Another year begins, and with it comes the opportunity to break out the FAAB and look to improve upon our drafts and fill the many holes created by Spring injuries. The players we’re looking at early in the season have a huge impact on our eventual lot in life, as we will have their production for the entire year. Spend accordingly!
Will Benson, OF, CIN (CBS: 46% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Benson hit 11 home runs, stole 19 bases, and posted a .365 OBP in only 287 at-bats last year in his rookie campaign. The Guardians might rue the day they traded him to the Reds.
Jose Caballero, SS, TBR (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): There’s no doubting the speed, as Caballero swiped 26 bases last year in only 231 at-bats for the Mariners. The big question is whether he will hit enough to hold onto the job once Taylor Walls returns in mid-to-late April.
Luis Campusano, C, SDP (CBS 40% rostered, ESPN: % rostered n/a): A 7 homer, 30 RBI debut in only 163 at-bats in his first go-round last year was solid. Campusano is now the main man for the Friars, and a 15 HR/60 RBI-type season could be in the cards in 2024. As a second Catcher in two Catcher formats, that production level more than gets it done.
Colton Cowser, OF, BAL (CBS: 31% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Colton Cowser is 14-for-44 with six homers and 13 RBI this Spring. It’s crowded in that Baltimore outfield, but what does a guy have to do to make the O’s Opening Day roster? Let’s hope that Cowser’s outstanding Spring qualifies, and he breaks camp with the O’s.
Garrett Crochet, SP, CWS (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): It has been a good Spring for the 24-year-old converted reliever. In 12 2/3 innings, Crochet has amassed 14 strikeouts and a stellar 2.13 ERA, earning the call to take the mound on opening day for the South Siders. The big question yet to be answered is whether he will hold up to the rigors of taking the hill every fifth day. For a small chunk of that FAAB, it’s worth finding out the answer.
Jack Flaherty, SP, DET (CBS: 48% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): A return to the glory days of 2018/2019 is unlikely, but a healthy Jack Flaherty should be much better than what we have seen over the past three years. Posting a 3.29 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 13 2/3 Spring innings is a good start toward that goal.
Sal Frelick, OF, MIL (CBS: 46% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered): Raise your hand if you had Sal Frelick as the Brewers’ everyday Third Base option in 2024. Once again, poor Joey Ortiz finds himself on the outside looking in.
Maikel Garcia, 3B, KCR (CBS: 47% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): There is no doubting the hit tool or the speed, as evidenced by the 23 thefts in 2023. It’s all about the power potential, and two long balls this Spring is a good start. Any uptick in that department could lead to a rapid ascension in the Third Base ranks.
Jared Jones, SP, PIT (CBS: 25% rostered, ESPN: n/a): Jones entered camp as a long shot to claim one of the two open slots in the Pirates’ rotation. 16 1/3 innings later, with 15 Ks and not a single earned run to show for it, the 22-year-old righty is on the cusp of breaking camp. At the very worst, he is looking at a short stint at Triple-A before bringing that triple-digit fastball to a home in the Pirates’ rotation.
Shea Langeliers, C, OAK (CBS: 23% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Is the Catcher position so deep that a 22-home run, 63 RBI season results in only a 23% level of interest?
Zack Littell, SP, TBR (CBS: 36% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): The list of starters to come out of nowhere and perform at a high level for the Rays is a long one. With ten innings of six-hit, one walk shutout ball this Spring, is Zack Littell the next Rays reclamation project to make a huge jump onwards and upwards? I wouldn’t bet against it.
Michael Lorenzen, SP, TEX (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Lorenzen finally joined the ranks of the employed, inking a $4.5 million one-year deal with the Rangers. The Rangers could use the pitching depth as well as our Fantasy squads.
Garrett Mitchell, OF, MIL (CBS: 19% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): It has been a good Spring for the 25-year-old Mitchell. He’s 15-for-47 with a homer, 8 RBI, and two thefts. Joey Wiemer is at Triple-A, and Sal Frelick is at Third Base. It’s all set up for Mitchell to quickly make up time for that lost 2023 season.
Zach Neto, SS, LAA (CBS: 24% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): Neto slugged nine home runs and stole five bases as a rookie in roughly half a season last year. 15-to-20 homers and touching double-digit stolen bases could prove to be sneaky value in your middle-infield slot.
Ceddanne Rafaela, OF, BOS (CBS: 43% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): Rafaela should have had our attention after mashing 20 homers and stealing 37 bases last year split between Double and Triple-A. He carried that stellar 2023 season into camp, producing a three HR/4 SB Spring that now has him heading north. He definitely has our attention now.
Johan Rojas, OF, PHI (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): If you crave the “need for speed,” Johan Rojas should be on your radar. At the very least, it looks like he’ll have the good side of a platoon in Philly, with that, 30+ thefts.
Eddie Rosario, OF, WAS (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: % rostered n/a): That solid 21 home run campaign from last year shouldn’t be forgotten. At the very least, the recently signed Rosario should be holding down the strong side of a platoon.
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, ARZ (CBS: 45% rostered, ESPN: 15% rostered): Four of the past six seasons have resulted in 30+ home runs. I’m willing to bet that after 2024, it will be five of seven.
Alek Thomas, OF, ARZ (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Thomas hit nine homers while stealing nine bases in 374 at-bats last year. Is a 15-15 season to go along with the stellar “D” in the cards this year for the 23-year-old center fielder?
Ricky Tiedemann, SP, TOR (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: % rostered n/a): Alek Manoah will start the season on the 15-day IL. Kevin Gausman could also be facing the same fate. The Jays could consider giving top-prospect Tiedemann an early look in their rotation. If not early, he will arrive at some point this season, and the rewards could be huge.
Louis Varland, SP, MIN (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 20% rostered): Anthony DeSclafani is starting the year on the IL with a right forearm strain opening the door for the 26-year-old Varland to lay claim to the fifth starter role. A great spring came crashing down during his last outing, but the positive progress shown this spring shouldn’t be ignored.
Will Warren, SP, NYY (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: % rostered n/a): His solid 3.52 ERA, along with 13 strikeouts in 15 1/3 IP, has him on the cusp of breaking camp in the Yankees’ rotation. If he doesn’t win the job as the Yankees’ fifth starter, he won’t be long in arriving. Find a home for him now and reap the eventual benefits when he does get the call.
The Closer Report
Yimi Garcia, RP, TOR (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Both Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson are hurting and currently questionable for opening day. Next up is Yimi Garcia and possibly Tim Mayza. It could be a short stint manning the ninth for Garcia…. or not?
Griffin Jax, RP, MIN (CBS: 24% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): Incumbent, Jhoan Duran will open the ’24 campaign on the IL with a moderate right oblique strain. He’s likely looking at an end-of-April return date, and in the interim, last year’s setup man, Griffin Jax, will be called upon to hold down the fort in the ninth inning. How much is a month’s worth of saves to your Fantasy squad?
James McArthur, RP, KCR (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): McArthur finished the 2023 season strong, saving four games down the stretch while striking out a batter-per-inning. Veteran Will Smith (36% rostered at CBS) is also in the mix, but posting 12 strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings combined with an outstanding 1.08 ERA this Spring should give McArthur the ninth-inning edge breaking camp.
Mason Miller, RP, OAK (CBS: 53% rostered, ESPN: 15% rostered): The “stuff” is filthy. Can he stay healthy long enough to get his share of the Saves generated by the 60 or so wins the A’s will amass this season?
Joel Payamps, RP, MIL (CBS: 45% rostered, ESPN: 15% rostered): Devin Williams has been diagnosed with multiple stress fractures in his back and is set to miss the first three months of the season. Brewers Manager Pat Murphy has stated that a closer-by-committee is his preference, and based on last season, Payamps should be first in line with both Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill in the mix.
