Daulton Varsho, C, ARZ (CBS: 12% rostered): One homer and two stolen bases to go along with a .473 OPS isn’t getting the job done. The DBacks traded Stephen Vogt this past week, effectively giving Varsho the catcher gig until the return of Carson Kelly. It’s audition time for Varsho and we better see a much better level of play than we’ve seen thus far.
Gavin Sheets, 1B, CWS (CBS: 21% rostered): How many first base types does it take to play in the White Sox outfield this year? The answer is two now that both Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets are getting regular at-bats. That’s something one doesn’t see every day, but desperate times require desperate measures. The 25-year-old Sheets has helped fill that outfield void and with two-homers in his past five games is demonstrating that he is up to the task.
Dylan Moore, 2B/3B/OF, SEA (CBS: 38% rostered): It has been a disappointing year for Moore, but with eight homers and 14 stolen bases on the season all is not lost. If he can break out of his season-long funk and return to his 2020 form, there could be value at the very least in those wheels.
J. D. Davis, 3B, NYM (CBS: 43% rostered): After a long stint on the IL, Davis returned to the Mets lineup last night and immediately made his presence felt, going 3-for-4 with a pair of two-run homers. The Mets will need a hot second half from Davis as they attempt to offset the loss of Francisco Lindor to an oblique injury.
Joc Pederson, OF, ATL (CBS: 41% rostered): The season-ending injury suffered by Ronald Acuna forced the Braves hand, and they turned to the Chicago Cubs and Joc Pederson to help provide some respite. He isn’t going to help us forget the loss of Acuna but he will take a walk and does have power potential. Combined with the fact that he will see every day at-bats in the leadoff slot down the stretch and Pederson becomes very relevant in our second half plans.
Derek Hill, OF, DET (CBS: 1% rostered): Derek Hill is a fourth outfielder. Derek Hill also has great wheels, as evident by his five stolen bases this year in only 17 at-bats. He’s not going to play every day, but when he does the potential is always there for a boost in those speed numbers.
Josiah Gray, SP, LAD (CBS: 19% rostered): On Friday, Dave Roberts mentioned Josiah Gray as a possible option to replace Clayton Kershaw against the Giants this week. Gray has spent most of the season on the IL dealing with a shoulder issue but has recently returned to the Oklahoma rotation and has been lights out. He’s currently sporting a 2.87 ERA, .64 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts in 15 2/3 IP. As a streaming option and possibly more he should have our attention.
David Price, SP/RP, LAD (CBS: 41% rostered): Remember when the Dodgers rotation consisted of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Trevor Bauer, Julio Urias, and Dustin May? David Price was merely an afterthought, but that afterthought is now going to be rolled out every fifth day for the foreseeable future.
Kyle Muller, SP, ATL (CBS: 43% rostered): Don’t let the fact that Muller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett just before the All-Star break sway you. He’ll be back occupying a regular slot in the Braves rotation this coming week and every fifth day thereafter.
Heath Hembree, RP, CIN (CBS: 34% rostered): Two weeks ago Hembree was rostered to the tune of one per cent. Since then, he has added three more saves in five appearances while allowing but a single earned run. The job is his to lose and the competition isn’t pushing him hard. At some point in time, we must believe, right?
Drew Pomeranz, RP, SDP (CBS: 22% rostered): When healthy, Drew Pomeranz is one of the best relievers in the game. Unfortunately, he just can’t seem to stay on the field. Well, he’s back on the field and the Padres won’t hesitate to use him in high-leverage situations. If you are in a League that uses holds, get him rostered and active immediately.
Ranger Suarez, RP, PHI (CBS: 32% rostered): The hold on the job is far from rock solid, but the 25-year-old southpaw is now up to three saves this season and sporting a very impressive 1.22 ERA. Toss in the better than a strikeout per inning potential and he should be rostered in a lot more Leagues than his current 32 per cent level.
Zack Britton, RP, NYY (CBS: 10% rostered): Aroldis Chapman is struggling. Chad Green had a rough outing in his last trip to the mound. Jonathan Loaisiga is currently on the Covid-19 IL. Britton has just recently returned from the IL, but with the mess that is currently the Yankees bullpen, could find himself in the mix for the odd save opportunity in the short-term and amassing holds long-term.
