Patrick Bailey, C, SFG (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): With 3 HR, 19 RBI, and a .304 BA in his first 79 at-bats, Bailey has already earned a roster spot in two-catcher formats. The 24-year-old 2020 First Round pick is very quickly turning into the player that many hoped Joey Bart would eventually become. 

Dairon Blanco, OF, KCR (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The big question is, do the Royals give him a steady diet of at-bats to display that speed potential? With three Minor League seasons of 40 or more stolen bases, it’s worth a small bid to find out.

Yanier Diaz, C, HOU (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Yordan Alvarez finds his way to the IL, and it appears that in addition to backing up Martin Maldonado at Catcher, Yanier Diaz could be picking up some additional at-bats filling in for Alvarez. He hit 25 out of the park between Double and Triple-A last year and has two homers in his past four outings. Don’t ignore that cheap power potential.

Travis d’Arnaud, C, ATL (CBS: 49% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered): Sean Murphy will miss some time this week but appears to have avoided a stint on the IL. Travis d’Arnaud should see a steady diet of at-bats this week and prove to be a more than adequate replacement.

Sal Frelick, OF, MIL (CBS: 21% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Since his return from the torn UCL in his left thumb that kept him sidelined since mid-April, Frelick is making up for lost time in a hurry. He’s 5-for-11 with a homer, five RBI, and two stolen bases, and at that pace, it won’t be long before he’s plying his trade in Milwaukee.

Matt Manning, SP, DET (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Manning has been sidelined since mid-April with a broken foot but is getting close to a return. His third rehab start is scheduled for this week, and a return by the end of June appears highly likely.

Luis Matos, OF, SFG (CBS: 48% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): If it weren’t for bad luck, poor Mitch Haniger wouldn’t have any at all. He suffered a right forearm fracture when hit by a pitch earlier this week and will be lost for ten weeks. The Giants have promoted Luis Matos to fill his roster spot, and in his first three games, he has gone 3-for-8 with six runs scored, five walks, and no strikeouts. When not strolling down to first, he found time to steal second. So far, so very good. This year down on the farm, he hit ten homers, stole 15 bases, and posted a .411 OBP. Do you know that FAAB you saved for a rainy day? Spend it on Matos this weekend.

Bo Naylor, C, CLE (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered):  The Mike Zunino experiment has officially drawn to a close, with the Guardians DFA’ing him on Friday and finally calling up Bo Naylor. The fact that Naylor hit 12 home runs, drove in 46 runs, and posted a great .387 OBP at Triple-A Columbus is a pretty good indicator that the offensive production from the Catcher slot in Cleveland is about to get an uptick.

Emmet Sheehan, SP, LAD (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): What a debut! Sheehan tossed six innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts. Who needs Triple-A? Based on that debut, not Emmet Sheehan. Getting out-of-the-gate posting those numbers will get your attention and the attention of every single Fantasy Manager in the game. Remember that when inserting your FAAB this evening.

Leody Taveras, OF, TEX (CBS: 38% rostered, ESPN: 13% rostered): June has been a good month for Leody Taveras. He has mashed five homers, driven in 9 runs, and stolen a pair of bases, and there are still two weeks left in June in which he can pad those already solid numbers. It’s time for more of us to have him rostered and active, especially in 15-team Leagues.

Samad Taylor, 2B, KCR (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): In 239 at-bats at Triple-A this season, Samad Taylor mashed six homers, was 34-of-40 on the basepaths and posted a stellar .407 OBP. Let’s hope he gets a decent opportunity to replicate those numbers in Kansas City.

Julio Teheran, SP, MIL (CBS: 41% rostered, ESPN: 18% rostered):  We mentioned Julio Teheran on June 4, and it’s time to mention him again. He has five starts in the books and is sporting a 1.78 ERA, with the last four being of the quality variety. When it ends, it will likely be with a resounding thud, but until that day arrives, roll with the hot hand.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, DET (CBS: 48% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): On the surface, the 7 HR, 32 RBI, and .232 BA line doesn’t look all that impressive until you look at June. In the past seven games, Torkelson has gone 9-for-28 with two homers and 6 RBI. Is this a hot streak, or is he starting to demonstrate the skills many of us anticipated when he was selected as the #1 overall pick in 2020? It’s worthy of a small bid to get the answer to that question.

Ezequiel Tovar, SS, COL (CBS: 43% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): June has been a good month for Ezequiel Tovar. He has slugged three homers, driven in 8 runs, and is sporting a .297 BA. Better days are ahead!

Gavin Williams, SP, CLE (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Triston McKenzie is having a tough year and was just placed on the IL with a right elbow sprain. Gavin Williams is next-in-line for a promotion, and looking at those strong Triple-A numbers (41 IP, 52 K’s with a 2.85 ERA and 1.07 WHIP) very deserving. It’s not a question of if, it’s simply a matter of when.

The Closer Report

Adbert Alzolay, RP, CHC (CBS: 17% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Alzolay is flourishing in his bullpen role and hasn’t allowed a run since May 21, a string of eight consecutive appearances. During that run, he earned three saves and lowered his ERA to 1.97 on the year. Toss in the stellar 33/6 K/BB rate; there’s a lot to like as we head into July.

Sam Bachman, RP, LAA (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Very quietly, Bachman has been getting it done, posting a .75 ERA in his first seven appearances. On Friday, he earned a two-inning save. In Leagues that count holds, he’s worthy of our attention.

Jordan Hicks, RP, STL (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Ryan Helsley is out with a right forearm strain and likely won’t return anytime soon. Giovanny Gallegos has allowed runs in three of his past six outings. Jordan Hicks worked the ninth Saturday night and, after plunking Francisco Lindor, struck the side, earning his first save since 2019. Any more stumbles by Gallegos and Hicks could find himself earning save opps consistently.