Wilson Ramos, C, DET (CBS: 30% rostered): 2020 was far from a banner year for the veteran backstop, but thus far in 2021 Ramos is returning to form and wielding a hot stick with three homers. Mid-teens power with a solid BA is there for the taking.
Renato Nunez, 1B, DET (CBS: 3% rostered): Miguel Cabrera has hit the 10-day IL with a left biceps strain and the Tigers have called up former Oriole slugger Renato Nunez to fill his spot on the roster. There is no doubt that Nunez can hit for power. Coming off a 30-homer campaign in 2019, he slugged 12 homers in 195 at-bats last year. The Orioles loss could very well prove to be the Tigers’ gain.
Travis Shaw, 1B/3B, MIL (CBS: 9% rostered): Shaw is off to a great start in his return to Milwaukee going 7-for-24 with a home run and seven RBI. The trade of Orlando Arcia should secure regular playing time for the veteran corner infielder.
Ryan Zimmerman, 1B, WAS (CBS: 4% rostered): Josh Bell is currently on the 10-day IL, creating an opportunity for the veteran Zimmerman, and he has responded in fine form going 8-for-17 at the dish. Until the return of Bell, expect Zimmerman to garner a steady diet of at-bats in the National lineup.
Zach McKinstry, 2B, LAD (CBS: 7% rostered): Mookie Betts is dealing with lower back stiffness, so the Dodgers have turned to McKinstry to fill the void and successfully at that. The role served in fine form by Enrique Hernandez is McKinstry’s to own, and if the early results are any indication, he will do just fine in a super-sub type capacity.
Brendan Rodgers, 2B, COL (CBS: 27% rostered): Rodgers is getting close to a return from the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since mid-March. The early-season success of Ryan McMahon limits his opportunities to third base, but he should get that opportunity with Josh Fuentes off to a middling start.
Luis Urias, 2B/SS/3B MIL (CBS: 11% rostered): The trade of Orlando Arcia has created an opportunity for Urias at shortstop for the Brewers and full-time at-bats combined with the multi-position eligibility could prove to be an asset assuming he turns around an anemic start.
Ha-seong Kim, SS, SDP (CBS: 38% rostered): The ability to work him into the North American game slowly ended with the Fernando Tatis Jr. injury. Saturday night, Kim flashed some of his power recording his first MLB homer. Until the return of Tatis Jr. Kim should be looking at everyday at-bats and the opportunity to show off that power/speed combo that made him a star in Korea.
Tyler Naquin, OF, CIN (CBS: 50% rostered): Tyler Naquin is off to a simply amazing start, leading or near-the-top of most of the hitting categories with 5 homers, 14 RBI, and a 1.364 OPS. Just remember that it’s going to get really crowded with Nick Senzel, Jesse Winker, Nick Castellanos, Shogo Akiyama, and Naquin all fighting for at-bats in the Reds outfield. A bid is worthy, just make it a cautious bid as what one sees as value today can change very quickly.
Lane Thomas, OF, STL (CBS: 1% rostered): Tyler O’Neill was pulled from Saturday’s game with right groin tightness and promptly place on the 10-day IL this morning. The Cards are turning to Lane Thomas to fill the void. The power/speed potential from Thomas could prove to be a solid short-term asset. If not, there’s always Austin Dean as a fallback option.
Jo Adell, OF, LAA (CBS: 30% rostered): It has now been confirmed that Dexter Fowler suffered a torn ACL and will be lost to the Angels for the balance of 2021. Joe Maddon has been quoted that for now, the Angels will roll out Juan Lagares and Jose Rojas to fill the void, but that can’t be any more than a stopgap measure. Adding either Adell or Brandon Marsh (11% rostered) this week could save you a few bucks when the eventual call-up occurs…..and it will.
Johnny Cueto, SP, SFG (CBS: 29% rostered): That funky delivery has Cueto off to a great start. After two games he is sporting a 2.51 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14 1/3. IP. The combination of the hot start and three starts over the next two weeks makes for a most intriguing streaming and possibly more type option.
Joe Ross, SP, WAS (CBS: 18% rostered): The potential has never been in dispute, only his ability to stay on the field. Ross got out-of-the-gate strong, tossing five shutout innings against the powerful Dodger offense. Maybe, just maybe, we will see both health and that potential come to the fore in 2021.
Aaron Sanchez, SP, SFG (CBS: 9% rostered): Five innings of six-hit one-run ball with four strikeouts in his debut against the Padres is a fairly good indicator that the off-season shoulder surgery was a success. Sanchez is looking at facing off against Reds and Marlins in a two-start week making for a solid early streaming opportunity.
Deivi Garcia, SP NYY (CBS: 28% rostered): Domingo German has struggled in both of his 2021 starts and with the Yankees not needing a fifth starter in the immediate future has been dispatched to the alternate site. The question is will the Yankees call up German or give Deivi Garcia the next opportunity? After his great Spring, Deivi Garcia should be in the mix as a replacement. A cheap early speculative bid could reap some solid future rewards.
Huascar Ynoa, SP, ATL (CBS: 8% rostered): The 22-year-old righty went five strong shutout innings on the road against the Nationals in a surprise double-header start. The successful spot-start from the soon-to-be 23-year-old could very easily lead to a larger role in the Braves pitching plans moving forward.
Brent Honeywell, SP, TAM (CBS: 11% rostered): The string of injuries incurred by Brent Honeywell is too long to list and cost Honeywell the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons. A return to the mound and his MLB debut is within sight as he takes to the hill as the opener today against the Yankees. Based on his injury-riddled past the Rays will take their time working him back into a starting role, but it is the eventual goal.
Emmanuel Clase, RP, CLE (CBS: 29% rostered): As we mentioned last week, “the Indians are clearly counting on Clase this season and the early string of 100 mph fastballs are a good sign he’s up to the task.” Toss in a win and save in his first three appearances, all clean innings, and Clase’s spot in the bullpen-by-committee in Cleveland is now firmly entrenched.
Corey Knebel, RP, LAD (CBS: 24% rostered): The Dodgers are taking a cautious approach with incumbent closer Kenley Jansen and will be limiting his workload in 2021. This creates opportunities and the early results indicate that Corey Knebel has returned to his pre-TJS form with the fastball ticking upwards into the high-90’s. In his first four appearances, he has yet to allow a hit and has six strikeouts in 3 1/3 IP to go along with a pair of saves. Double-digit saves should be in the cards in 2021.
Yimi Garcia, RP, MIA (CBS: 20% rostered): The Anthony Bass experiment as the go-to guy in the ninth for the Marlins appears to be drawing to a rapid conclusion. In 2 1/3 IP Bass has allowed seven hits and six earned runs. Garcia converted his first save opportunity Saturday in an uneventful three up/three down ninth against the Mets and has to be considered the favorite for saves moving forward.
Kendall Graveman, RP, SEA (CBS: 3% rostered): Rafael Montero has now blown two saves in his first four appearances. Kendall Graveman in four-innings has yet to allow a run. The leash is getting shorter in Seattle. A dollar bid this week could save you significant FAAB down the road should Montero continue to struggle.
