Big Kid Adds (Week 14)

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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 Elite leagues (previously called High Stakes Leagues), and there are nine of them. With so much money on the line, these fantasy managers try to gain every 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: Again, I noticed almost no good options and it showed in the players added. Normally, I write up the players added in five or more leagues, so I included the guys added in four leagues. Additionally, went over $46 with most of the max’s in the $20’s.

Batters

Kahlil Watson (7): The 23-year-old outfielder has been solid, hitting .286/.302/.429 (.407 BABIP) with 1 HR and 2 SB. The team has noticed and has him batting cleanup against righties.

Right now, he has some major plate discipline issues with a 33% K% and 2% BB%. Even Javier Báez thinks those rates are too extreme. A volume play, but I’m unsure of anything more.

Esmerlyn Valdez (6): I misjudged how much the Pirates would play him after his hot little stretch. Before last Thursday, he started in just one of the last six games. Since then, he started in seven of eight games, including five straight.

In 59 PA, he has hit 6 HR, 0 SB (0 SB in AAA), and .302 AVG (.407 BABIP). Holding down his value is a 34% K% (64% Contact%). Congrats to those who jumped on the bandwagon with the hope that more playing time was coming.

Our projections are not a fan of him. They believe in the power/speed combo, but see a major drop in his batting average (~.230 AVG). For any team needing power, he’s a must-add.

Anthony Seigler (6): Started every game at second base since being promoted. In the last two games, he hit leadoff. The 27-year-old has shown speed (29 SB in AA in ’24) and a bit of power (12 HR in AA in ’24).

While he has 1 HR and 1 SB in the majors, his number one trait is batting average (.318), which is inflated by a .394 BABIP. He has a flat swing that has inflated his batting average, but has led to a 53% GB% and 0 Barrels so far. He could hit a few more home runs if he raised his launch angle a bit.

Evan Carter (5): Carter continues to want to be a home run hitter, but that ain’t going to happen with his power profile:

With a 50% FlyBall%, most of what he hits is an easy out. He even has an xAVG under .200, the 7th lowest among hitters with at least 200 PA.

There is a chance at 20 HR/20 SB if he played an entire season, but he gets platooned against lefties (career .277 OPS vs LHP, .773 vs RHP). He’s more of a 15/15 and a batting average sink.

Max Muncy (5, ATH): A full-time contributor who has some power (5 HR) and speed (3 SB), but a 33% K% will drag down his batting average.

While he has secure playing time for now, when Zack Gelof returns, so one will have to move off third base. Before Gelof got hurt, Muncy was on the short side of a platoon, and Gelof started every game.

Cooper Ingle (5): Catcher qualified but starting games in left field or as the designated hitter. Since being promoted, he’s started in five of seven games (14 PA). He’s showing too much patience by striking out in half of his plate appearances and walking in the other half. He’s got a solid 80% Contact%, so the strikeouts aren’t coming from swing-and-miss.

Dylan Beavers (5): Since returning from the IL, Beavers has started three of four games in the outfield. In the game he sat, the team faced a lefty (Tyler O’Neill started). Earlier in the season, Beavers sat against most lefties, so a platoon situation is surely in effect.

As for Beavers hitting profile, it’s similar to several other guys, some power and speed, but a batting average sink. And the power and speed could be on the low end. For his career, Beavers has 6 HR and 5 SB in 267 PA. Doubling those values for a full season points to disappointment. And the lack of homers and steals, combined with poor batting average makes him Waiver Wire material.

Heriberto Hernández (5): Miami is on the road this week at Colorado and West Sacramento. All the regulars got scooped for this ideal week. Well, sort of. So far, he’s only started in two of four games, both against lefties.

Another power/speed guy (8 HR, 5 SB in 192 PA) who is struggling with batting average (.221 AVG). He has some batting average upside with just a 23% K%. Pitchers aren’t completely dominating him.

Luis Robert Jr. (5): The 28-year-old returns from an injury … again … and according to reports, he’ll be on the bench or on the short-side of a center field platoon. There is no one worth rostering who plays only 40% of the time.

Robert was unproductive (.656 OPS) before going on the IL or pretty much anytime over the past three seasons. Ignore.

Jonah Heim (4): Heim and Shea Langeliers are splitting time between being the catcher and DH. So far this season, he has been fine for a catcher with 8 HR and a .246 AVG. A full-time, competent catcher in these deeper two-catcher leagues will immediately get added.

Tommy Troy (4): The 24-year-old continues to start (10 of the last 11) with 3 HR and a .235 AVG in 108 PA. Otherwise, he’s been a drain so far with 0 SB and a .235 AVG. Volume play.

Starters

David Peterson (7): Signed with the Cubs (league’s best defense) and didn’t walk anyone in his debut. One problem he needs to resolve, though, is splits with a 24% K%-BB% against lefties and just a 4% K%-BB% against righties. He’s always dealt with a major split (career 23.7% vs LHH, 9.4% vs RHH), but it’s at an extreme level this year.

Hurston Waldrep (6): As I write this, Waldrep started just one game this week. During his minor league rehab, He posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. His problem was a 6.5 BB/9 during the rehab. The 24-year-old has always struggled with walks. He has a combined 4.7 BB/9 (1.38 WHIP) in the majors and a 4.8 BB/9 (1.42 WHIP) in the minors. In two innings this year, he has four walks.

Fantasy managers seem to be dreaming of 2025 when Waldrep posted a 2.88 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. I don’t live in fantasyland and will stay away from him as much as possible.

Ryan Johnson (5): Weekly projection picked Johnson to be one of the best available starters with his two starts (vs SEA, vs BOS). The first start could have been a mess, but two of the runs scored where unearned. As a starter this season, he has a 5.59 ERA (4.83 xFIP), 1.34 WHIP, and 7.0 K/9. His STUPH values, ERA Estimators, and projection point to a high 4.00 ERA talent. Even as a streamer, that’s not good enough to be rostered.

Brandon Sproat (4): Since late May, Sproat has quit walking as many batters and has been an effective starter with a 4.45 ERA (3.43 xFIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 9.5 K/9. Solid add, but make sure he keeps his walk rate low.

Reliever

Mason Barnett (4): Barnett got Colorado’s last Save while putting up solid numbers (1.17 ERA, 3.57 xFIP, 0.98 WHIP, 11.2 K/9).