Now that most teams have had a week of games, some roles are clearer than ever while others are still clear as mud. Hopefully, you survived the first wave of injuries and don’t feel like the sky is falling just yet. Remember, it’s still early and this a marathon season. You drafted players for a reason just a couple weeks ago, have faith in your studs. As always, bid with purpose.
10/12 Team adds
Nick Martinez (SDP/SP) – Martinez spent the last four seasons in Japan and it appears he’s learned a thing or two in his time away from MLB. He recorded a 14.5% Swing-strike % against the Giants en route to a 5 IP, 1 ER, 6 Ks, and only 1 BB. He lines up for a tough matchup with the Dodgers on Friday but should be useful long-term. 2-3% FAAB
MacKenzie Gore (SDP/SP) – Gore slid down the prospect rankings with a shaky 2021, where he only logged 50.1 IP in the minor leagues. He looked great in spring training and dominated his first triple-A start of the year, 5 IP, 0 ER, 7 Ks, 0 BB. Blake Snell and Mike Clevinger are currently on the IL, giving way to Gore’s call-up. Clevinger started his rehab assignment on Thursday (4/13) and will likely take Gore’s spot in the rotation in a couple weeks’ time. Bid conservatively here. 2-3% FAAB
Kyle Wright (ATL/SP) – Struggled mightily to this point in his MLB career but is off to hot start in 2022. It’s worth noting that he had an elite season in the minors in 2021. He had a 3.02 ERA across 137 IP in triple-A. He had a respectable 24.2% K rate to go along with a 51% GB rate. In his two starts in 2022, he’s registered a 13.7% swing strike rate en route to a 33.9% CSW%. 8-10% FAAB
Emilio Pagan (MN,RP) – Last week I wrote that Tyler Duffey was the lead candidate for the job and sure enough he got the call Saturday night. Unfortunately, he blew the save and sent us back to the drawing board. Jorge Alcala is now on the IL and Duffey is likely on thin ice. Pagan was warming up for the save chance on Friday before the Twins extended their lead to four. I would hold on to Duffey if you have him for the time being, but Pagan is likely in the mix. Jhoan Duran arguably has the best talent but has been tabbed as multi-inning, high leverage pitcher. He came in with a 5-run lead Friday in the 7th. 3-4% FAAB
Tanner Rainey (WSH/RP) – Clearly the guy for the Nationals, he’s converted both save chances for the team. He struggled with injuries in 2021 but had a strong second half in 2019 and a very good season in 2020. 12-15% FAAB
Camilo Doval (SFG/RP) – He was the guy, then he wasn’t the guy, now he’s the guy again. Gabe Kapler announced that Jake McGee is the closer during the spring but he hasn’t pitched since the 9th and Doval converted his 2nd save chance in 3 days on Friday. There’s likely an injury with McGee since he hasn’t been in a game for 6 days. Doval was the guy in the postseason last year and has a legit shot at locking this job down if McGee is facing IL time. 6-7% FAAB
Rowdy Tellez (MIL/1B) – He got a start against John Means Wednesday so it appears it’s not a 100% platoon situation. He’s slashed .316/.381/.579 and has a real shot at forcing his way into a true everyday role. 2-3% FAAB
Gavin Lux (LAD/2B) – A highly touted prospect and long considered untouchable by the Dodgers in terms of trades. He has been a disappointment so far in his MLB career but is still only 24 years old. The Dodgers traded AJ Pollock right before the season started. LA appears to be committed to giving Lux an everyday role. Thus far, he’s taking full advantage with an early slash line of .381/.462/.667 along with a 17.6%-barrel rate and an absurd 64.7% hard hit rate. 4-5% FAAB
15 Team adds
Santiago Espinal (TOR/2B,3B) – Santiago put 15 LBs of muscle on over the winter in an effort to hit the ball harder. It’s a small sample but his barrel and hard-hit rate are way up, 11.8% and 52.9% respectively. Santiago has started in each of the team’s last 6 games. 5-6% FAAB
Michael Lorenzen (LAA/SP) – Granted it was the Marlins, but Lorenzen looked good Monday. He ended up allowing 1 ER on 2 hits, no walks, 7 Ks, across 6 IP. Three of his pitches earned a whiff rate over 20% as well. He has a tough matchup against Houston this week but he should be viable long term. 4-5% FAAB
Owen Miller (CLE/1B,2B) – He has clearly carved out an everyday role, as Bobby Bradley only has 4 PAs on the season. He struggled in his first taste of the bigs in 2021, but is off to a hot start. His barrel rate and hard hit are up from last year, currently sitting at 9.5% and 52.4%, respectively. 2% FAAB
Ha-Seong Kim (SDP/ 2B,3B,SS) – Stranded in a short side platoon role, fortunately, the Padres are projected to face 5 LHPs in their 6 games this week. Kim Has good plate skills and offers both speed and power upside. 2-3% FAAB
Jose Iglesias (COL/SS) – There’s nothing exciting to talk about with Iglesias. He’s a defense first journeyman. However, he seems to have earned an almost-everyday-role with the Rockies. He hits for average, and at the very least he’s a good streaming option while at home. 1% FAAB
AL/NL Only Adds
Cooper Hummel (ARI/OF,DH) – Currently in a short side platoon but has leadoff in all three of his starts. He has good plate skills, posting a BB% above 11% at every level. It likely goes without saying but Diamondbacks aren’t very good. You don’t have to squint too hard to see a path to more playing time. 1-2% FAAB
