Orlando Arcia, 2B/OF, ATL (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): In a rather freak incident, Ozzie Albies broke his left foot and was immediately placed on the 60-day IL. Orlando Arcia has been given the first opportunity to fill the rather massive hole in the Braves lineup and thus far has delivered, going 7-for-16 with a pair of homers in his first four games. Those numbers are far from sustainable, but he did hit as many as 15 homers as a member of the Brewers and will be given every opportunity to hold down the fort until Albies returns.
Jonah Bride, 3B, OAK (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Kevin Smith simply didn’t get it done so he was dispatched to Triple-A, with the A’s giving Jonah Bride the first shot at filling the vacancy. He doesn’t hit for a ton of power, might steal but a base or two, but what he does do rather successfully, and something Smith didn’t, is get on-base. He managed to compile a 20/19 K/BB rate at two levels down on the farm. In deeper OBP formats, he’s worthy of a small bid this week.
Cade Cavalli, SP, WAS (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Cavalli really struggled to start the 2022 campaign but appears to have righted the ship. In each of four of his past five starts, he has allowed only one earned run. Don’t expect the Nationals to leave him in the Minors all year.
Ezequiel Duran, 2B, TEX (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): We mentioned Duran a couple of weeks ago as a player that had the potential to parlay success into a full-time role. Since his callup, he has hit a pair of homers, swiped a couple of bases, and posted a .840 OPS. The strikeout rate is concerning, but as a 23-year-old with no experience over Double-A, he’s holding his own and deserving a bit more attention.
Luis Gonzalez, OF, SFG (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Gonzalez has now moved to the top-of-the-order for the Giants and has stolen seven bases in only 147 at-bats. He’s also getting on-base at a solid .367 clip. The Giants have plenty of moving parts, but Gonzalez is quickly distancing himself from the outfield competition in San Francisco.
Ivan Herrera, C, STL (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Yadier Molina is dealing with right knee inflammation and is likely out for 3-to-4 weeks, prompting the Cardinals to give the “catcher-of-the-future” Ivan Herrera the call. The 22-year-old backstop hasn’t reached the lofty prospect status of some of his peers, but that doesn’t mean we should be discounting his skill set. He’s coming off a 17-home run campaign at Double-a Springfield and this year in 110 at-bats has posted a .388 OBP at Triple-A Memphis. As a #2 catcher in two-catcher sets, he’s worthy of a small bid. In Dynasty Leagues, a whole lot more.
Nomar Mazara, OF, SDP (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The injuries continue to mount, and with Wil Myers dealing with a knee injury and on the IL for likely 4-to-6 weeks, Mazara has moved into a full-time role in the outfield. So far so good, but he better hit as Esteury Ruiz is looking over his shoulder.
James McCann, C, NYM (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): McCann is currently rehabbing from surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his left wrist. He should be ready to roll sometime in the next couple of weeks and in two-catcher sets should prove to be a decent upgrade on that second catcher.
Luis Patino, SP, TBR (CBS: 21% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): The 22-year-old Patino is currently working his way back from a left oblique strain that has kept him sidelined since early April. He’s looking at a return towards the end of the month and whether his role is defined as a starter or bulk-type reliever, those high strikeout rates will be valuable.
Liover Peguero, SS, PIT (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The Pirates finally made a move and called up a shortstop! It’s probably not the shortstop we were expecting to get the call but nonetheless a player that shouldn’t be ignored. In 226 at-bats at Double-A, Peguero stole 14 bases. Last year he was 28-of-33 on the basepaths. He’s still very much a work in progress, but if you feel the need for speed, could be just what the Doctor ordered.
Esteury Ruiz, 2B, SDP (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Has there been any one single player in the Minors that has been as dominating as Esteury Ruiz this season? In 180 at-bats at Double-A San Antonio, he mashed 9 homers, swiped 37 bases, and posted a 1.085 OPS. The Padres moved him to Triple-A El Paso and he has responded by slugging four homers, stealing 9 bases, and posting a 1.360 OPS in 40 at-bats. Those are video game-type numbers. He’s currently not on the Padres’ 40-man roster but that could change rather quickly.
Closer Report
Kendall Graveman, RP, CWS (CBS: 41% rostered, ESPN: 16% rostered): Liam Hendriks is spending at least the next 3-to-4 weeks on the IL, dealing with a right forearm strain and Kendall Graveman will be asked to fill the closer role in the interim. He has big shoes to fill, but it’s not his first exposure as a closer, having saved 10 games in 2021 as a Mariner. The injuries are seemingly never-ending this season on the South Side.
Jose Leclerc, RP, TEX (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Leclerc has now completed his rehab and rejoins the Rangers pen. Joe Barlow has done a solid job in the ninth and is in no immediate danger of losing his job, but at one time Leclerc did own the “closer of the future” tag and is worth a small bid and stash if you have the room in Keeper and Dynasty formats.
Eli Morgan, RP, CLE (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): No, Emmanuel Clase is not in any danger of losing his job. It’s simply a case of Morgan performing incredibly well in a setup role and posting great numbers. He’s currently sporting a 39/5 K/BB ratio, 1.71 ERA, and minuscule .54 WHIP in 31 2/3 innings. As the starting pitching gets tougher and tougher to find, relievers like Morgan with high K rates and great peripherals become more and more alluring.
