Logan Allen, SP, CLE (CBS: 55% rostered, ESPN: 15% rostered): Allen is off to a great start, sporting two wins and a 2.31 ERA. He’s looking at the White Sox in his next start. Looks like a great setup.
Blaze Alexander, SS, ARZ (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Geraldo Perdomo is going to miss at least a month getting his torn meniscus rebuilt, and the DBacks will turn to Alexander and possibly Kevin Newman (gulp) to fill the gap. It’s a shame that Jordan Lawlar isn’t available due to the broken thumb that will keep him sidelined for the next few months. Alexander has demonstrated a little pop and a little speed and will hold down the fort until the return of Perdomo.
Tyler Anderson, SP, LAA (CBS: 17% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Yes, it was the Marlins, but seven innings of shutout ball is a great way to get out of the gate for the veteran southpaw. The expectations are low after last year’s nightmare season, but just a couple of years back, he pitched very well for the Dodgers, compiling 15 wins with a stellar 2.57 ERA. Is a bounce back in the offing?
Javier Assad, SP, CHC (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Assad was penciled in as the fifth starter entering 2024, but he sure didn’t pitch like it in his 2024 debut. Six shutout innings of four-hit ball, even against a rather inept Rockies offense, are getting it done. Check out the ERA totals from the past couple of seasons. You might be surprised!
Brett Baty, 3B, NYM (CBS: 24% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Baty has quietly gotten off to a great start, going 8-for-27 with a homer and five RBI. Get him back on your radar before the rest of your League does just that.
Ronel Blanco, SP, HOU (CBS: 62% rostered, ESPN: 47% rostered): Isn’t it amazing how popular a pitcher becomes when they throw a no-hitter? Blanco shut down the Jays on Monday for the first no-hitter of the ’24 campaign. The changeup/slider combination kept the Jays off balance all night. It has been a long road for the 30-year-old, but the payoff this past week was worth the wait.
Cody Bradford, SP, TEX (CBS: 40% rostered, ESPN: 12% rostered): Yes, it is going to get crowded in that Texas rotation in the second half, but for now, he’s pitching exceptionally well, posting a 2.13 ERA after his first two starts. Let’s take what we can take when it’s available and worry about the second half when we get there.
Brenton Doyle, OF, COL (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The two early home runs are a nice bonus, and even though he’s yet to swipe a base, Doyle’s history of 20+ thefts in the Minors leads one to believe it’s only a matter of time before the running game surfaces. He shouldn’t be overlooked as a fifth outfield option in deeper formats and being rostered to the tune of 12% in CBS Leagues; that is precisely what is occurring.
Alex Kirilloff, 1B/OF, MIN (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): Kirilloff has no home runs to date and only 2 RBI, but he’s stinging the ball, going 10-for-26 at the dish. Have some patience. The counting stats will come.
Matt Manning, SP, DET (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Matt Manning debuted this week, getting the call to pitch in a doubleheader. He then tossed 5 2/3 innings of no-hit ball in New York against the Mets. The reward? Back to Triple-A Toledo for you! Don’t be discouraged. He’ll be back and more than likely in short order. He could very well prove to be worth the wait.
Alec Marsh, SP, KCR (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 12% rostered): A first-start victory against the mighty Oriole offense, and an impressive one at that, warrants a small bid this weekend. A decent outing today against the offensively challenged White Sox, and you might want to bump that bid up a couple of bucks.
Brandon Marsh, OF, PHI (CBS: 27% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): Marsh is only rostered at 27% at CBS and 5% in ESPN Leagues. That seems dreadfully low for a full-time outfielder with two home runs and 5 RBI in the bank.
Brady Singer, SP, KCR (CBS: 68% rostered, ESPN: 63% rostered): He’s not as good as two years back and not as bad as we witnessed last year. Somewhere in the middle seems about right, and that will make for a solid option at the back end of your Fantasy rotation.
Brice Turang, 2B/SS, MIL (CBS: 51% rostered, ESPN: 23% rostered): He has slowed down after stealing six bases in a three-game span to start the season, but were we really anticipating that hot pace to continue? There’s nothing wrong with 30 thefts and a .250 BA from your middle-infield slot.
Spencer Turnbull, SP, PHI (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): The one-time Tiger made his Philly debut this week and proved up to the task, tossing five innings of 3-hit ball while allowing only one unearned run. He added seven strikeouts for good measure. Turnbull added a new pitch this year, throwing the sweeper 27.7% in that first start. A small bid could potentially return solid rewards.
Taylor Ward, OF, LAA (CBS: 60% rostered, ESPN: 28% rostered): This everyday bat that has hit three homers, driven in 8 runs, and scored nine runs should be active and rolling in all formats. Run with the hot hand until it cools!
The Closer Report
Chad Green, RP, TOR (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The Jays continue shuffling the deck while waiting for the much-anticipated return of Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson. Green earned his first save Friday against the Yankees and, along with Yimi Garcia, will be in the mix for a save until the walking-wounded return.
Ian Hamilton, RP, NYY (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered): An investment in Ian Hamilton, who moves into the setup role now that Jonathan Loaisiga is looking at elbow surgery and will be lost for the year, could prove to be a wise one.
David Robertson, RP, TEX (CBS: 27% rostered, ESPN: 13% rostered): After five games, Robertson delivers precisely what the Rangers envisioned when they signed him to a one-year deal to beef up their bullpen. Jose Leclerc still owns the ninth, but Robertson waits in the wings if he stumbles.
Chris Stratton, KCR (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Just when it couldn’t get more muddled in Kansas City, Chris Stratton earned a save Saturday night and worked his way into the mix for future save opportunities. File this under “longshot,” but until someone in the Royals pen steps up and shows consistency, it’s an open race to full-time ninth-inning duties.
