Big Kid Adds (Week 17)

While the NFBC Main Event garners most of the attention, there are a handful of leagues with even a larger entry fee ($2.5K to $15K). They get originally named “High Stakes Leagues” and this year there are nine of them. With so much money on the line, these fantasy managers are going to 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 four or more of these leagues.

Batters

Zack Gelof (9): Gelof is one of two Athletics hitting prospects featured. I’m pretty sure Gelof would not have been promoted if he wasn’t on the A’s because he projects to be a replacement level (or worse) real-life hitter (proj .645 OPS). Here are his Steamer600 rest-of-season (ROS) projection and comps.

People aren’t clamoring for more Brett Wisely, why the Gelof love? The key might be in deeper leagues where a team could use some steals (2 SB in 16 PA) with some power but knowing their batting average will take a major hit (19% SwStr%, 31% K%).

Tyler Soderstrom (8): One issue with Soderstrom in the NFBC is that he’s only first base qualified, not at catcher where he’d have more value. Right now, the 21-year-old is only projected for a .625 OPS with a bit more power than Gelof but no speed. None of his comps are encouraging.

Catchers posting a .211 AVG with about 20 HR aren’t that hard to find.

Johan Rojas (5): While Rojas has a sub-.650 OPS projection (.630 OPS) like Gelof and Soderstrom, his full-season stolen base projection is at 30 so it’s easy to understand the interest. The issue with Rojas is playing time. Prospect reports grade him as a plus defender in the outfield so it comes down to an open roster spot. For now, he’s on the short side of a centerfield platoon with Brandon Marsh. Also, there are some reports of Marsh sliding over to left field when Harper plays first base and Schwarber is the DH.

Endy Rodriguez (4): While the 23-year-old destroyed the minors in 2022 (.323/.407/.590, 25 HR, 4 SB), he struggled (.268/.356/.415, 6 HR, 3 SB) in AAA this season. Projections have him for a full-season profile of 12 HR with a .256 AVG. That profile is definitely playable at catcher. Additionally, the team stated he will get the majority of catcher reps.

One interesting take is that in the NFBC a prospect needs to be drafted in order to be added in FAAB. Because he was unavailable in five leagues, he’ll likely show up for the other five leagues.

Travis Jankowski (4): Jankowski is on the strong side of a platoon with Robbie Grossman on the other side. This week, the Rangers are scheduled to face five righties with three scheduled for the weekend against the Dodgers. The Dodgers currently lead both leagues with 107 SB allowed (Rangers just at 56). In just 165 PA, Jankowski has 13 SB with a .326 AVG so there is a chance he could run wild for a few games.

Donovan Solano (4): Since Royce Lewis went on the IL, Solano has started 11 straight games while hitting .277/.377/.416 with 4 HR. At this point, he’s just an accumulator while being qualified at first, second, and third base. Ideal bench bat.

Starters

Alec Marsh (8): Marsh dominated the Rays on Saturday going 6 IP with 11 K, 1 BB, and 2 ER. Before that game, he had made two starts with 10 K and 7 BB over 9 IP. There is some good and bad going on with his profile. I’ll start with the good.

A 12.6 K/9 is nothing to sneeze at since he is generating the swings-and-misses with a nice four-pitch mix.

Strikeouts aren’t an issue, it his walks. So far this season, he has a 4.8 BB/9 inflating his unplayable 1.47 WHIP. The deal is that Marsh has always had issues with walks. All of his minor league walk rates since 2021 have been over 4.0 BB/9.

There is a bit of hope. Over his last two games, he has a 34% Ball% which equates to a 2.3 BB/9.

One other major negative so far is his 20% GB% and 3.0 HR/9. The combination of walks and home runs has led to a 5.40 ERA.

Overall, Marsh isn’t startable if he keeps up the walks and home runs. In leagues where I need pitching, I’d consider him a roster-and-bench.

Brandon Bielak (5): Bielak was available, starting (at COL this week, vs TEX and vs TB next week), and has a 3.79 ERA. That’s it for the positives.

His 1.47 WHIP (3.5 BB/9) is unplayable. His ERA estimators are in the 5.00 range. He only has one above-average pitch in his change (18% SwStr%).

He feels like the best worst option.

Relievers

Kyle Finnegan (4): With Hunter Harvey on the IL, Finnegan has regained the closer’s role. At least until he gets traded.

Erik Swanson (4): With Jordan Romano banged up, managers took a shot on Swanson (3.07 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 10.0 K/9).

Carlos Hernandez (4): Scott Barlow is likely to get traded so Hernandez seems to be the next in line for Saves.