C.J. Abrams, SS, WAS (CBS: 46% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): How is a player with seven thefts in his past six games and seven home runs on the year still available in over half the Leagues at CBS. It’s time to give your Free Agent pool a scan to see if he has been overlooked.
Jake Burger, 3B, CWS (CBS: 42% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): Burger slugged his 20th home run of the year last night, an opposite-field shot against the Braves. Make that #21 with his two-run shot this afternoon. He’s also walked back to the dugout 89 times in 248 at-bats. The power is very real, as is the expected BA/OBP.
Zack Gelof, 2B, OAK (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): The kids are starting to arrive in Oakland and with 12 homers, 20 stolen bases, and an excellent .930 OPS in 263 at-bats at Triple-A Vegas, Zack Gelof looks ready for the challenge. The two thefts yesterday against the Twins are a pretty good harbinger of things to come. If you’re looking at parting with some serious change this week, Gelof makes for a great option.
Alec Marsh, SP, KCR (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): A quick look at the numbers and they don’t stand out. He got roughed up in his debut against the Dodgers (but who doesn’t), the second start against the Twins was a solid outing, and yesterday in his third game, he went six innings, allowed only two earned runs, and struck out 11 Rays. I’ll spend a few bucks this week to see if the trend continues.
Ryan Pepiot, SP, LAD (CBS:14% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Pepiot is finally at the rehab stage of the program as he works his way back from an oblique issue that has had him sidelined for all of 2023. By the end of the month, assuming all goes well, he could be an option as the #5 starter for the Dodgers.
Quinn Priester, SP, PIT (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): It has been a solid but not spectacular year for the 22-year-old Priester at Triple-A Indianapolis, but it’s enough for the Pirates to give him the call. He’ll make his MLB debut on Monday when he faces off against the Guardians, with the Angels to follow on Sunday. That’s a pretty fair two-start opportunity and one I’ll attempt to take advantage of.
Johan Rojas, OF, PHI (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): This year, Rojas has swiped 30 bases in roughly half a season. He stole 62 last year. The power is up, as nine balls have left the yard. He is looking at filling in for Cristian Pache, who is dealing with elbow irritation. Even in a job share and on the wrong side of a platoon, he’ll deliver if you have the “need for speed.”
Hyun-jin Ryu, SP, TOR (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Ryu is working his way back from TJS, and the results have been very good. He has now moved to Triple-A Buffalo and, in his last outing, went five innings allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out five batters. He’s getting close and should return by the end of the month at the latest. Spend a penny now, or a lot more, when he returns to the Jays rotation.
Tyler Soderstrom, 1B, OAK (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Soderstrom has enjoyed a banner power year at Triple-A Vegas, hitting 20 homers and driving in 59 runs in 280 at-bats. He has also struck out 84 times. There’s a lot of miss in his swing-and-miss game. Know your parameters!
The Closer Report
Aroldis Chapman, RP, TEX (CBS: 43% rostered, ESPN: 18% rostered): We’ve discussed Aroldis Chapman extensively over the past several months, and it appears that the Rangers have now determined that moving forward, Chapman and Will Smith will form a committee in the ninth inning. He has moved from a solid spec pick to a must-own.
Joe Jimenez, RP, ATL (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The Braves have an incredibly deep and talented squad in every area except one. The bullpen is getting relatively lean with the injuries and subsequent treks to the IL for AJ Minter and Nick Anderson. For now, Joe Jimenez moves into the setup role but look for the Braves to add some bullpen depth before the end of the month. David Bednar, anyone?
Tanner Scott, RP, MIA (CBS: 18% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): Scott has now reeled off five consecutive holds and moved past Dylan Floro on the Miami depth chart. If your chasing holds, he’s a must-own. If you’re looking for saves, he is now first-in-line with A.J. Puk, far from being the poster boy for good health.
Erik Swanson, RP, TOR (CBS: 19% rostered, ESPN: 12% rostered): Jordan Romano is currently dealing with a lower back issue and is day-to-day. In the interim, Erick Swanson and Yimi Garcia are more than capable of holding down the fort.
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