We’re back! Let’s look at some guys rolling right now, and a couple that are flailing. All 5 have those power-speed packages that we love, but with question marks all around. Let’s dig in! Stats are through Sunday.
3 Up
.274, 69 PA, 3 HR, 2 Steals, 12 Runs, 11 RBIs
The one-time top 2B prospect started the season in the minors and was playing in the OF. It looked like the A’s were kind of giving up on him as a regular. He did get the call up on April 10th and hit well, but with sporadic PT. I got asked about a few guys last week, and one was Gelof, and I had this to say last Wednesday
“…..The power/speed combo is intriguing enough, I’d take a flyer. Gelof is kind of similar profile, but the PT probably is not there, he seems like just a short side platoon. 3B opened up, but it doesn’t seem like he’s in the mix there. I’d feel the same way on Gelof if there’s an opening”
Well, lo and behold, that very night the A’s started Gelof at 3B, and he’s started there every day since. Consider me extremely intrigued! So much so that I FAABed him where I could.
He’s had a Fantasy Friendly profile right from the start, as he had 14 homers and 14 steals in 300 PA’s in 2023, and then went 17-25 in 547 PA’s in 2024. But unfortunately, it came with some serious swing and miss; 16.1% SwWtr% in ‘23 and 17.8% in ‘24 that came with a K% of 34.4% and an Avg. of .211. He missed half of ‘25 with injuries and spent most of the rest in the minors and looked like a complete afterthought.
But alas, Gelof worked his way back, and he’s a completely remade hitter, and early on it looks terrific across the board. His Bat speed is up from 71.6 in 2024 to 74 now, and his Fast Swing% has exploded from 11.7% to 35.6%. That’s bumped his EV from 89 to 91 as you might expect, but he’s managed to do that while also lifting his Contact% to a career high 72.3% and dropping his K% to a manageable 26.3%. His Chase% is now a near-elite 21.4%.
It’s still very early, but this is a super encouraging start all around, and he’s eligible at 2B and OF everywhere and about to pick up 3B in all formats as well.
104 PA, .286 2 HR, 4 Steals, 13 runs, 13 RBI’s
I have to admit I had no recollection that Duran went .276 14-8 in 439 PA’s in 2023. He’s been kind of a nothing super utility guy since then, as he hit a total of 3 homers in 504 combined PA’s in 2024 and 2025 with wRC+’s of 75 and 57. He’s a good glove all over the field, but entered 2025 as a mediocre short side platoon bat at best or in the minors at worst, as he still has an option left. Well, fellow mediocre versatile bat Josh Smith landed on the IL, and Duran is now the Rangers every day 2B, and he’s hit so well he’s batting in the 2 hole.
Should we buy this hot start? Well, he looks like a better version of his 2023 so far; modest power-speed and improved plate skills. He’s rocking a career high 91.8 EV and 10.6% BB% with a career low 20.2% K%. His Z-Contact% is a near elite 89%. Like Gelof, he’s managed to ramp up his bat speed and combined that with improved plate skills. The projection systems haven’t really bought in yet, but guys in my FAAB leagues have, as I got outbid in all but 1 spot. Something like 10-20 with a modestly plus Avg and nice run totals are in the cards here.
95 PA, .212, 4 HR, 10 Runs, 13 RBI’s, 2 Steals
We have yet another intriguing power-speed combo here with multi position eligibility (2B and OF) and every day PA’s. But alas, there are way more warts, namely the contact skills, as he has a 33.4% K% and 39.1% Whiff% (1st percentile). He also likely has more upside as he stole 41 bags in the minors last year. So it looks like a higher ceiling and lower floor than the other two guys here. But I’m not positive the power is really any better at peak, especially compared to Gelof. There’s definite upside here, and as long as the Astros remain so banged up, he’s going to play, but that batting average may end up as a deal breaker.
2 Down
Speaking of Astros OF’s, Smith blasted out of the gate with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 184 wRC+ in 45 PA’s through April 6th. But since then, he has just 1 homer and 1 steal in 113 PA’s, with a .180 Avg and 42 wRC+.
He’s still just 23 and remains a top prospect. But there’s just not much there right now. His power profile looks decent, but his contact skills remain kind of eh
Again, this could all click at some point. But for now he looks like a 15-10 sort of bat with a bat batting average. I would absolutely hold in deep leagues and dynasty formats, but you can probably ignore in shallower formats
.148, 2 HR, 7 steals
Mullins feels like he’s 39 by now, but he’s “just” 31, so he should ostensibly be on the back end of his prime. He really looks completely washed, though. He went 17-22 last year, so he had some value, but it came with an ugly .216 average, and he’s completely unplayable vs. lefties. The Rays signed him, and that always makes a guy interesting. They figured to platoon him since that’s what they do with everyone, but it has not worked out at all.
Well, the steals are nice, but that’s hardly worth it. Estuary Ruiz had 6 steals last week and barely played, I’d way rather roster him and not tank my BA. Or a part-timer like Austin Martin. Empty-ish steals are readily available in all formats. Mullins just looks completely washed at his point, I’d avoid.
In a 12 teamer, drop Burger for either Gelof or Boyle?
Bolte, not Boyle.
Cam Smith for some nice red bars there but it feels, even his launch angle thinks hes fine, keeping him from unleashing and even his exit velo is meh.
You like gelof more than steer? Debating a flyer on 1 of them