DOUBLE DIVE!!!

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• Daily SP Chart archive
• 2-Start podcast episode
• SP Rankings (updated Monday April 27th!)

Welcome to the Daily SP Chart, click here if you’re new to get an idea of what I’m doing with these rankings.

The chart includes their performance for 2026, their opponent’s wOBA versus the pitcher’s handedness, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues – essentially a shallow, medium, deep league setup – and then a note about some, most, or all depending on the day. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations for standard 5×5 roto leagues, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. I usually won’t have much to write about aces who are locked into our rotations. If you want to discuss someone further, please feel free to leave a comment. I usually do a few sweeps of the comments before game time in case there are time-sensitive questions.

• Some pretty tough matchups for the studs. 6 of the 3-x’s are facing Top 10 offenses against their respective handedness. All 6 of those starters are in my Top 30 rankings, too. Ohtani gets a big test in HOU… can one of the best offense in baseball push his 0.60 ERA?
• Alcantara is putting up solid results, but an 8% K-BB will come back to burn him if he doesn’t improve; good news is that an 11% SwStr can definitely yield better than a 16% K.
• I have no delusions that Bradley has revolutionized himself despite the sweet 2.85 ERA; his 1.22 WHIP is a sobering reminder that he’s enjoyed some good fortune to get here. Thankfully a lagging WAS offense gives him a great shot to stay hot.
• Elder is riding a .252 BABIP and 5% HR/FB to results this good, but a new cutter has helped him shave 204 pts off his OPS vL so perhaps a regressed version could still hold some Team Streamer juice. I’m running him in SEA and then very likely for next week’s home 2-step v. CHC/BOS.
• Cavalli is coming off back-to-back 10-K games, so let’s see where this goes. It’s a 2-step week and I like both individually in daily moves leagues w/a trip to MIA lined up for the weekend.
• Buehler and Severino are cromulent veterans getting solid setups on the road while Chandler and Sproat are young upstarts who’ve disappointed thus far with just OK matchups, also on the road. ARI is only 26th in wOBA on the season but rising to 17th in the last two weeks and will likely send 6 lefty/switch hitters against Chandler, who has a 230-point platoon split (.854 vL). I’m sure at least 1 of these 4 will have a good start and maybe even 2, but I couldn’t even begin to have confidence in identifying which one(s).
• This feels like a touch-the-stove moment with Lambert where some of us are going to get too cute here… this is a waiver pickup you’ve already gotten some juice out of, don’t piss it all away hoping he survives LAD coming to visit. I would hold for the SEA/TEX 2-step he’s in line for next week.
• I think Dana is just the guess for Kikuchi’s spot right now… if you see someone confirmed, let me know in the comments!

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Every Monday, this column will break down the most popular waiver wire and free agent acquisitions of the weekend.

Fantasy baseball managers know that our game is the ultimate test of grit, grind, tenacity, and patience. Unlike fantasy football, where league titles can be won with minimal in-season activity, fantasy baseball leagues require incessant attention and activity. Particularly when it comes to free agent adds and drops. Real-life baseball managers are constantly adjusting batting orders, players are frequently optioned to and promoted from the Minor Leagues, and injuries occur almost daily. There’s no resting on our laurels. We must always stay vigilant with league news and notes and remain active on the waiver wire if we want to win our leagues.

Every week, I’ll dig into the top adds on the ever-popular Fantrax and in the NFBC Online Championship (OC), a national mid-stakes contest with 240 total leagues of 12 and a six-figure grand prize. Reviewing player adds between the two should provide us with a well-rounded perspective and barometer of the fantasy baseball marketplace.

Week 6 Overview

It was a monster week for Byron Buxton (.345-6-5-7-2) who feasted on Mariners and Blue Jays pitchers and was the only hitter with five home runs. The next two top producers were Cardinals Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson. Both hit .390+ with 2 HR and 11 RBI each. The Cardinals had seven games with some tough opposing starters (PIT, LAD), but the duo was unfazed. That 1-4 for the Cardinals (Wetherholt-Herrera-Burleson-Walker) is quite formidable. The Cardinals offense ranks eighth in ISO (.162) and their 44 homers is tied for fourth-most in the majors behind the three powerhouses, the Yankees, Braves, and Dodgers.

Cardinals rookie Nathan Church did not step up for his new fantasy managers. He went 6-30 (.200) with one run and three runs batted in. Expect better production from him in Week 7 as the Cardinals have seven games and are lined up to face all RHP starters.

Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto had an excellent week as well. He went 7-27 (.259), but four of those hits were home runs, and he tied Walker and Burleson for the most RBI (11) in Week 6. Okamoto has deservedly moved up in the batting order. He was the cleanup hitter behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for most of the week, and hit second on Sunday with George Springer out of the lineup and rookie Yohendrick Pinango earning his first leadoff start.

Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter was on an absolute heater. He produced 13 hits in 22 at-bats (.592) — nine singles, three doubles, a homer and two walks. Teammate José Ramírez ran cold, going 4-24 with one run and three runs batted in.

No hitter was colder than Rangers Evan Carter (0-18). Cedric Mullins went 1-15 for the Rays and his slash line is now down to .127/.189/.225. He’s an easy drop in all formats (in case you haven’t dropped already) and he won’t play much this week with the Rays slated to face four left-handed starters. On that note, RHH Jonny DeLuca is a sneaky streamer in Week 7.

There were fewer two-start pitchers last week than usual. Of the 24 pitchers who started two games, only Jesús Luzardo and Clay Holmes won twice, a rate of 12.5% for the two-steppers. Phillies reliever Chase Shugart was the only other pitcher to earn two wins last week, and he did so on the same day, in Thursday’s doubleheader. Luzardo led all pitchers with 18 strikeouts, while posting stellar ratios (1.26 ERA, 0.70 WHIP). Cincinnati’s Chase Burns punched out the second most batters (16 in 13 innings) and brought his ERA down to 2.20 through seven starts.

The biggest disaster two-step of the week was Seattle’s Luis Castillo, who allowed a major-league-high 11 earned runs to the Twins and Royals last week. Castillo’s ratios are up to 6.29/1.66 and he’s allowing a career-high barrel rate of 12.4 percent. Castillo’s velocity is on par with last season’s and his peripherals (4.64 xFIP, 4.45 SIERA), high BABIP (.367) and low LOB rate (58.8%) foretell better days ahead, but there’s no harm in cutting him loose for a potential upgrade in 10- and 12-team formats. It’s been very noticeable that Castillo has been steadily declining over the last few seasons. If he continues to struggle, perhaps Bryce Miller or even super-prospect Kade Anderson can take his spot in the rotation eventually.

Seven relievers earned more than one save one week. Royals Lucas Erceg was the only reliever with three. He looked great in his three appearances, allowing just one hit, one walk, four punchouts and did not allow a run. Last week’s waiver darling Ryan Walker blew not one, but two save opportunities last week. RosterResource currently lists the Giants’ bullpen as a four-man committee with Walker, lefty Erik Miller, and righties Caleb Kilian and Keaton Winn. Kilian would be my bet for team saves leader the rest of this season.

Boston’s rookie southpaw Jake Bennett was the top addition in Fantrax leagues. They 25-year-old was drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2022 (Rd 2, Pick 6) out of Oklahoma, where he was the top starter in that Sooners rotation with Cade Horton. Bennett escaped his major league debut with a win and just one run allowed in five innings (1.80 ERA) against the Astros, but the corresponding metrics (5.75 FIP, 10.29 xERA) told a tale of great fortune. Bennett may not last beyond a start in Detroit this week, since Sonny Gray is expected to be activated off the IL later this week. The Red Sox could use five innings from him though, to keep their taxed rotation fresh as the Red Sox have seven games this week.

Sean Burke has been an absolute stud this season, boasting a 2.72 ERA (3.75 SIERA), 1.01 WHIP, 5.1% BB, and a 4.3% BRL over nearly 40 innings. He posted a season-high eight punchouts against the Padres on Saturday. His next two starts should be at home against the Mariners and the Royals. He doesn’t have dominant stuff, but he’s certainly on the radar for all formats 12-team and higher. Nick Martinez (Rays) and Janson Junk (Marlins) were two of the most popular two-start pitchers added this weekend. Both have outperformed their peripherals so far this season. Junk has plus control and lines up for two home starts against the Phillies and Nationals. Martinez’s matchups don’t look too awful (vs. TOR, at BOS) considering how poor those offenses have been performing lately.

Not certain why Tyler Phillips was scooped up in 12% of leagues, but that probably includes some leagues that use holds. With Pete Fairbanks on IL, Phillips earned a save on Tuesday, but then pitched three scoreless innings (5th-7th innings) on Sunday in a start where Chris Paddack served up seven runs in 2.2. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough will continue to rely on Phillips in the most important spots, which won’t often be save opportunities. Phillips has been their best reliever (1.27 ERA, 22 K in 21.1 IP), but it doesn’t look that great under the hood — a 12.9% walk rate, 1.36 WHIP, and 4.44 xFIP.

Casey Schmitt was among the most popular hitters added as he’s been one of the only reliable hitters for the Giants lately. Schmitt sports a 15.7% barrel rate and a fine slash (.308/.354/.519) and has earned the coveted three-hole spot in manager Tony Vitello’s offense. Carlos Cortes should see more playing time this week with the Athletics slated to face five right-handed starters this week.

Another week of building up confidence of fantasy managers and their real-life ones for relievers Jack Perkins and Jacob Latz. This week’s average winning bid was significantly higher than last week’s when I scooped up Latz for $3 in several of my NFBC OC leagues. I spoke kindly of Perkins in last week’s column, and he has yet to betray my trust, though he had a light workload last week (2 G, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 SV). Lefty Hogan Harris is the only semi-reliable reliever in that bullpen right now. Latz is a lefty, but continues to dazzle and could take the ninth-inning gig for himself, if he hasn’t already.

Logan Henderson, Christian Scott, and Cade Cavalli were the most popular starting pitcher acquisitions on Sunday. With Brandon Woodruff hitting the IL, Henderson was called up for Sunday’s start and pitched well, striking out eight and walking none, though he took the loss, giving up two runs in the fifth before punching out the side in the sixth. Henderson has a tough date with the Yankees this week, so make sure you’re not starting him over a comparable starter with a better matchup just because you want the boys on your roster to give him a proper greeting. Do what you believe is optimal for your fantasy squad. A healthy Henderson could easily stick around in this rotation even when Woodruff and Quinn Priester return. Brandon Sproat is probably the next man out, and though Chad Patrick has been solid, it’s possible he also gets the boot if he runs into the Regression Monster over the next two weeks.

Scott lines up for a start against the Rockies at Coors Field. This is another case where we don’t have to force a tough-on-paper start just because we have a shiny new roto toy. If you have Cavalli, you must roll him out there for his two starts (vs. MIN, at MIA), because if not this week, why even roster him? Aaron Nola was already rostered in 85% of OCs, but was scooped up on the remaining teams despite his YTD struggles because a two-start week of Marlins (away) and Rockies (home) is too juicy. If he can’t hack it, feel free to give him the boot.

Rico Garcia looks like the lone man standing atop the Orioles bullpen, at least for now, or until he gets pummeled. That’s exactly what happened this weekend to the other two temp-closer candidates in Ryan Helsley’s stead. When Helsley hit the IL last week, the market speculated on a possible three-man committee with Garcia, Anthony Nunez and veteran Andrew Kittredge, who recently came off the IL himself. Nunez got lit up on Saturday (3 ER, 2 BB) and Kittredge got brutally torched (7 H, 7 R in 0.1 IP) on Sunday. Garcia has been excellent in relief this season (14.2 IP – 16:4 K:BB – 1 H – 1 ER), but doesn’t have much closing experience. Which means new Garcia bag-holders (gross term, by the way) will likely be devasted when veteran Yennier Cano earns the bulk of save chances over the next two weeks. Isn’t that how the closer chaos has been flowing this season?

Cleveland’s top prospect Travis Bazzana should be in the majors to stay. He’s a rookie hitter — there will be ups and downs — but the 23-year-old first overall pick from 2024 should be able to weather the storms and have a respectable first season. He has already scored three runs, drove in two, and swiped two bases in his first five games.

Nice to see Mark Vientos crush two dingers on Sunday before heading to Denver for a three-game series where his squad will face Rockies starters Tomoyuki Sugano, Michael Lorenzen and Jose Quintana. I’ve been steadfastly holding and expect the fruits of my patience to blossom, at least for a short period of time before his next, inevitable slump.

Drop of the Week

It doesn’t feel great to drop a top 100 ADP hitter, but that’s what needs to be done with Agustín Ramírez. It’s not wise to stash a third catcher on rosters with shallow benches, and so we bid adieu to Gus, at least for now. Let’s be sure to track his journey in Triple-A, because Ramírez and Joe Mack could be swapped for one another again in a few weeks. Let’s hope that Ramírez is motivated by the demotion, not demoralized by it. Unless, of course, you’re a Mack bag-holder (ok, I promise I won’t ever type that again).

If you read Mike Podhorzer’s article this morning (a thing you should have done – if you haven’t you should go do that, and then come back), you would have seen this post:

Fernando Tatis Jr. doesn’t have a power problem.

He has a fly ball direction problem.

MLB HR/FB by Direction:
Pull – 30.7%
Center – 7.8%
Oppo – 3.7%

He’s just not pulling his fly balls.

That’s it. pic.twitter.com/tl42YnB0nm

— Mike Podhorzer (@MikePodhorzer) April 28, 2026

Which includes this image:

Fernando Tatis Jr.’s batted ball metrics on fly balls, with a red circle around his 2026 pull rate on fly balls, which is just 4.8%, well below his career norms.” width=”691″ height=”214″ />

When Fernando Tatis Jr. puts the ball in the air this year, he is going the other way more than half the time and up the middle almost the rest of the time. Pulled fly balls are where power lives and Tatis has none of those. Tatis has been a total power zero for fantasy and this might well be why. Figuring out if that will continue requires looking at why he might be pulling the ball less.

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Here is today’s chat transcript:
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I probably wait longer than most to evaluate my team and perform research on potential trades, but with just over a month in the books, it’s definitely trading season for the vast majority. This time of year is when we dive into the underlying skills to determine what’s real and what isn’t, identify trade targets, and review which of your own players should be put on the block.

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• Daily SP Chart archive
• 2-Start podcast episode
• SP Rankings (updated Monday April 27th!)

Welcome to the Daily SP Chart, click here if you’re new to get an idea of what I’m doing with these rankings.

The chart includes their performance for 2026, their opponent’s wOBA versus the pitcher’s handedness, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues – essentially a shallow, medium, deep league setup – and then a note about some, most, or all depending on the day. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations for standard 5×5 roto leagues, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. I usually won’t have much to write about aces who are locked into our rotations. If you want to discuss someone further, please feel free to leave a comment. I usually do a few sweeps of the comments before game time in case there are time-sensitive questions.

Went to a game with the family tonight so I’ll drop comments in the morning.

• As I keep my rankings updated behind the scenes in between updates, Schlittler just keeps rising. Soriano is getting a ton of attention for his sub-1.00 ERA essentially out of nowhere, but Schlittler is every bit as impressive so far this year.
• Gilbert’s surface woes (at least relative to an ace) surprised me a bit as I don’t have him anywhere this year so I’m not as dialed in on his day-to-day. But once I take a deeper look, I’m not worried. His 19% K-BB is down 7 pts from last year but in line with his 21% career mark. The .349 BABIP stands out and the elevated line drive could be a culprit behind it, but nothing I’m long-term concerned about.
• Cabrera hasn’t been giving me the warm-n-fuzzies despite the impressive surface numbers. His 6 pt. drop in K% is a little concerning despite his SwStr holding firm at his 12% career mark. A career-best 8% HR/FB is keeping him from fully paying for his lessened skills but the 4.27 SIERA hints at what could happen if the HR/FB trends back toward league average (11%), let alone his career mark (15%).
• Martin hasn’t added to his SwStr% to back the 6 pt. K% surge but he’s still at the upper reaches of what a 9.6% can yield. He has a nice BB% improvement and of course the 87% LOB is playing a big role in his ERA being under 2.00. He’s not that good but if he can live in a 14-17% K-BB range and he doesn’t get all his LOB and HR/FB regression is one super nasty start, then I think he can maintain a usable mid-3.00s ERA with a sub-1.25 WHIP.
• I’m starting to take the struggling performances of expected good teams a bit more seriously as we push into May. So teams like the Phillies, Mets, and Red Sox. They all still have threats in the lineup and can go off on a given night, but I’m loosening my streaming restrictions against them. It earned Junk an extra X and got Sugano his lone X.
• Baz has a 2-step so you might have to eat that Yankees start to get the Athletics one at home this weekend, but is it even worth it? I want him to be as good as his reputation, but he’s just not.

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7:31	Jeff Zimmerman:

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Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

In the article, I cover the players using CBS’s and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both sites have the option for daily and weekly waiver wire adds. CBS uses a weekly change while Yahoo looks at the last 24 hours. Yahoo is a great snapshot of right now, while CBS ensures hot targets from early in the week aren’t missed. I start players being added at CBS who started the week on less than 40% of rosters.

The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference, grouped by hitters, starters, and relievers.

Batters: I don’t see any difference makers coming. I’m sure there will be, but it seems like a season where the last two to three spots need to be streamed.

Ildemaro Vargas: Well, the hitting streak (24 games) finally came to an end for this season’s breakout/miracle (6 HR, .404 AVG). The key behind his breakout is lifting the ball a little more, going from a 58% GB% to 43% GB%.

Brooks Lee: Improvements across the board (more Contact%, lifting the ball more) have him with 5 HR, 2 SB, and .252 AVG

Nathan Church: While he’s struggling to hit for average (.236 AVG), he has 5 HR and 3 SB. He’s improved his Contact% and maxEV this season. Possible breakthrough.

Cole Young: A steady contributor (.276 AVG, 3 HR, 2 SB) who has started every game this season.

Nathaniel Lowe: Starting at DH every game with Eugenio Suárez on the IL. Lowe is hitting a .273 AVG with 5 HR. He’s been able to cut his strikeout rate from 26% to 16%.

Brayan Rocchio: Hitting a solid yet boring .279/.353/.404 with 3 HR and 2 SB.

Jung Hoo Lee 이정후: I was a little surprised to see Lee under the 40% roster threshold, but barely hitting home runs (2) with no stolen bases. His .298 AVG is a nice bonus.

Brandon Marsh: He started seeing time against left-handed pitching, but then got banged up. He’s been solid with a .304 AVG, 4 HR, and 3 SB. I’m a little worried the platoon will return.

Casey Schmitt: Starting while providing some batting average (.302 AVG) and power (4 HR).

Nasim Nuñez: If you need steals (14 SB), add Nunez. If you don’t need steals, ignore him (.525 OPS).

Travis Bazzana: In 13 PA so far, he hasn’t gotten a hit but has walked four times. I could see 15 to 20 home run and stolen base upside, but a major drain on a team’s batting average.

Jose Fernandez: He continues to hit (.322 AVG) and has 3 HR. He doesn’t have a set position to play, so he bounces around the field, thereby limiting his playing time.

Troy Johnston: While he could hit .300 since he plays half his games in Denver, he doesn’t hit for enough power. Over the last three seasons, he has not hit a ball over 108 mph, a bare minimum to show any home run power.

Carlos Cortes: Strong-side platoon bat has 4 HR and a .386 AVG (.390 BABIP).

Daniel Schneemann: A .429 BABIP and 64% Contact% are battling it to see who influences his .313 AVG the most. In addition to the batting average, he is hitting for some power (4 HR) and running (2 SB). And finally, he starts most of the time with eight starts in the last 10 games.

Hyeseong Kim 김혜성: Strong-side platoon bat who has stolen some bases (5 SB) with a .304 AVG.

Nick Gonzales: Volume play with a .333 AVG but 0 HR. He doesn’t lift the ball enough to hit many home runs.

Masyn Winn: While he’s only hit 1 HR, his profile has remained the same, 10 HR/10 SB and a .250 AVG. Maybe the stolen bases will tick up since he’s already stolen four.

Ronny Mauricio: He’s struggling with his plate discipline (35% K%, 0% BB%) in 29 PA. Had a .638 SLG in AAA but it’s down to .310 in the majors. I don’t know how to value him. Update: Headed to the IL, drop.

Jasson Domínguez: While he tore up AAA (.326/.415/.478, 3 HR, 8 SB), the production has not yet translated to the majors this season (.311 OPS). Could be a solid source of steals.

Edouard Julien: Strong-side platoon bat who is hitting a solid .289 with 2 HR and 2 SB.

Matt Shaw: Only five starts in the last 10 games. No matter his production (.289 AVG, 3 HR, 2 SB), he doesn’t have enough playing time to be fantasy-relevant.

Vaughn Grissom: Even though he’s cut this strikeout rate from 21% to 8%, he started only about half the time. Fantasy irrelevant.

Catchers

Luis Campusano: A .400 BABIP will make any hitter look great (.326 AVG, 3 HR). It’s only taken him five seasons to live up to the hype.

Pedro Pagés: Started in six of the last 10 games while hitting a respectable .261/.307/.435 with 3 HR and 2 SB on the season.

Hitting Prospects

Ryan Waldschmidt: In AAA, the 23-year-old outfielder is batting .293/.396/.491 with 3 HR and 5 SB in 140 PA.

George Lombard Jr.: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 20-year-old third baseman is batting .310/.402/.540 with 4 HR and 4 SB.

A.J. Ewing: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 21-year-old outfielder is batting .395/.515/.618 with 2 HR and 15 SB in 97 PA.

Franklin Arias: In AA, the 20-year-old shortstop is batting .375/.432/.764 with 8 HR and 2 SB in 81 PA.

Injured Hitters

Anthony Volpe: Hit .278/.325/.361 so far over his rehab assignment. He could be promoted any day.

Ha-Seong Kim 김하성: Currently on a rehab assignment in AA with just 5 PA so far. Could be a decent source of steals if he can secure full-time at-bats once promoted.

Starting Pitchers

Chase Dollander: Among the pitchers with at least 30 IP, his 23.1% K%-BB% ranks 11th in the league. I can understand fantasy managers don’t believe in a Colorado pitcher, but his results have been outstanding. As I write this, he has not thrown at home against the Braves. The expectation is that he’ll struggle, but if he holds his own, this will be the last chance to roster him. [Update: he struggled with 3 K, 3 BB, 6 ER in 5 IP. I still see him as the top add.]

Cade Cavalli: After struggling with walks over his first four starts (6.9 BB/9), he’s only walked two batters over the next three (1.2 BB/9). In those three starts (NYM, ATL, SFG), he has a 3.00 ERA (1.84 xFIP), 1.60 WHIP (.419 BABIP), and 15.0 K/9. I’d gamble on the last three games being real and prioritize him where available.

Sean Burke: While he has had his ups (8 K, 0 ER on Saturday) and downs (four-game stretch with 4.77 xFIP), he seems to have broken the 4.00 ERA talent barrier for many guys on the waiver wire and is a solid target.

Peter Lambert: While I’d like to see a lower walk rate (4.1 K/9), everything else looks good with a 3.52 ERA (3.54 xFIP), 1.24 WHIP, and 11.2 K/9. While I don’t 100% believe in him, he can’t be ignored.

Connor Prielipp: The strikeouts are there for him to be a solid pitcher, but a 29% GB (1.3 HR/9) and 3.2 BB/9 are preventing him from being elite. A 4.00 ERA talent … for now.

Chris Paddack: Everything he’s throwing is getting crushed (.337 BABIP, 1.6 HR/9, 6.11 ERA) while his ERA estimators (3.93 xFIP, 3.88 SIERA) and STUPH models (3.49 botERA, 103 Pitching+) point to an above-average pitcher. Gamble on upside here.

Kumar Rocker: There are no signs of breakout … just a fine pitcher. He’s upped his groundball rate to 56% and seems a solid 4.00 ERA talent right now.

Janson Junk: By limiting hard contact (0.6 HR/9, .248 BABIP), he’s getting by with a 5.7 K/9. Our STUPH models love him with a 3.26 botERA (14th best value among qualified pitchers) and a 110 Pitching+. With so many blah talents in this range, I moved Junk to the front of the pack based on those STUPH grades.

Foster Griffin: He’s not 2.67 ERA good (.233 BABIP, 90% LOB%), but he should be at least a waiver wire streamer. His projections and ERA estimators point to a 4.00 ERA pitcher.

Dustin May: His demand is from a two-start week. In his first start, he went 6 IP with 2 K, 2 BB, and 2 BB against the Pirates. I hoped for a step forward with his fastball velocity up 2 mph from last season, but his strikeout rate is down from 8.4 K/9 to 6.5 K/9. A .385 BABIP is inflating his 5.28 ERA (4.16 xFIP) and 1.53 WHIP (2.1 BB/9), so he seems to be a low-4.00 ERA pitcher.

Luis Severino: After a great start against Kansas City (7 IP, 8 K, 2 BB, 1 ER), he has two starts next week against Philadelphia and Baltimore. His early-season struggles stemmed from a 7.3 BB/9 over his first five starts. Over the last two, he has a 2.0 BB/9. I want to see how he does in the two-step before buying in.

Jake Irvin: He’s been a rollercoaster with his walks being the issue.

1, 2, 5, 3, 0, 0, 4

Overall, he’s struggled (4.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) but his ERA Estimators are closer to 4.00 (4.27 xFIP, 3.91 SIERA). Overall, he could be fine, but enjoy the ride.

Jake Bennett: In his MLB debut, the 25-year-old lasted 5 IP, allowing 1 ER, 3 K, and 2 BB. His changeup had a 23% SwStr% in the start. At this point, I can’t find a way to hate or like him, so he gets stuck in the middle.

JR Ritchie: His 2.92 ERA (.226 BABIP, 93% LOB%) is the only positive sign over this first two starts. He continues to struggle to find the plate (4.4 BB/9 in the majors, 4.3 BB/9 in AAA), and the low BABIP is the only thing keeping his WHIP in check. At best, I see a 4.50 ERA talent, but he could perform even worse.

Elmer Rodríguez: He struggled in his debut with more walks (4) than strikeouts (3). Since he didn’t immediately get demoted, it seems like he’ll get another start. Maybe bet on the upside but monitor with him on the bench.

Aaron Civale: A little bit of luck (82% LOB%, 0.9 HR/9, a career 1.3 HR/9) has him off to a nice start (3.23 ERA). I believe in his projections and ERA estimators that point to a 4.50 ERA arm.

Patrick Corbin: I don’t want Corbin to be a thing, but here we are. The projections hate him, but he’s pitching cromulently (3.65 ERA 4.24 xFIP, 1.26 WHIP, 7.3 K/9).

Jack Kochanowicz: A .233 BABIP is the only thing keeping him from being one of the league’s worst starters. Of the 98 starters with 30 IP, his 4.1 K%-BB% is the second worst (Simeon Woods Richardson at a 1.9% K%-BB%). The only item he can build off is a 61% GB%.

Kyle Leahy: I wondered why a solid 4.50 to 5.00 ERA talent was being added and I guessed right … a two start week (vs MIL, at SD). There is nothing to grasp onto with every trait getting worse (e.g., strikeouts, walks, velocity) as he tries to transition from relieving to starting.

Tomoyuki Sugano: Don’t buy the 2.84 ERA (90% LOB%, .240 BABIP). I know Dollander seems to be breaking the Rockies’ curse, but he’s doing it with good underlying numbers. Sugano is doing it with help from Jobu and an Ouija board.

Martín Pérez: He’s fine in a 4.25 ERA to 4.50 ERA kind of way. The biggest question mark surrounding him will be his role with Spencer Strider returning from the IL.

Brandon Young: He doesn’t miss enough bats (5.5 K/9) and walks way too many guys (3.1 BB/9) to be useful at this point (6.14 ERA, 5.28 xFIP, 1.64 WHIP).

Pitching Prospects

Logan Henderson: In AAA, the 24-year-old righty has a 1.02 ERA (3.55 xFIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 13.3 K/9 in 17 IP.

Thomas White: In AAA, the 21-year-old lefty has a 2.41 ERA (3.14 xFIP), 1.07 WHIP, and 13.5 K/9 in 12 IP.

Kade Anderson: In AA, the 21-year-old lefty has a 0.48 ERA (2.07 xFIP), 0.70 WHIP, and 14.5 K/9 in 18 IP.

Robby Snelling: In AAA, the 22-year-old lefty has a 2.25 ERA (2.94 xFIP), 1.04 WHP, and 13.1 K/9 in 24 IP.

Anthony Eyanson: In High-A, the 21-year-old righty has a 0.54 ERA (0.93 xFIP), 0.36 WHIP, and 14.6 K/9 in 16 IP.

Injured Pitchers

Griffin Canning: Struggling with command (7.2 BB/9) in 15 IP at AAA.

Jared Jones: All I know right now is from this tweet:

Jared Jones is pitching for Low-A Bradenton tonight in his first rehab appearance. He just threw a 1-2-3 first inning. His final pitch of the frame was clocked at 101.1 mph.

— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) April 29, 2026

Lucas Giolito: Returning soon, and I have little to no expectation he’ll provide more fantasy value than three-quarters of the above ranking.

José Berríos: In his AAA rehab starts, his fastball velocity is down 1 mph, and he has as many walks as strikeouts (2).

Relief Pitchers: Saves-based ranks

Gus Varland: Good reliever who is the closer.

Jacob Latz: Below-average reliever who is the closer.

Jack Perkins: Great reliever who just might be the closer.

Gregory Soto: Great reliever who seems to be sharing the closer’s role.

Bryan King: Average reliever who is the closer for a few more weeks until Josh Hader comes off the IL.

Tyler Phillips: Good reliever who is now the closer with Pete Fairbanks on the IL.

Rico Garcia: Good reliever who could temporarily be the closer.

Andrew Kittredge: Good reliever who could temporarily be the closer.

Kyle Finnegan: Stepping in as the closer while Kenley Jansen deals with an injury.

Antonio Senzatela: Below-average reliever who is the backup closer, maybe even the closer. It’s the Rockies, does it really matter?

Ben Brown: Average reliever who could be the closer for a day or two until Daniel Palencia comes off the IL.

Sam Bachman: Average reliever who could be the closer.

Kody Funderburk: Average reliever who could be the closer.

Ryan Zeferjahn: Average reliever who could be the closer.

Justin Topa: Below-average reliever who could be the closer.

Calvin Faucher: Average reliever who is now the backup closer.

Erik Miller: Good reliever who could be the backup closer.

Keaton Winn: Good reliever who could be the backup closer.

Erik Sabrowski: Great reliever who is the backup closer.

Grant Taylor: Good reliever who is the backup closer.

Juan Morillo: Good reliever who is the backup closer.

Phil Maton: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.

Jason Adam: Good reliever who could be the backup closer.

Adrian Morejon: Good reliever who could be the backup closer.

Dylan Lee: Great reliever who is a step or two away from closing.

Tyler Rogers: Below-average reliever who might be the backup closer.

Ben Joyce: On the IL, but should return to a high-leverage role.

Tyler Kinley: Average reliever who is a few steps away from closing.

Aaron Ashby: Great reliever who is a few steps away from closing.

Anthony Nunez: Average reliever who is a few steps away from closing.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

American League

Angels

• Oswald Peraza (vs LHP) and Yoán Moncada (vs RHP) are back in a third base platoon.

• Daniel Johnson (.466 OPS) and Brice Matthews (.649 OPS) split time in centerfield. Read the rest of this entry »