With the arrivals of Logan Allen, Tanner Bibee, Taj Bradley, Bryce Miller, Mason Miller, Luis Ortiz, Brandon Pfaadt, and Grayson Rodriguez in recent weeks, I’m not sure I remember such a wave of high-end pitching talent breaking from the minors together. Anyone that followed the Lima Plan during draft season has been rejoicing in the wealth of pitching pickup option riches like Scrooge McDuck frolicking through a gold pile.
Eury Perez joined the list of premier pitching rookies this week, but that is probably it for the upper-end talent coming up this season with a chance to be a permanent fantasy lineup fixture. The next wave of prospect pitchers either have injury concerns (Andrew Painter, Ricky Tiedemann, Bobby Miller), lower ceilings (Matthew Liberatore, Kyle Harrison), or no 40-man spot (Gavin Williams).
Of course, the pitch clock, shift rules, bouncier ball, and injuries are the trade winds that created these waves of pitching callups, and the winds on the horizon aren’t any calmer. To navigate them, focusing on getting the highest-end talent now is my favorite strategy, even if pitchers are risky and blow out, because the remaining callup waves are liable to keep you seasick all season.
With Perez likely to be the last of the arms with fantasy season-changing talent (a shot at be a top 40 SP), so get those FAAB reserves ready to drain and loaded into the Brinks truck this weekend.
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 5/12.
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
Francisco Alvarez (NYM, 53% CBS Ownership) – Between his slow-ish start and lack of catcher eligibility to start in some leagues, Alvarez’s ownership levels have trickled down enough to be included here again. Jump at the chance to add Alvarez if he’s available as he recently crossed 20 games at catcher, which should make him universally eligible plus lock it in next year, and has shown he can smash the ball as expected with a 113.6 MPH max exit velocity. Oh yeah, and Tomas Nido is on the IL with dry eye syndrome (wtf?), quietly giving Alvarez full run at the catcher job for two weeks and possibly fully clamp down the position for the remainder of 2023. (7-9% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 47% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Shea Langeliers (OAK, 43% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 43% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Danny Jansen (TOR, 31% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Christian Bethancourt (TBR, 25% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Yan Gomes (CHC, 20% CBS Ownership) – Gomes started the season hot with a 124 wRC+ but hit a speed bump and a 7 day IL trip for a concussion. After spending a week out, Gomes returned on Thursday to promptly lace a two-run homer among three hits and a walk against the rival Cardinals. He is clearly the best option for the Cubs at catcher this season and doesn’t have any competition for the C1 spot in his rearview mirror. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Joey Bart (SFG, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Eric Haase (DET, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Blake Sabol (C/OF, SFG, 13% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Connor Wong (BOS, 13% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Bo Naylor (CLE, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Andrew Knizner (STL, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Spencer Torkelson (1B, DET, 44% CBS Ownership) – In case you missed it, Torkelson has been on a heater the past week to the tune of .357 AVG / .400 OBP / .571 SLG for a 173 wRC+ while ranking as the 11th best 1B in our Last 7 Days stats. His Savant page is ripening into darker and darker shades of red, which will only benefit his statline more and more as the weather in Detroit warms. This guy was crowned with plenty of 60’s and 70’s on his hitting tools, and they might finally be blossoming. (5% FAAB)
Christopher Morel (2B /OF, CHC, 41% CBS Ownership) – In a weird twist, Morel clearly started the 2023 with the directive to strike out less and was sent to AAA accordingly. So, what did he do in Iowa for the first month? He struck out 6% more often than 2022. However, there’s clearly been a plate approach change as Morel also walked more than his previous AAA stint and absolutely annihilated the ball to the tune of 11 homers and a .400 ISO while continuing to run with 4 steals. He is going to be the best shot at double-digit homers and steals from the waiver wire for quite some time and should pick up 3B/CI eligibility in the Majors. Morel’s strikeout rate will make him frustratingly streaky with a subpar batting average, but his aggregate stats will likely swing a few leagues over the next few months. (7-9% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Josh Rojas (2B/3B, ARI, 51% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), J.D. Davis (3B, SFG, 50% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Ezequiel Duran (3B/SS/OF, TEX, 49% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Ji-Hwan Bae (2B/OF, PIT, 48% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Ezequiel Tovar (SS, COL, 45% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Orlando Arcia (2B/SS, ATL, 41% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), C.J. Abrams (SS, WSN, 40% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Nick Senzel (2B/3B/OF, CIN, 37% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), LaMonte Wade (1B/OF, SFG, 36% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jon Berti (2B/3B/SS, MIA, 34% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Zach Neto (SS, LAA, 30% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Spencer Steer (1B/3B, CIN, 29% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Enrique Hernandez (2B/SS/OF, BOS, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Gio Urshela (1B/3B/SS, LAA, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 9% CBS Ownership) – A week of hitting against the Athletics and White Sox pitching staffs is just what the doctor ordered to help Massey’s overall line. With two homers the past week, he has started pushing his barrel rate up towards the 10% mark and just look at his xwOBA chart rise on his Savant page. Massey still hits in the bottom of the Royals order, but that lineup is improving and could get better if they start MJ Melendez either starts sitting or hitting lower. (3% FAAB)
Kyle Farmer (2B/3B/SS, MIN, 8% CBS Ownership) – Farmer has returned from his IL stint for a busted face with hits in his first two games including a homer. The Twins have trust in Farmer, evident in their demotion of Jose Miranda this week, so he should provide plenty of volume as an average bat with multi-position eligibility to stitch up the lacerations on your roster. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Brice Turang (2B, MIL, 24% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Casey Schmitt (3B, SFG, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Rodolfo Castro (2B/3B/SS, PIT, 21% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Nick Pratto (1B/OF, KCR, 20% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Luis Garcia (2B/SS, WSN, 19% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Enmanuel Valdez (2B, BOS, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, TBR, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Belt (1B, TOR, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryan Noda (1B, OAK, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Edmundo Sosa (3B/SS, PHI, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jesus Aguilar (1B, OAK, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Dominic Smith (1B, WSN, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jordan Diaz (2B, OAK, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Paul DeJong (SS, STL, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Tyler Black (2B, MIL, 2% CBS Ownership) – As Brice Turang has gone through rookie struggles in May, Black has been slowly developing into the 2B the Brewers need in AA. He currently has a 175 wRC+ with 17 stolen bases for the Biloxi Shuckers and is ripe for the picking if the Brewers need a boost this summer. (1% FAAB)
Andy Ibanez (3B, DET, 1% CBS Ownership) – Ibanez always had a well-regarded hit tool when he came through the Rangers system but just couldn’t ever quite carve out a full-time role behind Adrian Beltre and a glut of other infielders. This is exactly the type of player the Tigers should be giving full-time at-bats in another rebuild as he’s projected by ZiPS and Steamer to be a slightly above league average bat. Ibanez has also been playing 2B and OF occasionally and could be a multi-positional force this summer in deep leagues. (5% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jorge Soler (MIA, 52% CBS Ownership) – Soler has been fusion-hot and has now pushed his barrel rate to a career high of 19.6% after a scorching week with three bombs. He’s now on pace for 39 homers and needs to be owned in all leagues as the semi-juiced ball this year is pushing him back to his 2019 production levels. (7-9% FAAB)
Jake Fraley (CIN, 25% CBS Ownership) – Fraley is playing every day in LF and hitting fourth or fifth for the Reds (plus may move up to the second spot if TJ Friedl needs an IL visit) to the tune of a 91 wRC+ so far. But the Reds have an amazing stretch of games the next weeks with @COL, NYY, STL, and @CHC. Here’s the chance for Fraley to right the ship and flash his power/speed combo with some great hitters’ parks and conquerable pitching matchups. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Joey Meneses (1B/OF, WSN, 54% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Joey Gallo (MIN, 47% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Myles Straw (CLE, 33% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Alex Kirilloff (1B/OF, MIN, 33% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Eddie Rosario (ATL, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jurickson Profar (COL, 25% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Lane Thomas (WSN, 25% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
JJ Bleday (OAK, 21% CBS Ownership) – If you are in a deep league, this is probably your last chance to grab Bleday if he is still out there. In a rare win for the Athletics developmental system, they have changed something in Bleday’s plate approach to cut the whiff rate (20.6% K% in 2023 vs. 28.2% last year in the Majors and 12.6% vs. 27.0% in AAA). He’s going to play all year in Oakland and be entrenched in the middle of the order as he gets full run to see what he can do. (5% FAAB)
Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 7% CBS Ownership) – Since being covered here last week, Sanchez has gone out and just laced the ball all week – his Statcast game log is absolutely stuffed with hard contact. He did pull up lame in Wednesday’s game against the Diamondbacks with what looked like a hamstring injury. However, to this point, he is still day-to-day and has not been placed on the IL. Even if he needs an IL stint, I think he’s worth stashing in deeper leagues because the Marlins saw what damage he could do over this past week and should give him plenty of corner outfield at-bats upon return. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Seth Brown (OAK, 23% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Randal Grichuk (COL, 21% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Bryan De La Cruz (MIA, 21% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alek Thomas (ARI, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Siri (TBR, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Nelson Cruz (SDP, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Leody Taveras (TEX, 9% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Gavin Sheets (CHW, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Vierling (DET, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Akil Baddoo (DET, 3% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Tyrone Taylor (MIL, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Henry Ramos (CIN, 1% CBS Ownership) – Just like Fraley above, Ramos and the Reds have a great schedule for hitters over the next two weeks. Nothing really pops in Ramos’ Savant page, so he’s probably only a two-week hold as he draws 5-6 starts a week at DH or a corner outfield spot. (3% FAAB)
Jake Meyers (HOU, 2% CBS Ownership) – Chas McCormick made his return from the IL this week and immediately tweaked his back, although is currently just day-to-day. The Astros have an upcoming stretch of playing the Athletics six times over the next two weeks and look to continue driving the historically awful Oakland bullpen ERA through the Minute Maid Field roof. If Meyers hit the wire again after Chas’ short-lived comeback, he should be viable and draw enough playing time to be useful during the coming A’s drubbings. (3% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Eury Perez (MIA, 66% CBS Ownership) – Time for the main dish of the piece. Injuries to Johny Cueto and Trevor Rogers have cleared the way for Perez’s debut as the Marlins vaunted pitching depth has dried up worse than the Christmas Vacation turkey in mid-May. There’s no reason to think that Perez isn’t up for good even as Cueto and Rogers work their way back because he should be a top-of-the-rotation dude based on his scouting grades. Despite his huge 6’8” frame, walks have never been an issue through the minors as his KK-BB% has never dipped below 25%. He’s a must-add if still available and should be a Top 40 SP the rest of the way. Of all the recent pitching callups, Bryce Miller is ultimately the only one I prefer over Perez. I’m writing this all before his debut, so here’s to hoping it is EURY NICE. (11-15% FAAB)
Louie Varland (MIN, 36% CBS Ownership) – After looking shaky last week in his outing against the White Sox, Varland bounced right back with a great outing against the Padres this week. He pitched 6 innings with 1 ER and 6:2 K:BB. Varland’s stuff is only grading out as slightly above league average right now (104 Stuff+), but that comes with a solid fastball (109 Stuff+) and a 107 Location+. Pitching is absolutely gutted due to injuries so just being a tick above league average on a Twins team that should provide wins is all Varland needs to be viable in 12-team leagues. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Tyler Wells (BAL, 60% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Hayden Wesneski (CHC, 54% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Ranger Suarez (PHI, 44% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jameson Taillon (CHC, 42% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), J.P. France (HOU, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Strahm (PHI, 32% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Clarke Schmidt (NYY, 32% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alex Wood (SFG, 27% Ownership, 3% FAAB), Brayan Bello (BOS, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Dean Kremer (BAL, 20% CBS Ownership) – Over his last two starts against the elite Braves and Rays offenses, Kremer held his own allowing only one earned run in 12 innings with 7:2 K:BB. He is a streaky and honestly subpar starter, but Kremer seems to have a found a groove and has a two-start week against the Angels and Blue Jays. (3% FAAB)
Patrick Corbin (WSN, 8% CBS Ownership) – Corbin has rightfully been left for dead on waiver wires as he pitched to the tune of a 5.82 ERA with a 4.97 FIP with an astounding 17-42 win/loss record from 2020 to 2022. To start 2023 in April, he devolved further, pitching at a 5.74 ERA and 5.32 FIP clip. But since the calendar flipped to May, Corbin has turned back to vintage form with a 2.77 ERA and 2.92 FIP with no walks in 13 innings (and of course, no wins). He’s a definite pickup in QS leagues and is pitching well enough to warrant ownership in Wins leagues too just because the wire is littered with turds even more stinky than Corbin. Plus, he has a two-start week with the flailing Mets and clawless Tigers at home this week and should provide some decent production. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Dane Dunning (TEX, 24% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Kyle Bradish (BAL, 24% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brad Keller (KCR, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Lorenzen (DET, 19% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Braxton Garrett (MIA, 17% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Griffin Canning (LAA, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Rich Hill (PIT, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Yonny Chirinos (TBR, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), JP Sears (OAK, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Medina (OAK, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Michael McGreevy (STL, 0% CBS Ownership) – As the Cardinals organization goes on a tirade looking for the scapegoat for its poor start like an infinite Scooby Doo unmasking loop (hint… John Mozeliak won’t be able to outrun the meddling kids forever), the starting rotation has to be shaken up soon. Only Jordan Montgomery has been decent to date, so no one else should be safe. To the Cardinals’ dismay, even some of the “break in case of emergency” options like Dakota Hudson and Gordon Graceffo have not been sharp this year. McGreevy has already risen from AA and looked progressively sharper and sharper in each AAA start so far. Yes, he needs a 40-man move to make the Majors, but the Cardinals need to go on a roster slashing spree if they want any chance of righting the ship. (1% FAAB)
Jose Soriano (LAA, 0% CBS Ownership) – Following Jose Suarez hitting the IL with a shoulder injury this week, the Angels oddly only have three pitchers on their 40-man roster in the minors right now and Soriano is the only starter. I guess this also explains why Suarez stuck on the roster for so long despite his poor performance before the shelving. Soriano has consistently flashed plus stuff with a double digit K/9 and a 0.4 HR/9 rate in the minors but has struggled with walks/control. However, don’t be too concerned with his recent BB/9 uptick in AA as the new tacky ball has increased walk rates throughout the Southern League. It shouldn’t be too difficult for Soriano to hurdle Tucker Davidson for a spot start in case of injury or doubleheader. (1% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Pierce Johnson (COL, 26% CBS Ownership) – If desperate for saves, Johnson looks like he’s keeping this Rockies job all year because Daniel Bard sadly is still struggling to find his control. Be prepared for lots of disappointment and kicking yourself for eating some high ERA shellings, but saves are saves. (3% FAAB)
Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC, 22% CBS Ownership) – As Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer continue looking more and more like they are toast, Leiter has been the most dependable arm in the Cubs bullpen. Listen, I’m not going to act like I can ever understand David Ross’ managerial decisions, but Leiter looks like the arm to own for a Cubs team that can offer 20 saves rest of the way for a dedicated closer. Even if the closer job doesn’t become fully allocated to Leiter, he’s a good enough reliever (1.12 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 25:6 K:BB in 16 IP) to be usable for his ratios. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Bryan Abreu (HOU, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Aroldis Chapman (KCR, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brusdar Graterol (LAD, 33% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Adam Ottavino (NYM, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Giovanny Gallegos (STL, 32% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jorge Lopez (MIN, 31% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Dylan Floro (MIA, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kendall Graveman (CHW, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Zach Jackson (OAK, 8% CBS Ownership) – Jackson is that last weird, overcooked vegetable dish that hangs out at a potluck and will probably rot on wires all season long. However, he’s getting save opportunities and no other food (decent relievers) is coming to the Athletics cookout to replace him any time soon. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Nick Martinez (SDP, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Gregory Soto (PHI, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB, Ian Hamilton (NYY, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB) Matt Moore (LAA, 9% CBS ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Hunter Harvey (WSN, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Trevor Stephan (CLE, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Peter Strzelecki (MIL, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Nick Anderson (ATL, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Miguel Castro (ARI, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jason Foley (DET, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Keynan Middleton (CHW, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Jake Bird (COL, 0% CBS Ownership) – Even with Pierce Johnson and Justin Lawrence squarely in front of him for the pecking order of the few remaining Rockies saves, Bird has been pitching well enough in middle relief to be usable in NL-Only leagues for ratio help. He’s quietly twirled a 2.88 ERA (supported by a 2.67 FIP) with 10 K/9 and 20.6% K-BB% in 25 solid innings and has a shot at being the lone Rockies All Star. Starting the week of May 22, the Rockies nearly always will have split weeks of all home/road games, making it easier to know when to get Bird out of your lineup. (1-3% FAAB)
Jake Diekman (TBR, 0% CBS Ownership) – Between the winning and turning Yandy Diaz into a Bash Bro, the classic Sam Miller tweet on the Rays’ operational excellence rings true now more than ever. The Rays acquired Diekman from the bottom-feeding White Sox this week, so his metamorphosis into Billy Wagner is forthcoming. Colin Poche has looked more like Poo-che in the main lefty role in Tampa with an equal K/9 and BB/9. Don’t be surprised to see Diekman and his career 11.5 K/9 steamroll right past Poche and into all sorts of high-leverage work. (1-3% FAAB)