Yesterday, I discussed seven recent hitter callups that have all been given starting job. Obviously, these names are going to be the priorities, particularly in deeper leagues where a recall fills a positional need. Today, let’s flip over to five more players who have recently been called up, but are currently serving in a bench role.
Every Monday, this column will break down the most popular waiver wire and free agent acquisitions of the weekend. I 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.
Trying to follow all the transactions on a daily basis can be head-spinning. Usually, it’s just a middle reliever, or a hitter expected to fill a bench role, that gets recalled from the minors. But that’s not always the case. So it pays to keep up with promotions on the chance that you just found yourself a replacement for that glaring hole you have at second base, for example. Let’s review seven of these recent hitter call-ups that look to have regular jobs.
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Angels
• Denzer Guzman (.748 OPS) hit second over the last two games.
• Jose Siri (.858 OPS) started in seven of the last eight games. Read the rest of this entry »
We’ve covered several rookie-eligible starting pitchers and hitters throughout the past few months. Now, we’re examining five more rookies with small samples and tools. When we say tools, we’re usually talking about power and speed. As usual, we’ll provide recommendations for keeper or dynasty leagues based on the current data.
Any fantasy prognosticators out there pencil in Curtis Mead for 14 homers before the All-Star break?
On the Agenda:
It looks like there’s no one at this game, though I think I saw a Meckler Heckler.
On the Agenda:
Having now identified the three hitters who may have suffered the most bad luck so far this season, while still holding real fantasy value and possibly being available in your leagues, it’s time to dig into why.
Through the process of elimination in the In Search of Some Luck piece, we were able to land on three names, which we will break down in this piece. Trent Grisham, JJ Bleday, and Max Muncy.
These three names provide a wide scope of ways a hitter can underperform their expected output, giving not only three potential additions to your fantasy roster, but a wider methodology to consider when looking at why some hitters don’t perform to their expected offensive output.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Angels
• Denzer Guzman (.588 OPS) started eight straight games at third base while batting 5th to 7th in the lineup.
• There has not been a lineup without Mike Trout (IL), but I suspect Nolan Schanuel and Vaughn Grissom will handle 1B/DH duties, and Jose Siri (.881 OPS) will be in center field. One wrinkle is that Wade Meckler usually sits against lefties, so he might get full-time at-bats. I could be wrong, so monitor any pending moves.[Editor’s note: Friday’s lineup posted after Jeff wrote this. Siri was in CF, Schanuel at 1B, with Christian Moore at DH with Grissom getting the day off. Meckler did, in fact get the start against a LHP.] Read the rest of this entry »
Fret not, dear reader. This is not that kind of article.