Big Kid Adds (Week 1)

While the NFBC Main Event garners most of the attention, there are a handful of leagues with even larger entry fees ($2.5K to $15K). They are named “High Stakes Leagues,” and there are eleven of them. With so much money on the line, these fantasy managers try to gain any advantage. Most of the time, these managers will be a week or two ahead of everyone else on their adds. Here are the players and some information on the ones added in five or more leagues.

Note: Normally players with no MLB experience can be added in NFBC leagues. The first week is the exception so several prospects were added.

Batters

Derek Hill (7): Hill started all four games evenly split between righty and lefty starters, so there is no platoon. In three games, he started in centerfield and was the DH in the other. So far he is hitting .333/.375.467 (35% K%, .556 BABIP) with stolen base. I have no problems riding the hot hand who is a regular.

Chandler Simpson (6): Several managers stashed Simpson, who feasts on extreme outcomes. While in the minors last season, he hit for a high batting average (.355 AVG, .388 BABIP) while stealing 104 bases. That production came with no power (.042 ISO, 1 inside-the-park home run).

Max Muncy (6): The Athletics Max Muncy has been promoted to play second base for the injured Zack Gelof. While Muncy has a home run, he’s struggling at the plate (.583 OPS), especially with strikeouts (33% K%, 15% SwStr%). A decent bench add to see if he catches fire or needs to be released for the next hot hand.

Leody Taveras (5): Taveras appears to be on the strong side of a platoon while the Rangers face six righties this week.

Kyle Teel (5): The White Sox catching prospect is crushing in AAA (1.655 OPS). We’ll see how long he has to stay in the minors before getting promoted.

Will Wagner (5): With several injuries to second basemen (e.g. Torres, Gonzales), Wagner (2B qualified) became a target with his four straight starts (2 at DH, 2 at 3B) with his respectable batting line (.308/.308/.462)

Miguel Andujar (5): Started in four of five games and came in as a pinch hitter in the fifth. In all five games, the opposing starter was right-handed. He seems to have a starting role. Besides the 2019 outlier (27 HR), he only provides batting average. From 2022 to 2025, he accumulated 549 PA with 9 HR and 9 SB. Just a volume play.

Manuel Margot (5): The Tigers brought in Margot as they deal with several injuries, but I have no idea why he is being rostered. His 1.056 OPS is inflated by a .625 BABIP. He looks to be a part-time player who projects for 10 HR and 12 SB. A poor man’s Miguel Andujar.

Starters

Kyle Hart 하트 (6): This was a perfect week to roster-and-bench Hart. With little MLB experience (11 IP in 2020), it’s tough to know his talent level. The two starts will help fantasy managers make a decision. In his first start, he threw 5 IP with 2 ER, 4 K, and 1 BB.

In the start, he threw five distinct pitches between 15% and 41% with his fastball sitting at 89 mph and his changeup posting a 30% SwStr%. I’m worried his sub-90 mph fastball will get hit around. In Spring Training, he posted 3.6 H/9. Additionally, both the Runs he allowed in his first start were from home runs. I need to see more before I insert him into my rotation.

Logan Allen로건 (6): These managers looked ahead and saw Allen’s two-step next week against the White Sox and Royals. He could be fairly cheap if San Diego gets to him on Tuesday. Unless he makes a major adjustment, I’m out on Allen after his struggles last season (5.73 ERA, 4.74 xFIP, 1.58 WHIP, 7.3 K/9).

Matthew Liberatore (6): Another, he’s in the rotation, but I’m unsure if he’s any good starter. He’s failed as a starter for three seasons (5.86 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, and 7.1 K/9 while starting). In these leagues, he is likely one of the few available starters.

Mitchell Parker (5): I was fairly high on Parker coming into season because all his pitches did something, and they should combine for a workable combination. His two key pitches were his splitter (18% SwStr%) and slider (22% SwStr%). In his season’s first start, he threw over six shutout innings against the Phillies. I’d target him before any other starter listed besides Hicks.

Shane Smith (5): The Rule 5 pick will make his White Sox major league debut on Tuesday. The nearly 25-year-old has been solid through the minors (2.74 xFIP in ’23, 2.94 xFIP in ’24). His upside is based on results rather than prospect status (not ranked, not protected for Rule 5 draft). He was decent in Spring Training with a 3.38 ERA, 9.3 K/9, and 0.84 WHIP. Monitor.

Lance McCullers Jr. (5): McCullers comeback started with a two inning start this past weekend in AAA. During the start, his sinker averaged 93.2 mph near his career low of 93.1 mph from 2022. Worth a dart if a team can afford to roster him

Jordan Hicks (5): Dominated the Astros in his first start by not allowing a run over six innings. He use a sinker (67% GB%) and slider (29% SwStr%) combo. Ride the hot hand until he wears down later in the season and is forced back to the bullpen.

Relievers

Emilio Pagán (11): Got the first Save for the Reds. While probably not the best arm in the team’s bullpen, he seems to have the job for now.

Seth Halvorsen (7): Got the first Save for the Rockies. While probably not the best arm in the team’s bullpen, he seems to have the job for now.

Justin Slaten (5): Got a Save when Aroldis Chapman was used to face some tough lefties in the eighth. He was solid last season with a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9 in 55 IP.

Dennis Santana (5): With David Bednar struggling in the ninth with two losses and a 27.00 ERA, some managers must link Santana as next in line for Saves. Even if Santana gets the role, he might walk too many batters (career 4.1 BB/9) and struggle to maintain the closer tag.