .250 batting average. (7% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Andrew Benintendi (CHW, 25% CBS Rostership) – Wow, the outfield position hollowed out fast as Victor Scott and Lars Nootbaar are now owned in probably even the smallest of leagues. Outfield in general was shallow going into 2025, and the list of addable options here proves that. All of the outfielders listed have significant flaws, so hopefully you’ve drafted some depth to be able to handle the lack of available pickups until we get some minor leaguers rising through the ranks. Benintendi is off to a hot start, slashing .333/.391/.619 over his first 23 plate appearances while battling some pretty grody spring weather in Chicago. Pros: Benintendi will play every day in a prime lineup spot while being capable of hitting .260-ish with requisite counting stats. Cons: White Sox. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Joc Pederson (UTIL, TEX, 45% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Garrett Mitchell (MIL, 43% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Mike Yastrzemski (SFG, 42% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jake McCarthy (ARI, 32% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 30% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jo Adell (LAA, 28% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Tommy Pham (PIT, 28% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Trevor Larnach (MIN, 24% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Max Kepler (PHI, 24% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Jonny DeLuca (TBR, 13% CBS Rostership) – We learned this week that Sacramento is likely to play as a bandbox (pssst… Miguel Andujar, included in the Quick Hits, almost was this week’s featured blurb), and Tampa is likely next. While the Rays have failed to surpass seven runs in any of their six games at George M. Steinbrenner so far, the weather will heat up and the Floridian gales will shift. Just by my eye in watching, most of those initial home games had winds blowing in, which can change on a dime for anyone who knows Grapefruit League ball. With DeLuca, any power numbers are gravy because his calling card is Kevin Kiermaier-like with center field defense that keeps him on the field and speed (now 19-for-25 on the basepaths in 380 career plate appearances with the Rays). If you had to ask me for one player who could be the Brenton Doyle of 2025, DeLuca is the clear pick. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jacob Young (WSN, 18% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Andy Pages (LAD, 17% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 16% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Alan Roden (TOR, 15% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Harrison Bader (MIN, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Pavin Smith (ARI, 9% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Alek Thomas (ARI, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Stowers (MIA, 5% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Miguel Andujar (ATH, 4% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Andrew McCutchen (UTIL, PIT, 3% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Derek Hill (MIA, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Nick Martini (COL, 1% CBS Rostership) – Maybe take back everything semi-glowing I said about the Colorado Rockies baseball club in the Hunter Goodman blurb. The 34-year-old Martini looks set to occupy a strong-side platoon role for the Rox and block Jordan Beck, Tyler Freeman, Zac Veen, and Yanquiel Fernandez all summer long. Martini’s career spot-on league-average 100 wRC+ is a solid bat to carry in a platoon role, so he will hit in Coors and for the Rockies, but as a baseball fan, just wish it was elsewhere. (5% FAAB)
Justyn-Henry Malloy (DET, 3% CBS Rostership) – Malloy is now a DH hitting leadoff for the Tigers, need I say much more, AL-Only leaguers? Thanks to Gleyber Torres (oblique), Matt Vierling (shoulder), and Parker Meadows (nerve irritation in throwing arm) battling injuries, all of which do not inspire confidence for great returns, JHM is batting leadoff everyday in Detroit. He’s coming off a solid spring in which he slashed .309/.387/.418 in 62 plate appearances with a solid K-rate of 19.4% (compared to 37.0% at the majors in 2024), and if the Tigers can keep his glove stored away, Malloy’s bat will play at the majors and could be primed for a breakout. (5-7% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jordan Hicks (SFG, 42% CBS Rostership) – Take a moment to watch the highlight reel from Hicks’ first start at Houston this week. The ‘Stros looked absolutely flummoxed in the box against the Giants right-hander, and rightfully so. Hicks averaged 98 mph on his sinker while regularly breaking 100 mph, and yeah, good luck connecting with that pitch while it’s rolling. I don’t know how long Hicks can maintain that velocity given his health track record, but you have to hop aboard while it’s all humming with his home starts coming at Oracle Park. (7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Sean Burke (CHW, 49% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Tylor Megill (NYM, 47% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), A.J. Smith-Shawver (ATL, 46% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Griffin Canning (NYM, 37% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Will Warren (NYY, 34% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Matthew Boyd (CHC, 35% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Ben Brown (CHC, 32% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Richard Fitts (BOS, 31% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Landen Roupp (SFG, 24% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Cade Povich (BAL, 23% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Hayden Wesneski (HOU, 23% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Chase Dollander (COL, 21% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Mitchell Parker (WSN, 21% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Davis Martin (CHW, 6% CBS Rostership) – It’s astounding that more than half the White Sox rotation is included as possible pickups in this piece, and the rotation proved themselves, tossing 28 consecutive scoreless innings to open the season. Sean Burke, who looks a lot like Dylan Cease on the mound, and Shane Smith, the sexy Rule-5 pick, have been getting plenty of buzz, but Martin deserves some of that shine too. The former Texas Tech Red Raider works a four-pitch mix anchored by a newfangled kick change that clocks in at a 115 Stuff+. The Ks alluded Martin in his first start, but he has a put-away pitch as his slider generated a 20.1% swinging strike rate in 2024. Like the rest of the Sox rotation, wins will be hard to come by for Martin, but he pitches in a weak division and is cemented into his spot. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN, 17% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Tony Gonsolin (LAD, 15% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Shane Smith (CHW, 13% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Andrew Heaney (PIT, 11% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jack Kochanowicz (LAA, 11% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Connor Gillispie (MIA, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Shinnosuke Ogasawara (WSN, 1% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Sean Newcomb (BOS, 1% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Hurston Waldrep (ATL, 9% CBS Rostership) – I did not have “writing a eulogy for the 2025 Braves” on my early season bingo card, but here we may be after a brutal 0-7 start for Atlanta. The pain out the gate manifested itself in Reynaldo Lopez’s shoulder, for which he underwent surgery, and has a murky road to returning in a few months. Former All-Star Bryce Elder stepped into Lopez’s rotation spot on short notice and was pummeled by the Dodgers. Given that Elder’s fastball sits at 91.5 mph, it’s not just the Dodgers that can crush him. Enter Waldrep, who yes, was brutal in 2024 with a 16.71 ERA over seven innings, but was razor sharp in his first Triple-A start, punching out seven against one walk in five innings. Lopez/Elder’s rotation spot feels like it will be Waldrep’s in short order as Atlanta is already walking a narrow path to contention in a tight NL East race. Sow now, reap later with Hurston. (3-5% FAAB)
A.J. Blubaugh (HOU, 1% CBS Rostership) – Just like Waldrep, Blubaugh was crisp in his first start at Triple-A, firing six scoreless innings with nine Ks and no walks. The Astros’ rotation is much steadier than that in Atlanta, so it will take an injury for the former UW-Milwaukee pitcher to debut, but he will be a hot target when he receives the call. Add Blubaugh to a bench now in anticipation of that moment. (1% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Luke Jackson (TEX, 49% CBS Rostership) – Like last week, Jackson is still getting save chances in Texas despite not being the best arm in the ‘pen. Handcuff him with Chris Martin in a 12-teamer, and you should be locked into the Rangers’ saves for 2025. (3-5% FAAB)
Jose Alvarado (PHI, 35% CBS Rostership) – Sure, Alvarado took home a save this week, but it was against the Rockies (Romano pitched in higher leverage in the eighth), and his current player note on fantasy sites reads, “Hangs on for first save.” That is the Jose Alvarado experience in a nutshell. It’s great that the 29-year-old southpaw pumps the heat up to 100 mph but just watch an outing. He has no idea where a pitch is going. Yes, he’ll pick up some saves here and there with a solid K-rate, but the exposure he presents to rate stats can burn you quickly, so just proceed with caution here. (3% FAAB)
Dennis Santana (PIT, 24% CBS Rostership) – Santana locked up his first save post-David Bednar demotion to Triple-A and looks like he could be the Pirates closer all season. His lack of high octane whiff-inducing stuff along with a groundball rate that didn’t breach 40% in 2024 will lead to walkoff homers, but he looks like the best shot at 25-30 saves on the wire outside of Jackson right now. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Kirby Yates (LAD, 48% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Chris Martin (TEX, 43% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Luke Weaver (NYY, 39% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Porter Hodge (CHC, 34% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Blake Treinen (LAD, 33% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jason Adam (SDP, 31% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 26% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Tyler Holton (DET, 25% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 24% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Seth Halvorsen (COL, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Emilio Pagan (CIN, 21% CBS Rostership) – It’s week two, and I’m already exhausted by analyzing these chaotic bullpens across the league. How does JKJ do it every week while offering S-tier puns? I could never. Pagan is a tick above what I would normally consider for 15-team analysis, but is probably still available in plenty of deeper leagues thanks to the vagaries of FAAB runs. The 33-year-old secured the first Reds save and looks destined for more despite Tony Santillan being a far superior pitcher. Just like the Rangers’ situation, holding Pagan and Santillan might be fruitful while Alexis Diaz is out and desperate for saves. Additionally, there’s a good chance Diaz doesn’t get his role back as he’s been on thin ice for a couple years in Cincy. (5% FAAB)
Anthony Bender (MIA, 7% CBS Rostership) – The 30-year-old right-hander has risen to the top of the Miami closer depth chart like the most buoyant turd at the waste treatment plant. But hey, the Marlins are 4-3 (two wins thanks to David Bednar) and have offered infinitely more save chances the Braves so far! (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jeremiah Estrada (SDP, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Tommy Kahnle (DET, 14% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Tony Santillan (CIN, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Matt Strahm (PHI, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Yimi Garcia (TOR, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Seranthony Dominguez (BAL, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
