FAAB Week 4: Keaschall Me Maybe

Howdy Razzballers! It’s been another week of fantasy action driven by our drafting prowess back in February and March (or November and September for the absolute sickos). In a few of my leagues, RCL included, my position in the standings fluctuated upwards of eight spots this past week. Most of this is driven by the vagaries of rotation turns and narrow counting stats, but we are starting to enter the portion of the season where that will happen less.

One good indicator we are reaching the prime portion of in-season management is that our first wave of prospects started arriving. The samples are getting less small every day in MLB, and teams are more willing to cut bait on poor performances (or perhaps too willing – sorry, Zac Veen) in order to at least feign competence in places like Chicago, Minnesota, and Baltimore.

Hopefully, you caught the Cards & Categories pod we recorded and released this week, because it might end up being the most well-timed piece of weekly gabbing I’ve ever pulled off. We chatted about how to evaluate what minor leaguers are worth stashing. Since we outlined the list to talk about on Wednesday, three of our original selections were called up – Quero was promoted in the hours between the topic brainstorm and the recording.

And yes, hope you caught the headline reference, if not, sorry to plant this ditty in your head all weekend.

With that, we conclude with the remixed words of our great lord and savior, Carly Rae Jepsen, before we dive into those bids:

Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy

But here’s my FAAB bid, Keaschall me maybe

It’s hard to get my bid right, baby

But here’s my FAAB bid, Keaschall me maybe

And all the other teams try to beat me

But here’s my FAAB bid, Keaschall me maybe

The stats and Rostership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 4/18.

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

Jonah Heim (TEX, 37% CBS Rostership) – So far, Heim looks back to his 2023 All-Star form, kicking off 2025 with a .256/.289/.488 (123 wRC+) slash line over 45 plate appearances with three taters and two (!) steals. There’s big upside here too because Heim is already DH-ing against southpaws. With Joc Pederson’s abysmal start (.060/.161/.080 slash… that’s a -24 wRC+), don’t be surprised if you see Heim pick up even more DH at-bats, which could make him a sneaky Willson Contreras-like catcher that provides greater volume. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Joey Bart (PIT, 43% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 29% CBS Rostership, 1%), Dillon Dingler (DET, 23% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Edgar Quero (CHW, 8% CBS Rostership) – Hello, discount Keibert Ruiz. Quero is an average-first, switch-hitting catcher that should overtake the main backstop duties immediately on the Southside after his promotion. The 22-year-old slashed .333/.444/.412 in Triple-A before the callup but expect an average more in the .260-ish range as he gets his first taste of the majors. If in a keeper/dynasty league, Quero’s peak probably has a .280 average with 15 homers. He’s not special but will be a solid mid-tier catcher. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Miguel Amaya (CHC, 17% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Pedro Pages (STL, 13% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Danny Jansen (TBR, 10% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jose Trevino (CIN, 3% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Liam Hicks (MIA, 1% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

INFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Connor Norby (3B, MIA, 41% CBS Rostership) – Norby likely started hitting some waiver wires thanks to injury crunches on rosters. The Marlins infielder has returned from his oblique injury, batting in the two-hole against Arizona on Thursday. The 24-year-old was a savvy breakout pick entering 2025 before the IL stint, and there’s 15 homer, 10 steal production rest-of-season with a .250 average looming in his bat. (5-7% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Nolan Schanuel (1B, LAA, 48% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Josh H. Smith (3B/SS, TEX, 47% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jose Caballero (2B/3B/SS/OF, TBR, 41% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Dylan Moore (2B/3B/SS/OF, SEA, 40% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Colt Keith (2B, DET, 39% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2B/3B/SS, PIT, 32% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B, PIT, 32% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Carlos Santana (1B, CLE, 21% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ty France (1B, MIN, 21% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Gabriel Arias (2B/3B, CLE, 21% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Gavin Lux (2B/OF, CIN, 20% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Jeff McNeil (2B/OF, NYM, 16% CBS Rostership) – McNeil is wrapping up a rehab assignment in Port St. Lucie, during which he saw some centerfield action. The Mets are already grasping at straws for CF options thanks to Jose Siri getting nicked up, exposing the glaring wart on this Juan Soto-led Queens crew… the lack of depth. McNeil provides a great batting average and flashes non-zero power when he feels like it. The eligibilities make him a solid pickup for deeper leagues to provide options before setting those lineups, as the New York vet should be back for the full weekly slate. (3-5% FAAB)

Luke Keaschall (2B, MIN 13% CBS Rostership) – I’m not saying that Jeremy and I are soothsayers, but maybe we need to open up a side hustle as psychics. Because if you had listened to our Cards & Categories pod that dropped this week, you would have possibly been stashing Keaschall and preparing for this callup. The Minnesota utilityman can play all over the field and is a scrappy, high-floor player that offers double-digit power and steals with a solid batting average and limited K-rate. He would have been a sleeper pick for lots out there if he wasn’t still recovering from an offseason TJ surgery when entering the spring. But looks like all systems are go for Keaschall in the Twin Cities, and as the team falters, it just opens up more reason for them to give the rookie more run. (5-7% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Chase Meidroth (2B/SS, CHW, 19% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Brooks Baldwin (2B/OF, CHW, 4% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Lenyn Sosa (2B/3B, CHW, 3% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB) Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, PIT, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ernie Clement (3B/SS, TOR, 8% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Thomas Saggese (2B/SS, STL, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Oswaldo Cabrera (3B, NYY, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB),

Only Team Adds

Jose Iglesias (2B/3B, SDP, 3% CBS Rostership) – The 35-year-old music star has filled in admirably for Jake Cronenworth since the latter went down with a cracked rib. Iglesias tries to employ the classic Willie Keeler strategy of “hit ‘em where they ain’t,” which yields lots of contact and little power. He should be a batting average buoy that can hover around .270 while Cronenworth remains shelved. The dual eligibilities make Iglesias a great bench piece even after The Crone Zone’s return, so feel free to invest a little more because he can be a NL-Only roster staple for 2025. (5% FAAB)

Ben Williamson (3B, SEA, 2% CBS Rostership) – Yo, don’t get upset with me because you are playing in an AL-Only league that rosters any warm body occupying a regular lineup position. With Ryan Bliss set to miss pretty much the rest of the season, Williamson was called up to man the hot corner, shifting Dylan Moore over to second (by the way, Jerry Dipoto… woof, my man). The most intriguing part of Williamson outside a few months of solid playing time is a bit of speed, as he swiped 19 bases across two minor league stops in 2024 over 124 games. (5% FAAB)

OUTFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Jo Adell (LAA, 25% CBS Rostership) – Are any of these outfield options great? No, absolutely not. If in a shallower league, do consider dipping down into the upper tier options of the 15-teamers below, because Smith, Sanchez, Stowers, Bader, and Roden are not that different talent-wise from these choices. After spending last season pumping up Adell along with Marmosdad, I’m still on the Jo Train despite a brutal .188/.250/.333 (68 wRC+) start, mostly because I think he’s an adjustment away from returning back to his 20/15 prowess flashed last year. What encouraged me about Adell so much in 2024 was that his walk rate in the second half jumped to 9.4% because he started laying off junk out of the zone. Well, opposing pitchers noticed, as they are pounding the zone on the Angels outfielder to the tune of a 73.1% first-strike rate, resulting in a spike of his called-strike rate from 13-15% historically up to 19.3% in 2025. Adell needs to adjust back and start attacking the first pitch strikes he’s getting (hi Angels coaching staff, if you exist, please take this very simple analysis and run it up the pole to Jo, please). I will say that if Adell (and the Angels) can’t make this adjustment, then I will finally be totally out on the Jo experience, sorry Marmosdad. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: J.J. Bleday (ATH, 48% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Ryan O’Hearn (1B/OF, BAL, 23% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Zac Veen (COL, 39% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kameron Misner (TBR, 25% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Austin Hays (CIN, 23% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Tommy Pham (PIT, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Max Kepler (PHI, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Andrew Benintendi (CHW, 21% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Pavin Smith (ARI, 18% CBS Rostership) – Yo, Pavin Smith Squad, sound off in the comments! The planned week of feasting on all right-handers is paying off handsomely already, as he went 6-for-12 with two homers and a stolen base in Miami. Arizona has one lefty on the docket next week (Chris Sale at home), but Smith has proven valuable and talented enough in his strong-side platoon four-to-six times a week to warrant starting. If owning Gavin Sheets, whom I love dearly, switch to Smith instead, as the D-back is far more talented in what was the number one run-scoring offense of 2024. (3-5% FAAB)

Chandler Simpson (TBR, 15% CBS Rostership) – Score another one for Jeremy and I **leaves self hanging for not forthcoming high five** as Simpson was also covered in the C&C pod linked to above. Simpson likely becomes the everyday center fielder in Tampa given his blazing speed and superb glove. And the speed is mighty tasty here (104 steals in 110 games across two minor league levels last year with eight SBs in 78 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025), Simpson aims to be a Billy Hamilton-like player but with better bat control to drive groundballs and allow him to outrun the throw. The question is whether the approach will work against MLB infielders, which I think it should. Over a full season, Simpson can be something like a zero homer, 80 steal, .280 bat. It takes the right build of a fantasy team to roster him, but if lagging in steals or needing a juicy trade chip, here’s your savior. (9% FAAB, 5% in 12-teamers)

QUICK HITS: Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 16% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Kyle Stowers (MIA, 18% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Harrison Bader (MIN, 14% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Alan Roden (TOR, 12% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Trevor Larnach (MIN, 19% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Alex Call (WSN, 15% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Alek Thomas (ARI, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Miguel Andujar (ATH, 4% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Nick Martini (COL, 1% CBS Rostership) – Zac Veen has been unable to quell the 34-year-old beast that is Nick Martini. The veteran outfielder has been employed by Colorado to tamp down any development of young outfielders, and is succeeding mightily, continuing to play every day in the top of the order against right-handed starters. The Rockies have a full week in Coors the first week of May, so stash Martini now to stream him then. (3-5% FAAB)

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. (MIN, 0% CBS Rostership) – See the Ben Williamson blurb above and pretty much copy and paste here. Keirsey is a warm body now for the Twins as Matt Wallner is shelved with a hammy strain. And maybe I’m shortchanging Keirsey a bit because there is some power in addition to his wheels, as he cracked 14 homers to pair with 36 steals at Triple-A last year while hitting .300. Those are eye-popping numbers, but he was a 27-year-old feasting on minor leaguers, flashing Quad-A abilities. Keirsey should get full playing time while Wallner is out and could carve out a bigger role if he produces, but he’s likely more of a fourth outfielder with a bit of speed long-term. (5% FAAB)

STARTING PITCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Jordan Hicks (SFG, 47% CBS Rostership) – The last two starts have been brutal for Hicks, as he’s posted a 9.82 ERA over 11 innings. But those outings came against stiff competition – at the Yankees and Phillies – and he still worked to 3.72 FIP. Look for a great bounce-back week for the flamethrower, whose 100-mph velo has not wavered since his initial outing, with two home starts against Milwaukee and Texas. (3-5% FAAB)

Zebby Matthews (MIN, 40% CBS Rostership) – Sorry, FAAB Friends, we were done in by the reporting of a Nightengale, which fueled the Zebby fire here last week. If Matthews re-entered your pool because of the lack of callup or is still lingering, he’s still worth stashing, it will just cost less now. Zebby is one of the five best healthy SPs the Twins have (if not top two or three), and should mow down the AL Central once he gets a crack. (3% FAAB)

David Festa (MIN, 20% CBS Rostership) – The beneficiary of the Zebby fallout was Festa, who looked sharp in his first two starts, firing nine scoreless innings with 10 Ks against two walks. His next start is against the White Sox at home, enough said. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Landen Roupp (SFG, 39% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Chase Dollander (COL, 49% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Griffin Canning (NYM, 29% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Brayan Bello (BOS, 40% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Lorenzen (KCR, 31% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Shane Smith (CHW, 30% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Quintana (MIL, 28% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Andrew Heaney (PIT, 26% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Matthew Liberatore (STL, 23% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Quinn Priester (MIL, 19% CBS Rostership) – The Brewers have done it again. They took the former first-round pick, Priester, nerfed his crummy fastball and re-tooled his arsenal to focus on a cutter, sinker, slider, and change. He will play in front of a solid defense, and while the strikeout upside might be a bit lacking, there’s a league-average pitcher here that can go deep enough for wins. Priester is a must grab in 15-teamers while being addable in shallower leagues while he’s running hot. (7% FAAB, 3% FAAB in 12-teamers)

QUICK HITS: Tony Gonsolin (LAD, 19% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jack Kochanowicz (LAA, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Kyle Hart (SDP, 6% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Steven Matz (STL, 3% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Sean Newcomb (BOS, 2% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Colin Rea (CHC, 4% CBS Rostership) – Rea looks set to occupy Justin Steele’s rotation spot for the time being and has the chance to lock it down all season now that the Chicago southpaw is slated for elbow surgery. The Cubs should have no issues with pushing Rea’s 34-year-old arm as he’s on a one-year deal with a club option. That should yield some wins with a solid Cubs roster and bullpen. Look for Rea to post an ERA in the low-to-mid fours with a 7 K/9, which should be juuuust useful enough in an NL-Only league. (5-7% FAAB)

Brandon Young (BAL, 2% CBS Rostership) – The O’s have been limping along with a four-man rotation since Zach Eflin hit the IL, but they finally need a fifth starter today (April 19). Young, a 26-year-old right-hander, joined the taxi squad and should debut along with lining up for at least one more rotation turn. He’s been solid in 16.1 Triple-A innings thus far, pitching to a 2.76 ERA and 23.4% K-BB rate. The projections have him hovering around a four ERA with roughly an 8 K/9. With the ominous news on Grayson Rodriguez’s shoulder this week and general suckitude of the Baltimore rotation, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Young stick all season if he has a respectable debut. That’s AL-Only gold and makes him rosterable in 15-teamers. (9-11% FAAB in AL-Only, 3% FAAB in 15-teamers)

RELIEVERS

10/12 Team Adds

Dennis Santana (PIT, 39% CBS Rostership) – Santana stands out from the rest of the pack below because he’s the de facto closer in Pittsburgh (I’m looking at you and your perplexing committee in Detroit, Tommy Kahnle) and isn’t a crummy reliever (I’m looking at you, Emilio Pagan). The 29-year-old righty will linger here as the suggestion every week until there’s a major shakeup from injury or poor performance elsewhere or if his roster rates suggest he’s been scooped up in most places. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Tommy Kahnle (DET, 34% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Kirby Yates (LAD, 41% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Luke Weaver (NYY, 40% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Emilio Pagan (CIN, 38% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Lucas Erceg (KCR, 36% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jason Adam (SDP, 36% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Chris Martin (TEX, 33% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Blake Treinen (LAD, 28% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Anthony Bender (MIA, 15% CBS Rostership) – Yep, Bender is still closing (and blowing) saves in Miami. The Marlins’ near-breakeven record won’t continue, so the save opportunities will slowly dry up like all water resources in the US. Hey, you’re reading a blurb on the closer for the Miami Marlins, you should’ve prepared for some bleakness. (3% FAAB)

Tony Santillan (CIN, 13% CBS Rostership) – The Reds’ bullpen is a mess, which everyone saw coming – have fun, Tito Francona! This week brought news that Alexis Diaz might not be the out-and-out closer upon his return. And Emilio Pagan did his Emilio Pagan thing, giving up moonshots in route to a blown save Thursday. Santillan remains the best all-around reliever in Cincy and feels destined to walk into the closer’s role in a matter of weeks, if not days. (1-3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Orion Kerkering (PHI, 17% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jeremiah Estrada (SDP, 15% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Matt Strahm (PHI, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Yimi Garcia (TOR, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Abner Uribe (MIL, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Seranthony Dominguez (BAL, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Phil Maton (STL, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)