Big Kid Adds (Week 20)

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

Jake Bauers (9): Bauers became a tailor-made Anthony Rizzo replacement, a Yankees first baseman (also outfield qualified) who is hitting at the top top of the lineup. While Bauers struggles with batting average (.230 AVG, 32%), he hits for power (11 HR, .500 SLG) in 197 PA. Fine option while playing.

Davis Schneider (9): Raking (1.461 OPS) since being called up from the minors where he was also raking (.969 OPS, 140 wRC+ the 5th highest in the IL). He was buried on prospect lists and in most cases ignored. He struggled with strikeouts and displayed a below-average hit tool but corrected them this season (22% K%). A three-tool player with some power, speed, and the new hit tool. While he plays, a must-roster in all formats.

Brendan Rodgers (8): He returned to the majors after missing most of the season with a shoulder injury. In 25 PA so far, he has posted just a .448 OPS with 53% GB%. While I expect him to play every day, I’m not sold he returned 100%. Home streamer for now.

Michael A. Taylor (8): With Buxton and Kirilloff on the IL, Taylor gains a full-time role. He provides double-digit steals and home runs, but nothing else while batting ninth.

Johan Rojas (8): With Marsh on the IL, Rojas will get full-time at-bats providing speed (4 SB in 47 PA, 30 SB in AAA, combined 62 SB in 2022) while not being a sink in batting average and home runs. A must roster where teams need stolen bases.

Luis Urías (8): The Red Sox called him up to start at second base. With the Brewers, the 26-year-old struggled (.535 OPS) and spent most of the season in AAA (.725 OPS, 4 HR, 1 SB). In 2021, he hit 23 HR with 5 SB. All his power and speed disappeared with no signs of them returning. He might provide value as a bench bat in 15-teamers as a volume play.

Dairon Blanco (7): The 29-year-old steals a ton of bases (combined 46 in 2022 and 59 in 2023). When he gets on base, he runs, but can’t hit (.687 OPS) and therefore doesn’t play (starts in four of last 10 games). His playing time might be going up with three starts in the last four games.

Curtis Mead (6): I was all over Mead in the preseason but a wrist injury held him back and the Rays lineup solidified. The 22-year-old has been fine (.291/.379/.453, 3 HR, 3 SB) in AAA and just got promoted. The top question surrounding him will be playing time with Diaz and Paredes entrenched in the two infield corner spots and everyone cycling threw the DH spot.

Oscar Gonzalez (5): After a surprising 2023 (.296 AVG, 11 HR, 1 SB), he struggled to start the season (.192/.213/.288 in 75 PA) and was demoted to AAA. Until June 15th, he hit a .723 OPS in AAA. It was at .857 after that point. The gains came from his strikeout rate dropping (25% to 19%) and walks increasing (4% to 8%). In 28 PA since he returned, he plays (eight starts in 10 games) and somewhat hits (.712 OPS). Nice volume option.

Freddy Fermin (5): In 162 PA, the 28-year-old has 8 HR and a .305 AVG. He lacked playing time to start the season, but with injuries at first base and Perez playing there when he is healthy, Fermin has started in seven of the last 10 games. There are worse catchers being rostered.

Alec Burleson (5): I know Burleson has been on fire in the second half (.360/.373/.640, 3 HR) but he’s not playing much. Just four starts in the last 10 games (four in the last seven) while playing first base and DH. Without elite speed or power, rostering a part-time Burleson is tough. Now, if he plays all time, stock up.

Nick Senzel (5): What … why? Let me dive in. He started in six of ten while hitting second against lefties. The Reds only face one lefty starter this week. He is not on fire by hitting a .513 OPS in 35 PA since the break. Five managers were drinking too much?

Enrique Hernández (5): In 40 PA since joining the Dodgers, he posted a .324 AVG with 1 HR. Additionally, he started in nine of the last 10 games with seven being in the outfield.

Starters

Cole Ragans (7): This add appears better with his Monday results (6 IP, 1 ER, 11 K, 1 BB). He seems like a new pitcher with Kansas City. His average fastball velocity increased 4 mph from last season. Additionally, his 96-mph fastball (11% SwStr%) usage is down 7% points compared to when he was in Texas. Now, he throws a slider (32% SwStr%) to pair with his above-average change (19% SwStr%). In 17 IP (vs TBR, NYM, BOS) with Kansas City, he posted an 11.2 K/9, 1.08 WHIP, and 1.02 ERA (2.66 xFIP). Must roster in all formats after his Monday start.

Hyun Jin Ryu 류현진 (7): The 36-year-old survived his two starts with a 4.00 ERA (3.92 xFIP) and 1.22 WHIP. He took the low-strikeout (5.0 K/9), low-walk approach (2 BB/9) to the extreme so far. His fastball dropped to a career-low 89.1 mph. The team isn’t letting him throw deep into starts with 80 pitches in his first start and 52 in the next. Safe add.

Yonny Chirinos (6): With two weaker opponents this week (@PIT, @NYM), he could win a couple of games but not much else. On the season, his 4.42 ERA (5.15 xFIP) and 1.29 WHIP are playable in the right starts. While he never provided many strikeouts (7.0 K/9 for his career), with his fastball velocity down over 1 mph, his 4.9 K/9 disappoints.

Randy Vásquez (6): Just looking at the name, I had no idea who he was without looking him up. The 24-year-old Vazquez started three times this season for the Yankees with a 1.17 ERA (6.06 xFIP), 1.04 WHIP, and 5.9 K/9 in 15 IP. The team demoted him back to AAA after his last start and will need to wait for another chance.

Zack Littell (5): With the Rays rotation getting beset with injuries. His biggest improvement from the past is a three-year decline in walk rate (4.3 BB/9 to 3.5 to 2.6 to 1.5) along with laying off his fastball (58% usage to 51% to 40%) over the past two seasons. His results have been a 4.04 ERA (3.55 xFIP), 1.35 WHIP, and 7.8 K/9. The numbers aren’t great but workable in the current pitching environment.

Nick Martinez (5): He moved to the rotation for at least one start. When starting, he posted a 3.58 ERA (4.66 xFIP), 1.12 WHIP (.195 BABIP), and 6.5 K/9. This week, he starts against Seattle with a possible two-step (vs BAL, vs ARI) the next week.

Relievers

Seranthony Domínguez (6): This past week, Dominguez earned two Saves, so he’ll stand out for any manager looking for a closer.

Matt Brash (6): Over his last four appearances he has 2 Wins, 1 Hold, and 1 Save. On the season, he has been lights out (3.21 ERA, 2.64 FIP, 15.1 K/9, and 1.36 WHIP).