FAAB Week 20: Have Marsee

As someone who works in accounting for my normie job, I know the fascination with deadlines and their ability to spur action. In the accounting world, that action is certainly derogatory and manifests in the form of much procrastination and subsequent scrambling. The deadlines, among many other factors like numbers, spreadsheets, and detailed analysis, are one of the things that sit squarely in the overlapping portion of the Venn diagram between my day job and this weekend gig.

Deadlines, like last week’s trade one, create changes that for our fantasy game we can capitalize on, as most of winning leagues nowadays is simply outmaneuvering the myriad of available projections and value tools (don’t forget our world-class ones here at Razzball including the Hittertron and Streamonator, must haves for winning leagues on the margins over the last two months!). Thanks to the most recent MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement that created Prospect Promotion Incentives to prevent Kris Bryant-like service time manipulation, there’s been a new deadline created.

If a player accrues less than 60 days of service time or doesn’t lose his rookie eligibility, and teams retain the chance at PPI awards in the next year. The rookie eligibility portion is the most relevant to us going forward because most players pass that threshold in about 45 days’ worth of game action. Back up 45 days from the last day of the season (Sept. 28), and that is Aug. 14, next Thursday.

While this isn’t a bright line, it’s a good guide to when we might see some of the next wave of prospects to come up. You’ll see some special focus on Samuel Basallo (C, BAL) and Dylan Beavers (OF, BAL) below because not only are they prime candidates for this 45-day callup window, but Baltimore is only carrying 38 players on their 40-man roster, making it easy to add the two Triple-A mashers to the big-league club. Other players that could be seeing the call soon include Bubba Chandler (SP, PIT), Quinn Mathews (SP, STL), JJ Wetherholt (SS, STL), Bryce Eldridge (1B, SFG), Tommy Troy (SS, ARI), Carter Jensen (C, KCR), and Joe Mack (C, MIA) along with several others.

So keep an eye on that Triple-A news this week and strike quickly and aggressively if any callup murmurs happen. Or jump and stash now while the prices are cheap this weekend.

The stats and roster rates below are updated as of noon central time on 8/8.

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

Samuel Basallo (BAL, 34% CBS Rostership) – The Orioles are just waiting to start the clock on Basallo’s big-league roster time, counting down the days to Aug. 14. The 20-year-old has absolutely destroyed Triple-A to the tune of a .278/.387/.621 (160 wRC+) slash line with 23 taters in 71 games. The early betting favorite for the 2026 AL Rookie of the Year award is going to get his 45 days this season to show what he can do soon enough. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 38% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Tyler Stephenson (CIN, 44% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Sean Murphy (ATL, 41% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Francisco Alvarez (NYM, 32% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Teel (CHW, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Freddy Fermin (SDP, 2% CBS Rostership) – After being a surprisingly steady and deep position for fantasy considerations, catchers have dried up recently. Of the backstops with full-time gigs, Fermin has been producing the best lately (.438 (7-for-16) batting average in five games since joining the Padres) and has a clear number one spot on the depth chart while playing in a solid lineup. He should be able to volume his way into the Top 20 catcher conversation over the last two months. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Victor Caratini (C/1B, HOU, 18% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Edgar Quero (CHW, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Liam Hicks (C/1B, MIA, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Carter Jensen (KCR, 3% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Joe Mack (MIA, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

INFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Lenyn Sosa (1B/2B/3B, CHW, 35% CBS Rostership) – Sosa has been rolling around in the Quick Hits of my 15-Team suggestions all season because of his steady path to playing time and very quiet breakout. Entering this season, the 25-year-old sported a career 6.8% barrel rate that he’s upped to 9.2% this season. That uptick has yielded dividends for the Chicago infielder, resulting in a .277/.308/.440 slash line overall with a scorching hot .323/.386/.548 line since the All-Star break. He’s nothing special in an OBP league due to a 3.5% BB-rate, but Sosa’s bat is legit enough to play as a MI option in leagues of any depth at this point. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Tyler Freeman (2B/OF, COL, 35% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Colt Keith (1B/2B/3B, DET, 49% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kristian Campbell (2B/OF, BOS, 42% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), J.P. Crawford (SS SEA, 42% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Manzardo (1B, CLE, 40% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jordan Lawlar (2B/SS, ARI, 34% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Coby Mayo (1B/3B, BAL, 30% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Luis Rengifo (2B/3B, LAA, 20% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), JJ Wetherholt (SS, STL, 24% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Bryce Eldridge (1B, SFG, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Ryan Mountcastle (1B, BAL, 18% CBS Rostership) – The ebbs and flows of the waiver wire options over a season are a fascinating thing to watch. Just a few weeks ago, I was lamenting the total dearth of outfield options in deep leagues while there appeared to be endless infielders available. That has flipped now because the infielders below in the Quick Hits are nothing special – all except Troy are one or two week streamer fill-ins. Mountcastle’s activation from the IL has been delayed, and we are still awaiting his return at this moment. But given that he’s slashed .387/.486/.806 on his nine-game rehab stint at Triple-A, he’s ready for the big leagues again and could be a steady corner infield presence over the remainder of the season. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Cole Young (2B/SS, SEA, 14% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), C.J. Kayfus (1B/OF, CLE, 13% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Nolan Gorman (2B/3B, STL, 11% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Nick Gonzales (2B, PIT, 9% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Kody Clemens (1B/2B/OF, MIN, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Casey Schmitt (1B/2B/3B, SFG, 6% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Darell Hernaiz (3B/SS, ATH, 4% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Tommy Troy (SS, ARI, 4% CBS Rostership)

Only Team Adds

Jared Triolo (1B/2B/3B/SS, PIT, 1% CBS Rostership) – Argh, Pirates. Just as I kept touting Nick Yorke as a post-deadline option, the club has decided that the 27-year-old Triolo, bound to be nothing but a utility infielder forever, should be starting. Triolo has made the most of the opportunity since the deadline, taking over shortstop while Isiah Kiner-Falefa has shifted to the hot corner and hitting .300 (6-for-20) over his last six games. With the steady run, expect Triolo to find a groove and produce close to his rest-of-season projections calling for a .240 average with a handful of steals while getting runs/RBI based on playing time volume. It’s nothing special but given that he covers every infield position eligibility-wise, he makes a great roster salve in NL-Only formats. (5% FAAB)

Curtis Mead (1B/2B/3B, CHW, 4% CBS Rostership) – With Miguel Vargas suffering an oblique injury and being placed on the IL earlier this week and Tim Elko’s struggles leading to another demotion, an everyday spot on the White Sox infield has opened for Mead, who was acquired at the deadline in exchange for Aaron Civale. To be frank, the 24-year-old Aussie really didn’t have anything left to prove at Triple-A, where he’s slashed .300/.391/.517 (138 wRC+) across 69 nice plate appearances with Durham and Charlotte. Thanks to Colson Montgomery’s surprising performance, Lenyn Sosa’s breakout (see above), and Brooks Baldwin’s current hot streak (see below), the Southside infield is surprisingly tough to crack right now. However, given Mead’s youth and upside, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Sox get him full-time at-bats down the stretch over the likes of Mike Tauchman, assuming that Vargas doesn’t miss extended time with his oblique issue. With steady run, Mead can be a .260 bat that produces a 15-ish homer pace and requisite counting stats while mixing in a handful of steals. (7-9% FAAB in AL-Only leagues, 3% FAAB in 15-teamers)

OUTFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Jakob Marsee (MIA, 26% CBS Rostership) – This is a fun victory lap to take as I’ve been hyping up Marsee around these parts all summer. The rookie outfielder is off to a blazing start, slashing .450/.577/.850 with a homer and two steals in his first seven games. Miami has no incentive to not play the 24-year-old every day over the last two months to let him finish his development at the big-league level. Maybe the saddest part of this incredible run and appearance on the national stage for Marsee is that he’s no longer going to be a sneaky sleeper pick going into 2026. (5-7% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Mickey Moniak (COL, 48% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Isaac Collins (MIL, 24% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Tyler O’Neill (BAL, 45% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Victor Scott II (STL, 45% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Brenton Doyle (COL, 42% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Lars Nootbaar (STL, 41% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (HOU, 29% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Wallner (MIN, 25% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Pavin Smith (1B/OF, ARI, 14% CBS Rostership) – Smith should be returning just in time for Arizona’s upcoming four-game road trip to Coors Field, where he will have a meeting with one of the worst pitching staffs of all-time. Just look at what the Blue Jays did to the Rockies this week, and you can see why lineup stacks against Colorado in Denver are a very viable option in daily moves leagues rest-of-season. (3-5% FAAB)

Dylan Beavers (BAL, 11% CBS Rostership) – The Orioles are just waiting to start the clock on Beavers’ big-league roster time, counting down the days to Aug. 14. The 23-year-old has absolutely destroyed Triple-A to the tune of a .309/.423/.538 (158 wRC+) slash line with 18 taters in 87 games. The second early betting favorite for the 2026 AL Rookie of the Year award is going to get his 45 days this season to show what he can do soon enough. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Nathan Lukes (TOR, 10% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Joey Loperfido (TOR, 10% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Wenceel Perez (DET, 15% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), JJ Bleday (ATH, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Tommy Pham (PIT, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Dominic Canzone (SEA, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Alek Thomas (ARI, 6% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Heriberto Hernandez (MIA, 3% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Daylen Lile (WSN, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Eli White (ATL, 3% CBS Rostership) White has shined in a full-time role since Ronald Acuna Jr. was placed on the IL July 30, popping three homers while slashing .241/.267/.586 in 30 plate appearances. The 31-year-old outfielder is a steady contributor when in the lineup and is well on his way to producing a surprise double-digit homer and steal season. He’s a must own and start in NL-Only leagues while Acuna, who is maybe out another week, is shelved. (3-5% FAAB)

Brooks Baldwin (2B/3B/SS/OF, CHW, 3% CBS Rostership) – No one produces heaters quite like Baldwin, who’s slashed .438/.500/.688 in five games since rejoining the Sox after Miguel Vargas’ oblique injury. The utility man will have a full-time role while Vargas is out, and likely could be post-Vargas return because Baldwin has nothing left to prove at Triple-A, where he’s mashed with a 1.180 OPS over 29 games. Despite the wiry 6’1” frame, Baldwin has pop, as evidenced by his 8.1% barrel rate. The only thing really holding him back from being a dependable big-league bat is his 27.0% CSW (called and swinging strike) rate. If he can shave a few ticks off that mark, he’ll enter 2026 as a Willi Castro-type player that will provide plenty of positional eligibility with the opportunity for a 15/15 homer/steal season. (5-7% FAAB)

STARTING PITCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Emmet Sheehan (LAD, 46% CBS Rostership) – Considering the hype surrounding Sheehan around his electric minor-league rehab outings (I was a culprit in that, for certain), it’s shocking that the righty is likely available in plenty of 12-teamers. Over his last three outings, he’s pitched to a 1.32 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, and 27.3% K-rate. That’s a steady mid-rotation starting option in even the shallowest of leagues. And sure, the wins and quality starts are going to be limited, as he’s yet to toss more than five frames in any appearance, but the ratio work is going to be steady. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Nestor Cortes (SDP, 50% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Charlie Morton (DET, 47% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Logan Allen (CLE, 23% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Zebby Matthews (MIN, 49% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Cam Schlittler (NYY, 45% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Chris Paddack (DET, 42% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jose Quintana (MIL, 39% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Bailey Falter (KCR, 33% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Shane Smith (CHW, 26% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Aaron Civale (CHW, 26% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Carson Whisenhunt (SFG, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Michael McGreevy (STL, 14% CBS Rostership) – The McGreevy suggestion this week is as easy as this… his next start is at home against the Colorado Rockies, who have a collective 69 team wRC+ on the road, which still includes three-plus months of Ryan McMahon. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Joey Cantillo (CLE, 19% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Cade Cavalli (WSN, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Sean Burke (CHW, 16% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Quinn Mathews (STL, 19% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Robby Snelling (MIA, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Dider Fuentes (ATL, 4% CBS Rostership) – Fuentes was untouchable for the second straight Triple-A start, tossing six scoreless innings with seven Ks against Durham this week. His last two outings have produced 11 innings of one-run ball with 16 strikeouts and two walks against two of the better Triple-A lineups in Durham and Memphis. For crying out loud, Atlanta gave Carlos Carrasco, who very expectedly was bad, a start this week. The only thing holding Fuentes back from rejoining the big-league roster is service time considerations, which are complicated by his previous MLB stint, but it’s not like Atlanta has tended to worry too much about this (see Hurston Waldrep, AJ Smith-Shawver, and any other young arm they’ve promoted recently). We’re probably one or two more sharp outings from Fuentes before he’s promoted again, as the Braves have every incentive to let him finish the season in the majors in hopes of prepping him for a 2026 rotation spot. (1-3% FAAB)

Tyler Wells (BAL, 1% CBS Rostership) – Wells made his second rehab start, a 2.1-inning appearance with four strikeouts and no runs allowed, at Triple-A this week. He’s probably two more outings away from rejoining the big-league club, where he’ll finish the season. (1-3% FAAB)

RELIEVERS

10/12 Team Adds

JoJo Romero (STL, 39% CBS Rostership) – The Cardinals bullpen has pretty much unfolded just as predicted last weekend. Since dealing Ryan Helsley at the deadline, Romero has served as the go-to high-leverage arm, resulting in two saves and a win. Riley O’Brien picked up the save in the contest Romero won, as the flamethrowing righty is clearly the number two. (3-5% FAAB)

Dennis Santana (PIT, 38% CBS Rostership) – Santana wasn’t added up very much over the past week even though he’s certainly the closer in Pittsburgh. His recent performance is marred by a five-run disaster in Colorado and a blown save this week when he asked to record four outs. Both are enough outside the normal closer duty spectrum that I’m okay continuing to pursue and roster Santana where available. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Ronny Henriquez (MIA, 42% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Alex Vesia (LAD, 27% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Calvin Faucher (MIA, 27% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Robert Garcia (TEX, 37% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 27% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Abner Uribe (MIL, 26% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Griffin Jax (TBR, 23% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Phil Maton (TEX, 20% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Jose Ferrer (WSN, 12% CBS Rostership) – As the Nationals slipped below the .400 winning percentage mark this week, it’s questionable whether the team will serve up even five save opportunities down the stretch. But when they do materialize, Ferrer will be the one called upon to convert them. (3-5% FAAB)

Kendall Graveman (ARI, 1% CBS Rostership) – Yep, things have gotten so desperate in Arizona that a 34-year-old with a 6.32 ERA in 15.2 innings with a pitch mix of four below average offerings is the closer. SAGNOF in its finest, most distilled form. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Riley O’Brien (STL, 4% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Justin Topa (MIN, 2% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Cole Sands (MIN, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Grant Taylor (CHW, 15% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ben Casparius (LAD, 14% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Keegan Akin (BAL, 4% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Kelly (ATH, 3% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Cole Henry (WSN, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Lake Bachar (MIA, 1% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)