Luis Barrera, OF, OAK (CBS: not rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Since getting the call on May 9, Barrera is proving to be a very effective part-time option in the A’s outfield. He is also the only left-handed bat in the A’s outfield. Toss in yesterday’s pinch-hit three-run walk-off home run and he’s doing a fine job of lobbying for increased playing time.
William Contreras, C, ATL (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Yes, he’s backing up incumbent Travis d’Arnaud and getting in his two games a week but he’s taking advantage of every opportunity to produce. In his past three games, he has mashed two homers and driven in five runs. In deeper two-catcher formats, he’s worthy of our attention.
Brendan Donovan, 3B, STL (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The fact that Nolan Gorman didn’t get the call when the Cards demoted Paul DeJong had many upset, but so far Donovan has quietly been producing at a solid clip. He’s gone 6-for-12 with a home run and four RBI in his past five games. This level of production will guarantee steady at-bats moving forward.
Alex Faedo, SP, DET (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): He hasn’t been outstanding, but so far in two starts against Oakland and Pittsburgh he has held his own allowing two earned runs in each five-inning effort. In deeper Leagues Faedo is looking at a two-start week with Tampa Bay and Cleveland on the schedule. As a streaming option in 15-team+ formats, one could do much worse.
Luis Garcia, 2B, WAS (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Now 35-years-of-age, Alcides Escobar has enjoyed a fine career, but it’s time for him to take a seat to the young talent blossoming down on the farm. Garcia has slugged eight homers, driven in 27 runs, and is currently sporting a .368 BA and .421 OBP. A changing of the guard in Washington should be just around the corner.
Riley Greene, OF, DET (CBS: 46% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): This past week, Riley Greene was given medical clearance to resume baseball activities. He’s still at least a month away from a return but being a bit early getting him rostered will save you some of that precious FAAB. He won’t have any problems finding regular at-bats in Detroit when deemed ready to roll.
Jakob Junis, SP, SFG (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): We must journey all the way back to the 2018 season to witness Junis produce an ERA under five. In four starts this year he has posted a 1.74 ERA. Have the Giants done it again?
Royce Lewis, SS, MIN (CBS: 48% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): Lewis now has nine hits in his first 29 at-bats including his first big league homer, a grand slam. He’s proving he belongs and if he continues to produce at his current clip could be sticking around when Carlos Correa returns from his finger injury. The speed potential alone makes for an intriguing addition.
Zach Logue, SP, OAK (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): It has only been two starts for the young lefty, but that last outing was some impressive. Logue tossed seven strong scoreless innings against the Tigers allowing five hits, no free passes, and struck out six. In deeper Leagues, the upcoming two-start week against the Twins and Angels isn’t half bad.
Brad Miller, 1B/3B/OF, TEX (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): Brad Miller has been one of the few bright spots in a rather dismal start to the 2022 campaign for the Rangers. Over the past seven games he’s gone 6-for-18 with three homers and a pair of stolen bases. He’s also batting in the leadoff slot against righties. Toss in the roster flexibility and there is a solid opportunity at-hand.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, CIN (CBS: 25% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered): It’s all about the health and we simply haven’t seen enough of “Moose” on the field in the past couple of seasons. Over the past two weeks, Moustakas has hit three homers, driven in seven runs, and has a .302 BA. Take advantage of the current hot streak and get him active and rostered.
Cody Poteet, SP, MIA (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Unfortunately, Jesus Luzardo is dealing with yet another injury, and hits the IL with a forearm strain. The Marlins have no shortage of options and are giving Cody Poteet first kick-at-the-can. For those playing the “streaming SP game”, Poteet has a two-start week at home against the Nationals and Braves.
Edwin Rios, 1B, LAD (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Rios will struggle to find regular at-bats in a very deep and strong Dodgers lineup but going 5-for-14 with two homers and 7 RBI in the past week is a great way to lobby for more opportunities.
Chase Silseth, SP, LAA (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Chase Silseth was called up last Friday, and in the process became the first player to debut from the 2021 draft class. Stand up and take a bow if you had this on your scorecard. Take a second bow if you had him in your active lineup and got to enjoy the six-innings of one-hit, two walk shutout ball. That is quite the debut from the Arizona grad and one that should convince Joe Maddon to pencil him in this week for a second start.
Steven Souza Jr., OF, SEA (CBS: not rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Someone had to fill the vacant slot created by the Jared Kelenic demotion and it appears that Souza is the beneficiary. It has been a long time between success stories, 2017 to be exact, but with five homers and three thefts at Triple-A Tacoma this year, the 33-year-old outfielder has earned the chance to prove there is still something left in the tank.
LaMonte Wade, OF, SFG (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): After missing the first five weeks of the season with left knee inflammation, Wade is attempting to quickly make up for lost time. He has gone 6-for-17 with a homer and five RBI at the top-of-the-order since returning to the lineup on May 6 and appears ready to replicate that solid 2021 campaign.
Closer Carousel
Alexis Diaz, RP, CIN (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The Reds bullpen is a mess. Lucas Sims has once again found his way to the IL, this time dealing with a bulging disc in his back. Until someone steps up, a committee approach is likely to be employed. Working his way into that committee mix is Alexis Diaz. In 15 appearances he has allowed only one earned run and is striking out better than a batter-per-inning. It’s worth a small bid to see if he can move into a prominent role in the Cincinnati bullpen.
C. Holmes, RP, NYY (CBS: 31% rostered, ESPN: 24% rostered): He’s not taking away the ninth-inning job from Aroldis Chapman, but he doesn’t have to. In 17 1/3 innings Holmes has already amassed four wins, two saves, and allowed but a single run. He’s proving to be a most reliable and consistent bullpen option for the Yankees.
Ian Kennedy, RP, ARZ (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): In his past seven consecutive outings, Kennedy has amassed three saves and two holds, while allowing no earned runs. Melancon has really struggled since his return, losing three games in the past week, and is now sporting a rather bloated 8.49 ERA. Maybe it’s time to turn the job over to Kennedy, if even on an interim basis.
R. Wick, RP, CHC (CBS: 19% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): Incumbent David Robertson is on the Covid IL and appears to be not close to a return. In the interim, Wick has back-to-back saves this week and is currently the go-to guy for the Cubbies. A save is a save is a save!
