Big Kid Adds (Week 4)

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.

Batters

Caleb Durbin (11): The 25-year-old was given the Brewers’ third base job after hitting .278/.316/.481 with 2 HR and 3 SB in AAA. He has yet to strike out in 21 PA in the majors, so he’s not overmatched. He’s started in all five games since being promoted. The best-case scenario is a Nico Hoerner-like clone. Good speed and batting average with about 10 HR.

Johan Rojas (11): In these deeper leagues, Rojas was an easy add. With Brandon Marsh on the IL, Rojas will get a couple of weeks in centerfield. So far this season, Rojas is hitting .316/.366/.368 supported by a .480 BABIP. While the high BABIP won’t last forever, he is leaning into his main talent, speed. He’s hitting the ball hard (career-high 39% HardHit%), in play (career-high 82% Contact%), on the ground (career-high 73% GB%), and evenly across the field (career-low 35% Pull%).

While he only has 42 PA, he does have 3 SB. With Stott and Turner hitting after him, he should have the green light. While he might not hit a single home run, he looks to be a solid two-category contributor.

Luke Keaschall (9): The 22-year-old has been great hitting .357/.471/.500 in 17 PA (four straight games). So far, he’s only been the DH and once the second baseman against a lefty. Projections have him around a 15 HR/18 SB guy with about a .250 AVG. I think the batting average is too low, but we’ll see. Hitters who put up similar lines in 2024 were Dansby Swanson, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wyatt Langford.

Two issues surround Keaschall:

My one worry with Keaschall will be playing time once Royce Lewis, Willi Castro, and Matt Wallner come off the IL. Castro has been playing second base with Lewis and Wallner likely to see time at DH.

The second issue that compounds the first problem is that Keaschall should not be in the field. His defense is atrocious, and he’s mainly been a DH in the minors, beginning in high-A. If a player has been given a DH-only tag in A-ball, their defense can’t be good.  In fantasy baseball, he is Utility-only until he gets more games at second base.

Alex Verdugo (9): While Verdugo is leading off for the desperate Braves, he is a dud who any MLB team could have rostered for free. His career 162-game pace is 14 HR, 4 SB, and .272 AVG. It’s Jeff McNeil. Useful as a weekly fill-in for deeper leagues, but not a league winner.

Luisangel Acuña (9): Speaking of Jeff McNeil, I was going to be all over adding Acuna if McNeil wasn’t about to come off the IL. With Baty (.525 OPS) and Vientos (.591 OPS, groin injury) in an infield pillow fight, Acuna (.723 OPS) seemed to be primed to get one of the two spots. From everything the team has stated, McNeil will play second base. And Acuna hasn’t played any third base. Acuna is being added on talent with the hope his playing time might eventually materialize.

Mickey Moniak (8): Like Verdugo, Moniak got some love because he’s playing (11 straight starts) and hitting for some power (.232/.306/.536, 3 HR, 50% HardHit%). The big item that may push up his stock is a career-low 19% K%. His strikeout rate was this low last season (graph) so maybe he’s bouncing around between 20% and 30% instead of 30% and 45% K%.

Edgar Quero (7): The 22-year-old catcher was hitting great in AAA (.333/.444/.412), and he hasn’t looked overmatched (.874 OPS) in the majors. In these two-catcher formats, he’s a fine option who won’t be a batting average sink and will provide some power.

Trent Grisham (7): Grisham has never been a fantasy difference maker, but maybe at age 28, he’s turned the corner. He’s hitting for more power with career highs of 92.6 avgEV, 51% HardHit%, and .380 ISO. Additionally, his strikeout rate is down at 20% K%. He’s had a couple of instances of the high ISO, low strikeout rate over the past five seasons. Maybe it’ll stick this time.

Eric Wagaman (6): With full-time plate appearances near the top of the batting order, Wagaman is fantasy relevant. He’ll hit about 20 HR with 5 SB and a .250 AVG. Think Andrew Benintendi. Additionally, Wagaman is now qualified at first and third base, so a decent bench option.

Jose Trevino (6): A healthy catcher on a hot streak (.308/.357/.481). He cut his strikeout rate to a career low 12% K%.

Dylan Moore (5): The Swiss-army knife plays every game with several injuries to the Mariners team. Unlike other seasons, Moore is hitting .300 AVG with 5 HR and 5 SB.

Noelvi Marte (5): Once getting promoted, Marte (.346/.393/.692, 2 HR, 2 SB) struggled getting playing time with three starts in the first seven games. Now, it has been three straight starts with Jeimer Candelario struggling (2 HR, .453 OPS). It might be time for Marte to take over.

Lenyn Sosa (5): I added Sosa in a couple of these leagues. He’s no difference maker, but he’s playing every game while providing counting stats. The Caleb Durbin consolation prize.

Nolan Jones (5): He’s up to batting second, but I’m unsure why with his .562 OPS and 0 HR output.

Starters

Logan Henderson (7): I had a lot of faith that Henderson would contribute this season, so I gave him my preseason Rookie of the Year vote. His MLB debut let few doubts about his talent with 9 K, 1 BB, 3 H, and 1 ER over 6 IP. He attacked hitters with his fastball and changeup. The tough part in rostering him is that he’s already been demoted. At least he’s on Milwaukee’s radar and hopefully will contribute in the future.

Joe Boyle (7): Pitchers who were optioned back to the minors over a week ago led top adds. Desperate managers.

Colin Rea (7): Due to injuries, Rea is now in the Cubs’ rotation. While the 1.32 ERA and 0.0 HR/9 won’t last, he’s cut his walk rate to 0.7 BB/9. I’m not sure Rea is great, but look at these added starters. Managers had no options.

Keider Montero (6): Montero was getting one more start (vs SD, Vazquez) before getting demoted. It was a trap. Montero lasted just 4 IP, allowing 3 ER while walking more batters (4) than he struck out (3).

Chris Paddack (6): Since his 9 ER to start the season, Paddack has a 3.21 ERA (3.79 xFIP), 8.4 K/9, and 1.21 WHIP.

Relievers

Luke Weaver (6): Several managers took a chance that the Yankees would demote or displace Devin Williams (9.00 ERA, 2.25 WHIP) from the closer’s role. Well, not yet.