Andrew Abbott, SP, CIN (CBS: 18% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The Reds must do something with Graham Ashcraft. He’s simply getting pounded; to the tune of 38 earned runs in his last six starts (26 1/3 IP). Andrew Abbott should be the answer. Between Double and Triple-A this year, he has amassed 90 strikeouts in 54 IP with a 2.50 ERA and .91 WHIP. It’s time he took the next step and called the Reds rotation – home.

Luken Baker, STL (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Luken Baker is enjoying a huge year at Triple-A Memphis. He has clubbed 18 homers with 53 RBI and owns an outstanding 1.075 OPS. Those 18 homers leave him tied for first overall in the Minors with Jo Adell. The Cards could use some of that prodigious power. How prodigious is it? Last week he shattered his bat and hit one 412 feet into the left field berm.

Jake Bauers, 1B/OF, NYY (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): In the past week, Bauers has gone 6-for-13 with three homers, two of which he hit yesterday. That should guarantee a steady diet of at-bats in left field until Harrison Bader returns from the IL.

Brandon Bielak, SP, HOU (CBS: 27% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): In 3-of-his-past-4 starts, Bielak has held the opposition to only one earned run. He has won two of those games. So far, so very good.

Mark Canha, OF, NYM (CBS: 27% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): Over the past seven games, Canha has gone 7-for-20 with a couple of home runs. It’s not world-beating production, but with the number of outfielders hitting the IL this week, any production out of that position, especially in deeper leagues, is worth exploring.

Jonny DeLuca, OF, LAD (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Trayce Thompson is looking at a trip to the IL with a strained oblique, and the Dodgers have turned to Jonny DeLuca to provide some respite. Between Double and Triple-A, he has hit 14 homers, stolen 12 bases, and is sporting a great .378 OBP. He’ll initially share the wrong side of a platoon, but any success and he could be cutting into the struggling James Outman’s playing time.

Josh Donaldson, 3B, NYY (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Remember the “Bringer of Rain”? He brought some Friday x 2 in his return from the IL. Is it sustainable? Who knows, but a small bid is worth taking the chance that something is still left in the tank.

Michael Grove, SP, LAD (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Grove made two mistakes yesterday, and Jake Bauers hit both for two-run shots. He’ll likely get at least another start before Julio Urias returns from his IL stint, and we saw enough yesterday to warrant a small bid. The Dodgers will need the services of a #6 starter before 2023 draws to a close, and right now, Michael Grove has the inside track on that gig.

Darick Hall, UT, PHI (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The rehab commenced on Friday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley for Hall, and it shouldn’t take long before we see him returning to 1B in Philly. If one is looking for HR potential, Hall hit 28 bombs last year at Triple-A.

Tommy Henry, SP, ARZ (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Henry hasn’t exactly been lights out, but one could do much worse than a 3.73 ERA from your #6 Fantasy starter. Toss-in that he faces off against Washington and Detroit in a two-start week, and he makes for a sneaky play for those streaming pitching.  

Tucupita Marcano, 2B/SS/OF, PIT (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Marcano went 6-for-19 over the past seven games and is sporting a solid .811 OPS on the year. He still appears to be hitting on the right side of a platoon, but with both a little pop and speed could prove to be a solid asset filling in for your injury-depleted outfield.

Reese Olson, SP, DET (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Olson made his MLB debut last Friday, and a memorable one it was, as he held the White Sox hitless over five innings before eventually allowing a couple of hits and exiting. He allowed only one walk and struck out six. I wonder if that 2947 spin rate on his slider made a difference.

Blake Perkins, OF, MIL (CBS/ESPN: not rostered): The outfielders in Milwaukee continue to drop like flies. The latest casualty is Tyrone Taylor with a right elbow sprain, which could be a lengthy IL stint. Perkins announced his presence in fine style yesterday, going 2-for-4 with a grand slam. His claim to fame is more the speed game, but we have seen him hit as many as 15 homers in a season in the Minors. In deeper Leagues, he’s worth a look, as Joey Wiemer hasn’t exactly set the world on fire.

Gary Sanchez, C, SDP (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): The Padres need all the offense they can muster from the 6-thru-9 positions in their batting order. With home runs on back-to-back days, Gary Sanchez has equaled the total home run production from the Catcher position the Padres received in April and May.

Jesus Sanchez, OF, MIA (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): How many bats in the Marlins’ everyday lineup have 25 home run potential? Not very many. We’ve already seen one from Sanchez since his return from the IL, with the potential for many more to follow.

Clarke Schmidt, SP, NYY (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): It has been an up-and-down campaign for Schmidt, but right now, it’s on the upswing. He has allowed three earned runs in his last three consecutive starts. It’s time to jump back on the Clarke Schmidt train!

Jonathan Singleton, 1B, MIL (CBS: not rostered, ESPN: not rostered):  Here’s a blast from the past. The last time Singleton saw MLB action was back in 2015 when as a member of the Houston Astros, he accrued 47 at-bats. He still has that renowned power potential, having hit ten home runs this year in 178 at-bats, and should receive a steady diet of at-bats until Darin Ruf returns from his IL stint.

Jose Siri, OF, TBR (CBS: 28% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): Plate discipline is not Siri’s forte, but it’s hard to argue with the ten home runs and six stolen bases he has added to his resume in 2023. Toss in the consistently stellar defense; at the very least, you have a solid 5th outfielder for your Fantasy squad.

Julio Teheran, SP, MIL (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Last year, he pitched in the independent Atlantic League before a short stint in the Mexican League. Desperate times require desperate measures, and the Brewers are at that stage of the program. Teheran has been a huge surprise thus far, starting two games and allowing a scant one earned run in each. He has the Reds and A’s in a two-start week. It doesn’t get much better than that.

The Closer Report

Grant Anderson, RP, TEX (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): In 15 games down on the farm this year, Anderson posted an off-the-charts 47 strikeouts in 28 IP to go along with a decent 3.54 ERA. He’s proving that to be relevant as he has amassed eight strikeouts in his first 3 2/3 IP in Texas. High strikeout relievers, even if not in a position to earn saves, hold value in our game.

Daniel Hudson, RP, LAD (CBS: 21% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): The Dodgers bullpen is on the verge of getting deeper and stronger as Daniel Hudson is on the verge of a return from the knee injury that has left him sidelined for almost a year. He will likely be slowly worked back into the lineup but can add his name to the list of candidates currently working the ninth inning in LA.  

Ben Joyce, RP, LAA (CBS: 19% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): The Angels are pulling out all the stops and have now promoted Ben Joyce, a Third Round pick in the 2022 MLB draft. He’ll bring the heat, as witnessed by the string of 100 mph heaters, but the control is still very much a work in progress.

Justin Lawrence, RP, COL (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Pierce Johnson has been struggling, allowing a total of seven earned runs in three-of-his-past four appearances, which has brought his season ERA to a very ugly 6.85. Lawrence has at least temporarily been given a shot at the closer gig, and this week has successfully converted two saves. He’s clearly in the driver’s seat for saves moving forward.