C.J. Abrams, WAS (CBS: 39% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): The Nats have placed Luis Garcia on the 10-day IL with a left groin strain and will turn to Abrams to fill the void. He’s still a work in progress, but he will run in the rebuilding Washington offense. Let’s hope it won’t be back to Triple-A Rochester.
Brett Baty, 3B, NYM (CBS: 53% rostered, ESPN: 18% rostered): Eduardo Escobar finds his way to the IL with a left oblique strain, and the playoff-bound Mets have turned to top-prospect Brett Baty. Hitting a homer in your second big league at-bat is a great way to get out of the gate. Escobar has had a disappointing 2022 campaign, leaving the door open for Baty to make his stay in New York more than just temporary.
Oswaldo Cabrera, 2B, NYY (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Where’s (Os)Waldo? He’s hanging out in the Bronx, attempting to spark the Yankees out of their doldrums. Is he an everyday player moving forward? Only time will tell, but the fantasy-friendly skills (8 HR/10 SB in only 180 Triple-A AB) should not be ignored.
Roansy Contreras, SP, PIT (CBS: 31% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Dear Pittsburgh Pirates: You can manage a young player’s workload and still have him on your MLB roster. Thanks, The 14 remaining members of the Pirates fan club.
Jake Fraley, OF, CIN (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): We mentioned liking Jake Fraley as an option back at the beginning of August. Over the past seven games, he has gone 9-for-29 with three homers and five RBI. Nothing has changed. He is still an under-rostered option that we like.
Stone Garrett, OF, ARZ (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Garrett was enjoying an excellent campaign at Triple-A Reno, slugging 28 home runs and chipping in with 15 stolen bases in 389 at-bats. The potential short-term outfield help for your Fantasy squad is most intriguing. Looking to the longer term, Daulton Varsho, Alek Thomas, and Corbin Carroll have the inside track in filling out the DBacks outfield, leaving Garrett and Jake McCarthy fighting for the fourth outfielder and DH roles.
Tommy Henry, SP, ARZ (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Three of Henry’s first four starts have proven to be solid efforts, making it high time to give the DBacks 25-year-old southpaw a look. If he can keep the free passes under control, there could be something there. Toss a dart, and a small one at that, in his direction in deeper formats.
Josh Jung, 3B, TEX (CBS: 23% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): The highly anticipated return of Josh Jung has done nothing to diminish his highly touted status as a potential star. He has gone 21-for-62 with eight home runs, 22 RBI, and a .414 OBP at Triple-A Round Rock. Could a promotion be right around the corner? It’s worth a small bid this week to find out.
Shea Langeliers, C, OAK (CBS: 22% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): The highly touted prospect got the call this week and should be in a backup catcher/DH role and a solid asset down the stretch. The defense is ready to go, and the 19 homers in 353 at-bats at Triple-A Las Vegas is a pretty good indicator that the bat is as well.
Manny Margot, OF, TBR (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): Manny Margot was activated off the 60-day IL yesterday. The solid speed with a smattering of home run clout and solid strike zone skills awaits those that invest some of that remaining FAAB this weekend.
Mike Moustakas, 1B/3B, CIN (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): It has been a challenging past couple of seasons for “Moose” as the slugger has struggled to stay healthy and on the field, but the left rotator cuff injury suffered by Joey Votto (that will sideline him for the balance of the 2022 season) will give him an opportunity for everyday at-bats.
Sheldon Neuse, 1B/2B/3B, OAK (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The A’s are cleaning house, releasing Elvis Andrus, which has created an opportunity for the 27-year-old Neuse. He did manage to slug 27 homers as recently as the 2019 season and could prove to be an asset in deep formats down the stretch.
Luis Patino, SP, TBR (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): A solid outing against the Royals this week finds Luis Patino again packing his bags for Triple-A Durham. It should be a short stay.
David Peterson, SP, NYM (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 17% rostered): David Peterson has been in and out of the Mets rotation most of the year, posting a 3.44 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 83 2/3 IP. The injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker make for solid odds that he’ll be a regular part of the rotation and a valuable #4/5 type starter heading into September.
Harold Ramirez, 1B/OF, TBR (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 12% rostered): The wheels are decent; he can hit the odd one out of the park and has shown a solid ability to work the strike zone. He’s also hitting in the cleanup slot today. As a right-handed platoon-type bat, he should get plenty of opportunities on a team that loves to play the numbers game.
Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, DET (CBS: 35% rostered, ESPN: 61% rostered): ERod has been out since mid-May dealing with a rib injury and personal issues. He’s looking at a return to the Tigers rotation today against the Angels. The strikeout-per-inning potential should have our attention.
Mike Soroka. SP, ATL (CBS: 41% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered): Remember Mike Soroka? He hasn’t pitched in Atlanta since 2020, but he was very good at his craft when he did. Staying healthy has proven his Achilles heel, but he’s now on a rehab assignment and getting close to a return. The potential for a #2/3 type starter on a team that will provide him with offensive support should be cause for parting with some of that precious FAAB.
Closer Report
Luis Garcia, RP, SDP (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Do you remember when Robert Suarez was the favorite to break camp in San Diego with the closer gig? How about Taylor Rogers riding into town to save the day? Josh Hader had to be the answer, right? Wrong! The Padres are now looking at 35-year-old righthander Luis Garcia and converted starter Nick Martinez to hold down the fort until Hader returns to form. Let’s hope that it occurs sooner than later for our sake and the Padres.
