Jose Barrero, SS, CIN (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): It has been far from a great 2022 campaign for the 24-year-old prospect, but the two-homer Saturday is the perfect reason for both the Reds and your Fantasy squad to be looking at Jose Barrero down the stretch. His stock may have fallen, but it is far from being irrelevant.
Beau Brieske, SP, DET (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Brieske has been sidelined with right forearm soreness since mid-July and is currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo. Before the injury, Brieske was coming off three solid starts, and returning to the injury-depleted Tigers rotation would be a welcome addition.
Peyton Burdick, OF, MIA (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The power potential anticipated from Jesus Sanchez simply didn’t consistently materialize, and he was sent packing to Triple-A Jacksonville. Burdick brings a little pop (14 HR) and a little speed (8 SB) but, like so many of the Marlins prospects, a questionable hit tool (.229 BA). It makes sense for the Marlins to see what they have in the 25-year-old Burdick; just know your parameters.
Edward Cabrera, SP, MIA (CBS: 48% rostered, ESPN: 16% rostered): It has been an up and down season for the young Marlins starter, but after his last outing, he’s back trending in an upward direction. He returned from the IL on Friday and promptly no-hit the Cubs over five innings, chipping in eight strikeouts. That start has put him back on our Fantasy radar.
J.D. Davis, 3B, SFG (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Sometimes, a move to a new locale is just what the doctor ordered. With two home runs in his last two games, Davis appears to fit that bill. The on-again, off-again relationship that Evan Longoria has established with the Il this year should be cause for Davis to garner regular at-bats with the Giants, something he hasn’t received since the 2019 campaign.
Jake McCarthy, OF, ARZ (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The trade of David Peralta has created an opportunity for the 25-year-old McCarthy. We’ve seen him steal an average of 20 bases on the farm over the past four years. Toss in the five this year with the Diamondbacks in 140 at-bats, and it’s not unreasonable to assume he’s good for another 7-to-10 thefts over the balance of the 2022 season.
Michael Massey, 2B, KCR (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Massey was enjoying a banner year at Triple-A Omaha, slugging 16 homers and swiping 13 bags. He should have a steady diet of at-bats at second base down the stretch, with Whit Merrifield moving on to the Jays.
Elehuris Montero, 3B, COL (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Montero has gone 7-for-16 with a home run since getting recalled earlier this week. The power potential is real, but with only one walk in his first 55 at-bats with the Rockies, there is no denying the hit tool is cause for concern. He should see regular at-bats down the stretch.
Ryan Pepiot, SP, LAD (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Clayton Kershaw has found his way back to the IL with recurring back woes, and the Dodgers won’t be turning to Mitchell White, who they traded to the Blue Jays, to provide respite. Ryan Pepiot is first-in-line and for good cause. In 13 starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he’s sporting a 7-0 won/loss record with a stellar 2.27 ERA and 93/32 K/BB ratio. A small bid has the potential to provide you with 7-to-10 quality starts in August and September.
JP Sears, SP, OAK (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): JP Sears was quietly enjoying a great year in the Yankees system, highlighted by an excellent 55/7 K/BB ratio at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 43 IP and a 2.05 ERA in seven games with the Yankees. All it takes is one quick look at the A’s rotation, and we should conclude there will be opportunities down the stretch for the 26-year-old southpaw.
Bubba Thompson, OF, TEX (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The Rangers are taking the opportunity to look to the future down the stretch, and Thompson has the potential to be a big part of that future. He slugged 13 homers and swiped an eye-popping 49 bases this year down on the farm. All the tools are in place for the youngster to be a considerable Fantasy asset except one. Will he hit enough to hold down an everyday job? The Rangers hope to have an answer to that question by the end of September.
Miguel Vargas, 3B, LAD (CBS: 43% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): We finally have a Miguel Vargas sighting in LA. He’s worthy of a small bid, but the ability to stick on a very deep and talented Dodgers roster is far from guaranteed. Just ask James Outman, who was demoted after posting a 1.409 OPS in his first four games.
Matt Vierling, OF, PHI (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Vierling looks to be sharing the wrong side of a platoon with Brandon Marsh but should still amass enough at-bats in deeper Leagues to help boost your Fantasy squads’ power and speed numbers.
Luke Williams, 3B/OF, MIA (CBS/ESPN: not rostered): Looking for cheap speed? Luke Williams could be the answer. He is likely a utility-type player moving forward, but the three stolen bases in one game this week against the Reds brings him to nine thefts in only 68 at-bats this season. That potential shouldn’t be ignored.
Huascar Ynoa, SP, ATL (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): The Braves have tired of the inconsistent play of Ian Anderson and dispatched him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Huascar Ynoa will take his place in the Braves rotation and, although inconsistent last year, flashed enough promise to warrant our attention in deeper formats.
Closer Report
Felix Bautista, RP, BAL (CBS: 40% rostered, ESPN: 14% rostered): The trade of Jorge Lopez to the Twins created a closer vacancy in the O’s bullpen, and with two saves in his last five appearances, Felix Bautista is clearly in control of his destiny. Should he prove to not be up to the task, both Dillon Tate and Cionel Perez are more than capable of working the ninth inning in Baltimore.
Wil Crowe, RP, PIT (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): The injury to David Bednar, lower back inflammation, has necessitated an IL stint with Wil Crowe moving into the closer role. He got the first save under his belt and should hold the job until Bednar returns from the IL, which could be a lengthy stay.
Jonathan Hernandez, RP, TEX (CBS: 19% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): In seven appearances since returning to the Rangers bullpen on July 16, Hernandez has only allowed one earned run added two saves to his resume. So far, so good. Should Hernandez struggle, Joe Barlow will be there to answer the call.
Evan Phillips, RP, LAD (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): We mentioned Phillips the week of July 18, and not much has changed. Craig Kimbrel is still struggling to put together a clean inning. The walking wounded are still wounded, and Phillips continues to display the filthy and very effective stuff that has led him to produce a 1.50 ERA. A Kimbrel “insurance policy” was a prudent move three weeks ago and still is today.
Jose Quijada, RP, LAA (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The trade of Raisel Iglesias to the Braves has created a massive void at the back end of the Angels bullpen, and it appears that the front-runners to fill that void are Ryan Tepera and Jose Quijada. It has been a busy week for Quijada, who has two holds and successfully converted his first save opportunity. I’ll toss some FAAB at Quijada, betting that early success is sustainable.
Rowan Wick, RP, CHC (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): It’s a case of the last man standing, and with the trades of David Robertson, Mychal Givens, and Scott Effross, Rowan Wick is that last man. He should hold down the fort in the ninth inning right through the end of the season.
