Jo Adell, OF, LAA (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): It’s time for the Angels to figure out who Jo Adell is and if he figures into their plans. He got the call at the beginning of the week and went 2-for-5 with a stolen base in his first game….a good sign. The bat has been quiet the balance of the week… a bad sign. Adell should garner plenty of opportunities over the balance of the season as the Angels access their 2023 options. 

Akil Baddoo, OF, DET (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): We mentioned a couple of weeks back that Akil Baddoo could be an option in the near future, and lo and behold, the Tigers agreed. Baddoo got the call at the beginning of the week and should garner everyday at-bats in a very woeful Tiger offense. Hopefully, we see a return to the form that saw him hit 13 homers and steal 18 bases in 413 at-bats last year.

Matt Carpenter, NYY (CBS: 38% rostered, ESPN: 24% rostered):  Matt Carpenter has forever carved out his place in Yankee lore. He has now set a record for the most home runs (13) by a Yankee in their first 30 games. He capped this run by hitting a pair of three-run shots yesterday against the Red Sox. What an amazing run!

Braxton Garrett, SP, MIA (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): While all the talk has been about Max Meyer, Edward Cabrera, and Eury Perez, Braxton Garrett has very quietly been getting it done for Miami. In his past three starts, he has allowed only four earned runs. In his last outing against the Pirates, he went six shutout innings with 11 strikeouts. It’s time we started paying a bit more attention to Braxton Garrett.

Mitch Keller, SP, PIT (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): We’re still waiting for the Pirates to trade him, and he’ll bloom into the star many of us thought he’d be. In the meantime, we deal with the frustrating inconsistent play. Lately, it has been much better, as he has allowed only one earned run in his past two road starts against Colorado and Miami. Toss in a decent outing against the Yankees in which he held that vaunted offense to only four earned runs over six innings, and we’ve seen enough to get him rostered and going to start the second half.

Kyle Lewis, OF, SEA (CBS: 51% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered): Kyle Lewis has mashed five home runs in his past seven games on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma looks ready to return from the concussion that has kept him sidelined since late-May. The Mariners have badly missed Lewis, and that power production is the heart of their lineup.

Max Meyer, SP, MIA (CBS: 65% rostered, ESPN: 16% rostered): Meyer finally made his much-anticipated debut yesterday against the Phillies, and it was to mixed results. He retired 10-of-the first 12 batters he faced, and he also allowed two home runs accounting for three runs. There was a lot to like and more than enough to warrant our attention and some of that precious FAAB this evening.

Lars Nootbar, OF, STL (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Juan Yepez has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 right forearm strain and is likely to miss anywhere from three-to-six weeks. Lars Nootbar will likely see the bulk of the Yepez at-bats and, with four homers in 90 at-bats, will be looking to add to that total until Yepez is ready to return.

Nick Pratto, 1B, KCR (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The combination of that smooth swing and great defense should allow Pratto to stick with the Royals after his weekend callup in Toronto. We saw that smooth swing on display Sunday morning as he launched his first big league bomb against Jose Berrios. Welcome to the bigs, Nick Pratto!

Clarke Schmidt, SP, NYY (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Luis Severino will be shut down from throwing for two weeks, meaning the shoulder stiffness will probably keep him out at least a month. Schmidt has been very effective in limited action, amassing four wins and a 3.00 ERA, and should see plenty of opportunities in the second half to add to those solid first-half results.

Leody Tavares, OF, TEX (CBS: 19% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): I find it hard to believe that Tavares is still only 23 years old. It seems he has been on our prospect radar forever. He’s making us forget about his past struggles this week as he has gone 13-for-27 with one homer, 9 RBI, and four stolen bases. It’s time to give Tavares a shot in all formats, especially for that speed potential.

Jose Urena, SP, COL (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): I almost mentioned Jose Urena last week but couldn’t do it. There are simply way too many bad memories. There could be more, but for now, he’s pitching well and in deeper Leagues deserves some attention. Since getting the call on July 6, in three starts against the Dodgers, Padres, and Pirates he has allowed only three runs in 18 2/3 innings. Don’t spend big, but at the same time don’t ignore this current hot streak.

Closer Report

Kyle Finnegan, RP, WAS (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Nationals Manager Dave Martinez has proclaimed Finnegan the replacement for Tanner Rainey, lost for the long haul with a UCL sprain and more than likely TJS. It’s not a new role for Finnegan as he did save eleven games last year. He’ll get the first shot and have a moderately long leash as the new Washington closer.

Michael King, RP, NYY (CBS: 46% rostered, ESPN: 36% rostered): Clay Holmes has looked a bit more human lately. Aroldis Chapman is currently struggling and looking like a shell of his former self. Michael King has been pitching lights out and has been all season. He’s currently sporting a 2.19 ERA with 15 holds, one save, and 64 strikeouts in 49 1/3 IP. The odds are very good that he will add to that save total in the second half.

Devin Williams, RP, MIL (CBS: 51% rostered, ESPN: 35% rostered): What has happened to Josh Hader? He has now allowed runs in five-of-his-past six appearances including getting annihilated to the tune of three homers in his last outing at the hands of the Giants. It’s time to look at Devin Williams who has compiled a superb 1.77 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings and six saves. The Brewers are tight in the NL Central and can’t afford to lose games in the ninth inning. Williams will get opportunities to close out games until Hader emerges from his current slump.

Evan Phillips, RP, LAD (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, Tommy Kahnle, and now Brusdar Graterol are all currently on the IL. Toss in the fact that Craig Kimbrel has performed far below the level we’ve grown accustomed to and Evan Phillips has moved into a role of prominence in the Dodger bullpen. It also helps when you’ve posted a 1.50 ERA and struck out 41 batters in 36 IPs. He earned his first save this week and the odds are very good that it won’t be his last of the 2022 campaign.