Ezequiel Duran, TEX (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Brad Miller has hit the 10-day IL with a sore hip and in a surprising move, the Rangers called up the 23-year-old Duran straight from Double-A. Any success and the youngster could parlay this injury replacement into a full-time gig. The power/speed potential is most intriguing, especially at the “hot corner.”

Jarren Duran, OF, BOS (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Duran got the call to replace Jackie Bradley Jr. who is on paternity leave. He has gone 3-for-9 in his two starts this weekend hitting at the top-of-the-order and hasn’t looked out of place. It’s worth a small bid to find out if Boston will leave him manning right field when Bradley returns.

Kyle Farmer, SS, CIN (CBS: 37% rostered, ESPN: 26% rostered): The veteran Farmer is quietly enjoying a very good season. He’s currently sitting with 30 RBI, good for third overall at shortstop. He’s definitely deserving of a lot more love than the current 37% he’s receiving at CBS.

Luis Garcia, 2B, WAS (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Alcides Escobar has enjoyed a long career but it’s time for Washington to look to the future. Escobar isn’t it. Garcia was tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A Rochester with 8 homers, 32 RBI, and a great .368 OBP. The future has arrived. We’re betting it’s here to stay!  

Oscar Gonzalez, OF, CLE (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Gonzalez mashed 31 homers in 478 at-bats last year at two levels down on the farm. Since his promotion on May 26, we haven’t seen the power, but he has gone 12-for-33 and appears to be the Guardians’ choice for the everyday role in right field. Don’t worry. The power will come.

Caleb Kilian, SP, CHC (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): As we mentioned last week, his time was coming, and lo and behold it arrived. Kilian made his debut Saturday allowing three hits, two walks, and three earned runs over five innings against a very good St. Louis offense. He has pitched well down on the farm and after this solid debut could be looking at calling the Cubs rotation home for the long haul.

Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, KCR (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Carlos Santana has hit two homers, driven in ten runs, and is sporting a .161 BA in 124 at-bats. Vinnie Pasquantino, at Triple-A Omaha, has hit 15 homers, driven in 53 runs, and is sporting a .284 BA in 183 at-bats. It’s time for the Royals to move forward and promote one of the most exciting young bats in the game.

Konnor Pilkington, SP, CLE (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Now stretched out, Pilkington is coming off a solid five innings against the Royals and his first MLB win. For those streaming pitchers, he has a two-start week coming up against Texas and Oakland. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Travis Swaggerty, OF, PIT (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): In a surprising move, the Pirates have promoted top-prospect Travis Swaggerty. After missing most of last year with a dislocated shoulder and subsequent surgery, the Pirates have moved rather quickly, but he’s earned it with a great start at Triple-A. The power/speed potential combined with the solid on-base skills makes Swaggerty an intriguing option in deeper Leagues.

Michael A. Taylor, OF, KCR (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The Royals activated Taylor this week after a two-week absence due to a positive Covid-19 test and he should slide back into a full-time role in the Royals outfield. It’s been a struggle for the veteran outfield in 2022 but he did produce 12 home runs and 14 thefts in 2021. As an injury replacement in deeper Leagues, he’s worthy of our attention.

Lane Thomas, OF, WAS (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Yes, that three-homer game caught our attention, as it should have caught yours, but maybe it’s more than a one-and-done. Thomas has gone 6-for-20 in his past six games with four walks and appears to have turned a corner. Better days are ahead.

Closer Report

Jason Adam, RP, TBR (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Every pitcher in the Rays bullpen gets save opportunities. It’s a rule. It also helps when you’re sporting a 0.83 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 29/7 in 21 2/3 IP.

Seranthony Dominguez, RP, PHI (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The last time Dominguez allowed an earned run was on May 3, with his string of scoreless appearances now up to eleven. Corey Knebel has been getting roughed up of late, allowing earned runs in two-of-his-past-three outings. Could there be save opportunities in Dominguez’s future?

Luis Garcia, RP, SDP (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Taylor Rogers put together a string of three consecutive losses in which he allowed eight runs scored. His job isn’t currently in jeopardy, but a few more outings like we’ve recently witnessed, and it will be. Garcia is clearly the setup guy in the Padres pen and is now up to ten holds with a great 2.53 ERA. If you’re looking for some Rogers insurance, he’s your man!

Ryan Helsley, RP, STL (CBS: 52% rostered, ESPN: 28% rostered): Is it still a committee in the Cards bullpen? It appears that Ryan Helsley is getting the bulk of the save opportunities and for good cause. When you’re posting a 30/5 K/BB ratio, three saves, and a 0.42 ERA you should be getting plenty of opportunities.

Tanner Houck, RP, BOS (CBS: 29% rostered, ESPN: 25% rostered): It appears that the Sox could be willing to give Houck a shot at closing out games, and why not? The Boston bullpen is the worst in the game. Hopefully, Houck can bring some stability to a bullpen that needs plenty of it.

Ian Kennedy, RP, ARZ (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Mark Melancon is struggling and lost his sixth game of the season last night against the Pirates. He’s currently sporting an 11/5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 6.87 ERA. It’s time for Ian Kennedy to be moved, if even only temporarily, into the ninth-inning role in Arizona.

Colin Poche, RP, TBR (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Some pitchers actually get multiple opportunities to close out games in Tampa Bay. Colin Poche is one of those relievers, recording three saves in his past five appearances. How long will this continue? Based on the Rays bullpen usage, not long, but take what you can get when the getting’s good.

A.J. Puk, RP, OAK (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Just when I had my HOF ballot completed for Dany Jimenez, a few chinks have shown up in what was an invincible armor. Namely, his last three outings in which he allowed a combined eight earned runs. Can he right the ship? If not, former top prospect A.J. Puk is having a great season and is waiting in the wings.